Playtime to Launch Sales on Safy Nebbou’s ‘Nobody’s Son’ at Cannes, With Sony Pictures on Board for North America, Latin America and France (EXCLUSIVE)

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Playtime (“Goodnight Mommy”) is handling distribution and promotion for Safy Nebbou’s “Nobody’s Son,” an emotionally powerful adoption story featuring Romain Duris (“The Animal Kingdom”), in the Cannes film market.

The collaboration between Mandarin & Compagnie has given birth to this project, which has caught the attention of Sony Pictures International Productions. They’ll be responsible for distributing it in the United States, Canada, South America, and France. Meanwhile, Playtime will manage sales in all other regions globally.

The movie written by Nebbou centers on Thomas and his wife Mathilda, who take in a four-year-old girl named Mapring from Thailand. However, their life together is cut short when Mathilde meets a tragic end in an accident, leaving Thomas with a child he barely knows and did not initially desire. Overwhelmed by grief, Thomas embarks on a journey to Thailand in an attempt to discover Mapring’s origins and locate her biological mother, hoping that this search might help mend their broken hearts as well. This is the plot summary of the story.

For their upcoming production, “Nobody’s Son,” Nicolas Brigaud-Robert, François Yon at Playtime Production, and Eric Altmayer and Nicolas Altmayer at Mandarin & Compagnie are taking on the roles as producers. This film serves as a follow-up for director Hafsia Herzi following her romance thriller “Who You Think I Am,” which featured Juliette Binoche and François Civil, and had a wide international distribution of over 45 territories after its premiere at the Berlinale. Notably, Herzi has also worked on other successful projects such as “Mark of an Angel,” a commercially successful film that received recognition in numerous festivals and was sold in more than 30 countries. Additionally, her 2016 film, “In the Forests of Siberia,” starring Raphaël Personnaz and based on Sylvain Tesson’s book, was highly praised in France as one of the best adaptations from a book to screen in recent years.

As a passionate admirer, I can’t help but express my deep connection with the moving tale, ‘Nobody’s Son’. In today’s context, Thomas’ exploration of his paternal role and his grappling with accepting his new life and duties strikes a profound chord. Safy Nebbou masterfully guides us through this heartfelt odyssey on fatherhood, and I must say it’s a journey that leaves an indelible mark. Moreover, Sony Pictures International Productions is ensuring that this remarkable film receives the global recognition it truly deserves, shining brightly in France and beyond.

Shebnem Askin, Executive Vice President of Creative Production at Sony Pictures International Productions, praised Nicolas Brigaud-Robert, Nicolas Altmayer, and their teams at Playtime and Mandarin, stating that they are exceptional and she is excited about the prospect of working with them and the talented Safy Nebbou.

The main team behind the movie “Nobody’s Son” comprises cinematographer Gilles Porte (known for “Who You Think I Am”), editor Sylvie Lager (renowned for “Love Life”), sound designer Martin Boissau (“In His Own Image”), and music provided by Ibrahim Maalouf, who also worked on “Who You Think I Am”. The film has already been acquired by France 3, Canal +, Paramount +, and TaProd.

At the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, Vuelta Group’s division known as Playtime will showcase Tarik Saleh’s “Eagles of the Republic” in the competition section, and Thierry Klifa’s “The Richest Woman in the World” out of competition.

Meanwhile, Mandarin & Compagnie will grace the screens of Cannes, showcasing “Alpha,” the Palme d’Or winning film by Julia Ducournau, in competition.

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2025-05-05 19:47