The groundbreaking investigative book Operation Redlist – Volume I: Hunted in the Shadows is stepping beyond the page. A short movie inspired by the book’s chilling revelations is now officially in production, bringing its urgent message to a wider audience through film.
Written under the pen name Hope Paradise, the book is the product of over four years of research and first-hand testimony, exposing how authoritarian regimes—most notably the Islamic Republic of Iran—manipulate international law enforcement systems to silence dissent across borders. The upcoming short film aims to translate this powerful exposé into a gripping visual narrative, allowing viewers to confront the realities of transnational repression on a visceral level.
From Evidence to Screen
Operation Redlist documents how INTERPOL’s Red Notice system has been weaponised against political dissidents, alongside harrowing accounts of forced disappearances, staged “accidents,” and judicial betrayal. These stories, backed by authenticated documents and legal rulings, are not just historical records—they are warnings about the fragility of international protection mechanisms.
The film adaptation will focus on one of the book’s most compelling elements: the testimony of a former Iranian military officer who narrowly escaped capture and forced repatriation. His story, filled with tension and resilience, provides the cinematic anchor for the short film. Through dramatization, archival material, and investigative storytelling, the production seeks to capture both the human cost of political persecution and the chilling efficiency of transnational repression.
A Film with a Mission
Unlike many adaptations, this short film is not being produced for commercial entertainment alone. Its primary goal is to amplify the book’s findings and spark public conversation about international accountability. By shifting the medium from print to screen, the project hopes to reach audiences who may never open an investigative volume but who can be moved by a compelling story told visually.
The production team has emphasized that the adaptation will remain faithful to the spirit of Operation Redlist—grounded in evidence, unsparing in its honesty, and committed to the author’s mission of bearing witness.
Looking Ahead
Currently in the production phase, the short film is expected to be completed in late 2025, coinciding with the release of the Persian edition of the book. Screenings at human rights festivals and academic forums are being planned, ensuring that the message of Operation Redlist reaches policymakers, activists, and the public at large.
In transforming this exposé into film, the project underscores the urgency of confronting state-sponsored repression and the global systems that enable it. As the author reminds readers: this is not just a story—it is evidence. Soon, it will also be a film.