Strand Releasing has purchased the U.S. rights to Leila Bouzid’s In a Whisper ahead of its world premiere in competition at this year’s Berlin Film Festival.
The California-based distributor plans to give the film a big festival run this year and release it in theaters in late summer or fall. This is one of the most acclaimed films in the Berlinale competition to date.
“In a Whisper” is the story of Lilia, a young woman who returns to Tunisia for her uncle’s funeral and reunites with her family, who know nothing about life in Paris, especially the woman she loves. As she begins to unravel the mystery of her uncle’s sudden death, she also uncovers her own personal secrets.
Billed as an emotional family mystery about intergenerational love and acceptance, In a Whisper is the third film from up-and-coming Tunisian writer and director Bouzid. His previous film, A Tale of Love and Desire, was the closing film at Cannes Critics Week in 2021, and his debut film, As I Open My Eyes, premiered in Venice in 2015.
In a Whisper stars Hyam Abbas (Succession) and Aya Boutella (Red Path) as a mother-daughter duo, joined by an ensemble cast that includes Marion Barbeau, Salma Bakkal and Feriel Chamali.
The deal was between Strand Releasing’s Jon Gerans and Playtime’s Nicolas Brigaud-Robert.
“We discovered this film at the Berlinale and are thrilled to be working with long-time collaborator Playtime again, and look forward to bringing Bouzid’s beautiful story of family and acceptance to North American audiences,” said Marcus Hu of Strand Releasing.
Current releases in the strand include a new 4K restoration of Gregg Araki’s “Mysterious Skin” on sale at EFM, and Mariam Touzani’s “Calle Malaga” which had a healthy theatrical release in the US.
