PACKAGE
Iron Ribbon
Introduction
Iron Ribbon is a UK independent feature film inspired by the true story of Polish actress Stanisława Umińska, who’s sensational 1920s trial in Paris became one of the most compelling crime-of-passion cases in modern legal history. Set against the backdrop of a world on the brink of change, the film revisits her story at the centenary of the case, using it as a lens to explore the deeply complex and increasingly relevant issue of euthanasia.
At a time when nations across the globe continue to debate the legality of assisted dying, Iron Ribbon offers a timely and provocative narrative designed to spark conversation and reflection—potentially influencing contemporary perspectives and policy discussions. While rooted in a historical setting, the film’s themes of love, morality, fame, and tragedy remain universal and enduring.
Blending the intrigue of true crime with rich, character-driven drama, the film boasts a distinguished cast including Sarah Gadon (Wayward, Ferrari), Tom Hughes (Victoria), Robert Kazinsky (Pacific Rim, Star Trek: Section31), Lee Knight (Hamlet), and Tamer Hassan (Layer Cake, Eastern Promises, Game of Thrones).
Behind the camera, Iron Ribbon is led by award-winning director Jarek Marszewski (Bikini Blue, Conspirators, Tomorrow Heaven Comes, Murder Commission), alongside an acclaimed creative team including cinematographer Michał Sobociński (Chopin! Chopin!, Filip, The Disciple, The New Look), BAFTA-winning and Oscar-nominated editor John Wilson, ACE (Billy Elliot, The Book Thief), and Oscar- and BAFTA-winning sound designer Glenn Freemantle (Gravity, Slumdog Millionaire). The score is composed by Edmund Butt (Daliland, Yellowstone), with additional creative support from storyboard artist Temple Clark (Gravity, Sherlock Holmes) and location manager Elliott Meddings (Skyfall, Bridgerton).
With its evocative visual style, powerful performances, and thought-provoking subject matter, Iron Ribbon aims to transcend its period setting, delivering a cinematic experience that feels both timeless and urgently contemporary.
Genre
Romantic Thriller/Drama
Logline
In 1925 Paris, a celebrated Polish actress stands trial for murdering her terminally ill lover after granting his final wish to end his suffering, igniting a public obsession that turns the courtroom into a moral battleground over euthanasia, justice, and whether love can ever be bound by law. As the prosecution seeks conviction and the world demands meaning, the case forces everyone involved to confront a devastating question: when an act of killing is born of devotion, is it still a crime—or the purest expression of love?
Synopsis
Paris, 1925. A crowd gathers at the Palais de Justice for the final day of a sensational murder trial. At its centre is Stanislawa “Stasia” Uminska, a famed Polish actress accused of killing her lover—an act she admits to and claims was mercy, not murder, raising the question of euthanasia and whether love is law.
Eighteen months earlier in Warsaw, Stasia meets Jan Zyznowski, a gifted artist and war veteran. They fall deeply in love, but Jan is dying from an incurable illness that steadily destroys him. As his suffering worsens, the couple retreats to Paris, where his condition becomes unbearable.
Faced with his request to end his pain, Stasia makes an impossible choice. In a hotel room, she gives Jan a merciful death—an act of euthanasia driven by devotion and despair.
Her arrest shocks Paris. Some see her as a murderer, others as a woman destroyed by love. The trial becomes a public obsession, turning her into both criminal and tragic heroine.
Prosecutor Donat Guigne is determined to convict her, viewing the case as a defence of law against emotion. But as Stasia tells her story, his certainty begins to fracture, as the case forces him to confront the tension between justice, mercy, and whether love is law.
In the end, the courtroom becomes a clash of principles—law versus compassion, duty versus devotion, crime versus euthanasia. Stasia’s fate hangs in the balance, but the larger question remains: can an act of love ever truly be a crime?
Directors' Vision
Despite a classic, period setting and the presence of a courtroom trial taking centre stage, I plan to give this movie a very current, edgy feel, while never overlooking the immense beauty of the time and place and reflecting this splendour through lavish cinematography. The music will also be paramount - another character driving the piece forward.
Iron Ribbon will take viewers on an emotional rollercoaster, part international love story, part period drama and part legal thriller, offering timely insights into a debate that has never been more relevant in society. My job as director will be to kindle the key themes running throughout the film: love, fear, desperation and loyalty, all while evoking the key questions – how far would you go to help those you love? Can killing someone be an act of devotion rather than murder? Should we all have the right to die with dignity, when we choose?
Standing on the shoulders of giants who forged the rich lineage of period biopics that have come before us, my goal is to conceive fresh and original set ups that will grip our core audience, while giving them large themes and important questions to wrestle with, all wrapped up within a romantic story of two fêted lovers and the sacrifices they were willing to make for each other.
I will deal with the more controversial and thematic aspects of the narrative through a rich variety of means, using the contrast of contemporary cinematic styles set against a period backdrop to give weight to a debate that rages on to this day, allowing us to see it as an age-old issue, and a subject that deserves revisiting now more than ever. The stories that land most effectively with an audience are those that individuals can relate to, and the themes of love and releasing those we care for from suffering are both universal and deeply affecting.
The ugly face of death and terminal illness will be juxtaposed with the gorgeous backdrop of 1920s Europe, and the somewhat clichéd vision of ethereal love will be highlighted in this context to be shown to be as strong in death as it is in life.
There will be humour too and setting a tone here will need a delicate balance - truth is stranger than fiction and the humour that comes with it often stands in contrast with the most tragic, sad and frightful of events. The job here is to marry the alliance of tragedy, drama and humour in the most truthful way.
Through the seamless blend of these elements, I plan to create a film that will affect, move and inspire those who watch it, and tell a forgotten story about an unbreakable bond of trust and sacrifice between two lovers, one that couldn’t be defeated, even when the looming spectre of death is thrust upon them.
Producer
Daniella Gonella
Daniella Gonella is an accomplished producer and creative force behind DG Productions. With over two decades of experience in broadcast television, Daniella has built a reputation for producing work that resonates with audiences worldwide. Her career spans prime-time entertainment, commercials, news, and current affairs, reflecting both versatility and a deep understanding of storytelling across formats.
As the founder of DG Productions, Daniella leads a company dedicated to creating bold, independent films with studio-level production value. Under her direction, the company has developed a diverse slate of projects across genres, united by a mission to create stories that touch, move, and inspire. With headquarters in the United Kingdom and an international presence across Europe and the United States, DG Productions operates on a global scale, collaborating with multilingual crews and award-winning talent.
Daniella’s work is marked by a commitment to excellence and integrity—delivering projects on schedule and within budget while safeguarding the interests of partners and investors. Her productions often balance artistic vision with strong commercial appeal, producing content for both the entertainment industry and major global brands.
Her current film projects include Iron Ribbon, based on the true story of Polish actress Stanisława Umińska, exploring the complex and controversial issue of euthanasia, and One, a character-driven action drama set in the high-speed world of NASCAR about an accomplished athlete from small-town West Texas who is forced to battle his inner demons. Among her previous achievements is the psychological thriller The Prowler, which won Best British Film and Chapter Two winning Best Thriller at the Cannes Indies Cinema Awards.
Beyond film and television, Daniella has also made a significant impact in theatre production. Her credits include West End productions such as Reaching Out to Africa at the Royal Albert Hall, the critically acclaimed and controversial musical Victory? at the Donmar Warehouse, starring Bertie Carvel and Raza Jaffrey, and United We Stand at The Cockpit, starring Hal Fowler and Joseph Potter. She has also curated notable international film events, including the BAFTA screening of the film Jun-Ai (True Love), which brought together prominent Chinese and Japanese filmmakers.
Known for her energy, vision, and unwavering dedication, Daniella Gonella continues to shape the landscape of international film and theatre through bold storytelling and meaningful collaborations.
Producer
Lee Thomas
Lee Thomas is the CEO of Soho Film & Media Ltd based in London and Vienna. With almost 50 years of experience, Lee has worked in the creative and media industries as a designer, art director, publisher, talent agent, casting director and producer. As an entrepreneur in the publishing world, he launched his first newspaper Auto Classic in 1989 and later became the founding publisher of British Film Magazine launched at the Cannes Film Festival in 2005.
In the film world, Lee is a full voting member of BAFTA having written his first feature film screenplay in 1999 and went on to found Soho Films in 2003, with offices in London and LA, and then Soho Film & Media Ltd two years later. Lee helped produce a number of features and short films before focusing on talent representation in 2009 - initially representing producers and directors - in what is now The SFM Agency. In 2011 he acquired the London-based talent agency Actors International Ltd and since 2012 has split his time between London and Vienna with offices in both capitals. His varied credits from casting and executive producing are a result of the wide experience he has in helping others in his role as a Packaging Agent/Executive Producer. Like many in the film business, he has no intention of retiring any day soon.
Director
Jarek Marszewski
Jarek Marszewski is a highly acclaimed director and screenwriter, recognized globally for his innovative filmmaking techniques and distinctive visual style. He began his studies in directing at the renowned FAMU, the Czech Republic’s prestigious Film and TV Academy in Prague, before completing his education at the Kieslowski Film Department of Silesian University in Poland. Additionally, he holds a degree in English from Wroclaw University, Poland. In 2023, Jarek earned his PhD in Film & Theatre from Silesian University.
His films have garnered multiple awards at international festivals. His feature debut Tomorrow, Heaven Comes won the Best First Film Award at the Festroia Film Festival (Setubal, Portugal), the Best Actor Award at the Gdynia Film Festival (Poland), and the Critics' Award at the Young Film Festival (Koszalin, Poland).
Jarek's second feature, Bikini Blue, has received over 50 awards globally, including Best Foreign Film at the Beverly Hills Film Festival and Best Picture at the Lost Angeles Film Awards, New York Film Awards, Festigious Film Festival (Los Angeles), London Eye Film Festival (UK), Fabrique du Cinema Awards (Italy), Directors Cut IFF (Vancouver), La Paz International Film Festival (Bolivia), ia International Film Festival (Setubal, Portugal), and Maracay International Film Festival (Venezuela), among many others. Bikini Blue is distributed across Europe, the USA, Canada, Latin America, and China.
In addition to his film work, Jarek has directed several high-profile international dramas, such as The Conspirators and The Murder Commission, as well as acclaimed operas including Aida, Madame Butterfly, and The Magic Flute.
Director Of Photography
Michal Sobociński
Michal Sobociński is a highly acclaimed Polish cinematographer with a legacy in the industry, coming from a family deeply rooted in filmmaking. He is the grandson of Witold Sobociński, whose notable work includes Roman Polanski’s films Frantic and Pirates. Michal's father, Piotr Sobociński, earned an Oscar nomination for his work on Krzysztof Kieslowski’s Three Colors: Red and collaborated with prominent directors such as Ron Howard on Ransom, Jerry Zaks on Marvin's Room, and Robert Benton on Twilight.
Michal himself has worked as a cinematographer on a wide range of successful films, including the Indian drama The Disciple, directed by Chaitanya Tamhane, with Alfonso Cuarón as executive producer. The film received global critical acclaim and earned Michal the prestigious Filmfare Award Marathi for Best Cinematographer. He also worked on the war drama Filip, which won The Golden Lions Award for Best Cinematography at The Polish Film Festival. Michal is currently working on Chopin, a Sonata in Paris, a biographical drama.
In addition to his film work, Michal has a rich television career. He recently completed work on the multimillion-dollar series The New Look for Apple TV, which explores the collaboration between Christian Dior and Coco Chanel with the Nazis during WWII. The series stars Ben Mendelsohn, Juliette Binoche, John Malkovich, Glenn Close, and Maisie Williams. He also worked on The Haunting Wives, an American drama based on the novel by award-winning author May Cobb.
Looking ahead, Michal Sobociński is excited to be working on Iron Ribbon, further cementing his reputation as a leading cinematographer in the industry.
Composer
Edmund Butt
Edmund Butt is an experimentalist and a highly skilled composer, producer, collaborator, and performer, constantly pushing the boundaries of both electronic and classical music. His work is known for being fresh, powerful, and intricately crafted.
A true collaborator at heart, Ed has served as Musical Director for prominent figures like Madonna, Sean 'P Diddy' Combs, and Sir George Martin. He also works with emerging contemporary artists, creating experimental music for their installations. His recent collaborations with Sir Tim Rice earned him an Ivor Novello Award and two RTS Award nominations.
Ed’s musical journey began as a chorister at both Hampton Court Palace and St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. He later won a scholarship to the Royal College of Music, where he received the prestigious Countess of Munster Scholarship to further his studies in composition and violin in New York and Japan.
Throughout his career, Ed has performed with some of the world’s most renowned orchestras, including the London Philharmonic Orchestra, LSO, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonia, and the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields.
Ed has built a strong reputation in television, composing for a wide range of series, including Elizabeth Taylor: Rebel Superstar, Break Point, Depp v Heard, The Teacher, Finding Alice, Cold Feet, Bancroft, and Origin, to name just a few.
His film work includes the score for Temple, a US horror/thriller feature, and the BBC One drama From Darkness, which earned him a nomination for an Ivor Novello Award and two RTS Awards for Best Original Score and Title Music. Additionally, he scored two ITV dramas: Bancroft and the psychological thriller Midwinter of the Spirit. Ed's most recent film credits include Daliland and The Miracle Club.
Editor
John Wilson (ACE)
John Wilson is one of Britain's top film editors, with an impressive portfolio that includes Billy Elliot, The History Boys, The Book Thief, London Road, Me Before You, Save the Cinema, and Allelujah.
Billy Elliot earned 13 BAFTA nominations and three Oscar nods, including a BAFTA and an ACE Eddie nomination for Best Film Editing. After this recognition, John was invited to join American Cinema Editors (ACE).
His television work includes editing All Creatures Great & Small, Henry V and 13 episodes of ITV’s Downton Abbey, which garnered him nominations for a BAFTA, two Emmys, and an Eddie. He also won two HPA awards for his contributions to the series.
Production Designer
Mari Lucaccini
Bafta-winning Production Designer Mari Lucaccini has built an impressive career spanning over 20 years in film, television, and commercials, developing a diverse skill set along the way. Her television credits include Silent Witness, London’s Burning, Karen Carpenter: Goodbye to Love, The Windsors: A Royal Dynasty, Aftershock: Everest and Nepal, and Julius Caesar: The Making of a Dictator. In film, her work includes Swinging with the Finkels, Captain Webb, and Hijacked: Flight 73 to name but a few.
Mari is deeply committed to her craft, regardless of the project’s scale, and meticulously researches and designs each set. Her aim is to capture the essence of the story through its visual elements, ensuring the period setting is authentically represented. By collaborating closely with the Director, Cinematographer, and Producers, Mari consistently delivers exceptional results that exceed expectations.
Sound Design / Supervising Sound Editor
Gleen Freemantle
Glenn Freemantle began his career in sound design at just sixteen, working in the cutting rooms, and has since become one of the UK’s most experienced and respected sound designers, with over 200 films to his name. Over the past four decades, he has crafted soundtracks for films from around the globe, collaborating with some of the industry's most renowned directors and producers. His recent work on Minamata, alongside Andrew Levitas, allowed him to once again demonstrate his deep passion for sound.
Glenn’s accolades include winning an Oscar for Best Sound Editing and a BAFTA for Best Sound for Gravity, as well as a BAFTA for Best Sound and an Oscar nomination for Slumdog Millionaire. He has been recognized for his contributions to films such as Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, 127 Hours, Marley, An Education, Backbeat, The Golden Compass, Bruc. La Ilegenda, and Agora. Additional honors include a sound nomination for 28 Days Later from the MPSE and a CONCH award for Sunshine.
For Glenn, the most fulfilling part of his work is the excitement of watching a film for the first time and envisioning the soundscape he will create. His credits include Emma, Devs, Yesterday, Bird Box, Blinded by the Light, Mowgli, Annihilation, Fantastic Beasts, Adrift, Entebbe, First They Killed My Father, Steve Jobs, Everest, Brooklyn, The Theory of Everything, Ex Machina, Damsel, Civil War, Back to Black, Joy, Paddington in Peru, Wonka, and Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, among many others.
Storyboard Artist
Temple Clark
Temple Clark is a highly sought-after, award-winning storyboard and concept artist in the film industry. With over 100 feature films to his name, his impressive portfolio includes titles such as Spectre, The Imitation Game, Gravity, Children of Men, Cold Mountain, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, The Little Mermaid, The Penguin Lessons, We Live in Time, and Paddington in Peru. He has collaborated closely with renowned directors like Alfonso Cuarón, Stephen Daldry, Sam Mendes, and Ralph Fiennes, as well as seasoned production designers, DOPs, action units, VFX teams, and previs departments.
Beyond film, Temple has contributed to numerous commercials and TV series, including the acclaimed Netflix originals The Crown and Black Mirror. He has also designed stage sets for ballet productions, such as Inala, a collaboration between the Ladysmith Black Mambazo choir and dancers from the Royal Ballet and Ballet Rambert, produced by Sisters Grimm.
Temple frequently shares his expertise through storyboarding lectures at BAFTA, the London Film Festival, Skillset, Festival Film Lab, and various film and art schools. He continues to work on his personal projects from his studio in Brixton.
Cast
Actress
Sarah Gadon
Sarah Gadon acting career began at just 10 years old with a guest appearance on La Femme Nikita. Throughout her youth, she secured recurring roles in a variety of TV shows such as Are You Afraid of the Dark?, Twice in a Lifetime, Heart Beat, Mutant X, and Doc. She also appeared in several made-for-TV movies, including What Girls Learn, Mom's Got a Date with a Vampire, Cadet Kelly, Gagged, and Siblings. Her big break came through collaborations with legendary director David Cronenberg, who cast her in A Dangerous Method, Cosmopolis, and Maps to the Stars. These roles showcased her range and solidified her as a rising star in Hollywood.
Gadon’s career continued to flourish with notable roles in projects such as the mini-series 11.22.63, based on Stephen King’s novel, where she starred alongside James Franco. She later joined Xavier Dolan’s ensemble cast for The Death and Life of John F. Donovan and appeared in True Detective Season 3 as a documentary filmmaker. She also starred alongside Daniel Craig, Rachel Weisz, and Naomi Watts in the supernatural thriller Dream House. In Enemy, directed by Denis Villeneuve, Gadon portrayed the wife of one of Jake Gyllenhaal’s characters in a chilling psychological thriller. She further showcased her versatility by voicing the AI character Kari in The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and playing the lead role of Mirena in Dracula Untold, alongside Luke Evans.
Gadon’s talents were also highlighted in Alias Grace, a mini-series based on Margaret Atwood’s acclaimed novel. The series follows the story of an Irish immigrant in 19th-century Canada who is convicted of murder, but her case takes a surprising turn when a psychiatrist begins evaluating her mental state.
Known for her versatility, depth, and commitment to her craft, Sarah Gadon has earned critical acclaim and a devoted fan base. She remains a powerful presence in both film and television, consistently captivating audiences with her compelling performances.
Actor
Tom Hughes
Tom Hughes, a Chester native, has built an impressive and ever-expanding resume that showcases his versatility and establishes him as one of the most dynamic and sought-after actors of his generation. He first gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of Prince Albert in the highly praised series Victoria, where he starred alongside Jenna Coleman. Tom further cemented his talent with a prominent role in Red Joan, sharing the screen with Dame Judi Dench in this gripping, true-story adaptation.
Ricky Gervais handpicked Tom for the lead role in Cemetery Junction, and since then, Tom has brought an array of characters to life, including performances in Dancing on the Edge, The Lady Vanishes, and the BBC series The Game. More recently, Tom has taken on leading roles, such as Eric Black in the thriller Shepherd, Robert Graves in The Laureate (where he portrayed one of England's greatest writers), Thomas Trafford in The English alongside Emily Blunt, and Titus in Those About to Die, starring alongside Anthony Hopkins.
Actor
Robert Kazinsky
Robert Kazinsky, born Robert John Appleby on November 18, 1983, in Haywards Heath, Sussex, England, to Phyllis and Paul Appleby, grew up in Brighton on England's southern coast. He was raised in a family with Polish and Russian Jewish roots.
Kazinsky’s love for acting led him to the Guildford School of Acting, where he studied from 2002 to 2005 and graduated with honors. Soon after, he was cast as the charismatic footballer Casper Rose in Dream Team on Sky One. Despite his role lasting only one season, his portrayal of Rose left a lasting impression on viewers, earning him the title of "Most Popular Character" with an impressive 54.29% of the vote.
His next big break came with his portrayal of Sean Slater, a complex and troubled ex-soldier, in the British soap EastEnders. Over 254 episodes, Kazinsky received widespread praise, earning 23 award nominations and winning seven, including two Best Actor awards at the 2008 British Soap Awards.
In 2010, Kazinsky expanded his career internationally with guest roles in Law & Order: Los Angeles and Brothers & Sisters. He then landed the role of Fili in Peter Jackson's The Hobbit trilogy, marking a major milestone in his film career.
American audiences became familiar with Kazinsky as Benn Flynn/Macklyn Warlow in the sixth season of HBO’s True Blood. He further showcased his versatility as a guest judge on Syfy’s Face Off. His career continued to soar with recurring roles in Fox’s sci-fi series Second Chance and appearances in blockbuster films such as Captain Marvel, Pacific Rim, and The Gray Man.
Currently, Robert stars as Zeph in Star Trek: Section 31, set for release in 2025, alongside Michelle Yeoh.
Actor
Lee Knight
Lee Knight is an award-winning actor, writer, and director, celebrated for his compelling work across stage and screen.
Most recently, Lee appeared as Rosencrantz alongside Sir Ian McKellen in Hamlet (2024) on Amazon Prime, and in the BBC thriller Vigil 2 on iPlayer. His other screen work includes roles in The Stolen Girl (Disney+/ITV), Talamasca (ABC+, 2026), Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Sherlock, The Trial of Christine Keeler, The Last Letter from Your Lover, and The North Water.
On stage, Lee’s credits span from the West End to world premieres. He performed in Much Ado About Nothing with Catherine Tate and David Tennant, and in Martin McDonagh’s A Very Very Very Dark Matter alongside Jim Broadbent. He played the lead in the acclaimed revival of Kevin Elyot’s Coming Clean, which ran for three sold-out West End seasons. Lee also portrayed Rosencrantz in Hamlet on stage and appeared in The Cherry Orchard as part of a nine-month theatrical season.
As a writer, Lee’s sitcom pilot The Gym reached the semi-finals of the BBC Comedy Writer’s Room, placing in the top 1%. His stage debut, No More Doughnuts, was selected for the Make It Beautiful New Writing Festival in 2021, which he also directed. He has written, directed, and shot numerous comedy sketches—one of which was featured on the British Comedy Guide—and his radio play The Art of Suffering was produced for the Lost Souls podcast.
Lee’s short film directorial debut, A Friend of Dorothy, stars Miriam Margolyes and Sir Stephen Fry. The film has garnered international acclaim, earning him the Best Director Award at HollyShorts in Los Angeles, the Directorial Debut Award at Heartland Festival, and three Audience Choice Awards worldwide. He is currently adapting the script into a feature film.
Lee is excited to portray Tuwim in the upcoming feature Iron Ribbon.
Actor
Tamer Hassan
Tamer Hassan is a British actor, producer and former boxer known for his commanding screen presence and roles in both British and international film and television.
Born in London to a Cypriot family, Hassan began his career in professional combat sports before transitioning into acting in the early 2000s. His physicality and intensity quickly made him a natural fit for tough, authoritative characters in crime dramas and action films.
He first gained widespread recognition with standout performances in British cult films such as Bitter Harvest, Layer Cake, The Business and Football Factory where he established himself as a key figure in gritty urban cinema. He also played the role of Chechen in the movie Eastern Promises alongside Viggo Mortensen and Naomi Watts, Unleashed with Morgan freeman and Jet Li and The Double opposite Richard Gere.
Beyond film, Hassan has built a strong television presence with appearances in series such as Snatch, NCIS, 24, The Witcher and Game of Thrones in which he played the role of Khal Forzo. His career spans both independent and mainstream productions, reflecting a versatile range that extends beyond typecast roles.
In addition to acting, Hassan has worked as a producer, contributing to projects that emphasize urban British storytelling and genre-driven narratives. His background in sport and disciplined training continues to inform his screen work, giving his performances a distinctive physical authenticity.
Today, Tamer Hassan is recognized as a consistent presence in British genre cinema and television, with an established reputation for portraying powerful, high-stakes characters across international productions.
Tamer is excited to work on Iron Ribbon and take on the challenging role of Arnold, the theatre manager and confidant to Stasia, showcasing his range and versatility as an actor.