23/05/2007

French international sales outfit Wild Bunch is busy selling 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Cristian Mungiu
interview: Oleg Mutu
film profile] at Cannes.

The second feature by Romanian director Cristian Mungiu was presented in official competition at the start of the Cannes Film Festival (see article) and is among’s the press’ favourites to take home an award.

Rights have been sold to Spain (Golem), Italy (Lucky Red), the US (IFC), the UK, Norway (Arthouse), Poland (Gutek), Portugal (Atalanta Filmes), Belgium (Impulse), Switzerland (Frenetic), Turkey, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, South Korea, Israel and Russia.

Another European title to do well at the market has been Roman Polanski’s upcoming epic Pompeii, with pre-sales closed to several territories. The film will go into production early next year at the Ciudad de la Luz studios in Alicante.

Produced by Alain Sarde and Robert Benmussa for R.P. Productions, the €97m feature will be co-produced by French outfit Pathé , Germany’s Constantin and Spain’s Ensueño.

With sales by US outfit Summit, the project – still without a cast – has been sold to all major territories (except Japan, the US and the UK, where Entertainment Group is rumoured to be leading negotations), such as Spain (DeAPlaneta), Eastern Europe (SPI), Italy (RAI), Brazil, Mexico, and South Korea. Pathé and Constantin will handle distribution in France and Germany.

The adaptation of Robert Harris’ Pompeii is set in the days leading up to the eruption of Mount Vesuvius and centres on a young aqueduct engineer, who has to repair an aqueduct that if destructed will threaten the Roman Empire.

(Translated from French)