First Look at Hiam Abbass in Psychological Thriller ‘DAUGHTER OF EDEN’ Ahead of AFM
First Look at Hiam Abbass in Psychological Thriller ‘DAUGHTER OF EDEN’ Ahead of AFM
Paris-based sales company Lucky Number has released the first image of Hiam Abbass (Succession) in DAUGHTER OF EDEN, the London-set psychological thriller from Iranian-British filmmaker Fateme Ahmadi. The company will launch international sales at the American Film Market, where buyers will also get their first look at promotional footage from the feature directorial debut.
The film follows a woman whose search for answers about her family's past draws her into the life of a patient suspected of having connections to Saddam Hussein's former regime. As her investigation deepens, she becomes increasingly entangled in the patient's life, with her pursuit of the truth threatening to cross the line between justice and revenge.
Joining Abbass are Yasmin Al-Khudhairi (A Good Girl's Guide to Murder), Amir El-Masry (Giant), and Lindsay Duncan (Birdman).
DAUGHTER OF EDEN marks Ahmadi's transition into feature filmmaking following several recognized short films, including the British Independent Film Award-nominated Bitter Sea and Leila's Blues, which screened at Cannes Directors' Fortnight as part of the Tunisia Factory initiative.
“Daughter of Eden began with a question I kept coming back to: how far might someone go for justice when the past still feels painfully present?” Ahmadi said. “I wanted to explore the pain that can stay with a person long after the violence itself has ended.”
The film examines the psychological consequences of political persecution through a suspense-driven narrative built around suspicion, personal history, and the complicated relationship between those who have suffered violence and those believed to be responsible.
Lucky Number described the project as a psychological thriller that builds tension and uncertainty while examining the relationship between perpetrators and victims.
The film is produced by Jack Tarling of Shudder Films (Kneecap, God's Own Country) and Pietro Greppi of Lunapark Pictures (Flux Gourmet), in co-production with Jackie Larkin of Newgrange Pictures.
Funding comes from the British Film Institute through National Lottery support and BBC Film, in association with Screen Ireland, Civic Studios, and Three Point Capital. Both the BFI and BBC Film previously supported the project's development.
Lucky Number will present the first promotional footage from DAUGHTER OF EDEN to international distributors at AFM as the production team completes work on the film.
Founded in 2024 by Olivier Barbier, Ola Byszuk, and Lenny Porte, Lucky Number specializes in international auteur-driven cinema. Its recent slate includes festival selections Where To?, Strawberries, Death Has No Master, and Day in the Life of Jo: Chapter Phaedra.
With Abbass leading the cast and Ahmadi making her feature debut, DAUGHTER OF EDEN brings together an established international ensemble and a filmmaker whose previous work has earned recognition on the festival circuit.
A theatrical release date and distribution details have not yet been announced.
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