09/09/2008

The forthcoming films by France’s Denis Dercourt, Italy’s Michele Placido, Spain’s Daniel Monzón, Belgium’s Micha Wald and Germany’s Margarethe von Trotta have just been added to the already well-stocked line-up of French international sales company Films Distribution (see news). This confirms the major role played by the firm in the circulation of European auteur film.

Currently in Toronto – where today they will unveil the world premiere of Rithy Panh’s The Sea Wall (see news), starring Isabelle Huppert and Gaspard Ulliel – the team headed by Nicolas Brigaud-Robert have announced that sales are underway for Loin des balles (“Far From the Bullets”) by Dercourt (The Page Turner [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Denis Dercourt
interview: Michel Saint-Jean
film profile] - see Focus). Produced by Diaphana, the film is set to start shooting soon and will star Jérémie Renier and Vincent Perez.

Also joining Film Distribution’s slate is Italian/French co-production Il grande sogno (“The Big Dream”, see news) by Placido (Romanzo Criminale [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Michele Placido
film profile] - see Focus). The feature – produced by Taodue Film and shot this summer – stars the director, Riccardo Scamarcio, Jasmine Trinca, Luca Argentero and Laura Morante.

Films Distribution are also focusing their attention on German films. The company – who are handling sales for Wim Wenders’ upcoming film (Miso Soup) – have also taken on Von Trotta’s The Controversy. The film centres on philosopher Hannah Arendt during the trial of Nazi Adolf Eichmann in Jerusalem.

Another European title joining the line-up is the thriller Cell 211 by Spanish director Monzón (Heart of the Warrior, The Kovak Box) whose cast includes Luis Tosar, Carlos Bardem and Marta Etura. Produced by Vaca Films in co-production with Morena Films, Telecinco Cinema and France’s La Fabrique de Films, the feature will be launched on French screens in June 2009.

Finally, Films Distribution are also managing sales for Belgian film Simon Konianski (see news) by Wald (discovered at Cannes Critics’ Week 2007 with Horse Thieves [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile]).

(Translated from French)