Under-The-ShadowVertical Entertainment and XYZ Films have partnered for global distribution of the Farsi-language horror thriller UNDER THE SHADOW, which will have its world premiere at the upcoming Sundance Film Festival. The companies will coordinate a global day-and-date release on digital and VOD platforms, alongside a targeted theatrical release in select territories. Netflix will release the film worldwide shortly after the theatrical and transactional debut. The release date is still to be announced.

UNDER THE SHADOW is written and directed by British / Iranian Babak Anvari and stars Narges Rashidi, Avin Manshadi and Bobby Naderi. The film is produced by Lucan Toh, Oliver Roskill and Emily Leo of Wigwam Films. Set in Tehran in 1988 as the Iran-Iraq war rumbles into its eighth year. The bombing campaigns focused on the city, coupled with the country’s bloody revolution, slowly tear a mother and daughter apart. As they struggle to stay together in the midst of these modern terrors, a mysterious evil stalks through their apartment, threatening their grip on reality.

“We’ve once again found ourselves in awe of XYZ’s tastemaker approach to film and are thrilled to be partnering with them on a film we find to be unique not only in the genre itself, but also in its social message,” said Vertical’s Rich Goldberg. “We’re excited to be collaborating with the team at Wigwam Films who have been instrumental in identifying the route to market for this film. UNDER THE SHADOW is a special movie for us to be involved with, and we think audiences across the globe will feel the same.”

“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,” said XYZ Films’ Nate Bolotin. “Babak Anvari is a breakout filmmaking voice and it’s an honor to be a part of this chilling yet harrowing tale with its defiantly strong female performances.”

Vertical has had success with its North American distribution operation and is pushing into the global market with day-and-date releases HE NEVER DIED, which was released in December in collaboration with XYZ, as well as the upcoming TERMINUS, also with XYZ, and FRANK & CINDY. Vertical and XYZ recently announced their collaboration on the global release alongside Japanese studio Nikkatsu on the action film HEADSHOT which is currently in production in Indonesia with the Mo Brothers directing and starring RAID & RAID 2 star Iko Uwais.

XYZ Films is currently producing and handling sales for a number of titles including the international hostage thriller 6 DAYS, starring Jamie Bell, Mark Strong and Abbie Cornish, the action-thriller PILGRIMAGE starring Jon Bernthal, Richard Armitage and Tom Holland and I KILL GIANTS, which is directed by Anders Walter and produced by Chris Columbus, Treehouse Pictures, Man of Action Entertainment and XYZ.

About Jess Landry

Jess Landry is an eccentric billionaire, the inventor of the hacky-sack and a compulsive liar. She spends her time mentally preparing for the zombie apocalypse and playing with her cats. You can find some of her work online at SpeckLit.com and EGM Shorts.

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