A Syrian academic in Amsterdam receives shocking footage of a massacre of civilians carried out by an unknown army officer. She traces the perpetrator and poses as “Anna” to friend him on Facebook, luring him into a series of revealing calls. This gripping psychological thriller tells the story of their extraordinary relationship, as she confronts one of the world’s most brutal regimes to expose the depths of its chilling crimes.

“Although this is a film that deals with the darkest acts imaginable, at its core it’s about the audacity of the human spirit. ‘Anna’ and her colleagues risked everything to get the truth out about a brutal regime’s crimes. (…)The result is a unique insight into how ordinary people can commit acts of mass violence.” (Sam Benstead, director)

Sam Benstead is the son of a conceptual artist known for visually arresting, emotional and mould-breaking films. As DoP, his work includes the Oscar-nominated THE PEOPLE’S PRESIDENT about popstar turned politician Bobi Wine’s struggle for human rights in Uganda. Furthermore, he directed the acclaimed Netflix series, THE PUPPETMASTER, which led to the arrest of conman Robert Freegard after its release.

Filmography (selection): 2009 CRUICKSHANK ON KEW: THE GARDEN THAT CHANGED THE WORLD, 2010 CONGO: WAR AND PEACE, 2011 SPIES BENEATH BERLIN, 2014 COACH ZORAN AND HIS AFRICAN TIGERS, 2015 INSIDE THE COMMONS, 2015 CITY OF DREAMS: A MUSICAL, 2016 B IS FOR BOOK, 2020 BABIES, 2022 THE PUPPETMASTER (Series), 2024 CURSED GOLD: A SHIPWRECK SCANDAL, 2026 KILLING ANNA