The Code

Feature, Spy thriller, based on true facts. Think of The Big Short meets Snowden and Halt and catch fire

LOGLINE:
When an ambitious tech journalist and three IT analysts dig into the complexity of a strange computer malware, they stumble upon Stuxnet and accidentally uncover a cyberwar operation targeting Iranian nuclear program. Based on true facts.
CONTESTS: NIcholl Fellowship Semi Finalist 2019 - Official selection Oaxaca Film Festival 2017 - Quarter Finalist, Table Read Chicago 2017

*****
The code tells the real story of debugging of Stuxnet, a computer virus that targeted Iran nuclear facilities and halted their enrichment of uranium. It is believed to be a covert operation from CIA and Mossad. So far no intelligence has claimed paternity for it.
The story calls for an ensemble cast, with a reporter discovering some unpleasant truth (All President's men, The insider, etc.) and features a witty narrator that helps us not feel lost by systematically breaking the fourth wall. While debugging a virus can seem a theme appealing mostly to geeks and tech-oriented audiences, the story is an international spy thriller that touches much broader topics with implications that affect us all.

  • Francesca Varisco
    Writer
  • Project Type:
    Screenplay
  • Genres:
    Spy thriller, True story
  • Number of Pages:
    118
  • Country of Origin:
    Italy
  • Language:
    English
  • First-time Screenwriter:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • The Academy Nicholl Fellowship
    Los Angeles
    August 27, 2019
    Semi Finalist
  • Oaxaca Film Festival
    Oaxaca, Mexico
    October 1, 2017
    Official Selection
  • Table read my screenplay
    Chicago
    September 1, 2017
    Semi Finalist
Writer Biography - Francesca Varisco

A 2019 Nicholl Semi Finalist with her feature script The Code, Francesca is a creative soul full of curiosity who loves storytelling. Despite too many years spent in corporate Communication, her passion for writing survived: she somehow managed to escape and started telling more meaningful stories - a photo-reportage, poems and texts for theatre... and, scripts. She's grateful to have received great notes that help her tremendously on her journey to become a better writer. Her stories explore universal themes or controversial topics. Most of the times, they have a happy ending.

Add Writer Biography
Writer Statement

I like this story because it's based on true facts, and I first learned about the Stuxnet virus from a colleague working in the same industry that was targeted. I think the implications of the operation are much broader than its creators intended.