Charades co-founder Pierre Mazars frames 'Import' as a universal story that transcends sports, highlighting the fierce, religious-like atmosphere of Serbian basketball culture.
Insiders note the strategic timing: Charades, known for 'Club Kid', is betting big on a Cannes pedigree director to capture AFM buzz with a gritty, authentic European production.
Paul Shkordoff’s short 'Benjamin, Benny, Ben' competed for the Palme d’Or in 2020. 'Import' was developed at TorinoFilmLab’s ScriptLab in 2022 and is currently in post-production.
Charades is playing hardball at AFM by securing a Cannes-tested director for a visually striking basketball drama that promises more than just a game.
The independent film world is buzzing with pre-market tension as Charades, the sales agency behind the viral hit "Club Kid," officially boards "Import," the highly anticipated debut feature from Canadian director Paul Shkordoff. This move comes just weeks before the American Film Market (AFM) opens its doors in Santa Monica, signaling an aggressive strategy to capture distributor attention with a film that boasts serious festival credentials. Shkordoff is no newcomer to the Cannes circuit; his 2020 short "Benjamin, Benny, Ben" competed for the Palme d’Or, and his subsequent work has been championed by heavy hitters like Barry Jenkins.
By securing international sales rights now, Charades is positioning "Import" as a must-see title for buyers looking for authentic, high-concept drama with global appeal. Set against the intense backdrop of European professional basketball, "Import" offers a narrative that deviates sharply from typical Hollywood sports fare. The film follows Danny Ingram, a former high-school prospect whose career was derailed by injury, as he seeks a second chance in Eastern Europe.
Desperate to keep playing, Danny conceals his physical limitations, leading him into a complex intersection with Nima, a Syrian nurse who provides him with crucial employment. The story explores the raw, almost religious devotion to basketball in Serbia, a theme Charades co-founder Pierre Mazars emphasizes as central to the film’s universal appeal. Mazars notes that Shkordoff captures a "singular and fierce atmosphere," effectively using the sport as a lens to examine identity and ambition.
The casting and production details add layers of credibility to the project. American professional basketball player Jawaun Daniels, who has played for clubs across Europe, stars as Danny, bringing authentic on-court skill to the screen. He is joined by French actor Alexis Manenti, known for his role in "Les Misérables," and Mouna Soualem of "The Little Sister." The film was shot in Belgrade, Serbia, and was made in direct partnership with KK Partizan, one of the EuroLeague’s most iconic clubs.
This collaboration ensures that the basketball sequences are not just cinematic illusions but rooted in the real culture of one of Europe’s most passionate fan bases. The script was co-written by Shkordoff and Frank Graziano, who previously co-wrote the Caméra d’Or winner "Murina," ensuring a narrative structure honed by award-winning talent. Shkordoff’s vision for "Import" goes beyond the court, delving into the psychological toll of professional ambition.
In a statement, the director explained that the film explores how "the body can become aware of what the mind refuses to accept," highlighting the fragility of identity when defined solely by work. The project has been in development for years, having been refined through TorinoFilmLab’s ScriptLab program in 2022. Produced by a coalition including Jason Aita of Sweet George Films, Emily Harris of OPC, and Rosalie Chicoine Perreault of Metafilms, the film also features support from major European funds like Eurimages and Telefilm Canada. With post-production complete, "Import" is now ready to hit the market, and Charades’ involvement suggests that the film’s gritty, humanistic take on sports drama will be the next big conversation at AFM.
