Its looking like all that frantic buzz which surrounded Babak Anvaris UNDER THE SHADOW was as kosher as it comes, with early Sundance reviews raving about just how effective the supernatural shocker really is. Only last Friday Netflix couldnt resist nabbing the streaming rights before the film had even debuted and now Vertical have followed suit, partnering with XYZ Films for global distribution duties.
Accordingly, UNDER THE SHADOW bags itself a global day-and-date release on digital and VOD platforms, alongside a targeted theatrical release in select territories with Vertical and XYZ coordinating the release with Netflix wholl be taking the film worldwide shortly after the theatrical and transactional debut.
Penned and directed by Anvari, UNDER THE SHADOW is set in 1988 Iran amidst the bloodshed of the Iran-Iraq War and relates the tale of Shideh (Narges Rashidi) and her daughter Dorsa (Avin Manshadi), both convinced their abode is possessed by a devilish djinn. Despite many a producer reluctant to back Anvaris plan to shoot a Farsi-language feature, the director stuck to his guns and had the following to say at Sundance: Its very exciting. Obviously, when I sent out the script some producers were a bit dubious and saw it as a bit of a risk but London-based production company Wigwam Films were the ones who never flinched and took it on board and here we are now. Its been amazing that all this good news has come at the very start of the festival and it also means now I can just chill and relax and enjoy the rest of the festival and meet new people.
XYZs Nate Bolotin also commented, This distribution alliance with Vertical and Netflix will ensure that UNDER THE SHADOW has a chance to be seen by the largest audience worldwide for years to come. Babak Anvari is a breakout filmmaking voice and its an honor to be a part of this chilling yet harrowing tale with its defiantly strong female performances.
This latest partnership is a further testament to Verticals confidence in XYZ Films tastemaker approach, after working together on Jason Krawczyks cannibalistic horror/comedy HE NEVER DIED last December and a further two projects in the pipeline: Marc Furmies apocalyptic thriller TERMINUS, and the Indonesian actioner HEADSHOT, currently in production with the Mo Brothers directing and starring RAID & RAID 2 star Iko Uwais.
Whilst the official release date is yet to be announced, theres still one last chance for anyone attending Sundance to catch the film this Thursday, January 28 at Prospector Square Theatre. Something tells me youd be mad to miss it
