Cyril Aris’s work spans documentary and fiction, often exploring themes of memory, identity, and urban life. He gained international recognition with his debut feature documentary, THE SWING, which premiered at Visions du Réel and earned critical acclaim for its intimate portrait of Beirut. His last outing was the documentary DANCING ON THE EDGE OF A VOLCANO, which premiered at Karlovy Vary, where it won a Special Mention, and further cemented his voice as a chronicler of contemporary Lebanon. Beyond directing, Aris is a producer and co-founder of Abbout Productions, one of Lebanon’s leading independent production companies, behind several internationally acclaimed Arab f ilms. Through both his own work and his collaborations, he continues to play a key role in shaping the landscape of independent Lebanese cinema.
A SAD AND BEAUTIFUL WORLD: Aris’ latest title is about a three-decade-long love story with political undertones that premiered as part of the Giornate Degli Autori of the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, where it won an Audience Award.
International Appeal: A SAD AND BEAUTIFUL WORLD made its way to more than 30 festivals worldwide and won more than 15 awards, including three best film awards, five audience awards, and a best screenplay award.
Academy Award Submission: The film was officially selected to represent Lebanon at the 98th Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category.
