Morris Ruskin's Shoreline Entertainment has acquired the worldwide rights to Nahid Persson Sarvestani's documentary The Queen And I, set to receive its North American premiere at Sundance on January 17.

The topical documentary follows film-maker and Iranian exile Sarvestani as she talks with Farah Pahlavi, the former Empress of Iran and the widow of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the late Shah of Iran, who was
overthrown in 1979.

Their conversation is set against the backdrop of film clips of historic moments in Iran's history as well as personal recollections from the film-maker.

'This documentary is particularly pertinent in the current climate of
political strife in the Middle East,' Ruskin said.

'It gives a three-dimensional view of the history, culture and power hungry sects of Iran, which have dictated political change, and shows that in every political struggle there are always shades of grey which are too often forgotten.'

Shoreline's director of acquisitions Brandon Paine and director of worldwide distribution Sam Eigen brokered the deal with Sarvestani and film consultant Sara Vahabi.