Films Boutique Picks Up Venice Entries ‘January 2’ by Zsofia Szilagyi, ‘Wishing on a Star’ by Peter Kerekes (EXCLUSIVE)

As a seasoned cinephile who has witnessed the rise and shine of numerous talented filmmakers across the globe, I am absolutely thrilled to see the works of Zsófia Szilágyi and Peter Kerekes once again grace the screens at the prestigious Venice Film Festival. Their return to this esteemed platform is a testament to their unwavering dedication to storytelling and their unique ability to captivate audiences worldwide.


The Berlin-based film sales agency, Films Boutique, has acquired international distribution rights for “January 2” directed by Zsófia Szilágyi and “Wishing on a Star” by Peter Kerekes prior to their screenings at the Venice Film Festival.

As a cinema enthusiast, I find myself eagerly anticipating the second of January, marking the highly-awaited return of Szilágyi to the festival circuit. This comeback follows her remarkable debut feature “One Day,” which graced the screens at Cannes Critics’ Week back in 2018. Notably, this extraordinary film was honored with the Fipresci award that year.

“The film ‘One Day’ enjoyed a globally extensive film festival run with debuts at Sydney, New Horizons, Melbourne, Sarajevo (winning the Heart of Sarajevo for Best Actress), Cineast Luxembourg (receiving the grand prize), The Hamptons, Denver, AFI, Cork, Cairo (earning the Best Actress award), and Cleveland (being recognized as the Best Film). Additionally, it was screened at the Berlinale in 2020.”

The movie was chosen as one of the main films at the 2018 European Film Awards and was also up for the European Discovery – Fipresci Prize.

Following his movie “107 Mothers” securing the best screenplay award in the Horizons section of 2021, Kerekes made a comeback to Venice. Subsequently, this film embarked on a prosperous journey across the international scene, gracing prestigious festivals like San Sebastian, Chicago (winning the best director award), Les Arcs (receiving the Crystal award for the best film), the Viennale, Tallinn Black Nights, New Horizons (gaining the audience award), Cottbus (winning the best film award), Goteborg, Cleveland, Seattle, Transilvania, Taipei, Pune and Edinburgh. In 2022, it was nominated for the European Film Awards in the category of European Discovery – Prix Fipresci.

Films Boutique Picks Up Venice Entries ‘January 2’ by Zsofia Szilagyi, ‘Wishing on a Star’ by Peter Kerekes (EXCLUSIVE)

1. “January 2” has been chosen for the Biennale College, whereas “Wishing on a Star” is bound for Venice, appearing in the Horizons segment.

For both filmmakers, the Venice premieres are their second collaborations with Films Boutique.

On January 2nd, Klára embarks on her journey after leaving the shared home with her husband. Her friend Ági lends a helping hand throughout this process. In total, they complete seven car rides. Despite traveling the same route to and from each time, every trip varies in its unique challenges. “January 2nd” presents a genuine narrative depicting a spouse’s perspective on separation, highlighting the obstacles she encounters as she navigates through this difficult decision.

The documentary titled “Wishing on a Star” traces the story of Luciana, a Naples-based astrologer, who helps her clients manifest their desires by suggesting specific travel destinations for their birthdays. These trips are designed to rejuvenate them under new skies, whether it’s Taipei, Beirut, or a nearby village. As they embark on these birthday voyages, the main characters encounter unforeseen transformations that aid them in identifying their deepest desires.

Gabor Greiner, COO of Films Boutique, expressed his pride over the ongoing partnership with Zsofia Szilagyi, who once again showcases her exceptional storytelling abilities in her latest project, ‘One Day,’ by portraying the demise of a relationship with a unique freshness and remarkable clarity. It’s evident that Zsofia is one of Hungary’s most gifted filmmakers of her generation.

“In his latest documentary, Peter Kerekes once more showcases his exceptional narrative and artistic talents, enabling viewers to forge a close bond with every character portrayed.”

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2024-08-26 14:46