In the midst of Iranian protests, Iranian director Jafar Panahi has just had his newest film, No Bears, acquired by Sideshow and Janus Films. Panahi is currently serving a six-year prison sentence by the Iranian government.
No Bears features two concurrent love stories in which both couples must overcome hidden obstacles and the mechanics of power. Pahani wrote, produced, directed, and stars in the film that made its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival and won the Special Jury Prize. It later played at the Toronto International Film Festival.
His jail sentence stems from an inquiry he made into the arrest of two other Iranian film directors. Although the Iranian government banned him from directing movies for 20 years in 2010, he has continued to show films in defiance of the government. No Bears will get a theatrical release from Sideshow and Janus and will also play at the New York Film Festival and the BFI London Film Festival.
