MPI Media Group and Dark Sky Films Acquire
North American Distribution Rights To HOOD WITCH
Critically Acclaimed SXSW Thriller Stars Iranian-French
Actress Golshifteh Farahani Directed By Emerging French Director Saïd Belktibia
At this year's Overlook Film Festival, viewers can experience the enigmatic thriller "Hood Witch" by French filmmaker Saïd Belktibia. Premiering at SXSW and selected as one of the opening night films at Overlook, the acquisition news comes in as MPI Media Group / Dark Sky Films secures distribution rights. "Hood Witch" follows single mother Nour (Golshifteh Farahani) and her son, as Nour navigates a dangerous world of smuggling exotic animals and illicit goods. Seeking a better future for her son, she creates a mobile app connecting clients and marabouts, but faces unforeseen tragedy and violence. MPI Media Group / Dark Sky Films will distribute the film in North America, with a full release expected in late fall.
MPI Media Group has secured the North American distribution rights for the thriller HOOD WITCH from Paris-based WTFilms. This marks the debut film of emerging French director Saïd Belktibia and features acclaimed Iranian-French actress Golshifteh Farahani (Pirates of the Caribbean, Extraction, Extraction 2) and Denis Lavant. HOOD WITCH premiered at this year’s SXSW Film Festival and is slated to play The Overlook Film Festival this upcoming weekend. HOOD WITCH will be released by MPI Media Group’s genre subsidiary, Dark Sky Films, in late fall 2024.
HOOD WITCH follows a single mother Nour (Golshifteh Farahani) and her son. Nour makes a living from smuggling exotic animals and illicit products (birds of prey, venom, rare roots, etc.). Wishing to get her son out of the city and offer him a better future, she designs and develops an mobile app that connects clients and marabouts. It’s a success, but a patient’s consultation turns into a tragedy and Nour has to face a wave of violence that could cost her and her son their lives.
HOOD WITCH debuted to critical acclaim at this year’s SXSW Film Festival. The film serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of modern society as it cleverly intertwines themes of social media pitfalls, religious extremism, unregulated black market activities. Josh Hurtado of Screen Anarchy hails HOOD WITCH as, “A survival thriller set in a rarely explored world is a welcome addition to 2024’s genre film repertoire, and Belktibia’s voice is one that I cannot wait to hear more of.”
Gregory Chambet, co-founding Partner at WTFilms, negotiated the deal with MPI & Dark Sky Films and said, "Hood Witch is a very passionate project for everyone involved, from Saïd Belktibia’s personal story and themes that were very close to him, to Golshifteh Farahani's moving portrayal of a modern mother. We are very pleased that this echoed strongly with MPI Media Group’s team and can’t wait to have them release the film to American audiences. The reception at SXSW has been very encouraging and validating."
Golshifteh Farahani, an Iranian-French actress, achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first Iranian star to feature in a major Hollywood production: Ridley Scott's Body of Lies (2008), alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe. Farahani also appeared alongside Chris Hemsworth in Extraction and Extraction 2. With a career spanning over 30 films, series, and theatrical works, Farahani is renowned for leveraging her influential platform to advocate for the struggle of Iranian women for freedom and equality.
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