Keshet International boards Animal Film´s "The Cunios"

Global content distributor Keshet International is partnering with the International Emmy Award-winning production company Anima Films to find pre-sale partners for its latest documentary feature, "The Cunios", which has the support of an unlikely ally – Pope Francis himself.

Co-created by Henrique Cymerman and Netanel Semrik, "The Cunios" will be produced by Anima Films. Executive producers include Julian Rousso, Sebastian Gamba, and Matia Gueilburt of Anime Films, Henrique Cymerman, Contento Now’s Netanel Semrik, alongside KI’s Keren Shahar and Kelly Wright. 

"The Cunios" tells the moving story of one Argentine-Israeli family’s extraordinary survival on October 7th - a day that saw a quarter of Kibbutz Nir Oz’s population murdered or kidnapped and taken into Gaza - and their subsequent fight for the release of their abducted family members, two of which are still held hostage today, along with 100 others. Great-grandmother Esther was almost killed by terrorists who entered her home, but she managed to save her life by mentioning Argentina, Pope Francis, and Lionel Messi. While reporting on the attacks in Israel, world-renowned journalist Henrique Cymerman received a call from his close friend, His Holiness Pope Francis, which set off an extraordinary chain of events.  

Julian Rousso, founding partner and president of Anima Films, complimented the story, “When Henrique and Netanel came to us with the Cunio family’s story, we knew we had to find a way to make it happen. This is a dramatic and deeply painful case that deserves to be shared with the world. We’re delighted to be working with Keshet International to help find the right broadcast partners to get this feature doc on TV screens," explained.

Meanwhile, Kelly Wright, KI’s MD of Distribution, added, “This is such an incredible human story of survival and resilience before you even factor in the Pope’s involvement. International audiences are already familiar with some aspects from news headlines generated at the time. Many will recognize great-grandmother Esther, who went viral when videoed holding a terrorist’s gun and distracting her attackers with chat about Argentinian footballer Messi and the Pope – an act which potentially saved her life. Here in Israel, the Cunio family are part of a distinct circle within the broader group of hostage families — those awaiting the return of two siblings.  Only five pairs are still being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza. Two of those are David and Ariel Cunio, the younger sons of Sylvia and Louis Cunio. This family’s story needs to be told," expressed. 

Finally, Netanel Semrik, International Publisher & Founder of Contento Now ocused on the notions of resilience and destiny, “The privilege of accompanying and documenting the Cunio family during the days of war has been truly profound. Uncovering the unbelievable personal connection between the family matriarch, great-grandmother Esther Naomi—who miraculously escaped captivity in Gaza at the age of 90, thanks to her Argentine ingenuity and her lifelong bond with her childhood friend, the Pope—has been nothing short of extraordinary. With a prayer in her heart to reunite with her two grandchildren, her story is one of resilience and destiny. Henrique and I extend our heartfelt gratitude to the entire Keshet, Keshet International, and Anima teams for the unparalleled depth of soul they have poured into this remarkable international production," noted.