World Premiere of May el-Toukhy’s "Woman Unknown", Competing for the Golden Lion in Venice

The 83rd Venice International Film Festival is currently underway, where May el-Toukhy’s "Woman Unknown" premiered yesterday. The film is competing for the Golden Lion, the festival’s highest and most prestigious award.

In "Woman Unknown", the young Marie faces a life-changing decision as she prepares to marry a wealthy older widower. The marriage promises security and a fresh start, but a dark secret from her past threatens to destroy everything. The Venice International Film Festival takes place from 2 to 12 September, culminating in the awards ceremony on the festival’s final day.

Synopsis

Marie, a young nanny and housemaid, is about to marry the wealthy older widower, Christian, for whom she is working. But Marie guards a shameful secret. During World War II, she was in an intimate relationship with a German soldier. Now Marie’s past threatens to catch up with her, and she is forced to do everything in her power to preserve her new status as lady of the house in post-war anarchy.

Production Facts

Director: May el-Toukhy
Scriptwriters: May el-Toukhy and Maren Louise Kähne.

Produced by Mikael Rieks for Nordisk Film Production A/S in co-production with Nafta Films, Nordisk Film Production Sweden and Film i Väst with support from The Danish Film Institute, Eurimages - Council of Europe, Investment and Development Agency of Latvia, Riga City Council, Nordisk Film & TV Fund, DR, The Swedish Film Institute, SVT, LIAA, Riga Film Fund, TrustNordisk and Zentropa. Local distribution by Nordisk Film Distribution. TrustNordisk handles international sales.

"Woman Unknown" was partly shot in Gothenburg, Sweden, with VFX post-production by Dupp Film.

Woman Unknown

May el-Toukhy