The Indie US Distributor Film Movement has won North American rights to the French and Tunisia Erige Sehili immigrant drama “The Promised Sky,” which premiered this year in Cannes in the UN’s tribute to the UN.
“The Promised Sky” follows Marie, a pastor and former journalist from Ibolia who lived in Tunisia for 10 years. Her home will be the shelter for Nanny, a young Iborian mother who is looking for a better future, and Jolly, a strong-willed student with hopes for her family. The arrival of a small orphan girl challenges their sense of solidarity in a tense social climate, revealing both their vulnerability and strength.
Sehiri’s previous film, “Under the Fig Trees,” was performed in 2022 for Cannes’ directorial two weeks, and was chosen to represent Tunisia at the 2023 Academy Awards.
The film movement, which released “The Fig Tree Below” in 2023, has acquired Sehiri’s latest film, which was released in North American. According to the statement, they are planning a theatrical development in 2026, and have been released to all major digital platforms and home entertainment markets.
The “Promised Sky” contract was announced by film movement president Michael Rosenberg and Jennyfer Gautier, international sales director for Paris-based Luxbox Films. The film’s producers are Manekki film Didal Domeli and Sehiri, produced by Henia. The co-producer is French Canal+.
“Erige Sehiri has once again demonstrated her extraordinary ability to tell deep human stories with warmth, nuance and compassion,” Rosenberg said in a statement. “The Promised Sky is a film that resonates well beyond the borders, shedding light on the unbreakable bond of resilience and solidarity of the people living in Limbo,” he added. “We are honored to bring this powerful work to a North American audience.”
Variety critic Tomlis praised the film in his “Promised Sky” review, “In addition to being greater than the sum of its parts, it will be a unique drama about marginalized African immigrant women (the usual environment) fighting for their own continents, their own continents, their place and place in Africa.”
The “Promised Sky” acquisition will be added to the growing slate of the film movement, including “Renoir” by Japanese Auter Chai Hayakawa, released by Cannes. Dominique Mor’s police thriller Case 137 is also the title of Cannes. Chinese director Huo Meng’s Berlin Les Silver Bear Winner “Living the Land”.
