As Above, So Below and Moonscape were presented as part of Mizna's Fifteenth Arab Film Fest in October of 2021. The conversation between directors Sarah Francis and Mona Benyamin, moderated by Róisín Tapponi, also occurred as part of Mizna's annual festival.
As Above, So Below
A group of people roam in a bare landscape around a set of swings as their only settlement, as if mapping, exploring, reorganizing the open territory they are in. As they move, changes in soundscapes make them virtually cross geographies. In the sky, a moon-like satellite roves above their heads, following them like an omen. The moon, once symbolizing cyclical times, myths, and new beginnings, is now the satellite waiting to be conquered and colonized. Reality and fantasy intertwine in an existential quest. Is a new beginning really possible? As below, so above.
Festivals and Awards
Berlin International Film Festival, Germany, 2020
International Film Festival Sao Paolo, Brazil, 2020
LatinArab Film Festival, Argentina, 2020
About the filmmaker
Sarah Francis grew up and studied in Beirut. In 2005 her graduation short movie Interferences won the students’ film competition at the European Film Festival 2005. In this very first project, the theme of Beirut city was already present. She participated in several international workshops. Since 2006, she has been working as a freelance director for several production companies. Her first feature film and documentary Birds of September (2013), which she directed and produced, premiered in the CPH:DOX main competition then screened in over 30 international festivals and museums (Art of the Real, Lincoln Center, Stedelijk Museum, DOXA, among others) and won several awards. As Above, So Below is her second feature film and premiered at the Berlinale Forum 2020. She is currently developing her first narrative project.
- Year2020
- Runtime70 minutes
- LanguageArabic, French
- CountryLebanon
- DirectorSarah Francis
- ScreenwriterSarah Francis
- ProducerSarah Francis
- CastNaji Adwan, Ali Ibrahim, Abed Abdallah, Chakib Nassif, Charly Kamar, Denise Roukoz, Fawzi, Geoorges Yaacoub, Jocelyn Karam, Lynn Mudallal, Micheline Raad, Samer Sardouk, Samira Abou Jaoude Latef, Suzy Kerchian | Narrator: Sarah Francis
- CinematographerBassem Fayad
As Above, So Below and Moonscape were presented as part of Mizna's Fifteenth Arab Film Fest in October of 2021. The conversation between directors Sarah Francis and Mona Benyamin, moderated by Róisín Tapponi, also occurred as part of Mizna's annual festival.
As Above, So Below
A group of people roam in a bare landscape around a set of swings as their only settlement, as if mapping, exploring, reorganizing the open territory they are in. As they move, changes in soundscapes make them virtually cross geographies. In the sky, a moon-like satellite roves above their heads, following them like an omen. The moon, once symbolizing cyclical times, myths, and new beginnings, is now the satellite waiting to be conquered and colonized. Reality and fantasy intertwine in an existential quest. Is a new beginning really possible? As below, so above.
Festivals and Awards
Berlin International Film Festival, Germany, 2020
International Film Festival Sao Paolo, Brazil, 2020
LatinArab Film Festival, Argentina, 2020
About the filmmaker
Sarah Francis grew up and studied in Beirut. In 2005 her graduation short movie Interferences won the students’ film competition at the European Film Festival 2005. In this very first project, the theme of Beirut city was already present. She participated in several international workshops. Since 2006, she has been working as a freelance director for several production companies. Her first feature film and documentary Birds of September (2013), which she directed and produced, premiered in the CPH:DOX main competition then screened in over 30 international festivals and museums (Art of the Real, Lincoln Center, Stedelijk Museum, DOXA, among others) and won several awards. As Above, So Below is her second feature film and premiered at the Berlinale Forum 2020. She is currently developing her first narrative project.
- Year2020
- Runtime70 minutes
- LanguageArabic, French
- CountryLebanon
- DirectorSarah Francis
- ScreenwriterSarah Francis
- ProducerSarah Francis
- CastNaji Adwan, Ali Ibrahim, Abed Abdallah, Chakib Nassif, Charly Kamar, Denise Roukoz, Fawzi, Geoorges Yaacoub, Jocelyn Karam, Lynn Mudallal, Micheline Raad, Samer Sardouk, Samira Abou Jaoude Latef, Suzy Kerchian | Narrator: Sarah Francis
- CinematographerBassem Fayad