Neon Acquires North American Rights to “Sirât”
Neon has recently acquired the North American rights to Oliver Laxe’s film “Sirât,” following its critical acclaim at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. This acquisition adds to a busy festival season for Neon, which has also secured rights for Kleber Mendonça Filho’s “The Secret Agent” and Jafar Panahi’s “It Was Just an Accident,” both competing for prestigious awards.
Neon’s Festival Success
Neon is currently enjoying a successful run at Cannes, having won an Oscar for Best Picture this year with “Anora,” which also debuted at the festival and clinched the Palme d’Or. This remarkable achievement follows their historic win for the 2019 film “Parasite.” Neon has a strong presence at Cannes, having released all five of the last Palme d’Or winners. As the festival nears its conclusion, many are speculating whether Neon can achieve this feat a sixth time. The winners will be unveiled this Saturday, adding to the excitement surrounding their acquisitions.
Plot Overview of “Sirât”
“Sirât” is co-written by Laxe and his frequent collaborator Santiago Fillol. The film features an outstanding cast including Sergi López, Bruno Núñez, Stefania Gadda, and Jade Oukid. Neon plans to release the film in North American theaters later this year, although the financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed. According to an official plot description, “Sirât” follows a father (played by López) and his son as they navigate a rave deep in the mountains of southern Morocco. They are on a quest to find Mar, who disappeared months ago during one of these parties. Amidst the pulsating electronic music and an unfamiliar sense of freedom, they distribute her photo, clinging on to the fading hope of finding her while pursuing a group of ravers heading to one last desert party.
Critical Reception and Directorial Style
Reviewers have praised the film’s unique twists and emotional depth, with Variety ’s Jessica Kiang highlighting Laxe’s “thrilling directorial confidence.” She describes the film as a “brilliantly bizarre, cult-ready vision” that explores the limits of human psychology. Laxe’s reputation for drawing viewers into unconventional narratives is evident in “Sirât.” The film promises not just a visual experience but a profound exploration of human emotions against the backdrop of an electrifying party culture.
Production Teams and Industry Connections
“Sirât” is produced by Oscar-winning filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar, along with Agustín Almodóvar and Esther García under the banner of El Deseo. Other production houses involved include Xavi Font and Oliver Laxe for Filmes Da Ermida , as well as Oriol Maymó for Uri Films, Mani Mortazavi, and Andrea Queralt for 4A4 Productions , with Domingo Corral for Movistar Plus+. The film’s associate producers include Fran Araújo and Guillermo Farré for Movistar Plus+, alongside Holger Stern. In terms of international sales rights, The Match Factory is representing the film.
Oliver Laxe’s Cinematic Journey
Oliver Laxe made his feature film debut with “You All Are Captains,” which won the FIPRESCI Prize at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival. His subsequent works include the religious western “Mimosas,” which screened in the Critics’ Week section at Cannes in 2016, and “Fire Will Come,” shown in 2019 in the Un Certain Regard section, winning the Jury Prize. Known for his distinctive shooting style, Laxe frequently utilizes non-actors and authentic locations in Morocco, a hallmark that continues with “Sirât.”
Other Titles at Cannes
Alongside “Sirât,” Neon is also bringing to Cannes two additional competition titles: Joachim Trier’s “Sentimental Value,” which has received some of the festival’s most enthusiastic reviews, and Julia Ducournau’s “Alpha.” Additionally, Neon has produced Raoul Peck’s “Orwell: 2+2=5” and Michael Angelo Covino’s “Splitsville,” which stars Dakota Johnson and Adria Arjona. Each of these films showcases Neon’s commitment to promoting exceptional storytelling and groundbreaking filmmakers.
Negotiations for “Sirât”
The deal for “Sirât” was successfully negotiated by Neon’s VP of Acquisitions, Sarah Colvin, in collaboration with Agathe Valentin, Director of Sales at The Match Factory. Thania Dimitrakopoulou, Head of Sales at The Match Factory, represented the filmmakers during these negotiations. The acquisition of “Sirât” stands as yet another testament to Neon’s dedication to bringing unique and compelling stories to North American audiences.