New Wave makes splash with Cannes acquisitions

by Naman Ramachandran

24/04/2008 - Fledgling arthouse distribution outfit New Wave Films have pre-bought two Cannes competition titles – the Dardenne brothers’ The Silence of Lorna [trailer, film focus] and Nuri Bilge Ceylan’s Three Monkeys.

The company has also acquired British director Joanna Hogg’s Unrelated [trailer], which won the FIPRESCI prize at the 2007 London Film Festival; Andrzej Jakimowski’s Tricks [trailer, film focus], which won the Europa Cinemas Label at Venice 2007; and Antonello Grimaldi’s Quiet Chaos [trailer, film focus], starring Nanni Moretti.

Unrelated, opening September 5, will be the company’s first release. New Wave expects to handle 4-6 films yearly, with Verve Pictures looking after theatrical bookings and DVD releases.

Former Artificial Eye heads Robert Beeson and Pam Engel established New Wave Films in February. Engel said, “Our philosophy remains the same as when Andi Engel and I established Artificial Eye over 30 years ago, with Robert joining us soon after: to acquire quality art house films from around the world and present them to the audience that we know extremely well, plus attracting the next generation of cinema-goers to these movies.”

“Joanna’s a real talent and having a British film as part of New Wave Film’s first releases says to the UK industry that we are open not just for films from abroad – but we are looking for quality films here in the UK as well,” Engel added.

Beeson said, “I believe the main factor that sets us apart, is that through our extensive experience in distribution and owning cinemas we know our arthouse audience very well – and what they generally respond to. Plus with our relationships with key sellers, directors and producers, they can trust us to get the best UK release for their types of films.”