An assured, emotionally rich film about the lies a family tells to keep their patriarch happy; and the unattended costs of their falsehood. After sixty years of marriage, Antoine and Vivi have lost their most beloved daughter; but no one has dared to tell the bedridden nonagenarian Antoine, lest his heart crack. A simple solution, though everyone else in this densely interconnected family has then to live the same lie, giving no expression to their grief. A deeply affecting, beautifully shot cinematic novella; like all the best stories The Swing is a simple tale, but one that never short-changes its viewers.

+ Q&A with director Cyril Aris. This is a UK Premiere.

Nominated for the Open City Award. Received Special Mention.

Cyril Aris is a Lebanese writer/director, based in Beirut and New York. His debut feature documentary The Swing had its world premiere in the competition of the 53rd Karlovy Vary IFF. His short film, The President’s Visit, premiered at TIFF, won the US NBR grant, was shortlisted for a student BAFTA, won the Muhr jury prize in Dubai, the grand jury prize in Oscar-qualifying Nashville FF, and played in over 40 festivals worldwide. Aris holds an MFA from Columbia University in NY, and has taught film at Columbia, NHSI (Northwestern University) and Barnard.