"Studio Canal has closed a raft of deals on "My Blueberry Nights," the English-language debut feature from Wong Kar Wai. Among more than a dozen deals inked in Cannes, the film has been sold to Germany's Prokino, Asmik Ace in Japan, Bim in Italy, Central Partnership for Russia, Triangel for Scandinavia and EEAP for Eastern European territories. Billed as a hip romantic road trip tale, "Blueberry" stars Norah Jones, Jude Law, Natalie Portman and Rachel Weisz. Shooting begins this summer..." (full details)
"The Page Turner" (La Tourneuse de Pages) has been sold to Tartan Films for the US, Artificial Eye in the UK, Mikado for Italy and Cafe Groove for Japan. Belgium, Switzerland, Scandinavia, Mexico, Israel and Thailand are already set to distribute as well. Written and directed by Denis Dercourt, the film stars Catherine Frot and newcomer Deborah Francois..." (full details)
Cineclick Asia's festival hit "The Host" has concluded major deals after packed screenings. Magnolia Pictures has picked up rights to the UK, US and Australia. Ocean Pictures has picked up French rights to the film, about a lake monster that rises from the depths of the Han River in Seoul to terrorize the city. South American territories rights were snapped up by Providence Films, while Gussi Films picked it up for Mexico. Thailand rights went to J-Bic, while Discovery Film picked up for the former Yugoslavian states. Cineclick Asia will continue doing direct sales for China, Singapore and Malaysia..." (full details)
Samuel Goldwyn and partner Roadside Attractions have teamed up with the Weinstein Co. to acquire U.S. distrib rights to the recent British film version of "Lassie" from Classic Media, home of the franchise. Film, shot in the U.K., was directed by Charles Sturridge and stars Peter O'Toole, Samantha Morton, Peter Dinklage and Jonathan Mason. Sturridge also penned the script. Goldwyn and Roadside, which pool marketing resource release "Lassie" theatrically September 1st..." (full details)
Anchor Bay has picked up US, UK and Australian theatrical, video and TV rights to Atlas International's zombie comedy "The Night of the Living Dorks." The Mathias Dinter-directed comedy, about a group of teenage losers who find the curse of the living dead actually boosts their social status at school, was released in Germany in 2004..." (full details)
Sony Pictures Classics has picked up North American rights to Luc Besson's "Angel-A," which the Gallic filmmaker wrote, directed and produced. Pic is the first Besson has helmed since 1999's "The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc." "Angel A" -- which was shot in Paris last summer and bowed in France in December -- stars Jamel Debbouze as an incompetent schemer who owes a large amount of money to creditors all over Paris. His fate takes a new direction when he improbably meets the leggy Angela (Rie Rasmussen), who helps him tackle his problems..." (full details)
Japan's Gaga Communications has pre-bought "Journey to the Center of the Earth" and "Mimzy" from New Line Cinema. The $54 million budget "Mimzy" is a sci-fi tale which sees kids affected by a delivery of toys sent from the future. Pic is now helming under direction of New Line chairman Robert Shaye. "Journey" is a 3-D adventure movie helmed by effects guru Eric Brevig, making his feature directing debut. It shoots from this month..." (full details)
