Sony Pictures Classics has secured the North American rights to the Sundance Award-winning film The Persian versiona mother daughter drama written, directed and produced by Maryam Keshavarz.
The film’s critical acclaim at Sundance, where it earned the Audience Award in the US Dramatic Competition and the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award in the same sidebar, drew buyers’ attention to the film and a subsequent bidding war in which Sony Pictures Classics was victorious.
Keshavarz’s film about Iranian immigrants in New York and New Jersey who don’t feel at home in America or Iran stars Layla Mohammadi, Niousha Noor, Kamand Shafieisabet, Bijan Daneshmand, Bella Warda, Chiara Stella, Tom Byrne and Shervin Alenabi.
The film revolves around Iranian-American Leila, played by Mohammadi, who comes from two countries at odds, and strives to find balance and embrace her opposing cultures, while shedding the labels that society so quickly projects on her, boldly challenges.
From Maryam Keshavarz The Persian version is an eloquent film about family and freedom and great entertainment at the same time. We are excited to bring the film to audiences everywhere and to collaborate again with our colleagues at Stage 6 Films,” Sony Pictures Classics said in a statement.
Sony Pictures Classics is collaborating with Stage 6 Films on the film’s release. Sony Pictures Releasing International will handle the film internationally. The indie is produced by Keshavarz for Marakesh Films, Anne Carey for Archer Gray Productions, Ben Howe and Luca Borghese for AGX, and Peter Block and Cory Neal for A Bigger Boat.
Keshavarz added in her own statement: “After more than two years watching everything at home and in our pajamas, I am delighted to bring The Persian version to theaters where together we can experience the joy and humor of this big rowdy American immigrant family in a communal setting. I grew up watching and loving SPC movies, and I’m thrilled to be working with them to reach the widest possible audience for this mind-blowing movie.”
UTA Independent Film Group represented the US rights with Stage 6 Films. Keshavarz is represented by UTA, Anne Damato and Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz.
