Cinephil has boarded Isa Willinger’s feature documentary **“No Mercy,”** a radical cinematic manifesto showcasing some of the fiercest filmmakers from around the world. The film features renowned directors including Céline Sciamma, Ana Lily Amirpour, Nina Menkes, Virginie Despentes, Alice Diop, and Catherine Breillat.
**“No Mercy”** explores themes of gender, authorship, and rebellion, and will make its North American premiere at DOC NYC on November 13. The documentary had its world premiere at Filmfest Hamburg and subsequently screened at prestigious festivals such as Viennale, Odesa International Film Festival, Festival do Rio, and Festival dei Popoli.
Produced by Ira Tondowski, Alex Tondowski, Sabine Gruber, and Peter Drössler, this 105-minute film is a Germany-Austria co-production targeting a 2026 release.
Legendary Ukrainian filmmaker Kira Muratova once told a young Isa Willinger, “The truth is, women make the harsher films.” In **“No Mercy,”** Willinger — best known for her award-winning documentary *Hi, AI* — meets women and nonbinary filmmakers whose works confront violence, trauma, revenge, and power. The film probes what defines the so-called “female gaze” and examines how women portray pain and defiance on screen.
The documentary also features an impressive lineup of directors including Monika Treut, Joey Soloway, Apolline Traoré, Mouly Surya, and Margit Czenki, as well as Jackie Buet, director of the Women’s International Film Festival of Créteil.
Here’s an exclusive teaser trailer of **“No Mercy:”**
> [Embed Teaser Trailer]
“We are thrilled to collaborate with Cinephil, whose commitment to socially relevant, visionary storytelling matches our own,” said Tondowski Films in a statement. “Their passion for the film confirms our belief in *No Mercy* as a raw, powerful, and deeply human story that deserves to be seen everywhere.”
Cinephil, whose slate includes acclaimed documentaries such as *The Dating Game*, *Natchez, Notes of a True Criminal*, and *Hollywoodgate*, will handle world sales for **“No Mercy.”**
“*No Mercy* challenges the myths around the so-called ‘female gaze’ and exposes the radical honesty that defines so much of women’s cinema today,” said Shoshi Korman, Cinephil’s co-managing director. “Isa Willinger’s approach is fearless, and we’re proud to champion a film that speaks with such clarity, defiance, and vision.”
Backed by public broadcasters ZDF/Arte and ORF, **“No Mercy”** is set for theatrical release by Real Fiction in Germany and Stadtkino in Austria in early 2026.
https://variety.com/2025/film/news/cinephil-isa-willingers-documentary-no-mercy-celine-sciamma-1236579986/