EXCLUSIVE: Director Haifaa Al Mansour returns to her home country of Saudi Arabia to shoot the crime film Unknown, Exploring the reality of women amidst the current period of tremendous social change in the country.
“I am thrilled to return to Saudi Arabia for my third film that explores the hidden lives of Saudi women and uses the crime genre to explore a gripping story rooted in the deeper issues that women face Kingdom,” said Al Mansour.
The film is in pre-production and is expected to begin shooting soon. UTA Independent Film Group and Memento International are joining forces for joint sales and will launch the project in Cannes.
The drama is triggered by the discovery of the lifeless body of a teenage girl in the desert outside a small town. When no one claims the body, Noelle Al Saffan, a newly divorced true crime lover who recently lost her own child, obsessively intervenes.
Despite a ticking clock that seemingly guarantees that the girls’ senseless deaths will be dismissed as a cold case, Noelle is determined to identify the body and uncover the truth. She slowly reveals the secret of a traditional society in transition, in which women learn to create more space for themselves and take control of their own fate.
“Huge changes are taking place in the Kingdom, particularly when it comes to women and their work environment. Therefore, I am excited to take the audience on a journey of discovery as we uncover the clues that reveal the cause of a young woman’s unconscious death. I can’t wait to share this film with the world,” said Al Mansour.
The director made history with her debut film in 2012 Wadjdathe first feature film shot entirely in Saudi Arabia and the first feature film by a Saudi female director. Wadjda The film had its world premiere at the Horizons sidebar in Venice and then represented Saudi Arabia at the Oscars.
The film’s highly acclaimed festival appearance and worldwide box office success put Al Mansour on the international cinema map and she directed English-language films Mary Shelleywith Elle Fanning, followed by Diaper to the end for Netflix.
Al Mansour returned to Saudi Arabia to work shortly after the country’s 35-year cinema ban was lifted in late 2017 The perfect candidatewhich premiered in competition in Venice in 2019 and was also an Oscar entry for Saudi Arabia.
The script for Unknown was written by Al Mansour and Brad Niemann, who also served as co-author The perfect candidate. The pair are also producing the new film with Rotana Studios in the Middle East.
“We are thrilled to be working with such a talented director,” said Memento International.
“The script of Unknown is a real page turner, an exciting crime investigation full of surprises that tackles social issues in an entertaining way and will delight a worldwide audience. This new film will be another milestone in the impressive career of Haifaa Al Mansour.”
Al Mansour is repped by UTA, Anonymous Content and Paul Hastings.