Hulu and New Zealand-based streaming service NEON have acquired the North American rights to the well-received Cannes Competition drama Portrait of a Lady on Fire, according to Deadline.
- The French-language film tells the story of a female painter commissioned to paint a wedding portrait of a young, reluctant bride on an isolated island in Northern France at the end of the eighteenth century. The painting must be done without the subject’s knowledge.
- The cast of the film includes:
- Adèle Haenel (The Unknown Girl)
- Noémie Merlant (Heaven Will Wait)
- Luana Bajrami (School’s Out)
- Valeria Golina (Human Capital)
- The film was sold to Hulu and NEON by mk2 films.
- NEON is planning a theatrical release of the film, which will include an awards campaign in all categories.
- Portrait of a Lady on Fire is produced by Bénédicte Couvreur and written and directed by Céline Sciamma.
- The film is one of mk2’s five films contending to the coveted Palme d’Or at this year’s Cannes Competition.
What they’re saying:
- A statement from Hulu and NEON: “From the moment we saw this beautiful and captivating love story, we knew we had to release this film. From Céline’s writing and directing, to the absolutely absorbing performances, we couldn’t be more excited for audiences to experience this sensationally moving piece of cinema on the big screen.”
- Mk2 Films: “We are thrilled by how audiences and buyers from around the world have responded to the ground breaking and emotionally gripping Portrait Of A Lady On Fire. It is sure to cement Céline Sciamma’s reputation as one of the most exciting directors of her time. We are thrilled to be partnering with NEON to bring this progressive and potent piece of cinema to the big screen across the country. They are one of the most dedicated and passionate distribution teams in North America.”