UPDATE: In an urgent move, Picture Tree International has acquired international sales rights for the gripping hostage thriller “Last Call”, just ahead of the European Film Market (EFM). The film, directed by Sherif Francis, is set to make its market premiere with screenings for international buyers, and the teaser has just debuted.
Set against the tense backdrop of New Year’s Eve 1999 in Athens, Greece, “Last Call” follows a desperate fugitive armed with a live grenade as he takes a family hostage, demanding to broadcast live on television as the world counts down to the new millennium. The real-time unfolding of the crisis captures the attention of a young journalist, media executives, and a divided police force, all while an anxious nation watches events spiral toward a tragic conclusion.
Francis, who co-wrote the screenplay with Greek screenwriter Katerina Bei, aims to evoke the same immediacy and uncertainty he experienced as a child witnessing the original event. “With ‘Last Call’, I wanted audiences to feel the unpredictable pace of real time,” Francis explained. The film’s themes resonate globally, addressing media influence and institutional failures.
The ensemble cast features notable actors including Orfeas Avgoustidis (“Card Postale”), Maria Nafpliotou (“Café 404”), Yorgos Benos (“Maestro in Blue”), and Dimitris Lalos (“Chlorine”). Produced by Dionyssis Samiotis for Tanweer Productions, “Last Call” stood out from over 300 submissions during the company’s “Tanweer Pitching Days,” emphasizing its gripping structure and true-event inspiration.
Andreas Rothbauer, founder of Picture Tree Intl., stated, “‘Last Call’ is the kind of elevated European thriller that can travel strongly across theatrical and premium platforms.” The film is set for a domestic release in Greece and Cyprus, targeting a nationwide rollout on March 19, 2024, with over 80 screens planned.
As anticipation builds for this intense thriller, industry experts are eager to see how it performs in international markets. With the film’s focus on real events and human drama, it promises to engage audiences on various platforms. This acquisition underscores the growing interest in narratives that challenge viewers to reflect on the interplay between media and societal dynamics.
Stay tuned for more updates on “Last Call” as it gears up for its international debut at EFM. Share this breaking news as it unfolds!
