Isabelle Stever’s Locarno main competition title “I Rarely Wake Up Dreaming,” produced by Tom Tykwer, has been picked up for world sales by France’s Outplay Films.
Produced by Tykwer and Uwe Schott at Berlin-based X Filme Creative Pool and written by Anna Melikova, the film follows Olya and Oleh, a young queer Ukrainian couple whose love is put to the test when one partner’s gender transition collides with Russia’s full-scale invasion. As war narrows and challenges the boundaries of masculinity and femininity, they struggle to preserve their bond and sense of self.
“As a Ukrainian-German filmmaking duo, we aimed to create a film that neither looks away from war nor lets it define every image,” Stever and Melikova said in a joint statement. “We place war’s violence alongside fragile quiet, fear alongside tenderness, and the extraordinary beside the everyday.
“Inspired by our Ukrainian friends’ journey through gender transition, we explore war’s irresistible transition into everyday life,” they added. “By juxtaposing two profound transformations – one chosen, one imposed, we reflect on the topic of identity under extreme conditions. We are grateful to have found soulmates/ kindred spirits in Outplay which will gently guide the film forward with a deep understanding of its complex and sensitive themes.”
Diego Carazo-Migerel Fougères, co-managing director and head of international sales and acquisitions at Marseille-based Outplay Films, stated: “We’re thrilled to launch this collaboration with X Filme Creative Pool on Isabel Stever’s ‘A Rarely Wake Up Dreaming.’ At a time when war casts a shadow over our history, telling the story of the invasion of Ukraine through such an original, minority-centered lens is deeply aligned with our company’s DNA. As Outplay Films continues to expand internationally, this is exactly the kind of story we want to carry as far as possible.”
Expressing delight to have Outplay Films as the film’s world sales partner, Schott and Tykwer added: “Finding the right sales partner is a crucial part of a film’s journey, and in Outplay Films we have found a team whose passion for distinctive cinema and deep understanding of the film’s artistic vision make them an ideal match. We greatly value their commitment and international expertise, and we look forward to introducing ‘I Rarely Wake Up Dreaming’ to audiences around the world together.”
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