True-ish: A Darkly Comic Dive into Fake News, Power Plays, and PR Gone Wrong"

Written by Published

🎬 Lights, Camera... Satire!

Get ready for a wild, whip-smart cinematic ride because Oscar-nominated powerhouses Sandra Hüller (yep, from Anatomy of a Fall and The Zone of Interest) and Colman Domingo (Sing Sing) are officially teaming up for something pretty out-of-the-box. They’re starring in Goran Stolevski’s upcoming satirical drama titled "True-ish" — and let’s just say, it’s not your average political thriller.

🌀 What’s "True-ish" All About, Anyway?
Picture this: Janet Paine, a stressed-out, insecure PR exec from Manhattan — a specialist in smear campaigns, no less — spirals into chaos after a mess of alcohol-fueled nights, mounting anxiety, and one too many miscommunications. As her career hits the fan, she’s suddenly offered a strange but “noble-sounding” opportunity in the Balkans: becoming the Director of Outreach at a so-called ‘peace lab.’ Sounds peaceful, right? Nope. Turns out, her real gig is spreading fake news targeting unstable political regimes near the edge of the European Union.

Now desperate to fix her past mistakes and do something right, she begins staging fake atrocity footage to create some “impact.” But that move? It kicks off a snowball of trouble — big-time. And the fallout? Let’s just say it’s international, chaotic, and potentially explosive.


Hot Talent Meets Hotter Concept
The project has already stirred major buzz. Why? Because the cast and crew are seriously stacked. Not only are Hüller and Domingo bringing their A-game, but the film is being helmed by Goran Stolevski, a rising star in international filmmaking. If his name rings a bell, it’s because he was one of Variety’s 10 Directors to Watch in 2022, and his track record speaks volumes.

He made a huge splash with his debut film "You Won’t Be Alone," which premiered at Sundance and represented Australia in the Oscar race. His next two hits, "Of an Age" (which kicked off the Melbourne Film Festival) and the Venice Film Festival award-winner "Housekeeping for Beginners," solidified his rep as a daring, emotionally complex storyteller with a signature visual flair.


🎥 Lights, Camera, Eastern Europe!
"True-ish" is currently in production and set to begin filming in Eastern Europe in early 2026. Financing? No problem. It’s being backed by a solid mix of Australian and European federal/state film funding agencies, plus some helpful local tax incentives.

The film is also drawing major attention in the industry. Charades and New Europe Film Sales have already picked up international rights, and UTA Independent Film Group is handling the North American side. With that kind of backing, the movie is already shaping up to be a Cannes Market magnet.


💬 Let’s Hear It From the Filmmakers
Stolevski’s long-time producing duo, Kristina Ceyton and Samantha Jennings of Causeway Films, are back at it again. You might know Causeway from their previous bold hits like "The Babadook" and "Talk to Me." These two aren’t afraid to take risks, and "True-ish" is exactly their kind of weird, wonderful, and thought-provoking content.

“'True-ish' represents the perfect combo of Causeway’s mission — supporting bold storytelling and breakout talent,” the producers shared. “Goran’s one of the most exciting voices coming out of Australia right now, and teaming up with him again — and with this powerhouse cast — is an absolute dream.”


🎭 The Star Power is Unreal
Here’s why the buzz is real: Sandra Hüller, already a Cannes and Oscars favorite, just finished filming "Project Hail Mary" with Ryan Gosling, and she's also wrapped up work on Alejandro Iñárritu's secretive project with none other than Tom Cruise. She’s represented by UTA and Agentur Schneider, and her performance range is nothing short of brilliant.

Then there's Colman Domingo, a true force on screen who’s racking up high-profile projects left and right. Up next, he’ll appear in Gus Van Sant’s "Dead Man’s Wire" and Edgar Wright’s "Running Man," and he’s also about to begin filming the upcoming untitled Steven Spielberg movie with Emily Blunt. Domingo is repped by WME and Liebman Entertainment, and everything he touches seems to turn to gold.


🚨 A Satire That Bites — and Stings
Let’s face it: we’re living in a time when the line between real news and fake news has never felt blurrier. That’s why "True-ish" feels so timely and so bold. It dives headfirst into the bizarre world of misinformation, digital propaganda, and the inner workings of global PR strategy — all with a biting, satirical edge. It’s funny, yes, but also unsettling. Thought-provoking. And absolutely of the moment.

Expect the tone to shift between hilarity and heartbreak, surreal comedy and uncomfortable truth. If you're into movies that punch up, hold a mirror to society, and challenge the way we perceive the media, this one is for you.


🎞️ And While We’re at Cannes...
The Cannes Film Market is already heating up, and Charades is bringing more than just "True-ish" to the table. Their Cannes slate includes Julia Ducournau’s "Alpha", Dominik Moll’s "Dossier 137" (both in competition), and Harris Dickinson’s visually compelling film "Urchin", which is featured in the Un Certain Regard section.

It’s safe to say they’re going all in this year, and "True-ish" is one of their biggest aces.


Why You Should Keep This on Your Radar:

Here’s a quick wrap-up of why "True-ish" is already a must-watch:

  • 🎭 Massive star power with Hüller and Domingo in peak form

  • 🎬 Directed by Goran Stolevski, a rising star with festival wins to prove it

  • 🔥 Timely subject matter: fake news, international politics, and moral gray zones

  • 🎟️ Presented at Cannes, meaning high expectations and premium buzz

  • 🧠 Satirical, moving, and wildly entertaining – a rare triple threat

  • 🛠️ Backed by seasoned producers from The Babadook and Talk to Me


So, whether you're a fan of clever satire, love edgy political thrillers, or just want to see two top-tier actors in roles that’ll challenge and surprise, "True-ish" needs to be on your radar. This film has all the ingredients of a modern classic — and with its tongue-in-cheek tone, urgent themes, and emotional layers, it might just be one of the smartest, weirdest, and most impactful movies of the next few years.

Stay tuned. This one’s going to be a ride.