EXCLUSIVE: Paris-based Lucky Number has acquired international sales rights to Israeli director Assaf Machnes’ debut film Where To? and revealed a first teaer ahead of its premiere in the Berlinale’s Perspectives section.
One of the most topical titles of this year’s selection, the Berlin night life scene-set drama revolves around a series of encounters between an Palestinian Uber driver and his young Israeli passenger, who is also far from home and on a journey of self-discovery
Palestinian actor Ehab Salami (Let It Be Morning) stars as Uber driver Hassan opposite Israeli actor Ido Tako (Tell Me Everything) as Amir, his Israeli passenger. The cast also features Milan Peschel (Extrawurst), Rama Nasrallah, Raheeq Haj Yahia-Suleiman and Enzo Brumm.
Where To? Is Machnes’ first feature after a series of award-winning shorts including Auschwitz on My Mind and Seven Minutes. It is among 14 first features premiering in the second edition of Berlin’s competitive Perspectives section.
“I’m very excited to have Lucky Number on board just before our premiere at Berlinale. They bring years of experience and a genuine passion for cinema, and I’m glad our film resonates with them,” said Machnes.
“I hope that together we could share this story with a wide audience around the world, move people, and perhaps offer a meaningful alternative to a prevailing climate of incitement and division.”
The film is produced by 2-Team Productions (Come Closer), Rogovin Brothers (Tatami), Iconoclast Films Germany, Lev Cinemas, Mohamed Babai (Two Kids a Day) . And is in co-production with ZDF-Arte and Yonatan Finegold and Julia Badouin Finegold.
Launched in late 2024 by experienced sales and production execs Olivier Barbier, Ola Byszuk and and Lenny Porte, Lucky Number’s titles to date have included Berlinale 2025 Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize winner The Blue Trail, TIFF Platform Honorable Mention winner Hen by György Pálfi; and Oscar shotlisted film Palestine 36 by Annemarie Jacir.
“With Where To?, we were immediately struck by the film’s humanity and quiet strength. It tells a deeply intimate story, showing how a simple taxi ride can open a space for dialogue, empathy, and genuine connection between two strangers,” Lucky Number’s co-heads said.
The company’s Berlin slate also features opening film No Good Men by Shahrbanoo Sadat and Salvation by Emin Alper which plays in Competition.
