In a major deal announced last Saturday, Paris-based Wild Bunch and Gaumont closed US rights to Nicolas Winding Refn’s The Neon Demon with Amazon Studios which plans to release the Danish/US film in US cinemas next summer, followed by a streaming on Amazon Prime Instant Video within a short window. The tale of murderous LA models stars Elle Fanning (pictured), Keanu Reeves, Christina Hendricks and Jena Malone. The film produced by Refn’s company Space Rocket Nation will be released in Scandinavia by Scandox and in France by French outfit The Jokers (recently launched by former Wildside founder Manuel Chiche). The French release will be jointly orchestrated by Le Pacte.
TrustNordisk came to Santa Monica with a dozen new films shown in a 15 minute promo-reel. Head of Sales Susan Wendt said: “We had a fantastic attendance at our promo screening with more than 100 people. We received a great response on all the titles and several negotiations are in their final stages across the different titles and countries.”
The only deal officially announced was Magnolia Pictures’ acquisition for North America of the Norwegian epic action adventure film The Last King directed by Nils Gaup. Previous deals were closed for Germany, Austria and Switzerland (Koch Media Deutchland), Italy (Minerva Pictures Group), Czech Republic (Film Europe Media Company) Middle East (Gulf Film), India (Pictureworks) and Estonia (Estinfilm). The film will open in Norway in February 2016.
The Yellow Affair continued sales on Mika Kaurismäki’s The Girl King, which was sold to Solar Entertainment for the Philippines. Previous deals were closed with Spain (Film Buro) and the US (Wolfe Releasing). The drama starring Malin Buska as Sweden’s Queen Kristina will be released in Finland on December 11.
The Swedish fantasy Girls Lost about gender confusion was sold to Vendetta for Australia and New Zealand. Alexandra Therese Keining’s film will also open in Estonia via Estinfilm. Folkets Bio has booked the Swedish premiere for February 19, 2016.