VIDEOVISION AT CANNES

Videovision Entertainment makes early acquisitions in Cannes.

Sanjeev Singh, Director of Acquisition and Distribution for Videovision Entertainment announced on the first day of the Cannes Film Festival that the company has scored a major coup with the early acquisition of some of the most sought after films at the Festival from Wildbunch. Among the films acquired are the Official Competition entries Looking For Eric and Soundtrack For A Revolution, the Closing Night film, Chanel And Stravinsky and Woody Allen’s Whatever Works.

Looking For Eric, directed by Ken Loach and starring Steve Evets, Eric Cantona and Stephanie Bishop, is the story of Eric the postman whose life is in turmoil. His wife has left him and his stepsons are out of control and the chaos is further compounded with the appearance of a cement mixer in the front garden. Life is crazy enough, but despite the comical efforts and misplaced goodwill of his mates, Eric continues to sink and in desperation turns to his hero: foot-balling genius, philosopher and poster boy, Eric Cantona.

Soundtrack For A Revolution tells the story of the American civil rights movement through its powerful music - the freedom songs protesters sang on picket lines, in mass meetings, and in jail cells as they fought for justice and equality. Written and directed by Bill Guttentag and Dan Sturman, the film features new performances of the freedom songs by top artists; riveting archival footage; and interviews with civil rights foot soldiers and leaders. The film features a host of musicians and interviews with civil rights leaders.

Chanel And Stravinsky explores Coco Chanel’s infatuation with the rich and handsome Boy Capel and her commitment to her work. Igor Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring is about to be performed. The revolutionary dissonances of Igor's work parallel Coco's radical ideas. She wants to democratize women's fashion; he wants to redefine musical taste. Coco attends the scandalous first performance of The Rite in a chic white dress. The music and ballet are criticized as too modern, too foreign. Coco is moved but Igor is inconsolable. Paris 1920, Coco is newly wealthy and successful but grief-stricken after Boy's death in a car crash. Following the Russian Revolution, Igor is now a penniless refugee living in exile in Paris. Coco is introduced to Igor by Diaghilev, impresario of the Ballets Russes. The attraction between them is instant and electric. Coco invites Igor along with his wife - now sick with consumption - together with his four children and a menagerie of birds to stay at her new villa, Bel Respiro, in Garches. The film stars rising sensation Anna Mouglalis and Mads Mikkelsen who starred in Casino Royale.

Whatever Works follows an eccentric New Yorker who abandons his upper-class life to lead a more bohemian existence. He meets a young girl from the South and her family, and no two people seem to get along in the entanglements that follow. This comedy from legendary writer/director Woody Allen, also stars Seinfeld co-creator, Larry David, Ed Begley Jr., Patricia Clarkson, Conleth Hill, Michael McKean, and Evan Rachel Wood. The film had its World Premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival last month and the South African premiere will take place at the Durban International Film Festival in July this year.

Commenting on the acquisitions from Wild Bunch, Sanjeev Singh commented, “We are delighted to continue acquiring films from Wild Bunch with the acquisition of Looking For Eric, Soundtrack For A Revolution, Chanel And Stravinsky and Whatever Works for release in South Africa. The films will be released in South Africa through United International Pictures later this year. We previously acquired the Academy Award Winners March of the Penguins, Spirited Away and City of God and the critically acclaimed, award winning The Magdalene Sisters from Wild Bunch. “