Toronto-Bound Documentary ‘Viktor’ Acquired by Cinephil

Documentary specialist Cinephil has acquired international sales rights for the feature documentary “Viktor,” which will have its world premiere in the Platform program of the Toronto Film Festival next month.

The film is directed and produced by French filmmaker and cinematographer Olivier Sarbil, who won Emmys for “Retrograde” and “Mosul,” and a Royal Television Society award for “On the President’s Orders.” Darren Aronofsky is a producer on the film.

In “Viktor,” Viktor Korotovskyi, a young deaf man in Kharkiv, watches warily during the early days of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. A fan of samurai films and raised on stories of war, he dreams of becoming a warrior but is repeatedly denied when he tries to enlist. Eager to find purpose, Viktor embarks on a quest to find his place in the midst of a war he cannot hear.

Sarbil said: “My hope is that this film transcends language barriers and sparks conversations worldwide about our shared humanity. It’s a testament to how embracing our differences can unlock profound purpose and fulfilment.”

Shoshi Korman and Suzanne Nodale, co-managing directors of Cinephil, said: “What makes for a powerful documentary is its capacity to cultivate empathy, for us to be truly immersed into the experience of others. This is a multilayered art form that Olivier and his incredible team have achieved with ‘Viktor.’ A slick blend of the cinematic experience fusing with the impactful lens on war allows us to discover a new kind of storytelling symphony for the big screen.”

“Viktor” is produced by Sarbil, Aronofsky, Dylan Golden, Brendan Naylor, Sigrid Dyekjær and Philippe Levasseur. The film is a co-production between Protozoa Pictures and Real Lava with support from Impact Partners and TIME Studios.

Executive producers include Ari Handel, Romain Bessi, Jenny Raskin, Geralyn White Dreyfous, Meadow Fund, Mike Beck, Loren Hammonds, Mariia Antypenko, Ilya Kaminsky and Lani Levine. Co-executive producers include Lauren Haber, Kelsey Koenig, Jennifer Pelling, Marni E. J. Grossman, Katrina Vanden Heuvel, Lynne Benioff, Dave O’Connor, Kyle Hentschel and Michael Erlinger.

Sarbil also acted as director of photography and the film was edited by Atanas Georgiev. Sound design was provided by Peter Albrechtsen, Nicolas Becker, who won an Oscar with “Sound of Metal,” and Heikki Kossi, with music by Disasterpeace.