Hiam Abbass, known for her role as Marcia Roy in HBO’s “Succession,” and Tunisian-Egyptian actress Hend Sabry (“Four Daughters,” “Finding Ola”), will lead the cast of “Your Turn, 203,” a new social comedy set against the backdrop of a struggling Beirut.
Film Debut for Director Cynthia Sawma
Marking her directorial debut, Lebanese filmmaker Cynthia Sawma steps into the spotlight. Previously a casting director for films like Nadine Labaki’s “Capernaum,” Sawma has also created several award-winning shorts. “Your Turn, 203” is being produced by Lebanon’s Abbout Prods. and France’s Wheelhouse Prods., with additional support from Egypt’s Film Clinic, Dubai-based Front Row Filmed Entertainment, and France’s Art Productions.
Plot and Production Partners
Set in 2023, the film captures a Beirut grappling with financial collapse. Abbass plays Aida, a housewife whose life turns when her husband loses his job as a chauffeur. Facing frequent power outages and loneliness, Aida responds to a casting call for extras. She meets Saydeh, played by Sabry, who introduces her to a casting agency, opening up a new social circle and challenging her husband's grumpy demeanor.
Georges Schoucair, head of Abbout Prods., and Sawma will be attending Cannes to discuss the project with production partners. The Party Film Sales is handling international distribution.
Timeliness and Themes
Schoucair highlights the film's resonance, stating, “What makes ‘Your Turn, 203’ particularly timely now is that, because of the war, everybody feels like a pawn or that they are playing an extra in their own life.” The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah adds layers to the film’s narrative, though the core focus remains on the female experience.
Production Schedule
Shooting is planned for October in Beirut. Schoucair expresses hope for a lasting ceasefire or the war’s end by then, facilitating the film’s production amidst the region’s instability.
Source: https://variety.com/2026/film/festivals/hiam-abbas-hend-sabry-comedy-your-turn-203-beirut-ceasefire-1236747159/
