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EXCLUSIVE: Against the odds, Lebanon has submitted Mira Shaib’s social dramedy Arzé as its candidate for the Best International Feature category at the 97th Academy Awards.
The drama – produced by L.A. and Cairo-based production company Ambient Light – stars Lebanese actress Diamand Abou Abboud (The Insult, Insyriated) as the titular Arzé, a single mother whose home-cooked pizza delivery business is jeopardized when her scooter is stolen.
Determined to retrieve their main source of income, she takes her teenage son on a journey across sectarian Beirut.
The drama is billed as both a gripping family tale and a tribute to Beirut, as a “a kaleidoscopic portrait of the city, rich in complexity and resilience”.
Shaib as well as writers/producers Faissal Sam Shaib and Louay Khraish describe the feature – filmed in more than 20 locations across Beirut – as an ode and love letter to the city.
The selection of the picture as Lebanon’s Oscar candidate comes as the city and its population remains caught in the crosshairs of the escalating Israel-Hezbollah conflict, which has resulted in several Israeli airstrikes on the city.
“Arzé is deeply personal to me because it reflects the heart of Lebanon—its resilience and its beauty, even in the face of overwhelming hardship,” said Shaib.
“This film is a tribute to the strength and spirit of a people who endure, especially the women whose courage and hope shine through the darkest times. Through Arzé’s story, I want to share the essence of Beirut, a city that, like its people, continues to resist, to fight, and to claim the future they deserve,” she added.
Writers and producers Shaib and Khraish echoed these sentiments.
“It’s been our lifelong dream to have our film represent Lebanon, but this moment comes amid extreme sorrow and tragedy. We find ourselves in constant fear for the safety of our families and all Lebanese. We hope for a ceasefire soon,” they said.
The first feature world premiered at the Beijing International Film Festival, followed by a North American debut at the Tribeca Festival.
It has since screened at the Newport Beach Film Festival, Asian World Film Festival, Festival du Monde Arabe de Montréal, Lebanese Film Festivals in Paris & Australia, and Cine Fem 12, plus upcoming screenings at Cairo IFF, Carthage IFF, and Women Days FF, and Mostra de Valencia.
Ali El Arabi, Executive Producer and CEO of Ambient Light, said that although the film revolves around a Lebanese woman, it tells a universal story.
“Arzé is every woman. She is the woman I see walking through the streets of Cairo, navigating the busy lanes of New York, or searching for meaning in the alleys of China. She embodies the resilience of those seeking hope in the face of life’s relentless complexities—its nightmares, heartbreaks, and trials,” he said.
“To me, Arzé symbolizes not just a woman but humanity itself, a beacon of hope for a better world for us and those we cherish. This profound connection with her character made me fall in love with the script instantly.”
This marks Lebanon’s 20th submission for the Academy Awards, with several films previously shortlisted and two nominations: The Insult in 2017 and Capernaum in 2018.
Lead actress Abboud is best known internationally for her role in the Oscar-nominated The Insult. alongside Betty Taoutel, and Bilal Al Hamwi.
Ambiant Light handles international sales on the film, with Middle East sales overseen by Cinewaves, and Zeina Badran producer of Spotless Minds Films.
