Indie Sales has boarded Nathalie Najem’s “No Way Back,” a timely feature debut tackling domestic violence with a cast led by Bastien Bouillon (“The Night of the 12th”) and Zita Hanrot (“Angry Annie”).
Now in post, “No Way Back” will be introduced to buyers by the banner Indie Sales at the Unifrance Rendez-Vous showcase next week.
“No Way Back” tells the story of Laura, who is rebuilding her life after years under the toxic influence of Joachim and is raising their daughter on her own. When Joachim’s new girlfriend, Shirine, shows up at her door in dire straits, Laura realizes that they must help each other to get rid of Joachim’s harmful influence. The film appears to be in a similar vein as Xavier Legrand’s Venice prizewinner “Custody,” with an emphasis on sisterhood.
Bouillon won last year’s Cesar Award for best male newcomer for his role in Dominick Moll’s “The Night of the 12th.” The movie, which swept six Cesar awards, stars Bouillon as a cop obsessively trying to solve the gruesome murder of a young woman. Hanrot, meanwhile, starred in abortion drama “Angry Annie” as well as Netflix’s “The Hook Up Plan,” and won the Cesar Award for most promising actress for 2015’s “Fatima.”
“No Way Back” is produced by 31 Juin Films (“The Freshmen”). The company previously teamed with Najem on her short film “Babylove” which already starred Bouillon in the lead role. Paname will release the movie next year in France.
Alfred Deragne, head of acquisitions at Indie Sales, said: “Nathalie Najem’s script is as thrilling as it is tender, and we can’t wait to see how her fantastic cast will embrace its emotional complexity.” Deragne said it was a “timely, tension filled drama that should resonate with audiences worldwide.”
Indie Sales’ Rendez-Vous slate also includes the market premiere for Teddy Lussi-Modeste’s “The Good Teacher,” starring François Civil (“Three Musketeers”) as a young teacher wrongfully accused of sexual misconduct by a teenage girl in his class. The film is penned by “Happening” director Audrey Diwan and produced by Kazak Productions (“Titane”).
Indie Sales will also unveil the first market screening of Yolande Moreau’s “The Jolly Forgers, and is launching “Juliette in Spring,” Blandine Lenoir’s follow up to “Angry Annie” starring Laure Calamy (“Call My Agent!”).
The Unifrance Rendez-Vous showcase will take place Jan. 16-23 in Paris.
