Beta Cinema has picked up international sales rights to feel-good comedy “Agnes & Amir” ahead of its premiere on Sunday at the Munich Film Festival. The film, directed by Helena Hufnagel, is based on a true story.
The film follows Iranian Amir, who is waiting to hear if his refugee status in Germany will be accepted or whether he’ll be deported. He moves into the Berlin apartment of Agnes, a 101-year-old who is trying to avoid being sent to live in a retirement home. Despite their differences, the flatmates form a close bond that helps them confront the challenges that life throws their way.
X Verleih will release the film in German theaters on Nov. 19.
The screenplay is written by Malte Welding (“Text for You,” “Love Again”), based on a story by Paul M. Feldmann.
Hufnage first gained international attention with her short film “Willa” (2014), adapted from a Stephen King story, which screened at major festivals, including Palm Springs. She made her feature debut with “Pretty Far From Okay” (2017), earning a Bavarian Film Award. Her feature “Commitment Phobia,” which premiered at Munich, became one of the most successful German theatrical releases of 2021. Hufnagel’s “Silver and the Book of Dreams,” produced by Constantin Film for Amazon Studios, premiered at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival in 2023, and was nominated for the German Television Award.
The cast is led by Katharina Thalbach, one of Germany’s most acclaimed and beloved actresses. Internationally, she is best known for her performances in Volker Schlöndorff’s Palme d’Or- and Oscar-winning “The Tin Drum” (1979) and Alan J. Pakula’s “Sophie’s Choice” (1982). Thalbach is also an Officier des Arts et des Lettres, awarded by the French Ministry of Culture.
She stars opposite emerging actor Bardo Böhlefeld (“Jesus Cries,” “Darkroom”), who was nominated for best new actor at Munich in 2022 for “All Russians Love Birch Trees.” The ensemble cast also includes Ulrike Kriener, Noah Saavedra, Ronald Zehrfeld, Rainer Bock, Jannik Schümann and Sara Fazilat.
“Agnes & Amir” is produced by Fabian Halbig and Florian Kamhuber of Nordpolaris, in co-production with ZDF and Arte. It is supported by MBB, FFF Bayern, MDM, FFA and DFFF.
The director of photography is Aline László (“The Colony”), with music by Martin Kohlstedt (“A Higher Law”).
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