Martin Scorsese has joined the psychological horror film Trees Are Watching as an executive producer. According to Deadline, the filmmaker came aboard the project ahead of its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). This development places a major Hollywood figure on the production team of a film set to debut at one of the industry’s most prominent festivals.
The film is written and directed by Bahman Ghobadi. The synopsis describes the story of Darya, played by Eva Green, a novelist who returns to her hometown of Mardin with her deaf daughter. In Mardin, memories of the past, a Kurdish legend, and the destruction of the surrounding landscape begin to converge. Ghobadi has described the film as being shaped in part by the nightmares that have followed his 18 years of exile and his reflections on the connection between humanity and the natural world.
Scorsese’s involvement is rooted in a longstanding personal connection with Ghobadi. The two have been friends for years, and Scorsese notably presented Ghobadi’s Rhino Season during its world premiere at TIFF in 2012. Serving as executive producers alongside Scorsese are Lucas Akoskin and Bahoz Nasradin. The core production team includes Seyfi Sahin, Bahman Ghobadi, Lydia Dean Pilcher, and Golriz Ehtiati. The film is presented by Open the Door and is a MIJ Film production.
TIFF is currently underway, with horror fans already seeing several thrilling debuts. Trees Are Watching is noted as another highly anticipated title for the festival. No further release details beyond the TIFF premiere have been announced in the current reports.