Exclusive: After seeing her debut feature Palimpsest win an HFPA Special Prize at the Venice Film Festival, Finnish writer-director Hanna Västinsalo has found her follow-up project in Will O’ the Wisp.
Slated for production this fall, the film expands upon the narrative of the 2009 short that got Västinsalo an invitation to study directing at AFI. Set in 19th century Finland, the story follows Elina, a courageous young woman who defies the darkness of her circumstances, choosing resilience over despair. When offered a chance at redemption by enigmatic water spirits, she embarks on a tumultuous journey, navigating the complexities of motherhood and survival against a backdrop of shifting times and unforgiving choices.
Västinsalo wrote the script with Cyril Abraham, who will produce for Thinkseed Films in Finland. Reel Suspects is handling sales outside of Finland.
Stated Matteo Lovadina of Reel Suspects, “We are incredibly excited to embark on this journey with...
Slated for production this fall, the film expands upon the narrative of the 2009 short that got Västinsalo an invitation to study directing at AFI. Set in 19th century Finland, the story follows Elina, a courageous young woman who defies the darkness of her circumstances, choosing resilience over despair. When offered a chance at redemption by enigmatic water spirits, she embarks on a tumultuous journey, navigating the complexities of motherhood and survival against a backdrop of shifting times and unforgiving choices.
Västinsalo wrote the script with Cyril Abraham, who will produce for Thinkseed Films in Finland. Reel Suspects is handling sales outside of Finland.
Stated Matteo Lovadina of Reel Suspects, “We are incredibly excited to embark on this journey with...
- 5/21/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Bloody Disgusting and Cineverse are raising the dead with celebrated zombie drama The Funeral, acquired out of Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) for North America with plans to release the film this fall across all platforms, including its Bloody Disgusting-powered Screambox streaming service.
The news was first reported by Variety this morning.
The Funeral stars popular Turkish actor Ahmet Rifat Sungar (The Wild Pear Tree, Actress) as a solitary hearse driver who is driving the body of a young murder victim back to her family in the East of the country.
“One night, he opens the back doors of the hearse to find the dead girl making strange grunting noises. He is immediately captivated by her beauty and falls in love.
“Together, they set off on a mission to avenge her death, leaving a trail of corpses in their wake. Rising young actress Cansu Türedi plays the dead girl.”
Turkish...
The news was first reported by Variety this morning.
The Funeral stars popular Turkish actor Ahmet Rifat Sungar (The Wild Pear Tree, Actress) as a solitary hearse driver who is driving the body of a young murder victim back to her family in the East of the country.
“One night, he opens the back doors of the hearse to find the dead girl making strange grunting noises. He is immediately captivated by her beauty and falls in love.
“Together, they set off on a mission to avenge her death, leaving a trail of corpses in their wake. Rising young actress Cansu Türedi plays the dead girl.”
Turkish...
- 4/9/2024
- by Brad Miska
- bloody-disgusting.com
Paris-based Reel Suspects has boarded international sales for Cambodian-Japanese psychological horror thriller Tenement ahead of the film’s world premiere at International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) in the Big Screen competition.
The first feature from Cambodian writer-directors Inrasothythep Neth and Sokyou Chea follows a Japanese-Cambodian manga artist who travels to Cambodia on a quest to find herself after her mother’s death, but instead finds a family she has never known and an old tenement building full of dark secrets.
The genre-bending psychological thriller drama blends supernatural and human psychology with a story about family and identity. The film uses minimal immersive sound,...
The first feature from Cambodian writer-directors Inrasothythep Neth and Sokyou Chea follows a Japanese-Cambodian manga artist who travels to Cambodia on a quest to find herself after her mother’s death, but instead finds a family she has never known and an old tenement building full of dark secrets.
The genre-bending psychological thriller drama blends supernatural and human psychology with a story about family and identity. The film uses minimal immersive sound,...
- 12/18/2023
- by Rebecca Leffler
- ScreenDaily
Up next from Japanese horror filmmaker Takeshi Kushida (Woman of the Photographs) is a film titled My Mother’s Eyes, and Deadline shares a first look photo today (above).
Additionally, Deadline reports that Reel Suspects has boarded sales on My Mother’s Eyes, and the company will “launch the title at the upcoming Mia Market in Rome.”
“The psychological, fantasy horror-thriller revolves around a cello instructor and her gifted daughter who are left with life-changing injuries by a car accident.
“The mother loses her sight while the daughter is paralyzed. But thanks to medical advances, they are able to combine their faculties to share one vision and physical experiences.”
“We have been following Takeshi’s work since Woman of the Photographs in 2020 and we fell in love with his unique filmmaking. His second feature My Mother’s Eyes confirms his talent as a director, mastering the art of combining strong visual and innovative storytelling,...
Additionally, Deadline reports that Reel Suspects has boarded sales on My Mother’s Eyes, and the company will “launch the title at the upcoming Mia Market in Rome.”
“The psychological, fantasy horror-thriller revolves around a cello instructor and her gifted daughter who are left with life-changing injuries by a car accident.
“The mother loses her sight while the daughter is paralyzed. But thanks to medical advances, they are able to combine their faculties to share one vision and physical experiences.”
“We have been following Takeshi’s work since Woman of the Photographs in 2020 and we fell in love with his unique filmmaking. His second feature My Mother’s Eyes confirms his talent as a director, mastering the art of combining strong visual and innovative storytelling,...
- 10/4/2023
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
Exclusive: Paris-based genre specialist Reel Suspects has boarded sales on Japanese horror director Takeshi Kushida’s My Mother’s Eyes and will launch the title at the upcoming Mia Market in Rome.
The psychological, fantasy horror-thriller revolves around a cello instructor and her gifted daughter who are left with life-changing injuries by a car accident.
The mother loses her sight while the daughter is paralyzed but thanks to technological, medical advances, they are able to combine their faculties to share one vision and physical experiences.
The film was also produced by Kushida under the banner of Pyramid Film in Tokyo.
My Mother’s Eyes is Kushida’s second feature after international breakout Woman of the Photographs, which played in 40 festivals and was released in seven territories, including the U.S. where it was acquired by Epic Pictures for its speciality horror label Dread.
“We have been following Takeshi work since...
The psychological, fantasy horror-thriller revolves around a cello instructor and her gifted daughter who are left with life-changing injuries by a car accident.
The mother loses her sight while the daughter is paralyzed but thanks to technological, medical advances, they are able to combine their faculties to share one vision and physical experiences.
The film was also produced by Kushida under the banner of Pyramid Film in Tokyo.
My Mother’s Eyes is Kushida’s second feature after international breakout Woman of the Photographs, which played in 40 festivals and was released in seven territories, including the U.S. where it was acquired by Epic Pictures for its speciality horror label Dread.
“We have been following Takeshi work since...
- 10/4/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Paris-based genre specialist Reel Suspects has acquired world sales for Victor Ginzburg’s Russia-set, sci-fi horror film Empire V ahead of its world premiere in Montreal’s Fantasia Fest in July.
Based on the 2006 satirical novel by Victor Pelevin, the feature unfolds in contemporary Russia ruled by a vampire elite.
Russian rapper Oxxymiron, whose anti-war stance led to him being declared a “foreign agent”, features in the cast alongside Pavel Tabakov, Taya Radchenko, Miron Fedorov and Vera Alentova.
Tabakov plays a 19-year-old Moscow nobody who is turned into a vampire, propelling him into an elite and powerful echelon of society that has controlled humanity since time immemorial.
The film is produced by America’s Heartland Films and Russia Kvadrat Film Company and Andrey Trubitsyn, Maria Kapralova, Alexei Tylevich and James Steele.
“For me, Empire V was an opportunity to experiment in the vampire genre but within a uniquely challenging...
Based on the 2006 satirical novel by Victor Pelevin, the feature unfolds in contemporary Russia ruled by a vampire elite.
Russian rapper Oxxymiron, whose anti-war stance led to him being declared a “foreign agent”, features in the cast alongside Pavel Tabakov, Taya Radchenko, Miron Fedorov and Vera Alentova.
Tabakov plays a 19-year-old Moscow nobody who is turned into a vampire, propelling him into an elite and powerful echelon of society that has controlled humanity since time immemorial.
The film is produced by America’s Heartland Films and Russia Kvadrat Film Company and Andrey Trubitsyn, Maria Kapralova, Alexei Tylevich and James Steele.
“For me, Empire V was an opportunity to experiment in the vampire genre but within a uniquely challenging...
- 5/20/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Fans of David Cronenberg and body horror get ready for the stunning sci-fi horror New Religion, acquired today by Cinedigm out of the Slamdance Film Festival.
Cinedigm plans to release New Religion on its horror streaming platform, Screambox, which is powered by Bloody Disgusting, later this year as a Screambox Original.
New Religion is a Japanese surrealist body horror film written and directed by Keishi Kondo.
In the film, “After her daughter’s death, divorced Miyabi begins working as a call girl. One day, she meets an unsettling customer who wants to take pictures of her body parts. Soon, she realizes that every time she allows her body to be photographed her daughter’s spirit gets closer. She must decide how far she is willing to go to connect with her daughter once again.”
New Religion stars Kaho Seto, Daiki Nunami, Satoshi Oka and Saionji Ryuseigun.
The film had its...
Cinedigm plans to release New Religion on its horror streaming platform, Screambox, which is powered by Bloody Disgusting, later this year as a Screambox Original.
New Religion is a Japanese surrealist body horror film written and directed by Keishi Kondo.
In the film, “After her daughter’s death, divorced Miyabi begins working as a call girl. One day, she meets an unsettling customer who wants to take pictures of her body parts. Soon, she realizes that every time she allows her body to be photographed her daughter’s spirit gets closer. She must decide how far she is willing to go to connect with her daughter once again.”
New Religion stars Kaho Seto, Daiki Nunami, Satoshi Oka and Saionji Ryuseigun.
The film had its...
- 4/5/2023
- by Brad Miska
- bloody-disgusting.com
Cinedigm has acquired all North American rights to the Japanese sci-fi horror film “New Religion.”
“New Religion” is a surrealist body horror film written, directed and produced by first-time feature filmmaker Kondo Keishi. It stars Seto Kaho, Nunami Daiki, Oka Satoshi and Ryuseigun Saionji.
After her daughter’s death, divorced Miyabi begins working as a call girl. One day, she meets an unsettling customer who wants to take pictures of her body parts. Soon, she realizes that every time she allows her body to be photographed her daughter’s spirit gets closer. She must decide how far she is willing to go to connect with her daughter once again.
“New Religion” had its North American premiere last month at the Slamdance Film Festival and was nominated for best narrative feature. It previously screened at festivals around the world including its world premiere at Arrow Video Frightfest, the Osaka Asian Film Festival,...
“New Religion” is a surrealist body horror film written, directed and produced by first-time feature filmmaker Kondo Keishi. It stars Seto Kaho, Nunami Daiki, Oka Satoshi and Ryuseigun Saionji.
After her daughter’s death, divorced Miyabi begins working as a call girl. One day, she meets an unsettling customer who wants to take pictures of her body parts. Soon, she realizes that every time she allows her body to be photographed her daughter’s spirit gets closer. She must decide how far she is willing to go to connect with her daughter once again.
“New Religion” had its North American premiere last month at the Slamdance Film Festival and was nominated for best narrative feature. It previously screened at festivals around the world including its world premiere at Arrow Video Frightfest, the Osaka Asian Film Festival,...
- 4/5/2023
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Reel Suspects has boarded sales on Japanese filmmaker Keishi Kondo’s buzzed-about sci-fi horror New Religion ahead of its U.S. premiere at Slamdance later this month.
The debut feature was warmly received on the European sci-fi and horror fest circuit over the fall, with fans saying the work could herald a renaissance of the so-called J-horror genre.
Kaho Seto stars as a woman who gets divorced and takes up work as a call girl following the tragic, accidental, death of her young daughter. One day, she is engaged by a strange client who requests to take a picture of her spine.
Over the course of a number of appointments, he photographs nearly every part of her body. The woman comes to realize that every time he takes a photo, her dead daughter’s spirit gets closer. Soon, the only part of her body left to snap are her eyes.
The debut feature was warmly received on the European sci-fi and horror fest circuit over the fall, with fans saying the work could herald a renaissance of the so-called J-horror genre.
Kaho Seto stars as a woman who gets divorced and takes up work as a call girl following the tragic, accidental, death of her young daughter. One day, she is engaged by a strange client who requests to take a picture of her spine.
Over the course of a number of appointments, he photographs nearly every part of her body. The woman comes to realize that every time he takes a photo, her dead daughter’s spirit gets closer. Soon, the only part of her body left to snap are her eyes.
- 1/9/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Paris-based genre specialist Reel Suspects has boarded sales on Dutch artist, musician and filmmaker Dick Verdult’s black comedy If Yes, Okay about a teenager who goes to extreme lengths to reject her obscenely wealthy background.
Verdult has near cult status in parts of Latin America and Asia, where he is known as Dick El Demasiado, for his electronic revival of traditional folklore music from Colombia, following an upbringing in Argentina.
Now based back in the Netherlands, If Yes, Okay marks Verdult’s feature directorial debut, after the medium-length work Viva Matanzas, which played at IDFA in 2018.
Lola Koppen stars as the 15-year-old daughter of an extremely rich and toxic family. She escapes the pressure of the poisonous environment by processing her life through a venomous Kabuki-style theatre.
This process reshapes her world radically and even imagines her killing her father as a temporary solution, but does not prevent...
Verdult has near cult status in parts of Latin America and Asia, where he is known as Dick El Demasiado, for his electronic revival of traditional folklore music from Colombia, following an upbringing in Argentina.
Now based back in the Netherlands, If Yes, Okay marks Verdult’s feature directorial debut, after the medium-length work Viva Matanzas, which played at IDFA in 2018.
Lola Koppen stars as the 15-year-old daughter of an extremely rich and toxic family. She escapes the pressure of the poisonous environment by processing her life through a venomous Kabuki-style theatre.
This process reshapes her world radically and even imagines her killing her father as a temporary solution, but does not prevent...
- 10/31/2022
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Film Movement has acquired North American rights to Belgian filmmaker Véronique Jadin’s first narrative feature, Employee of the Month, from the Paris-based international sales agent Reel Suspects. The dark comedy will roll out in theaters early next year, with a wide release across home entertainment and digital platforms to follow.
Employee of the Month follows the middle-aged Inès (Jasmina Douieb), who has long been a diligent employee of the small wholesale household products company, EcoCleanPro. Tasked with mentoring a young trainee, the sarcastic Melody (Laetitia Mampaka), Inès embraces her role. However, while she treats her work seriously, her male counterparts and her boss consistently belittle her, ordering her to do menial tasks.
With her patience running out and under Melody’s blasé gaze, Inès meets with Patrick (Peter Van den Begin) to ask for a raise. Surprisingly, the situation quickly spins out of control and an accidental crime is committed,...
Employee of the Month follows the middle-aged Inès (Jasmina Douieb), who has long been a diligent employee of the small wholesale household products company, EcoCleanPro. Tasked with mentoring a young trainee, the sarcastic Melody (Laetitia Mampaka), Inès embraces her role. However, while she treats her work seriously, her male counterparts and her boss consistently belittle her, ordering her to do menial tasks.
With her patience running out and under Melody’s blasé gaze, Inès meets with Patrick (Peter Van den Begin) to ask for a raise. Surprisingly, the situation quickly spins out of control and an accidental crime is committed,...
- 10/18/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Dain Said’s horror will make its world premiere at the Fantastic Fest in Austin.
Paris-based Reel Suspects has acquired European and East Asian rights to Malaysian director Dain Said’s latest film Blood Flower, with North American rights repped by LA-based XYZ Films.
The horror will make its world premiere at the Fantastic Fest in Austin on September 23 before moving to the Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival in October.
Reel Suspects has previously represented, also along with XYZ Films, Said’s supernatural noir thriller Interchange, which premiered in Locarno and Toronto.
“Dain’s fourth film is filled with traditional horror elements.
Paris-based Reel Suspects has acquired European and East Asian rights to Malaysian director Dain Said’s latest film Blood Flower, with North American rights repped by LA-based XYZ Films.
The horror will make its world premiere at the Fantastic Fest in Austin on September 23 before moving to the Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival in October.
Reel Suspects has previously represented, also along with XYZ Films, Said’s supernatural noir thriller Interchange, which premiered in Locarno and Toronto.
“Dain’s fourth film is filled with traditional horror elements.
- 9/22/2022
- by Silvia Wong
- ScreenDaily
Belgian dark comedy will premiere in Tribeca’s online “at home” section in June.
Paris-based sales company Reel Suspects has boarded sales on Belgian director Véronique Jadin dark comedy Employee Of The Month, ahead of its world premiere in the online “at home’ section of the Tribeca Film Festival (June 8-19).
Jasmina Douieb stars as a disgruntled, hard-working employee at a cleaning company who accidentally and messily kills her boss while asking for a pay rise. She enlists the help of a young trainee to help cover her tracks. Other cast members include Laetitia Mampaka and Peter Van Den Begin.
Paris-based sales company Reel Suspects has boarded sales on Belgian director Véronique Jadin dark comedy Employee Of The Month, ahead of its world premiere in the online “at home’ section of the Tribeca Film Festival (June 8-19).
Jasmina Douieb stars as a disgruntled, hard-working employee at a cleaning company who accidentally and messily kills her boss while asking for a pay rise. She enlists the help of a young trainee to help cover her tracks. Other cast members include Laetitia Mampaka and Peter Van Den Begin.
- 4/22/2022
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Paris-based Reel Suspects has acquired international sales right to Addison Heimann’s horror thriller Hypochondriac.
The pic is billed as an elevated genre film and recently premiered in the Midnighters section at SXSW. XYZ is releasing the film in the U.S. later on in July.
Written and directed by first time director Heimann, the pic stars Zach Villa (American Horror Story), Devon Graye (13 Sins) and Madeline Zima (Californication).
Villa stars as Will, a young Hispanic gay potter with a loving boyfriend and a great job who begins exhibiting unexplainable symptoms when his bipolar mother comes out of the woodwork after ten years of silence. Something sinister lurks in the corner of his vision: a silent and ominous man in a wolf costume. Will spirals into an obsession, determined to solve this mystery of his own.
The movie was produced by Bay Dariz and John Umber under the banner of Minutehand Pictures.
The pic is billed as an elevated genre film and recently premiered in the Midnighters section at SXSW. XYZ is releasing the film in the U.S. later on in July.
Written and directed by first time director Heimann, the pic stars Zach Villa (American Horror Story), Devon Graye (13 Sins) and Madeline Zima (Californication).
Villa stars as Will, a young Hispanic gay potter with a loving boyfriend and a great job who begins exhibiting unexplainable symptoms when his bipolar mother comes out of the woodwork after ten years of silence. Something sinister lurks in the corner of his vision: a silent and ominous man in a wolf costume. Will spirals into an obsession, determined to solve this mystery of his own.
The movie was produced by Bay Dariz and John Umber under the banner of Minutehand Pictures.
- 4/20/2022
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Altered Innocence has picked up all U.S. rights to Isabelle Stever’s sixth feature film “Grand Jeté” prior to its premiere on Friday in the Panorama section of Berlinale.
The film stars Sarah Nevada Grether as Nadja, a woman who has estranged herself from her young son in order to be able to concentrate on her ballet career. When she meets the son (played by rising star Emil von Schönfels), who grew up with her mother, again after years at a family party, an affection develops that goes far beyond motherly love. A release is planned for late 2022.
The deal was negotiated between Frank Jaffe from Altered Innocence and Matteo Lovadina from Reel Suspects.
Jaffe commented: “Director Isabelle Stever crafts an intense, but yet very intimate and lyrical film about one woman’s obsession with finding love and tranquility after an intense dancing career with an unlikely companion: her own son.
The film stars Sarah Nevada Grether as Nadja, a woman who has estranged herself from her young son in order to be able to concentrate on her ballet career. When she meets the son (played by rising star Emil von Schönfels), who grew up with her mother, again after years at a family party, an affection develops that goes far beyond motherly love. A release is planned for late 2022.
The deal was negotiated between Frank Jaffe from Altered Innocence and Matteo Lovadina from Reel Suspects.
Jaffe commented: “Director Isabelle Stever crafts an intense, but yet very intimate and lyrical film about one woman’s obsession with finding love and tranquility after an intense dancing career with an unlikely companion: her own son.
- 2/10/2022
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Mother and son drama is based on the 2017 novel Fürsorge (Care) by German novelist Anne Stelling.
Paris-based sales company Reel Suspects has acquired world sales rights to German director Isabelle Stever’s Grand Jeté ahead of its world premiere in the Berlinale’s Panorama section.
Based on the 2017 novel Fürsorge (Care) by German novelist Anne Stelling, it revolves around the incestuous relationship between a dancer and her young adult son.
US, Berlin-based actress and dancer Sarah Nevada Grether makes her big-screen debut as a mother who estranged herself from her young son in order to be able to concentrate on her ballet career.
Paris-based sales company Reel Suspects has acquired world sales rights to German director Isabelle Stever’s Grand Jeté ahead of its world premiere in the Berlinale’s Panorama section.
Based on the 2017 novel Fürsorge (Care) by German novelist Anne Stelling, it revolves around the incestuous relationship between a dancer and her young adult son.
US, Berlin-based actress and dancer Sarah Nevada Grether makes her big-screen debut as a mother who estranged herself from her young son in order to be able to concentrate on her ballet career.
- 1/24/2022
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
The Addams Family 2 Trailer: "Everyone’s favorite spooky family is back in the animated comedy sequel, The Addams Family 2. In this all new movie we find Morticia and Gomez distraught that their children are growing up, skipping family dinners, and totally consumed with “scream time.” To reclaim their bond they decide to cram Wednesday, Pugsley, Uncle Fester and the crew into their haunted camper and hit the road for one last miserable family vacation. Their adventure across America takes them out of their element and into hilarious run-ins with their iconic cousin, It, as well as many new kooky characters. What could possibly go wrong?"
Directed By: Greg Tiernan
Directed By: Conrad Vernon
Story By: Dan Hernandez & Benji Samit
Screenplay By: Dan Hernandez & Benji Samit and Ben Queen and Susanna Fogel
Producers: Gail Berman, p.g.a., Conrad Vernon, p.g.a., Danielle Sterling, p.g.a., Alison O'Brien,...
Directed By: Greg Tiernan
Directed By: Conrad Vernon
Story By: Dan Hernandez & Benji Samit
Screenplay By: Dan Hernandez & Benji Samit and Ben Queen and Susanna Fogel
Producers: Gail Berman, p.g.a., Conrad Vernon, p.g.a., Danielle Sterling, p.g.a., Alison O'Brien,...
- 9/7/2021
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
Having recently screened in the US as part of Panic Fest, we have word that Dark Star Pictures and Blood Disgusting have acquired distribution rights to The Last Matinee, from writer / director Maxi Contenti:
Los Angeles-based Dark Star Pictures has acquired the North American distribution rights to The Last Matinee as part of its ongoing and exciting collaboration with horror leader Bloody Disgusting. Dark Star and Bloody Disgusting plan a theatrical release for The Last Matinee early this summer with the on demand, digital and DVD release to follow in August.
Written and directed by Maxi Contenti (Muñeco viviente V, Neptunia), the film stars Luciana Grasso (El Secreto de Julia), Ricardo Islas (El Que No Corre Vuela, Bailiwick), Julieta Spinelli, Franco Duran and Pedro Duarte.
"I’m very happy to be part of the Dark Star Pictures roster, and super excited to present my movie to the North American audiences,...
Los Angeles-based Dark Star Pictures has acquired the North American distribution rights to The Last Matinee as part of its ongoing and exciting collaboration with horror leader Bloody Disgusting. Dark Star and Bloody Disgusting plan a theatrical release for The Last Matinee early this summer with the on demand, digital and DVD release to follow in August.
Written and directed by Maxi Contenti (Muñeco viviente V, Neptunia), the film stars Luciana Grasso (El Secreto de Julia), Ricardo Islas (El Que No Corre Vuela, Bailiwick), Julieta Spinelli, Franco Duran and Pedro Duarte.
"I’m very happy to be part of the Dark Star Pictures roster, and super excited to present my movie to the North American audiences,...
- 4/16/2021
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
Exclusive: Sean Kleier (Odd Mom Out) is set to star opposite Suraj Sharma (Life Of Pi) and Pallavi Sharda (Tom & Jerry) in the Netflix comedy Wedding Season. He joins the previously announced Rizwan Manji and Ari Afsar, as Deadline first revealed. Written by Shiwani Srivastava and directed by Tom Dey (Shanghai Noon), the film follows two Indian-Americans who pretend to date in order to survive a summer of weddings, but find themselves falling for each other as they struggle to balance who they are with who their parents want them to be. Kleier will play “Nick” who is Priya’s (Ari Afsar) fiancé and the newest family member who tries a little too hard to fit into the Indian culture. Shooting is scheduled to start later this month in Toronto. Swati Shetty is producing for her Samosa Stories banner with Brian Grazer and Ron Howard for Imagine Entertainment, alongside...
- 4/15/2021
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Paris-based sales outfit Reel Suspects has taken world sales, excluding Russia, on Uldus Bakhtiozina’s debut feature film Tzarevna Scaling, which has been selected for this year’s Berlinale Forum program.
Bakhtiozina is an internationally renowned artist who in 2015 became the first Russian speaker to deliver a Ted talk. She has exhibited work around the world.
This is her first feature. It follows a fishmonger who, after being given a tea by a strange old woman, finds her sleep turns into a fairy tale, during which she must compete to become a tsar’s daughter.
“I am immensely proud to work on Uldus’ first feature. I felt in love with the film at the first sight. It’s a powerful cinematographic work that reminds me of Ron Fricke’s Baraka or Matthew Barney’s works, with a more social and political background,” said Reel Suspects CEO Matteo Lovadina. “We...
Bakhtiozina is an internationally renowned artist who in 2015 became the first Russian speaker to deliver a Ted talk. She has exhibited work around the world.
This is her first feature. It follows a fishmonger who, after being given a tea by a strange old woman, finds her sleep turns into a fairy tale, during which she must compete to become a tsar’s daughter.
“I am immensely proud to work on Uldus’ first feature. I felt in love with the film at the first sight. It’s a powerful cinematographic work that reminds me of Ron Fricke’s Baraka or Matthew Barney’s works, with a more social and political background,” said Reel Suspects CEO Matteo Lovadina. “We...
- 2/24/2021
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Reel Suspects has boarded “Vampir,” the popular Serbian actor-turned-filmmaker Branko Tomovic’s feature debut, in the run up to the European Film Market.
Penned by Tomovic, the film follows Arnaut, a man from London who is offered a job in Serbia to look after a cemetery in a small remote village. Arnaut soon starts having nightmarish visions and is frequently visited by a mysterious older woman, Baba Draga, who guides him into the darkness. Only the village priest seems to be trying to keep him safe from the sinister intentions of the villagers.
Now in post-production, “Vampir” shot primarily in English with some Serbian dialogue. “Vampir” was produced by Jean-Louis Alexandre at U.K. banner Red Marked Films, and co-produced by Milos Z. Vuckovic at Serbian company Dinaric Alps Productions and Dina Vickermann at German outfit Vickermann Films. “Vampir” stars Gorica Regodic, Joakim Tasic and Eva Ras.
Tomovic said the...
Penned by Tomovic, the film follows Arnaut, a man from London who is offered a job in Serbia to look after a cemetery in a small remote village. Arnaut soon starts having nightmarish visions and is frequently visited by a mysterious older woman, Baba Draga, who guides him into the darkness. Only the village priest seems to be trying to keep him safe from the sinister intentions of the villagers.
Now in post-production, “Vampir” shot primarily in English with some Serbian dialogue. “Vampir” was produced by Jean-Louis Alexandre at U.K. banner Red Marked Films, and co-produced by Milos Z. Vuckovic at Serbian company Dinaric Alps Productions and Dina Vickermann at German outfit Vickermann Films. “Vampir” stars Gorica Regodic, Joakim Tasic and Eva Ras.
Tomovic said the...
- 2/24/2021
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Reel Suspects has acquired world rights to Renata Pinheiro’s sci-fi thriller “King Car,” which recently world premiered at Rotterdam in the big screen competition.
The elevated genre movie revolves around Ninho, the son of a taxi company owner who has an extraordinary connection with cars and can talk to them. Ninho became friends with the car that saved him from a traffic accident as a child, and now he can also hear the old wrecks complain about the law banning them from the roads. Together with his uncle, Ninho converts the write-offs into futuristic vehicles with consciousness.
Reel Suspects will be handling international on the film outside of Brazil. The movie stars Luciano Pedro Jr, Jules Elting, Clara Pinheiro and Adelio Lima, among others. “King Car” was produced by Sérgio Oliveira.
“With its retro-futuristic cars and ecological tale, [‘King Car’] shows that Brazilian genre cinema is something to keep a close...
The elevated genre movie revolves around Ninho, the son of a taxi company owner who has an extraordinary connection with cars and can talk to them. Ninho became friends with the car that saved him from a traffic accident as a child, and now he can also hear the old wrecks complain about the law banning them from the roads. Together with his uncle, Ninho converts the write-offs into futuristic vehicles with consciousness.
Reel Suspects will be handling international on the film outside of Brazil. The movie stars Luciano Pedro Jr, Jules Elting, Clara Pinheiro and Adelio Lima, among others. “King Car” was produced by Sérgio Oliveira.
“With its retro-futuristic cars and ecological tale, [‘King Car’] shows that Brazilian genre cinema is something to keep a close...
- 2/16/2021
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Kino Lorber’s acquired U.S. rights to Milcho Manchevski’s “Willow,” which will represent North Macedonia in the Oscars’ international feature film race.
“Willow” premiered at the Rome Film Festival and went on to win a best director award at Raindance. Reel Suspects is handling worldwide sales on the movie.
“Willow” tells the heartfelt tale of three women struggling to become mothers and contending with the issues of control over their bodies, struggle against tradition, loyalty, adoption and motherhood. Penned by Manchevski, the multi-layered drama is set in a medieval Macedonian village and in a contemporary city.
Manchevski is best known for his feature debut “Before the Rain” which won an Independent Spirit award, as well as the Golden Lion in Venice. “Before The Rain” represented Macedonia at the Oscars in 1995 and earned the country’s first Oscar nomination.
Kino Lorber is planning to release “Willow” in the Spring,...
“Willow” premiered at the Rome Film Festival and went on to win a best director award at Raindance. Reel Suspects is handling worldwide sales on the movie.
“Willow” tells the heartfelt tale of three women struggling to become mothers and contending with the issues of control over their bodies, struggle against tradition, loyalty, adoption and motherhood. Penned by Manchevski, the multi-layered drama is set in a medieval Macedonian village and in a contemporary city.
Manchevski is best known for his feature debut “Before the Rain” which won an Independent Spirit award, as well as the Golden Lion in Venice. “Before The Rain” represented Macedonia at the Oscars in 1995 and earned the country’s first Oscar nomination.
Kino Lorber is planning to release “Willow” in the Spring,...
- 1/14/2021
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
The French sales agent has added Marc Fouchard’s film, which won the Grand Prix at the Cognac Crime Film Festival, to its line-up and will unveil it online at the 23rd Rendez-Vous with French Cinema. Specialising in "elevated genre", French international sales agent Reel Suspects managed to get through 2020, a complicated year for us all on account of the health crisis. Indeed, it inked some great deals for the thriller Ropes by Spaniard José Luis Montesinos and a real revelation in the Venice International Film Critics’ Week, the intense, warped Lithuanian war film The Flood Won’t Come by Armenian director Marat Sargsyan, among other movies. In addition, Matteo Lovadina’s team is about to play another trump card with Out of This World by Marc Fouchard, which will have its market premiere at the 23rd Rendez-Vous with French Cinema in Paris, an event that, in a change to the usual.
Reel Suspects has scored a raft of sales on Anthony Scott Burns’s sci-fi thriller “Come True,” an elevated genre film which world premiered at the Fantasia Film Festival and had its U.S. premiere at the Nightstream virtual festival.
Written and directed by Burns, “Come True” stars Julia Sarah Stone (“The Killing”) and Landon Liboiron (“Truth or Dare”). Stone stars as Sarah, a rebellious teenager who is tormented by dark dreams and finds shelter at a university sleep study. Hoping this will finally help her to get rid of her nightmares, Sarah unwittingly becomes the channel to a horrifying new discovery.
The film was bought for distribution in Germany/Austria (Koch Media), Italy (Koch Media), U.K./Ireland (Light Bulb), Australia/New Zealand (Light Bulb), Latin America (Ledafilms), Russia/Cis (Kinologistika), Benelux (Remain in Light), South Korea (Movement Pictures) and Scandinavia (Njuta Films). Some of these deals were closed...
Written and directed by Burns, “Come True” stars Julia Sarah Stone (“The Killing”) and Landon Liboiron (“Truth or Dare”). Stone stars as Sarah, a rebellious teenager who is tormented by dark dreams and finds shelter at a university sleep study. Hoping this will finally help her to get rid of her nightmares, Sarah unwittingly becomes the channel to a horrifying new discovery.
The film was bought for distribution in Germany/Austria (Koch Media), Italy (Koch Media), U.K./Ireland (Light Bulb), Australia/New Zealand (Light Bulb), Latin America (Ledafilms), Russia/Cis (Kinologistika), Benelux (Remain in Light), South Korea (Movement Pictures) and Scandinavia (Njuta Films). Some of these deals were closed...
- 11/16/2020
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Paris-based outfit Reel Suspects has acquired “The Three,” directed by up-and-coming Armenian-Russian filmmaker Anna Melikyan. “The Three” will have its international premiere at Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival and will be distributed in Russia by Disney in December.
Penned by Melikyan and Evgenia Khripkova, “The Three” revolves around a husband, a wife and another woman.
The cast is headlined by local stars Konstantin Khabenskiy, Viktoriya Isakova, and Yulia Peresild, a young Moscow theater actor. Melikyan produced the film through her banner Magnum film company, along with Natella Krapivina and Artem Vasilyev.
“We are really exited to work on Anna’s most recent work. A subtle romance driven by an amazing cast and signed by a wonderful cinematographic camera work. Festivals and buyers will fall surely under the charm,” said Matteo Lovadina, the CEO of Reel Suspects, who will start selling the film at the American Film Market, which kicks off Monday.
Penned by Melikyan and Evgenia Khripkova, “The Three” revolves around a husband, a wife and another woman.
The cast is headlined by local stars Konstantin Khabenskiy, Viktoriya Isakova, and Yulia Peresild, a young Moscow theater actor. Melikyan produced the film through her banner Magnum film company, along with Natella Krapivina and Artem Vasilyev.
“We are really exited to work on Anna’s most recent work. A subtle romance driven by an amazing cast and signed by a wonderful cinematographic camera work. Festivals and buyers will fall surely under the charm,” said Matteo Lovadina, the CEO of Reel Suspects, who will start selling the film at the American Film Market, which kicks off Monday.
- 11/6/2020
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: UK distribution company Lightbulb Film has added three titles to its release slate.
They include Jon Stevenson’s retro horror Rent-a-Pal. Starring Brian Landis Folkins, Kathleen Brady and Wil Wheaton, the film is set in 1990 and follows a lonely bachelor searching for an escape from the day-to-day drudgery of caring for his ageing mother. Whilst seeking a partner through a video dating service, he discovers a strange VHS tape called Rent-a-Pal.
The film screens at Sites and has its UK premiere at Grimmfest. It will be released On Demand on November 16 followed by a DVD in early 2021. The deal was negotiated with Sophia Aronne of The Exchange.
“We’re thrilled to be bringing Rent-a-Pal to UK audiences. It’s nostalgic, engaging and creepy as hell,” said sales and acquisitions director, Peter Thompson.
Lightbulb has also picked up horror feature Sator, a film about a supernatural entity who threatens to claim a broken family.
They include Jon Stevenson’s retro horror Rent-a-Pal. Starring Brian Landis Folkins, Kathleen Brady and Wil Wheaton, the film is set in 1990 and follows a lonely bachelor searching for an escape from the day-to-day drudgery of caring for his ageing mother. Whilst seeking a partner through a video dating service, he discovers a strange VHS tape called Rent-a-Pal.
The film screens at Sites and has its UK premiere at Grimmfest. It will be released On Demand on November 16 followed by a DVD in early 2021. The deal was negotiated with Sophia Aronne of The Exchange.
“We’re thrilled to be bringing Rent-a-Pal to UK audiences. It’s nostalgic, engaging and creepy as hell,” said sales and acquisitions director, Peter Thompson.
Lightbulb has also picked up horror feature Sator, a film about a supernatural entity who threatens to claim a broken family.
- 10/8/2020
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Paris-based sales company Reel Suspects has added Eco-Horror Unearth to its slate ahead of the film’s bow at Fantasia this week.
Directed by John C. Lyons and Dorota Swies, Unearth follows two neighboring farm families whose relationships become strained when one of them leases their land to a natural gas company. In the midst of growing tension, the land is drilled and something long-dormant and terrifying, deep beneath the earth’s surface, is released.
It stars Adrienne Barbeau, Allison McAtee, P.J. Marshall, Rachel McKeon, Monica Wyche, Brooke Sorenson and Marc Blucas. The film is written by Lyons and Kelsey Goldberg. Lyons, Swies, McAtee, and Blucas are the producers.
Reel Suspects will rep international rights, the filmmakers have domestic.
“We are thrilled to work with the filmmakers, John and Dorota. Unearth‘s arthouse approach and relevant, timely story fit perfectly into our elevated genre slate. We are confident both...
Directed by John C. Lyons and Dorota Swies, Unearth follows two neighboring farm families whose relationships become strained when one of them leases their land to a natural gas company. In the midst of growing tension, the land is drilled and something long-dormant and terrifying, deep beneath the earth’s surface, is released.
It stars Adrienne Barbeau, Allison McAtee, P.J. Marshall, Rachel McKeon, Monica Wyche, Brooke Sorenson and Marc Blucas. The film is written by Lyons and Kelsey Goldberg. Lyons, Swies, McAtee, and Blucas are the producers.
Reel Suspects will rep international rights, the filmmakers have domestic.
“We are thrilled to work with the filmmakers, John and Dorota. Unearth‘s arthouse approach and relevant, timely story fit perfectly into our elevated genre slate. We are confident both...
- 8/26/2020
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Paris-based sales co Reel Suspects has added a late title to its slate for this week’s Cannes virtual Marche.
Une Dernière Fois (One Last Time) is the debut feature of Olympe de G, a successful director of commercials and music videos in France, including for band Christine And The Queens.
The pic follows a 69-year-old woman who refuses to age in a society that doesn’t take care of elderly people. She decides to plan for her death, including devoting the last year of her life to her last meal, last walk, and the last time she will have sex.
The movie stars Brigitte Lahaie, her first lead film role since 1995. The pic is produced by Kidam, Topshot Films and Olympe de G. production, in coproduction with Canal+.
“This is an extremely contemporary tale, with a prominent female team behind the scenes. An exploration of ageing human sexuality with a feminist perspective,...
Une Dernière Fois (One Last Time) is the debut feature of Olympe de G, a successful director of commercials and music videos in France, including for band Christine And The Queens.
The pic follows a 69-year-old woman who refuses to age in a society that doesn’t take care of elderly people. She decides to plan for her death, including devoting the last year of her life to her last meal, last walk, and the last time she will have sex.
The movie stars Brigitte Lahaie, her first lead film role since 1995. The pic is produced by Kidam, Topshot Films and Olympe de G. production, in coproduction with Canal+.
“This is an extremely contemporary tale, with a prominent female team behind the scenes. An exploration of ageing human sexuality with a feminist perspective,...
- 6/24/2020
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Despite the health crisis, the French international sales agent has sealed deals for the thriller by Spain’s José Luis Montesinos and is readying itself for the online Marché du Film. "During this highly challenging time which is affecting the entire film industry, genre films are successfully breaking away from the pack, and sales agents have managed to strike a few deals, mostly thanks to VOD and Svod platforms, though the follow-up to negotiations opened at the European Film Market has, of course, been severely disrupted by the health crisis". Matteo Lovadina, who steers the French international sales agency Reel Suspects, is under no illusions as to the complexity of the situation, but considers his editorial line focused on "elevated genre" to be a lifeline in the current circumstances, as demonstrated by the excellent results already recorded via José Luis Montesinos’ Ropes, in particular.Discovered in a world premiere in Sitges,...
Reel Suspects has acquired international sales rights to Anthony Scott Burns’s sci-fi thriller “Come True,” an elevated genre film which has been expected to world premiere at a fall festival this year. Xyz is handling U.S. rights on the film, while Raven Banner holds distribution rights in Canada.
Written and Directed by Burns, “Come True” stars Julia Sarah Stone (“The Killing”) and Landon Liboiron (“Truth or
Dare”). Stone stars as Sarah, a rebellious teenager who is tormented by dark dreams and finds shelter at a university sleep study. Hoping this will finally help her to get rid of her nightmares, Sarah unwittingly becomes the channel to a horrifying new discovery.
A Copperheart Entertainment production, “Come True” was produced by Steven Hoban, Mark Smith, and Brent Kawchuck, with the executive producers Vincenzo Natali, Andrea Hatzinikolas, Chris Wallace, Bob Crowe, and Karyn Nolan.
“Some nightmares are best shared, and it...
Written and Directed by Burns, “Come True” stars Julia Sarah Stone (“The Killing”) and Landon Liboiron (“Truth or
Dare”). Stone stars as Sarah, a rebellious teenager who is tormented by dark dreams and finds shelter at a university sleep study. Hoping this will finally help her to get rid of her nightmares, Sarah unwittingly becomes the channel to a horrifying new discovery.
A Copperheart Entertainment production, “Come True” was produced by Steven Hoban, Mark Smith, and Brent Kawchuck, with the executive producers Vincenzo Natali, Andrea Hatzinikolas, Chris Wallace, Bob Crowe, and Karyn Nolan.
“Some nightmares are best shared, and it...
- 5/11/2020
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Reel Suspects has acquired international sales rights to Caru Alves de Souza’s coming-of-age tale “My Name is Baghdad,” which will world premiere at the Berlin Film Festival in the Generation 14 section.
The film was produced by Manjericão Filmes and Tangerina Entretenimento. It follows a 17-year-old female skater named Baghdad who lives in a working-class neighborhood in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. When she meets a group of female skateboarders, her life suddenly changes. The film is loosely based on the book “Bagda, o Skatista” by Toni Brandão.
De Souza said the film came from her “desire to work with stories and everyday situations lived by characters from a working class neighborhood on the outskirts of the city of São Paulo, seeking the poetry that exists in prosaic situations.” She said she was also drawn to the idea of portraying “strong and unusual female characters.”
“We have been following...
The film was produced by Manjericão Filmes and Tangerina Entretenimento. It follows a 17-year-old female skater named Baghdad who lives in a working-class neighborhood in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. When she meets a group of female skateboarders, her life suddenly changes. The film is loosely based on the book “Bagda, o Skatista” by Toni Brandão.
De Souza said the film came from her “desire to work with stories and everyday situations lived by characters from a working class neighborhood on the outskirts of the city of São Paulo, seeking the poetry that exists in prosaic situations.” She said she was also drawn to the idea of portraying “strong and unusual female characters.”
“We have been following...
- 1/24/2020
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
“La Fortaleza,” Jorge Thielen Armand’s Venezuelan film which is set to compete at Rotterdam, has been acquired by Paris-based Reel Suspects for world sales.
“La Fortaleza” is the first feature film produced by the Blockchain-powered platform Breaker, and is co-produced by Louise Bellicaud and Claire Charles Gervais of In Vivo Films, whose recent credits include “Abou” which played at Cannes’s Critics Week.
The film opens as Venezuela’s economic crisis explodes into riots on the streets of Caracas. It follows a middle-aged man, Roque (Jorge Roque Thielen), as he heads for the Amazon jungle to revive the abandoned lodge he built during happier, healthier days. As the jungle closes in on him, good friends encourage bad habits and whisper promises of finding gold.
“Jorge’s film is extremely powerful and fits perfectly Iffr’s (Rotterdam festival’s) vision of discovering new talents,” said Matteo Lovadina, Reel Suspects’s CEO.
“La Fortaleza” is the first feature film produced by the Blockchain-powered platform Breaker, and is co-produced by Louise Bellicaud and Claire Charles Gervais of In Vivo Films, whose recent credits include “Abou” which played at Cannes’s Critics Week.
The film opens as Venezuela’s economic crisis explodes into riots on the streets of Caracas. It follows a middle-aged man, Roque (Jorge Roque Thielen), as he heads for the Amazon jungle to revive the abandoned lodge he built during happier, healthier days. As the jungle closes in on him, good friends encourage bad habits and whisper promises of finding gold.
“Jorge’s film is extremely powerful and fits perfectly Iffr’s (Rotterdam festival’s) vision of discovering new talents,” said Matteo Lovadina, Reel Suspects’s CEO.
- 1/9/2020
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Milcho Manchevski’s Rome Film Fest Drama ‘Willow’ Scores Sales Deal Ahead Of Paris Rendez-Vous & Efm
Exclusive: Paris-based Reel Suspects has picked up sales rights to well-received Rome Film Festival drama Willow (Vrba) by Macedonian writer-director and festival favourite Milcho Manchevski.
The film is the last from the late UK producer Nik Powell (The Crying Game) who served as an executive on the feature.
New York-based Manchevski, whose acclaimed debut Before The Rain was Oscar-nominated in 1994, returns to his native Macedonia to tell the story of three women yearning for motherhood. The three stories – one medieval, two contemporary – explore themes of tradition, love, trust and female agency.
Matteo Lovadina’s Reel Suspects will take the film to UniFrance’s Rendez-Vous event in Paris next week and then on to the European Film Market in Berlin. The firm has world sales rights other than former Yugoslavia, Albania, Hungary and Belgium.
Manchevski produces with Jane Kortoshev and it was made in association with Powell’s Scala Productions. The...
The film is the last from the late UK producer Nik Powell (The Crying Game) who served as an executive on the feature.
New York-based Manchevski, whose acclaimed debut Before The Rain was Oscar-nominated in 1994, returns to his native Macedonia to tell the story of three women yearning for motherhood. The three stories – one medieval, two contemporary – explore themes of tradition, love, trust and female agency.
Matteo Lovadina’s Reel Suspects will take the film to UniFrance’s Rendez-Vous event in Paris next week and then on to the European Film Market in Berlin. The firm has world sales rights other than former Yugoslavia, Albania, Hungary and Belgium.
Manchevski produces with Jane Kortoshev and it was made in association with Powell’s Scala Productions. The...
- 1/6/2020
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Strand Releasing has acquired North American rights to José Luis Montesinos’s Spanish-language thriller “Ropes” which world premiered at the Sitges Film Festival.
Represented in international markets by Reel Suspects, “Ropes” follows Elena, a young quadriplegic who is mourning the recent death of her sister and has moved to a country house with her father. While there, she has the help of Athos, a Belgian pastoral dog specially trained to help her. But the creature turns into her worst enemy after contracting a strange disease.
An up-and-coming director, Montesinos previously directed several shorts, including “El Corredor” which won a Goya (Spain’s highest film honor) and was nominated for a European Film Award.
“Ropes,” produced by Arturo Mendiz at Bastian Films and Carles Pastor, will be presented at the European Film Market during the Berlin Film Festival. Written by Montesinos and Yako Blesa, “Ropes” stars Paula del Río (“Retribution”) and Miguel Ángel Jenner.
Represented in international markets by Reel Suspects, “Ropes” follows Elena, a young quadriplegic who is mourning the recent death of her sister and has moved to a country house with her father. While there, she has the help of Athos, a Belgian pastoral dog specially trained to help her. But the creature turns into her worst enemy after contracting a strange disease.
An up-and-coming director, Montesinos previously directed several shorts, including “El Corredor” which won a Goya (Spain’s highest film honor) and was nominated for a European Film Award.
“Ropes,” produced by Arturo Mendiz at Bastian Films and Carles Pastor, will be presented at the European Film Market during the Berlin Film Festival. Written by Montesinos and Yako Blesa, “Ropes” stars Paula del Río (“Retribution”) and Miguel Ángel Jenner.
- 1/2/2020
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
The French international sales agent has added to its line-up the feature debut by Spanish director José Luis Montesinos, which will have its world premiere at Sitges. Faithful to an editorial line focused on “elevated genre,” French sales agent Reel Suspects, led by Matteo Lovadina, begins sales on Ropes from Spanish director José Luis Montesinos, which will have its world premiere in competition at the Sitges Fantastic Film Festival ( 3-13 October). Recognised for his short films, such as El corredor (winner among others of the Goya 2016), Matagatos (2010) and La historia de siempre (2009), which won 132 prize worldwide, José Luis Montesinos has made his feature debut based on a script co-written with Iakes Blesa, and a cast including Paula del Río and Miguel Ángel Jenner, with the Swiss Marc Zumbach as director of photography.The story of Ropes centres on Elena, a young quadriplegic woman...
Exclusive: Fledgling UK distributor Lightbulb, which specialises in home ent releases, has picked up four films for its slate, including SXSW 2018 drama Sadie and Polish fantasy-thriller Sword Of God.
The former is a U.S. indie pic starring Melanie Lynskey (Togetherness), John Gallagher, Jr. (10 Cloverfield Lane) and Sophia Mitri Schloss (The Kicks) in the title role. Directed by Megan Griffiths (Lucky Them), the film charts the story of a girl who will stop at nothing to preserve her father’s place on the home front. The deal was brokered by Philippe Louis Galliano of The Movie Agency.
Polish language pic Sword Of God, set during the medieval period, sees two Christian knights arrive at a pagan village, intent on converting the villagers to their religion. Soon their faith, and the bond between them, are brutally tested and the men must decide how far they are willing to go for their religion.
The former is a U.S. indie pic starring Melanie Lynskey (Togetherness), John Gallagher, Jr. (10 Cloverfield Lane) and Sophia Mitri Schloss (The Kicks) in the title role. Directed by Megan Griffiths (Lucky Them), the film charts the story of a girl who will stop at nothing to preserve her father’s place on the home front. The deal was brokered by Philippe Louis Galliano of The Movie Agency.
Polish language pic Sword Of God, set during the medieval period, sees two Christian knights arrive at a pagan village, intent on converting the villagers to their religion. Soon their faith, and the bond between them, are brutally tested and the men must decide how far they are willing to go for their religion.
- 8/5/2019
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Barcelona — Paris-based Reel Suspects has acquired world rights on the second fiction feature as a director of multi-prized Spanish producer Luis Miñarro, “Love Me Not.” It is produced by Miñarro and Mexican producer Julio Chavezmontes at Piano, whose recent credits take in Sebastian Hoffmann’s Sundance winner “Time Share” and Venice competition player “The Accused.”
“Love Me Not” will have its world premiere at the upcoming Rotterdam Film Festival in its Signatures showcase, which is devoted to cutting-edge movies from preeminent auteurs.
A producer of over 30 films, including Cannes Palme d’Or laureate “Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives,” Karlovy Vary Crystal Globe winner “The Mosquito Net” and “Finisterrae,” which took a Rotterdam Festival Tiger, Miñarro’s movies as a director have established him as one of Spain’s most accessibly non-conformist filmmakers frequently featured at larger festivals.
Lauded by many Spanish critics – one, Carlos Losilla, has called...
“Love Me Not” will have its world premiere at the upcoming Rotterdam Film Festival in its Signatures showcase, which is devoted to cutting-edge movies from preeminent auteurs.
A producer of over 30 films, including Cannes Palme d’Or laureate “Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives,” Karlovy Vary Crystal Globe winner “The Mosquito Net” and “Finisterrae,” which took a Rotterdam Festival Tiger, Miñarro’s movies as a director have established him as one of Spain’s most accessibly non-conformist filmmakers frequently featured at larger festivals.
Lauded by many Spanish critics – one, Carlos Losilla, has called...
- 1/4/2019
- by Emilio Mayorga
- Variety Film + TV
Paris-based company boards Singapore drama.
Demons, the Singapore psychological drama that had its world premiere at the 2018 Busan International Film Festival in October, has been boarded for world sales by Paris-based Reel Suspects.
Daniel Hui wrote and directed the film, his debut narrative feature after 2014 documentary Snakeskin. Demons follows an actress who starts experiencing eating and speech disorders after landing her first lead role. Eventually, she realises that the film shoot is a place where silent abuse and sadistic violence is accepted as artistic passion.
Yanxuan Vicki Yang and Glen Goei star. Director Hui also produced alongside Bee Thiam Tan.
Demons, the Singapore psychological drama that had its world premiere at the 2018 Busan International Film Festival in October, has been boarded for world sales by Paris-based Reel Suspects.
Daniel Hui wrote and directed the film, his debut narrative feature after 2014 documentary Snakeskin. Demons follows an actress who starts experiencing eating and speech disorders after landing her first lead role. Eventually, she realises that the film shoot is a place where silent abuse and sadistic violence is accepted as artistic passion.
Yanxuan Vicki Yang and Glen Goei star. Director Hui also produced alongside Bee Thiam Tan.
- 12/4/2018
- by Tom Grater
- ScreenDaily
San Sebastian — Smart genre, zombies and throwbacks to the ’70s and ‘80s are some of the current trends in genre cinema, according to some specialists in the field. It’s a cyclical dynamic now offering meaningful box office hits such as Corin Hardy’s “The Nun” or Ari Aster’s “Hereditary.” Genre cinema always attracts the attention of industry players. These are some of them.
An auteur-driven trend commands greatest consensus among experts. Matteo Lovadina, CEO of Paris-based sales and co-production company Reel Suspects, observed that some great examples recently of genre film have, “thanks to their clever storytelling,” been able to attract both auteur and genre audiences.
“Films like Joachim Trier’s ‘Thelma,’ Jordan Peele’s ‘Get Out’, David Robert Mitchell’s ‘It Follows’ or ‘Hereditary,’ have brought genre cinema again into focus and restored a certain credit to this hidden part of the cinematic world,” Lovadina observed.
A “pure genre player,...
An auteur-driven trend commands greatest consensus among experts. Matteo Lovadina, CEO of Paris-based sales and co-production company Reel Suspects, observed that some great examples recently of genre film have, “thanks to their clever storytelling,” been able to attract both auteur and genre audiences.
“Films like Joachim Trier’s ‘Thelma,’ Jordan Peele’s ‘Get Out’, David Robert Mitchell’s ‘It Follows’ or ‘Hereditary,’ have brought genre cinema again into focus and restored a certain credit to this hidden part of the cinematic world,” Lovadina observed.
A “pure genre player,...
- 9/27/2018
- by Emilio Mayorga
- Variety Film + TV
Feature comes from Oscar-nominated shorts director Bartosz Konopka.
The Mute, the Polish historical drama from Bartosz Konopka, has been boarded for world sales by Paris-based Reel Suspects.
Writer-director Konopka’s previous credits include Fear Of Falling, he was also Oscar-nominated in 2010 for his documentary short Rabbit à la Berlin.
His latest feature follows two knights, the experienced Willibrord and the young, mysterious Unnamed, who set off to christen a small pagan village hidden deep in the mountains. Despite the differences in their views and perspectives on religion, the two men become travel companions and create a father-son relationship. When they reach the village,...
The Mute, the Polish historical drama from Bartosz Konopka, has been boarded for world sales by Paris-based Reel Suspects.
Writer-director Konopka’s previous credits include Fear Of Falling, he was also Oscar-nominated in 2010 for his documentary short Rabbit à la Berlin.
His latest feature follows two knights, the experienced Willibrord and the young, mysterious Unnamed, who set off to christen a small pagan village hidden deep in the mountains. Despite the differences in their views and perspectives on religion, the two men become travel companions and create a father-son relationship. When they reach the village,...
- 8/23/2018
- by Tom Grater
- ScreenDaily
Reel Suspects boards psychological drama.
Psychological drama To The Night, starring Caleb Landry Jones, has been boarded for world sales by Paris-based Reel Suspects.
The film, which is the English-language debut from Austrian writer-director Peter Brunner, portrays an artist who suffers from Ptsd after losing his parents in a tragic fire when he was a child. When his memories of the event are reignited one night, he sets off on a quest to face his past and build the family he never had.
To The Night is set to premiere in the main competition of the upcoming 53rd Karlovy Vary...
Psychological drama To The Night, starring Caleb Landry Jones, has been boarded for world sales by Paris-based Reel Suspects.
The film, which is the English-language debut from Austrian writer-director Peter Brunner, portrays an artist who suffers from Ptsd after losing his parents in a tragic fire when he was a child. When his memories of the event are reignited one night, he sets off on a quest to face his past and build the family he never had.
To The Night is set to premiere in the main competition of the upcoming 53rd Karlovy Vary...
- 5/30/2018
- by Tom Grater
- ScreenDaily
Film delves into Chile’s dark history under Augusto Pinochet.
Paris-based sales company Reel Suspects has secured a Us deal on its Chilean horror Trauma with genre label Artsploitation.
The Lucio A. Rojas-directed feature has also sold to German-speaking Europe (Indeed Films) and Japan (New Select).
The film follows four friends who, after being brutally attacked by a man and his son, discover that their assailants have ties to the darkest period of Chilean history – the brutal regime of dictator Augusto Pinochet.
Trauma was produced by Rodrigo Fernandez and had its premiere at the Morbido Film Festival in Mexico City in October 2017.
Matteo Lovadina from Reel Suspects said: “I felt obliged to acquire this film. It traumatised me. We have always been attracted by extreme films that can combine an author vision with genre elements. Genre fans will be petrified in front of such a shocking...
Paris-based sales company Reel Suspects has secured a Us deal on its Chilean horror Trauma with genre label Artsploitation.
The Lucio A. Rojas-directed feature has also sold to German-speaking Europe (Indeed Films) and Japan (New Select).
The film follows four friends who, after being brutally attacked by a man and his son, discover that their assailants have ties to the darkest period of Chilean history – the brutal regime of dictator Augusto Pinochet.
Trauma was produced by Rodrigo Fernandez and had its premiere at the Morbido Film Festival in Mexico City in October 2017.
Matteo Lovadina from Reel Suspects said: “I felt obliged to acquire this film. It traumatised me. We have always been attracted by extreme films that can combine an author vision with genre elements. Genre fans will be petrified in front of such a shocking...
- 2/15/2018
- by Tom Grater
- ScreenDaily
Paris-based sales agent aims for Rotterdam Tiger competition hat-trick.
International Film Festival Rotterdam (Iffr) 2018 competition title Nervous Translation has been picked up by Matteo Lovadina’s Paris-based sales agents Reel Suspects.
Source: Reel Suspects
Nervous Translation
Directed by Shireen Seno, who previously helmed Big Boy which played at Rotterdam in 2011, the drama is a coming-of-age tale set in the Philippines in the 1980s. It follows an eight-year-old girl who lives with her mother in the family house, where the absence of their exiled father sinks them into an oppressive atmosphere.
John Torres produced, Ronald Arguelles was executive producer.
Reel Suspects will be hoping it can complete a hat-trick of Rotterdam Tiger competition wins – the company has had rights to the winners from the last two years, Sexy Durga and Radio Dreams.
Lovadina commented on Nervous Translation: “The remarkable talent of director Shireen Seno catches this narrow and magical universe, threatened by incomprehensible adults. Perceiving this world through...
International Film Festival Rotterdam (Iffr) 2018 competition title Nervous Translation has been picked up by Matteo Lovadina’s Paris-based sales agents Reel Suspects.
Source: Reel Suspects
Nervous Translation
Directed by Shireen Seno, who previously helmed Big Boy which played at Rotterdam in 2011, the drama is a coming-of-age tale set in the Philippines in the 1980s. It follows an eight-year-old girl who lives with her mother in the family house, where the absence of their exiled father sinks them into an oppressive atmosphere.
John Torres produced, Ronald Arguelles was executive producer.
Reel Suspects will be hoping it can complete a hat-trick of Rotterdam Tiger competition wins – the company has had rights to the winners from the last two years, Sexy Durga and Radio Dreams.
Lovadina commented on Nervous Translation: “The remarkable talent of director Shireen Seno catches this narrow and magical universe, threatened by incomprehensible adults. Perceiving this world through...
- 1/29/2018
- by Tom Grater
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Reed Suspects also closes further deals on its Efm slate.
Early in the European Film Market (Efm), Matteo Lovadina’s French sales outfit Reel Suspects has clinched an eye-catching deal for its horror movie Blind Sun with gore specialist Shudder, the self-dubbed ‘Netflix of Horror’.
The deal comes as Reel Suspects basks in the success of Sexy Durga, a market premiere at the Efm. The film, directed by Indian director Sanal Kumar Sasidharan has just won the International Film Festival Rotterdam Tiger award.
This is the second year in a row that a Reel Suspects title picked up Iffr’s top award, following on from Radio Dreams by Babak Jalali.
At the Efm, Reel Suspects is giving a premiere to controversial Filipino drama Purgatoryo, which touches on grim, necrophiliac happenings in the local funeral home. Also new at the Efm is another horror picture, Black Hollow Cage by Sadrac Gonzalez-Perellon.
Lovadina has confirmed...
Early in the European Film Market (Efm), Matteo Lovadina’s French sales outfit Reel Suspects has clinched an eye-catching deal for its horror movie Blind Sun with gore specialist Shudder, the self-dubbed ‘Netflix of Horror’.
The deal comes as Reel Suspects basks in the success of Sexy Durga, a market premiere at the Efm. The film, directed by Indian director Sanal Kumar Sasidharan has just won the International Film Festival Rotterdam Tiger award.
This is the second year in a row that a Reel Suspects title picked up Iffr’s top award, following on from Radio Dreams by Babak Jalali.
At the Efm, Reel Suspects is giving a premiere to controversial Filipino drama Purgatoryo, which touches on grim, necrophiliac happenings in the local funeral home. Also new at the Efm is another horror picture, Black Hollow Cage by Sadrac Gonzalez-Perellon.
Lovadina has confirmed...
- 2/12/2017
- by geoffrey@macnab.demon.co.uk (Geoffrey Macnab)
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: The film is a follow-up to Bunohan: Return To Murder.
Paris-based Reel Suspects has picked up international rights to Malaysian director Dain Iskandar Said’s Interchange, the follow-up to his 2011 Toronto title Bunohan: Return To Murder.
Produced by Malaysia’s Apparat, the film revolves around a forensics photographer lured into a world of shamans and mystic creatures while helping his detective friend investigate a series of macabre murders.
The cast is headed by Indonesian stars Nicholas Saputra and Prisia Nasution, along with leading Malaysian actors Shaheizy Sam and Iedil Putra.
“It’s rare to find good thrillers from Malaysia, especially one that masters sci-fi elements with supernatural and noir,” said Reel Suspects CEO Matteo Lovadina. “We hope buyers will appreciate the astonishing cinematography that really puts a stamp on Dain’s established directorial vision.”
Xyz Films is representing the film for North American sales, while Gsc Movies is handling theatrical distribution in Malaysia with release slated...
Paris-based Reel Suspects has picked up international rights to Malaysian director Dain Iskandar Said’s Interchange, the follow-up to his 2011 Toronto title Bunohan: Return To Murder.
Produced by Malaysia’s Apparat, the film revolves around a forensics photographer lured into a world of shamans and mystic creatures while helping his detective friend investigate a series of macabre murders.
The cast is headed by Indonesian stars Nicholas Saputra and Prisia Nasution, along with leading Malaysian actors Shaheizy Sam and Iedil Putra.
“It’s rare to find good thrillers from Malaysia, especially one that masters sci-fi elements with supernatural and noir,” said Reel Suspects CEO Matteo Lovadina. “We hope buyers will appreciate the astonishing cinematography that really puts a stamp on Dain’s established directorial vision.”
Xyz Films is representing the film for North American sales, while Gsc Movies is handling theatrical distribution in Malaysia with release slated...
- 5/12/2016
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: UK’s Soda Pictures has picked up remake of cult classic Vampyres.
Paris-based Reel Suspects has acquired Macedonian director Vardan Tozija’s crime-drama Amok [pictured] about an introverted, abandoned teenager who goes on to lead a gang of violent, feral lost boys.
“It’s a really powerful film, a Macedonian version of the City of God. It came to me through my network and I’ve been following it since the project stage,” says Reel Suspects CEO Matteo Lovadina, who is aiming for a Toronto international premiere for the film.
The picture stars first-time actor Martin Gjorgoski as Phillip, a rough, marginalised teenager, who is forced to participate in a terrifying encounter by a corrupt policeman while in the care of social services.
Irrevocably damaged, he is hell-bent on seeking violent revenge on society, enlisting the other “lost boys” in the tough juvenile adoption centre he calls home.
Skopje-based film and TV production outfit Dream Factory Macedonia...
Paris-based Reel Suspects has acquired Macedonian director Vardan Tozija’s crime-drama Amok [pictured] about an introverted, abandoned teenager who goes on to lead a gang of violent, feral lost boys.
“It’s a really powerful film, a Macedonian version of the City of God. It came to me through my network and I’ve been following it since the project stage,” says Reel Suspects CEO Matteo Lovadina, who is aiming for a Toronto international premiere for the film.
The picture stars first-time actor Martin Gjorgoski as Phillip, a rough, marginalised teenager, who is forced to participate in a terrifying encounter by a corrupt policeman while in the care of social services.
Irrevocably damaged, he is hell-bent on seeking violent revenge on society, enlisting the other “lost boys” in the tough juvenile adoption centre he calls home.
Skopje-based film and TV production outfit Dream Factory Macedonia...
- 4/21/2016
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Paris-based sales outfit adds Rotterdam premieres and sales manager.
Matteo Lovadina’s Paris-based sales outfit Reel Suspects has added two titles to its slate, both set to premiere at International Film Festival Rotterdam (Iffr) later this week.
The first is Paloma Aguilera Valdebenito’s debut feature, Out Of Love, screening in Iffr’s Bright Future strand.
The film is the latest production from Dutch outfit Topkapi and is produced by company principals Frans van Gestel, Arnold Heslenfeld and Laurette Schillings.
The psycho-drama, about an intense relationship, is supported by the Netherlands Film Fund, Mediafund, CoBO, Ntr (part of De Oversteek), Netherlands Film Production Incentive, Media Programme of the European Union. Pim Hermeling’s September will release in the Netherlands.
Dutch-Chilean writer-director Valdebenito was nominated for best short film at the European Film Awards for her 2009 short Stay Away.
Topkapi are also the Dutch producers on Felix van Groeningen’s Sundance entry Belgica and partnered on van...
Matteo Lovadina’s Paris-based sales outfit Reel Suspects has added two titles to its slate, both set to premiere at International Film Festival Rotterdam (Iffr) later this week.
The first is Paloma Aguilera Valdebenito’s debut feature, Out Of Love, screening in Iffr’s Bright Future strand.
The film is the latest production from Dutch outfit Topkapi and is produced by company principals Frans van Gestel, Arnold Heslenfeld and Laurette Schillings.
The psycho-drama, about an intense relationship, is supported by the Netherlands Film Fund, Mediafund, CoBO, Ntr (part of De Oversteek), Netherlands Film Production Incentive, Media Programme of the European Union. Pim Hermeling’s September will release in the Netherlands.
Dutch-Chilean writer-director Valdebenito was nominated for best short film at the European Film Awards for her 2009 short Stay Away.
Topkapi are also the Dutch producers on Felix van Groeningen’s Sundance entry Belgica and partnered on van...
- 1/25/2016
- by geoffrey@macnab.demon.co.uk (Geoffrey Macnab)
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Wedding-set supernatural tale to premiere in Vanguard section.
Paris-based genre specialist Reel Suspects had picked up world sales to Demon ahead of its premiere in the Vanguard section of the Toronto International Film Festival (Sept 10-20).
It is the third feature by Polish director Marcin Wrona, whose previous award-winning work The Christening also screened in Vanguard to packed houses and critical acclaim in 2010.
“I’m really exited to work on Marcin’s third film film. It’s a perfect crossover title that fits our line-up perfectly,” said Reel Suspects CEO Matteo Lovadina.
“It combines a well mastered drama base with a supernatural element. Demon should find an audience both among cinephiles and curious genre fans alike,” he added.
ICM Partners is handling North America.
Taking inspiration from the Jewish mythological figure of the dybbuk, a malicious spirit, Demon revolves around a wedding that takes a sinister turn when the groom is possessed just prior to the...
Paris-based genre specialist Reel Suspects had picked up world sales to Demon ahead of its premiere in the Vanguard section of the Toronto International Film Festival (Sept 10-20).
It is the third feature by Polish director Marcin Wrona, whose previous award-winning work The Christening also screened in Vanguard to packed houses and critical acclaim in 2010.
“I’m really exited to work on Marcin’s third film film. It’s a perfect crossover title that fits our line-up perfectly,” said Reel Suspects CEO Matteo Lovadina.
“It combines a well mastered drama base with a supernatural element. Demon should find an audience both among cinephiles and curious genre fans alike,” he added.
ICM Partners is handling North America.
Taking inspiration from the Jewish mythological figure of the dybbuk, a malicious spirit, Demon revolves around a wedding that takes a sinister turn when the groom is possessed just prior to the...
- 8/25/2015
- ScreenDaily
Paris based international sales agent Reel Suspects has announced that Ludo, the latest fantasy thriller directed by Q and Nikon, will be a part of its latest international distribution catalogue.
Ludo, which is now in the final phase of its post-production, was a part of their catalogue at the Cannes Film Festival this year.
Reel Suspects is an international distribution company, specializing in high quality feature films, with a massive track record and background in festival and commercial hits. Their catalogue while representing a variety of revered masters (Jean Luc Godard, Chris Marker) has an attentive eye on emerging filmmakers.
Ludo is a story about four desperate teenagers who decide to spend one fateful night in the big city. Horny and broke, they hide inside a gigantic shopping mall, after all attempts to get a hotel room fail. At the mall all plans go haywire, as an old couple appears...
Ludo, which is now in the final phase of its post-production, was a part of their catalogue at the Cannes Film Festival this year.
Reel Suspects is an international distribution company, specializing in high quality feature films, with a massive track record and background in festival and commercial hits. Their catalogue while representing a variety of revered masters (Jean Luc Godard, Chris Marker) has an attentive eye on emerging filmmakers.
Ludo is a story about four desperate teenagers who decide to spend one fateful night in the big city. Horny and broke, they hide inside a gigantic shopping mall, after all attempts to get a hotel room fail. At the mall all plans go haywire, as an old couple appears...
- 6/11/2015
- GlamSham
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