Unconditional Pictures
Amongst other projects, the company is developing its first feature film - the life story of Iranian French tennis player Mansour Bahrami - whose athletic talent and charismatic showmanship merge comedy and sport in a completely unique and entertaining way.
Due to Mansour's rare combination of sporting skill and irresistible humour, he is currently the most viewed tennis player in the world, with social media videos of Mansour reaching well over half a billion hits and counting.
But not everyone knows his dramatic, eventful and inspiring life story.
A Persian Slum Dog Millionaire meets tennis Rocky…
As a child in Tehran, Mansour fell in love with tennis but he was forbidden to play. Nor could his family afford a tennis racquet for their son. Undeterred, little Mansour taught himself to play using a frying pan and broomstick handle at the bottom of a deserted empty swimming pool.
He later found himself stateless, penniless and homeless in Paris, living off a baguette for a week, wandering the Paris streets at night and sleeping in the locker room of Roland Garros during the day.
Mansour has never had a coach in his life, but through his passion for the game and his hopeful determination he eventually reached the French Open Doubles Finals at Roland Garros. So, after years of sacrifice, a little luck and endless perseverance, Mansour’s childhood dream was finally realised and his prodigious talent fulfilled.
At the age of 68, Mansour is still playing in exhibitions and senior events around the world. Even The All England Club changed their age rules for him during Wimbledon to ensure that Mansour could continue to play in the Senior event after he turned 60. An honour he very much takes to heart.
Mansour’s journey was greatly affected by the tumultuous political events that shaped his country, but through his courage, faith, tenacity and hope his destiny was never in doubt.
It is a privilege to be working with Mansour, developing his story for the Cinema.
France TV Distribution has acquired the rights to the feature film.
| Dawn McDaniel |
| Nathan Burkey |