International sales agent Salaud Morisset has acquired world rights to “Silent Rebellion” (À bras-le-corps), the debut feature from Swiss director Marie-Elsa Sgualdo. The film is set to have its world premiere in the new Spotlight section at the upcoming Venice Film Festival. Variety debuts an exclusive clip here.
“Silent Rebellion” tells the story of 15-year-old Emma, who becomes pregnant after a rape. Defying her oppressive rural Protestant community, Emma embarks on a journey of self-determination, transforming her trauma into a catalyst for emancipation while confronting the moral hypocrisy of her village and the lingering shadows of World War II.
“The film follows the growing movement of women filmmakers who are reinterpreting 20th-century historical events through a feminist lens, highlighting women’s narratives that have often been overlooked,” Salaud Morisset said in a statement.
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Salaud Morisset and Sgualdo previously partnered on her short film “You Can’t Do Everything at Once, But You Can Leave Everything at Once,” which premiered in Directors’ Fortnight at Cannes.
Francois Morisset said: “In the spirit of recent European films that revisit 20th-century history – such as ‘Piccolo Corpo,’ ‘Vermiglio’ and ‘The Sound of Falling’ – Marie-Elsa’s debut feature resonates deeply with contemporary issues. Through the fierce determination of Emma, portrayed with breathtaking depth and charisma by newcomer actress Lila Gueneau, the film explores the price of emancipation, the resilience of the human spirit, and the vital force of youth.”
Produced by Elena Tatti and Nicolas Wittwer for Box Productions, “Silent Rebellion” is a co-production with Hélicotronc (Belgium), Offshore (France), and RTS – Radio Télévision Suisse, with support from Eurimages, the Council of Europe, Federal Office of Culture (FOC), Cinéforom and the Loterie Romande, the Cinema and Audiovisual Centre of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, Shelter Prod, Taxshelter.be and ING, the Belgian Federal Government’s Tax Shelter, the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Region, CNC, and MEDIA Desk Switzerland.
Distribution in Switzerland will be managed by Outside the Box.
