Toronto hosts premieres for "Between Dreams And Hope" and Venice presents "Orfeo" at True Colours
In the world of cinema, two captivating titles have recently been added to the autumn festivals slate of the Rome-based sales outfit, True Colours. One of these films, "Orfeo," is the debut feature of Italian filmmaker and visual artist Virgilio Villoresi, while the other is the highly anticipated second feature film by Iranian director Farnoosh Samadi, titled "Between Dreams and Hope."
"Between Dreams and Hope" is a poignant queer love story about Azad, a trans man, and his partner Nora. This film delves into the struggles they face in a society and family that is grappling with the tension between tradition and modernity. The narrative unfolds as they journey to a remote Iranian village to confront Azad's estranged father and obtain the legal documents necessary for Azad to live authentically, including taking steps towards medically transitioning.
The story takes a dramatic turn when Azad goes missing, leaving Nora to search for him with little support from local authorities. This tense journey highlights the struggles faced by the couple against familial rejection and societal conservatism.
The film beautifully explores themes such as the tension between youth and conservative generations in Iran, reflecting the broader clash between radical, modern identities and traditional, repressive norms imposed by society and the regime. It also delves into the quest for personal identity, acceptance, and the right to live authentically as queer individuals in a hostile environment.
"Between Dreams and Hope" will premiere in Toronto's Platform section. Notably, this is not Samadi's first foray into filmmaking. Her previous work, "180 Degree Rule," premiered in Toronto's Discovery programme in 2020.
True Colours, headed by managing director Elliot Gustin-Hollman, has recently made some key promotions. Fabio Tucci has been promoted to head of acquisitions, and Francesca Tiberi has been promoted to head of sales.
In addition to "Between Dreams and Hope," True Colours' autumn festivals slate includes "Orfeo," Franco Maresco's Venice competition title "Bravo Bene!," Antonio Capuano's Venice out-of-competition family drama "Andrea's Island," Valentina Zanella's Giornate Degli Autori documentary "Manara," and Massimiliano Camaiti's Biennale College Cinema documentary "Agnus Dei."
As for "Orfeo," while details about the film were not provided in the article, it has also been added to True Colours' autumn festivals slate. The film centers on a pianist named Orfeo who has an obsession with an abandoned villa shrouded in unresolved legends and serves as a backdrop for Orfeo's imaginary stories. The villa leads Orfeo to an imaginative and unsettling afterlife, where he falls in love with a woman named Eura.
Looking beyond the world of cinema, Black Bear, Universal, and True Brit executives have been announced as speakers for Screen Summit 2025. This event promises to be an exciting opportunity for industry professionals to gather and discuss the latest trends and developments in the world of film.
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"Between Dreams and Hope", a film by Farnoosh Samadi, is a compelling addition to the autumn festivals slate in the world of movies-and-tv. This entertaining piece delves into the heartwrenching story of Azad, a trans man, and his partner Nora, as they navigate societal and familial challenges in Iran.
True Colours' slate also includes "Orfeo", a cinematic offering by Italian filmmaker Virgilio Villoresi, which promises to captivate audiences with its unique narrative revolving around a pianist, Orfeo, and his enchanting obsession with an abandoned villa.
