Behind the Scenes of Deadly Vows

There are films that are released with great fanfare with press junkets and late-night chat show interviews. Deadly Vows is not one of those films. The inverse to those big budget films, Deadly Vows has seen a continual rise in popularity as a remarkable film which makes a powerful statement regarding a fragile section of society. Starring  the likes of Shiva Negar, Billy Zane, Peter Facinelli (of the $3 Billion+ earningTwilight series), and Oscar nominated actress  Shohreh Agdashloo, this film has been the recipient of copious awards across the globe including Best Feature Film at the Los Angeles International Film Festival, Best Actress at the Golden Dunes Dubai International Film Festival, Best Feature Audience Award at the Arpa International Film Festival, Best Alternative Film at the New Hope Film Festival, and many others. Associate Producer of Hillin Entertainment Vitoria Silvestre was involved throughout the entire lifecycle of this film, from prep through delivery. As associate producer on this film, she’s seen firsthand how the planning and efforts of a talented and committed team collaborate to create something truly remarkable. Each season offers the type of film which proves that talent and ingenuity can supersede deep pockets, and Deadly Vows seems to be intent on proving that it is indeed such a film. In an era when immigration is a prominent topic throughout much of the world, Deadly Vows illuminates one story which bears much consideration. 

  This story is rooted in a conflict of cultures and morals. When a teen girl named Darya (Shiva Negar) leaves her native Iran for the U.S., she is frightened and vulnerable. In Los Angeles, she meets the charming and sensitive Sam Lebon. Convinced that he offers real love and security, Darya marries Sam. It’s only after the honeymoon that the true nature of Sam (Peter Facinelli) begins to reveal itself. Throughout her journey, Darya feels the potential for help from those like Max (Shane West of A Walk to Remember) and Detective Manny (Billy Zane of the iconic multiple Oscar Award Winning film Titanic) but it’s ultimately up to her to claim agency and seize freedom. Deadly Vows is based on a real story and deals with heavy themes around abuse, control, and survival. Along with awards from the Los Angeles International Film Festival, ARPA International Film Festival, and others, Deadly Vows earned Shiva Negar a Best Actress Award at the Golden Dunes Dubai International Film Festival in 2025. 

  As so often in successful productions which fascinate the viewing public, casting has proven to be key in the success of this film. AP Vitoria Silvestre was involved in watching all the auditions for the main cast and worked closely with the producers and directors during the casting process. Choosing the right actors was critical, especially for a story that relied so heavily on emotional truth rather than spectacle. For Ms. Silvestre, her work post-casting extended into handling logistics around scheduling, paperwork, and preparation so the actors could focus on their performances. Shot entirely in a remarkably short ten days, Vitoria was involved in every step of the creation of this film and gained an ideal perspective on the process. She notes, “The production itself was also extremely demanding. Because we shot the film in just less than two weeks, across seven different sets, with more than 50 extras, all on a very tight budget, every day required careful planning and constant problem-solving, because there was no room for delays or mistakes. The pace was intense, and the pressure was always there. I was involved in every stage of the project, from prep through delivery. Managing casting, paperwork, on-set coordination, and post-production at the same time meant there was very little downtime. It required full focus, adaptability, and emotional resilience. That sounds incredibly taxing, but this is what it’s like to experience real filmmaking, and it’s worth it when you are a part of something special like this project. Working on the film was emotional for me personally. There were moments on set where the weight of the story really hit, and it was hard not to feel deeply affected by what we were telling. I think that emotion carried into the performances and into the way the film was made. I really believe Deadly Vows connected with people because it comes from a very real place. It’s a passion project based on a true story, and you can feel that honesty all the way through. The story is sad, emotional, and heavy, but it’s also real, and that’s what makes it resonate with so many people.”

Deadly Vows was officially released on November 14, 2025, and is currently available on demand in the U.S. on Amazon Prime Video.

Writer : Calvin Hooney