May el-Toukhy’s Golden Lion winner WOMAN UNKNOWN continues to build international momentum with a deal secured for Germany and Austria with Weltkino while also adding Swiss distributor Filmcoopi to its growing list of international distributors. Further deals are currently under negotiation across multiple territories.
The deal with Weltkino was negotiated between Bianca Obermaier, Head of Acquisitions at Weltkino and Susan Wendt, Managing Director of TrustNordisk.
Weltkino is thrilled to be on board for this exceptional film and to work again together with our long-standing partner TrustNordisk. Despite the period setting, the film has many layers and metaphors for the times we live in. Weltkino is happy to make THE WOMAN UNKNOWN very well known in Germany. Congratulations to May el-Toukhy and Mathilde Arcel on their fantastic success in Venice, says Daniel Guckau, EVP Acquisitions and Sales at Weltkino.
The deal for Swiss distribution was negotiated between Claudia Badoer and Yves Blösche, Managing Partners from Filmcoopi and Susan Wendt, Managing Director of TrustNordisk.
“Woman Unknown captivated us from the very first screening in Venice. It is a gripping, beautifully crafted film that combines intimate storytelling with a powerful portrait of a woman fighting to reinvent herself. The Golden Lion and the Volpi Cup are a testament to May el-Toukhy’s exceptional vision and Mathilde Arcel’s extraordinary performance. We are honoured to accompany the film on its journey in Switzerland”, says Claudia Badoer and Yves Blösche, Managing Partners of Filmcoopi Zurich.
WOMAN UNKNOWN is generating considerable international interest after it took home the Golden Lion and the Volpi Cup for Best Actress in Venice last weekend. Earlier this week, the film further strengthened its international reach with new distribution deals in France (Memento), Spain (Karma Films), Poland (Best Film), Portugal (Nitrato Filmes) and former Yugoslavia (MCF Megacom), adding to previously announced sales in Italy (Lucky Red), Benelux (September Film), Latin America (California Filmes), Greece & Cyprus (NEO Films) and the Baltics (Estin Film).
WOMAN UNKNOWN has been praised by critics and the festival run currently continues with selection for Centrepiece at TIFF. After TIFF the film will travel to BFI London Film Festival, Riga International Film Festival and Busan International Film Festival.
Since May el-Toukhy’s debut LONG STORY SHORT (2015) the director has proven her exceptional talent for directing emotionally charged and character-driven dramas. Her second feature film QUEEN OF HEARTS (2019) world premiered at Sundance International Film Festival and received numerous awards at festivals all over the world e.g. the Audience Award at Sundance, the Nordic Council Film Prize and 3 awards at Gothenburg International Film Festival, to name a few.
Besides feature films, el-Toukhy has directed multiple episodes of popular series such as THE LEGACY (2017), RIDE UPON THE STORM (2017), CRY WOLF (2020) and several episodes of THE CROWN (2022-2023). May el-Toukhy is also among the five filmmakers in the artistic collective behind the Danish DOGMA 25-initiative.
WOMAN UNKNOWN is el-Toukhy’s third feature film with which she continues her long-term co-operation with screenwriter Maren Louise Käehne (LONG STORY SHORT; QUEEN OF HEARTS, THE BRIDGE, BORGEN).
Synopsis
Marie, a young nanny and housemaid, is about to marry the wealthy older widower, Christian, for whom she is working. But Marie guards a shameful secret. During World War II, she was in an intimate relationship with a German soldier. Now Marie’s past threatens to catch up with her, and she is forced to do everything in her power to preserve her new status as lady of the house in post-war anarchy.
WOMAN UNKNOWN is directed by May el-Toukhy, written by May el-Toukhy and Maren Louise Käehne and produced by Mikael Rieks (LAND OF MINE; BOUNDLESS; APPLAUSE) for Nordisk Film Production A/S in co-production with Nafta Films, Nordisk Film Production Sweden and Film i Väst with support from The Danish Film Institute, Eurimages - Council of Europe, Investment and Development Agency of Latvia, Riga City Council, Nordisk Film & TV Fund, DR, The Swedish Film Institute, SVT, LIAA, Riga Film Fund, TrustNordisk and Zentropa. Local distribution by Nordisk Film Distribution. TrustNordisk handles international sales.