Berlin-based Rise and Shine World Sales has acquired global sales rights (except Switzerland) for A Sisters’ Tale by Iranian director Leila Amini prior to the film’s North American premiere at TIFF 2024 today. The deal was negotiated between the founders of Rise and Shine World Sales, Stefan Kloos and Anja Dziersk, and the producers Vadim Jendreyko of Mira Film and Afsaneh Safari of DocManiacs.
The synopsis reads: Laila Amini’s sister Nasreen once filled their family home with her beautiful voice. However, she stopped singing when pressured to marry Mohammad. Over the years, Nasreen dedicated herself to being an excellent wife and mother. Yet, Mohammad primarily saw his role as working outside the home, leaving Nasreen longing for the simple joys and affections of married life. When daughter Hana was born, Nasreen confided in her sister Laila, “I’m growing old, and I’m terrified. My only achievement in life is being the mother of two kids.” Laila sensed a significant change in her sister. But things changed as Nasreen decided to pursue her lifelong passion for singing, even though singing in public is forbidden for women in Iran.
The film was produced by Iranian director/producer Afsaneh Salari at Docmaniacs, known for her 2019 film festival hit The Forbidden Strings, and Vadim Jendreyko at Mira Film, known for directing the multi-award-winning The Woman with the 5 Elephants (2009) and for his producer credits on Blue Note Records (2018) and Taming The Garden (2021).
Rise and Shine´s managing director Stefan Kloos comments: “We saw the film at the world premiere in Locarno this year and were spellbound. It is a delicate, yet really powerful voice out of Iran by an Iranian female filmmaker who lets us witness the restrictions that women are suffering from. We are so happy that we were able to sign a global world sales deal with the producers prior to the International Premiere at TIFF.“
Rise and Shine’s manager Anja Dziersk adds: “Women united in Song’ could be the logline of this captivating film. In a country where women are not allowed to sing in public, Leila Amini shows her sister – mainly in her apartment in Tehran – in her ambition to let her beautiful voice be heard. A wonderful metaphor for the strive for freedom of Iran´s women.”
