23/05/2007

Pascal Diot, CEO of Paris-based Onoma International, told Cineuropa he is going to add genre movies to his auteur-driven sales line-up to respond to an increasing demand from international buyers.

“The market for auteur films is tougher so we have to widen our slate. My idea is to work only on original stories and to ask well-known filmmakers with a special touch to direct those genre movies,” he said.

At Cannes, Onoma’s flagship title is the Estonian film Magnus, which screened in Un Certain Regard earlier in the festival. Positively reviewed by Variety, the film should find a home in various countries by the end of the festival.

“We’ve had good responses from buyers who enjoy the strong cast and cynical story, but they are in no rush and are waiting for the end of the market,” said sales executive Fabien Westerhoff.

Described by Westerhoff as a “boutique” sales company providing special care to each film, Onoma is screening at the market the Belgian documentary Largo by Yves Legrain Crist, based on Jean Van Hamme and Philippe Francq’s famous cartoon character. Also on offer is Nora Hoppe’s drama La fine del mare, which screened in competition at this year’s Rotterdam Film Festival. The German/French/Italian co-production has already been sold to Brazil, Germany and Italy.