Mohsen Gharaei’s Iranian Drama ‘Falling House’ Sells Across Europe After Venice Festival Premiere (EXCLUSIVE)
Iranian filmmaker Mohsen Gharaei's drama "Falling House" has secured a wave of international sales after premiering to strong reviews in the Horizons section of the Venice Film Festival. Paris-based sales agent Paradise City Sales has closed deals with Jokers Films for France, Wanted Cinema for Italy and Karma Films for Spain, with further negotiations ongoing in other territories, underlining the film's early festival buzz and commercial appeal.
The film centres on Rashid, a suspended prison guard living on the outskirts of Tehran, whose home faces demolition under a redevelopment scheme just as he learns his eldest daughter secretly plans to leave Iran to become a model. Gharaei, following up his 2017 Busan prize-winner "Blockage," made the film under Iran's censorship restrictions and describes it as a tale of "lost freedom." Distributors have likened it to the protest cinema of Mohammad Rasoulof, Maryam Moghadam and Saeed Roustaee, highlighting its portrayal of patriarchy and women's invisibility in Iranian society; it stars Farhad Aslani, Laleh Marzban, Rima Raminfar and Elena Khakbazan and is backed by producers including Seven Springs Pictures, RaeFilm Studios and 3SIX9 Studios.
In short
- "Falling House" sells to France, Italy and Spain after Venice premiere
- Iranian family drama tackles demolition, patriarchy and censorship
- Director Gharaei follows up his award-winning 2017 film "Blockage"
Explained simply
Iranian filmmakers work under state censorship, which can affect what stories they tell and how they show them. Mohsen Gharaei is known for “Blockage”, a film that won a prize at the Busan festival in 2017.
“Falling House” follows Rashid, a suspended prison guard in Tehran, as he faces the loss of his home and learns that his daughter wants to leave Iran. Its family story touches on redevelopment, women’s choices and the limits people face in shaping their lives. The Venice Film Festival is a major international showcase where films can attract attention from critics and distributors.
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