Cannes Acquisitions 2011
Cannes Acquisitions 2011
16 May, 2011 By: Billy Gil
The Cannes Film Festival has begun, and studios are scooping up films. Here’s the latest in acquisitions so far.
- Tribeca Film has acquired U.S. rights to Romantics Anonymous, a French hit that premiered at the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival. The film has taken in $9 million in its native country.
The film follows a shy chocolate maker (Isabelle Carré, Private Fears in Public Places) and a similarly shy chocolate company owner (Benoît Poelvoorde, Coco Before Chanel) who must overcome their bashfulness to work together and admit their feelings for one another.
Romantics Anonymous will be released theatrically, through VOD, DVD, pay-TV and digital by Tribeca Film, a label run by Tribeca Enterprises.
“French films have the rare ability to transcend boundaries and bring audiences together. We’re enormously pleased to have reached a deal in Cannes for this film, which has great comic moments, wonderful characters and extraordinary performances,” said Geoffrey Gilmore, chief creative officer, Tribeca Enterprises. “Romantics Anonymous is universal in its appeal and its treatment of love and romance. We look forward to bringing it to a wider audience in the U.S.”
- Image Entertainment before the festival began picked up The Double, a crime thriller starring Richard Gere, Topher Grace and Martin Sheen, and is the directorial debut of Michael Brandt (Wanted).
“The performances in The Double are terrific and the production value is amazing,” said Mark Ward, VP of acquisitions at Image. “For a first-time director, Michael has hit it out of the park.”
The film is slated to release theatrically in fall, with a home video release to follow.
- The Weinstein Co. has acquired U.S. distribution rights to The Iron Lady, directed by Phyllida Lloyd (Mamma Mia!) and starring Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher. Jim Broadbent co-stars. The film is slated to hit U.S. theaters in 2011. Home video release dates have not yet been finalized.
“Having worked with both Meryl Streep and Jim Broadbent, I know that they are without peer as film actors,” said TWC co-chairman Harvey Weinstein. “Even so, I was absolutely blown away by what I saw of their performances as Margaret and Denis Thatcher. Phyllida is doing an incredible job.”
Please send any home video acquisition announcements to bgil@questex.com.
