While one can see him in front of the camera numerous times a week, The Daily Show’s Jon Stewart recently embarked on a new adventure, stepping in the director’s chair for his debut. Taking a hiatus last summer — in which John Oliver filled in — the host crafted Rosewater, a political drama that will now be unveiled at TIFF ahead of a fall release.
The true story follows Iranian-Canadian journalist Maziar Bahari (played by Gael García Bernal), whose appearance on Stewart’s show in 2009 precipitated his five-month imprisonment by the Iranian government. “It may not be what people expect from me; it’s not a comedy,” Stewart tells EW, who debuts the first images. “I hope people view it for what it is—a love letter to expression and the importance of it. It’s everything.” Also starring Kim Bodnia, Haluk Bilginer, Shohreh Aghdashloo, and Golshifteh Farahani, check out the first images below.
Rosewater premieres at Toronto International Film Festival before a November 7th theatrical release.