If the Sun Drowned into an Ocean of Clouds marks the third collaboration between Wissam Charaf and MAD Solutions.
French-Lebanese short film If the Sun Drowned into an Ocean of Clouds, directed, written, and co-edited by Wissam Charaf alongside Clémence Diard, is set to screen at the 30th edition of European Film Weeks, running from February 14 to March 2. This announcement follows the film’s recent win at the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival, where it clinched the National Special Jury Prize.
Scheduled for four screenings across the country, this comedic gem from France and Lebanon will light up screens on February 15 at 8 pm at Lutetia, Casablanca; February 17 at 7 pm at Le Colisée, Marrakech; February 21 at 7 pm at Cinéma Rif, Tangier; and February 24 at 6 pm and 9 pm at Renaissance, Rabat.
Set against the backdrop of a construction site on the Beirut waterfront, the film weaves a poetic narrative about unfulfilled dreams, following Raed—a security guard tasked with preventing unauthorised access to the shoreline. As the horizon dims under the shadow of the under-construction building, Raed finds himself immersed in a series of peculiar encounters, or perhaps mere manifestations of his desires.
Since its world premiere in the Orizzonti Section of the Venice International Film Festival, If the Sun Drowned into an Ocean of Clouds has garnered international acclaim, clinching awards from esteemed film festivals worldwide. Notable accolades include the Unifrance International Award at the Festival International de Courts Métrages d’Aix-en-Provence and the Best Short Film and the Emile Chahine Award for Cinematic Excellence at the Beirut Shorts International Film Festival.
The film features performances by Raed Yassin, Rodrigue Sleiman, Said Serhan, and Hala Dabaji, with cinematography by Martin Rit, production by Charlotte Vincent and Katia Khazak (Aurora Films), and co-production by Pierre Sarraf (Né à Beyrouth Films). Emmanuel Zouki handles sound design, while music is composed by The Incompetents. MAD Solutions is responsible for the film’s Arab World distribution and sales.
