Outsider takes U.S., Canada on 'Finisterrae'

Ghostly pic won Rotterdam prize

Outsider Pictures has picked up all U.S. and Canadian rights to Sergio Caballero's comedic drama "Finisterrae," sold by Buenos Aires' FilmSharks Intl. A L.A.-based sales agent and distributor, releasing films in the U.S., Canada and Latin America, Outsider aims to bring moviegoers the most original stories from around the world, according to its mission statement. Winning a Tiger Award for debut feature at the 2010 Rotterdam Festival, pic turns on two Russian ghosts, who walk the St. James Way to Finisterrae, a cape in northwest Spain, in an attempt to rejoin the land of the living. Pic is peppered with surreal moments which seem to spoof highbrow artfilms.

"Finisterrae" is produced by Luis Minarro's Barcelona-based Eddie Saeta, co-producer of Cannes Palme d'Or winner "Uncle Boonmee…," and one of the driving forces behind left-of-field filmmaking in Europe. In a separate deal closed at the Rome Festival's Business Street, Inmovision has acquired Brazilian rights to Argentinean Marcos Carnevale's "Widows." Argentina's biggest late-summer local hit, grossing $1.9 million for BVI from a Aug. 18 bow, "Widow" toplines two of the country's best-regarded actresses, Graciela Borges ("The Hands") and Valeria Bertuccelli ("A Boyfriend For My Wife") in the story of the widow of a man who grudgingly looks after his mistress, now pregnant with his child. Produced by Fernando Sokolowicz and Disney co-owned Patagonik, "Widows" has sparked distributor interest in the U.S., Japan, France and Spain, said FilmSharks' Guido Rud. Read more at variety

Outsider Pictures Acquires 'Juan of the Dead' For Theatrical Run

Friday, January 27, 2012

Outsider Pictures today announced the acquisition of the international hit Juan of The Dead (review), from Guadalajara-based international film sales and distribution company Latinofusion, for US theatrical distribution in the United States.

Juan of the Dead will be screened as part of MIFF’s Gala series at the upcoming Festival, March 2 – 11, 2012, and will be the first theatrical screening of the film under the Outsider Pictures banner. Director Alejandro Brugués, actor Alexis Díaz de Villegas, and Outsider Pictures and Latinofusion executives are scheduled to attend the screening.

Focus World, the unique digital distribution initiative owned and operated by Focus Features, will release the movie later in 2012 to EST, iVOD and VOD, along with DVD and other formats.

Read more here at BD

Outsider Pictures Acquires Theatrical Rights to 'Juan of the Dead'

Friday, January 27, 2012

Miami, FL — Outsider Pictures today announced the acquisition of the international hit Juan of The Dead, from Guadalajara-based international film sales and distribution company Latinofusion, for US theatrical distribution in the United States.

The deal was announced via the Industry Office of the 29th annual Miami International Film Festival (MIFF), produced and presented by Miami Dade College (MDC). As previously announced, Juan of the Dead will be screened as part of MIFF’s Gala series at the upcoming Festival, March 2 – 11, 2012, and will be the first theatrical screening of the film under the Outsider Pictures banner. Director Alejandro Brugués, actor Alexis Díaz de Villegas, and Outsider Pictures and Latinofusion executives are scheduled to attend the screening.

“It’s a satirical look at the present day streets of the controversial regime and we’re excited to add it to our diverse catalogue of films.” said Paul Hudson, co-founder of Outsider Pictures. “And it’s a great zombie film too!”

As previously announced, Focus World, the unique digital distribution initiative owned and operated by Focus Features, will release the movie later in 2012 to EST, iVOD and VOD, along with DVD and other formats.

After zombies take over Havana, Juan (Díaz de Villegas) and his friends decide to conquer the marauding undead, reported by the government as being unruly Americans continuing their quest of undermining the regime. Part comedy and part political allegory, Alejandro Brugués’ second feature was co-produced with Spain’s La Zanfoña Producciones. Brugués’ first feature Personal Belongings was in MIFF’s Ibero-American competition in 2008.

Outsider Pictures will open the film theatrically in Miami soon after the Festival, in an exclusive run at MDC’s Tower Theater. Hudson negotiated the deal with Latinfusion CEO Alfredo Calvino.

Read more at Indie wire