Venice’s ‘The Witness’ Adds Sales, Trailer Debuts, Director Talks Iran Situation, Working With Jafar Panahi (EXCLUSIVE)
variety.comMarta Balaga “The Witness,” premiering at the Venice Film Festival, has sold to Benelux (Edgy), France (Jour2fete) and No.mad Entertainment (Italy).
The film’s German distributor is Missing Films as previously reported. The film, which is directed by Nader Saeivar, and co-written by Saeivar and Jafar Panahi, is debuting its trailer (below).“I’ve been working with Jafar Panahi since 2017 and ‘3 Faces.’ He taught me it’s possible to make a good film with a small group of people, in secret.
Perhaps this type of filmmaking was actually invented by Panahi himself?” wondered Saeivar. Repeatedly persecuted and arrested, Panahi was recently released from jail in 2023 after he went on hunger strike.“I am proud he’s been by my side, like a teacher, in all three films I’ve made.
I learnt not to be afraid, not to make excuses and just make movies.”In “The Witness,” a retired dance teacher claims her friend was murdered by her violent – and powerful – husband.
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