Salles, Kiarostami, and Dolan bring in good business for MK2

by Fabien Lemercier

31/05/2012 - Business was good at the 65th Cannes Film Festival's Film Market for MK2, where the international sales agency notably sold its co-production On the Road [trailer] by Brazilian director Walter Salles (photo) to 50 territories. Already released in France on May 23, this cinematic adaptation of the novel by Jack Kerouac was acquired for Spain (Wanda Films), the United Kingdom (Icon/Lionsgate), Germany (Concorde-Telemuenchen), Italy (Medusa), Scandinavia (Nobe), Greece (Rosebud), the Benelux (Cinéart), Switzerland (Filmcoopi), Australia, Canada, the United States (AMC Networks' IFC films and Sundance Selects), the Middle East, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. Negotiations are ongoing for the countries of the former Soviet Union, the Baltic countries, Israel, and Portugal.

Another Cannes contender co-produced by MK2 also performed well: Like Someone in Love [trailer] by Iranian director Abbas Kiarostami. Sundance Select has acquired the film for the United States, and MK2 also sold its rights for the United Kingdom (New Wave), Italy (Lucky Red), Taiwan, and Hong Kong. The film had already been pre-sold for the Benelux (Wild Bunch), Switzerland (Praesens), Austria (Thimfilms), Greece (Feelgood), Portugal (Midas), the countries of former Yugoslavia (MCF Megacom), Brazil, and Korea.

Finally, business was also good for Laurence Anyways [trailer] by Canadian director Xavier Dolan, which received Best Actress at the Certain Regard (a MK2 co-production to be released in France on July 18). The film's rights have been sold for 25 territories including Spain (Avalon), the United Kingdom (Réseau), Portugal (Alambique), Poland (Spectator), Sweden (Folkets Bio), German-speaking Europe (PFN), the Benelux (ABC Cinemien), Switzerland (Filmcoopi), Greece (Videorama), the CEI and the Baltic states (Leopart), Israel, Brazil, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.

(Translated from French)