July 2027 Recommendations — Cinema Arabiyya

This comes quite late as we are already in the final week of July, but for those of you wading through all the Arab films screening in any given month and unsure of what to see, I figured I’d provide my personal recommendations.

Please keep in mind with this recs, that I have not seen everything that’s playing in a given month. Also, taste and preferences may vary. See whatever excites and interests you the most!

Additionally, often screenings, especially more DIY ones, may get added last minute throughout the month so there may be events I’m not even considering in a recommendation posted at the top of the month.

But for the final week of July, here’s what I would recommend you check out!

Film still from *A Sad and Beautiful World* (Courtesy of Watermelon Pictures)

A Sad and Beautiful World (2025) dir. Cyril Aris - Lebanon

In this sweeping love story that spans three decades of passion, heartbreak, and hope, Nino and Yasmina find themselves drawn together by a magnetic relationship. As they face an impossible choice between love and survival, they must decide if they want to build a family and chart a path to happiness in Lebanon, despite the tragedies ravaging the country.

As it’s described on IMDb, it is a “touching and sincere drama”. A really beautiful movie that is honest about the difficult situation in Lebanon, while still being funny, romantic, joyful and hopeful. A really special narrative debut feature from Cyril Aris, who’s directorial work you may be familiar with from his documentaries Dancing on the Edge of a Volcano and The Swing. This film was also selected for the Venice Film Festival and was Lebanon’s Submission to the Oscars.

Playing now at Quad Cinema through August 6th!

In the Battlefields (2004) dir. Danielle Arbid - Lebanon

Beirut, 1983. The secret life of 12-year-old Lina revolves around 18-year-old Siham, her domineering aunt’s maid. In a precarious wartime existence where passion and frustrations overshadow everything, Lina hides and encourages Siham’s clandestine love affairs while Siham shows Lina what her life could be like. But as Lina’s dysfunctional family implodes, class tension, jealousy, and insecurity threaten their vulnerable friendship.

A peak into a different era of Lebanese war and hardship that shines a light on class dynamics and the always vulnerable time period of puberty. A deeply personal work from Arbid, co-starring Rawya El Chab, a now NYC-based actress for a bit of local connection.

Part of the Arab Film and Media Institute’s annual Arab Women in the Arts event, which takes place across multiple venues in the city and online from July 29-August 2. I have not personally seen the other films of Arbid’s that are playing so I would also recommend taking a chance on something new. All of her work is rarely screened in the U.S. and often hard to even find online so this is a very special opportunity to explore her work!

In the Battlefields screens at Anthology Film Archives on July 29th.

Back to you very soon with my recs for August. Happy Leo Season!