An Israeli directing duo returns with an expanded feature from their Oscar-nominated short, aiming for new heights at New York’s Tribeca Film Festival.
It’s been a decade since Aya, the short film that captured hearts and earned Oscar buzz, first hit screens. Now, Israeli filmmakers Mihal Brezis and Oded Binnun are back with Dead Language, a full-length film that revisits the same haunting tale—but this time with even more depth. The movie is officially part of the prestigious Viewpoints competition at the Tribeca Film Festival, which kicks off June 4 in New York.
This isn’t just a simple expansion. The creators reunited much of the original cast, including Israeli-French actress Sarah Adler and Danish actor Ulrich Thomsen, who reprise their complex characters from the short. Adding fresh talent like Yehezkel Lazarov, Gal Malka, and Lars Eidinger rounds out a compelling ensemble that promises to bring fresh intensity to this delicate story.
From Short Film to Feature: A Decade of Growth and Anticipation
The journey from Aya to Dead Language is pretty remarkable. Short films rarely get the theatrical run that Aya did, and even more rarely do they evolve into full-length features with the same creative team. Brezis and Binnun’s return to the story signals a clear confidence in the narrative’s power and relevance.
The original short dealt with a tense, nuanced encounter: a woman, played by Adler, picks up a stranger—Mr. Overby, a Finnish music professor played by Thomsen—at the airport. He’s cold, distant, and mysterious, and the tension between the two simmered beneath the surface. Audiences and critics alike were drawn to the subtle exploration of human connection in an unfamiliar setting.
What makes Dead Language so exciting is how it expands this intimate story. The new film reportedly delves deeper into themes of identity, communication, and cultural clash. It promises to retain the same emotional intensity while painting a broader, richer picture.
Star Power Returns and New Faces Join the Cast
The casting news is a big deal. Sarah Adler and Ulrich Thomsen returning signals a strong continuity from the original. Adler’s nuanced performance was one of Aya’s standout features. She has since built a reputation in arthouse cinema, known for roles in films like Jellyfish and The Cakemaker.
Thomsen brings a distinct gravitas, with a career spanning acclaimed European films and even a James Bond flick (The World is Not Enough). Together, they anchor the film’s complex emotional beats.
Joining them are Yehezkel Lazarov, known for The Kindergarten Teacher, and Gal Malka, an emerging Israeli talent. Plus, German actor Lars Eidinger, famed for Babylon Berlin and Persian Lessons, adds an intriguing layer of international flair.
It’s an impressive lineup, blending experience and fresh energy. This combination should serve the film well on the festival circuit.
Tribeca Festival’s Viewpoints Section: A Stage for Bold Voices
Tribeca’s Viewpoints program is designed to spotlight directors with distinctive visions and bold storytelling. It’s a platform where films that challenge audiences get their moment in the spotlight.
For Dead Language, being selected here is a huge deal. It means the film’s subtle exploration of human connection and cultural divides resonates beyond its local origins. The festival, held in New York City, brings together global cinema lovers, critics, and industry pros, offering the movie a serious chance to make waves internationally.
What to Expect from ‘Dead Language’
While Aya’s compact story was gripping, Dead Language apparently broadens the narrative canvas. Expect a slow burn, layered with emotional complexity and quiet revelations. The film’s mood reportedly retains the cold, tense atmosphere of the original short, while weaving in new character dynamics and a richer cultural texture.
The title itself — Dead Language — hints at themes around communication breakdown, barriers between people, and perhaps the fading of something once vital. The interplay of languages, gestures, and cultural signals is at the heart of the film’s emotional resonance.
This blend of talent sets high expectations.
Dead Language opens a door to the delicate, often misunderstood spaces between people — between strangers, cultures, and hearts. It’s a film about what’s left unsaid and how people grapple with the silence.
You can expect it to be a thought-provoking watch when Tribeca rolls out its red carpet this June.
