Kino Lorber has acquired the North American distribution rights to Nadav Lapid's daring political satire, "Yes," a film that unfolds in the turbulent aftermath of October 7. Set against the backdrop of the days immediately following this pivotal event, "Yes" chronicles the journey of jazz musician Y. (portrayed by Ariel Bronz) and his dancer wife Yasmine (Efrat Dor), who embark on an experiment to say "yes" to everything. Their unwavering submission to Israel's intricate social, political, and military landscape propels Y. into an unforeseen opportunity: to compose the music for a nascent national anthem.
Premiering at the Directors’ Fortnight section of the prestigious 2025 Cannes Film Festival, "Yes" ignited a fierce backlash from the Netanyahu government. The Ministry of Culture severely condemned the film for "reopening the festering wounds of Israeli society," prompting officials to demand its exclusion from the 2025 Jerusalem Film Festival. Despite the political uproar, "Yes" garnered seven nominations at the Ophir Awards, Israel's equivalent of the Oscars, including nods for Best Actor (Bronz), Best Supporting Actress, Best Director (Lapid), and the coveted Best Picture. As a Best Picture nominee, the film is now in contention to represent Israel in the International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards.
Richard Lorber, Chairman and CEO of Kino Lorber, heralded the film as "a thrilling, intoxicating masterpiece of cinematic artistry," while Lapid himself described it as his most challenging endeavor to date. "Yes," he said, "is a film about the potency of saying 'no' to power—a resilient tale of submission that defies conformity."
Kino Lorber plans to release "Yes" theatrically, followed by a rollout across digital platforms, educational institutions, and home entertainment channels. This acquisition marks the fourth time Kino Lorber has collaborated with Lapid, following their successful partnerships on "The Kindergarten Teacher," the Berlinale Golden Bear winner "Synonyms," and the Cannes Jury Prize recipient "Ahed’s Knee."
The deal was expertly negotiated by Kino Lorber's Vice President of Acquisitions, Karoliina Dwyer, and Alice Lesort on behalf of Les Films du Losange.
