WME Signs Directors Hossein Keshavarz & Maryam Ataei, Duo Behind Sundance Winner That Was Shot In Secret

EXCLUSIVE: WME has signed directors Hossein Keshavarz and Maryam Ataei, the duo behind Sundance winner The Friend’s House Is Here.

The husband and wife directing team have signed with WME for representation in all areas.

The Friend’s House Is Here debuted last month at Sundance in the U.S. Dramatic Competition, where it was well received by critics. The Sundance Grand Jury honored the film’s cast with the Best Ensemble Award.

Produced by Keshavarz and Ataei under their Alma Linda Films banner, alongside executive producer and Sundance winner Maryam Keshavarz (The Persian Version), the feature was shot in secret in Tehran due to tough conditions imposed by the country’s regime.

Set within the city’s underground art scene, the story “centers on two young women who carve out a space of freedom and sisterhood until their creative community is exposed, forcing them to fight to protect one another.”

The production was mounted under extremely challenging conditions, beginning after the country’s bombing by the U.S. last summer. With limited communication access inside Iran, the filmmakers faced significant logistical hurdles in bringing the film to Sundance. In order to deliver the final cut, a member of the team transported the hard drive across the border into Turkey during a 12-hour drive through five security checkpoints. Members of the cast were unable to attend the premiere due to U.S. visa restrictions and they remain in Tehran.

Now based in New York, Keshavarz and Ataei are developing several projects, including the dramatic feature The Buried Mirror, which is slated to begin production in June.

Keshavarz and Ataei will be represented at WME by Niki Montazaran.