Scripted

Woman Unknown world-premiered at the Venice Film Festival on September 6, where it was met with strong critical acclaim. Following its Venice debut, the film will continue its international festival run at the Toronto International Film Festival, where it screens in the Centrepiece section, before heading to the BFI London Film Festival, Riga International Film Festival and Busan International Film Festival. The film marks the first artistic collaboration between director May el-Toukhy and actress Mathilde Arcel. 

In recent years, Arcel has emerged as a rising talent through roles in titles including Second Victims (2025) and Special Unit – The First Murder (2025). In Woman Unknown, she takes the lead as a young woman determined to leave her past behind and reinvent her life.Woman Unknown is el-Toukhy’s third feature film, following the acclaimed Queen of Hearts (2019), which world-premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and went on to collect numerous international accolades, including the Audience Award at Sundance, the Nordic Council Film Prize and three awards at the Gothenburg International Film Festival.The film also continues el-Toukhy’s longstanding creative partnership with co-writer Maren Louise Käehne, following their previous collaborations on Long Story Short and Queen of Hearts.

Set in the turbulent aftermath of World War II, Woman Unknown follows Marie, a young nanny and housemaid who is preparing to marry her wealthy, older employer, the widower Christian. But Marie is hiding a dangerous secret: during the war, she had an intimate relationship with a German soldier. As her past threatens to resurface, she is forced to go to increasingly desperate lengths to protect her new position as lady of the house amid the uncertainty of post-war society.

Woman Unknown is directed by May el-Toukhy and written by el-Toukhy and Maren Louise Käehne. The film is produced by Mikael Rieks (Land of Mine, Boundless, Applause) for Nordisk Film Production A/S, in co-production with Nafta Films, Nordisk Film Production Sweden and Film i Väst.

The production is supported by the Danish Film Institute, Eurimages – Council of Europe, the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia, Riga City Council, Nordisk Film & TV Fund, DR, the Swedish Film Institute, SVT, LIAA and Riga Film Fund, with the involvement of TrustNordisk and Zentropa.

Nordisk Film Distribution handles local distribution, while TrustNordisk is responsible for international sales.