Details Revealed About Daily Wire's Under-The-Radar Project "Confession," Starring Rob Lowe, James Franco, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Nick Nolte, and More

Exclusive: A few weeks ago, it was revealed that conservative news site The Daily Wire had made an under-the-radar star-studded film from Czech director Václav Marhol, whose 2019 Holocaust thriller Painted Bird set tongues wagging on the festival circuit. Today we can reveal more details about this project. The latest Daily Wire […]

EXCLUSIVE: A few weeks ago, it was revealed that conservative news site The Daily Wire had developed an under-the-radar star-studded film from Czech director Václav Marhol, whose 2019 holocaust thriller The Painted Bird was making a splash at the festival. Today we can reveal more details about this project.

Daily Wire's two recent films, starring Jonathan Majors, Run Hide Fight: Infidels, and Danny Trejo's production of Pawn Shop, both drew criticism for their subject matter and both faced temporary closures. And yet, despite long being a magnet for controversy, the film and television producer managed to land his most star-studded cast to date with Marhoul's Confession. Related News Danny Trejo's Son Claims Actor 'Never Heard of Ben Shapiro' 2 Weeks into ICE Production: 'He's Handcuffed to This Stupid Project' News Danny Trejo Insists He's 'Pro-Immigrant' and 'Proud Mexican' Amid Backlash 'Like the Daily Movie'

Written by founder Ben Shapiro, co-founder Rob Lowe (The West Wing), James Franco (127 Hours), Jennifer Jason Leigh (Hateful Eight), Cody Smith-McPhee (Power of the Dog), Nick Nolte (Prince of Tides), Richard Begher (Hateful Eight), Richard Begher (H) and Richard Brickens (Hateful Eight). Brad Dourif (One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest) and Dean Norris (Breaking Bad). Above is the first teaser and below is the first look. Watch on Deadline

The logline reads: “In 1938 Stalin's Moscow, disillusioned former literature professor Alexei (Lev) is arrested and brought to the infamous Lubyanka prison, accused of conspiring with his dissident priest. There, Alexei is interrogated by his brilliant and wild former apprentice, Vladimir (Franco). Forced to the ultimate test of betrayal or conscience and facing his past sins, Alex finds redemption through the truth and sacrifices himself to save others in a terrifying tale of morality and resistance.

The film is scheduled to be screened at the Warsaw Film Festival on October 15. After the festival premiere, it is slated to open for one night in 100 theaters across the state on November 11, the same day it premieres on The Daily Wire's streaming platform.

Pic produced by Dallas Sonnier (Bone Tomahawk) for Bonfire Legend, Travis Mills (Frontier Crucible), Shapiro and Sean Calvano (The Musical). David Guglielmo (Last Stop in Yuma County), Amanda Persmick (Pulled Through Concrete), Lillian Campbell (The Pendergon Cycle) also produced the film.

Behind the camera, cinematography is by Hollywood vet Peter Menzies Jr., production design is by Vincent Raynaud, and makeup and prosthetics are by Oscar winner Jeff Downe. Guglielmo also served as casting director on the film.

The project was shot entirely on 35mm film and produced at Santa Clarita Studios in North Los Angeles.

It's an incredible story of the human spirit and its survival in the face of those who do this," Lowe said today.

"From a director's point of view, this film was a really big challenge for me," Marhol commented. I went into a genre I hadn't explored before: an intimate, dialogue-driven psychological drama set in one location. Together with cinematographer Peter Menzies, I sought the most sensitive approach to direction and visual style – one that matched the story and the characters. A wonderful cast and crew helped me meet this challenge."

Shapiro added, "It was a true honor to work with an Academy Award, Emmy, and Golden Globe-nominated cast, as well as one of the world's greatest directors, to make Confession, an incredibly beautiful and honest film deeply rooted in faith, morality, virtue, hardship, and most of all, the freedom of being human." "I couldn't be more proud of this project and I can't wait to watch it."

Lowe is repped by WME, Brillstein, and Latham & Watkins. Franco by CAA, anonymous content, and Sloan, proposal. Nolte by CAA, Tavistock Wood Management and Jackoway Austin. Leigh by CAA and Untitled Entertainment. Smit-McPhee by Black Bear and Felker McGinnis & Ryan LLP. Brake by Markham, Froggatt and Irwin, and Untitled Entertainment. Hirsch by UTA and Stride Management; Dorif by innovative artists. and Marhoul by CAA.

Get our breaking news alerts and keep your inbox happy.