Tennis champion Naomi Osaka’s company Hana Kuma has boarded Leonardo Van Dijl’s debut feature “Julie Keeps Quiet” ahead of its world premiere on Saturday in Cannes Critics’ Week. The film is being sold by New Europe Film Sales.
Osaka and her longtime agent and business partner Stuart Duguid’s Hana Kuma, an Emmy Award-nominated creative house, will serve as executive producers on the film.
“Julie Keeps Quiet” tells the story of Julie, the star player at an elite tennis academy, whose life revolves around the game she loves. When her coach falls under investigation and is suddenly suspended, all of the club’s players are encouraged to speak up. But Julie decides to keep quiet.
“I’m so excited to be joining the incredible team on this film with a subject matter that resonates so deeply with me and Hana Kuma,” said Osaka. “Leonardo is an incredible talent and supporting this story is more than an honor; it’s a chance to amplify voices and continue important conversations that drive meaningful change both on and off the court.”
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“Naomi Osaka was a true inspiration for ‘Julie Keeps Quiet,’ not only as an exceptional athlete but also as a courageous individual unafraid to confront complex issues and drive positive change on a global scale,” said Dijl.
“Her influence extends far beyond the realm of sports, demonstrating the profound impact of using one’s platform for meaningful dialogue. Naomi embodies the power of asserting one’s voice, or choosing silence, with conviction. I am deeply honored by her connection to our film. To have Naomi join our ‘Julie Keeps Quiet’ family is beyond my wildest dreams.”
The film is produced by Gilles De Schryver, Gilles Coulier, Wouter Sap and Roxanne Sarkozi for De Wereldvrede (Belgium), and co-produced by Delphine Tomson, Luc Dardenne and Jean-Pierre Dardenne for Les Films du Fleuve (Belgium), Nima Yousefi for Hobab (Sweden), and Kristina Börjeson and Anthony Muir for Film i Väst (Sweden).
Executive producers are Federica Sainte-Rose and Florian Zeller for Blue Morning Pictures. Jour2Fête is on board for French distribution, while Paradiso will distribute the film in the Benelux territories.
