UPDATE: The highly anticipated hostage thriller ‘Last Call’ has been officially acquired by Picture Tree Intl. for international sales just ahead of the European Film Market (EFM) launch. The film, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Sherif Francis, is set to make a significant impact with its gripping real-time narrative inspired by true events.
Set against the backdrop of New Year’s Eve 1999 in Athens, ‘Last Call’ tells the harrowing story of a desperate fugitive armed with a live grenade who takes a family hostage, demanding to go live on television as the world counts down to the new millennium. This urgent situation unfolds in real time, drawing in a young journalist, media executives, and a divided police force, creating a tense atmosphere that captivates an entire nation.
The teaser for ‘Last Call’ is now available, showcasing the film’s intense pacing and emotional depth. Francis, who co-wrote the script with Greek screenwriter Katerina Bei, expressed his desire for audiences to experience the immediacy and uncertainty he felt as a child during the actual event. “With ‘Last Call’, I wanted audiences to feel the unpredictable pace of real time,” he said.
The film features an ensemble cast, including rising stars such as Orfeas Avgoustidis, Maria Nafpliotou, Yorgos Benos, and Dimitris Lalos. Produced by Dionyssis Samiotis for Tanweer Productions, ‘Last Call’ emerged from the company’s “Tanweer Pitching Days,” standing out among more than 300 submissions.
Andreas Rothbauer, founder of Picture Tree Intl., highlighted the film’s gripping structure and true-event basis, stating, “‘Last Call’ is the kind of elevated European thriller that can travel strongly across theatrical and premium platforms.”
The domestic theatrical release in Greece and Cyprus is set for March 19, with plans for a nationwide rollout across more than 80 screens. The film is produced in co-production with ERT, the Hellenic Film and Audiovisual Centre – Creative Greece, NOVA, and View Master Films, receiving support from EKKOMED.
As the EFM approaches, ‘Last Call’ promises to be a standout entry in the international film market, inviting audiences to grapple with themes of media influence, power dynamics, and institutional failure—issues that resonate globally. Stay tuned for further updates on this thrilling project as it prepares for its global debut.
