LEBANON, 2026. Directed by Cyril Aris.
RELEASE DATE: 29 January 2026 (Lebanon); 22 May 2026 (Spain), 4 June 2026 (Netherlands). Consult our Instagram page to find screenings in your country through our assistant (in bio), Immerso.
A story where the universal elements of love meet the unique, vibrant colours of Lebanese life. Realistic yet leaning towards the magical, A Sad and Beautiful World is a mosaic of impressions, encounters, memories and fragments of daily life that feel ordinary yet precious. A dreamy vibe and a touch of humour make the film flow effortlessly and harmoniously.
Nino (Hasan Akil) is the enthusiastic owner of a small restaurant. When he accidentally meets corporate worker Yasmina (Mounia Akl) it seems like they have nothing in common, but their tense exchanges transform when they realise that they used to be best friends in childhood. Maintaining a relationship as adults, however, proves to be challenging in many ways. Their incompatible approaches to life are just the tip of the iceberg as they encounter obstacles at every turn. Compromise becomes a central element as so many forces pull them in different directions. The characters gaze at the stars but reality shatters their aspirations and forces them to deal with fear and destruction instead.
While the story focuses primarily on the couple, it encompasses all the peripheral elements affecting the relationship: career, family, memories, arguments, migration, war and displacement. It would be reductive to call this film a romantic comedy because in spite of its lighthearted touches, the context is imbued with tragedy. Every life decision forces the characters to face, or run from, imminent risk. The political climate and relentless conflicts affect the lives of ordinary people much more consequentially than can be imagined.
The pacing of the film captures the chaos of life beautifully: it shows how time often seems to move too fast yet each moment, when you zoom in on it, carries weight and meaning. The non-linear approach does not feel scattered but rather gives a realistic impression of time: the past is never really archived as it seeps into the cracks of the present, and the future looms over every moment, often robbing it of its playfulness. Meanwhile, joy and anxiety waltz together at all times, often wrapped in a veil of melancholy.
A Sad and Beautiful World is a precious addition to modern Middle Eastern cinema as it manages to combine the vicissitudes of common people with those of a country at large, imparting an understanding that the two spheres are viscerally connected.
The Immersive Verdict: A precious addition to modern Middle Eastern cinema. It flows effortlessly and captures the chaos of life beautifully.
— Mersa Auda
