02/06/2005

Already heavily involved in production and distribution, the company Rezo Films, headed up by Jean-Michel Rey, added a new string to its bow with the launch at the start of the year of its new international sales arm. Business began under the best auspices thanks to Zaïna, cavalière de l’Atlas, the second feature from Bourlem Guerdjou who made a remarkable debut by scooping up the CinemAvvenire best film prize in 1998 at the Mostra festival in Venice for Vivre au paradis. Starring Sami Bouajila, Simon Abkarian and Aziza Nadir, Zaïna... is an adventure film set in the 18th century in the Moroccan mountains. The screenplay, co-written by the director and Juliette Sales, follows the reawakening of an ancient rivalry between a nomad (Sami Bouajila) and a powerful notable (Simon Abkarian). Previously provoked by the love of a woman, the current argument is kicked off by the meeting of the nomad and Zaïna, the notable’s daughter, a young woman who will succeed in putting an end to the conflict. Currently in the final stages of post-production, the completed film is expected by July. Zaïna... will be distributed in the French cinemas by Rezo on November the 9th.

Produced by Rezo with German co-production partners Prokino and the Moroccan company Agora, the film received a budget of 5,33 million euros, including a commitment from France 3 Cinéma (800 000 euros of which 450 000 were broadcast rights), pre-sales from Canal + and TPS, as well as 225 000 euros from a mini-treaty available to French-German co-productions (80% for Rezo, 20% for Prokino).
As for international sales, the team at Rezo, guided by Laurent Danielou, has already tied up a number of territories. Zaïna... has been sold to Switzerland (JMH Distribution), Greece (Odeon), Russia, Belgium, (Cinéart-Cinélibre), Eastern Europe excluding Russia (Pyrine) and all of Asia excluding Japan. For its part, Prokino will distribute the film in Germany and is in the advanced stages of finalizing deals with buyers in Italy, Spain and Scandinavia.

(Translated from French)