FilmSharks Pounces on International Sales Rights to Videocine’s ‘Don’t Leave the Kids Alone’ (EXCLUSIVE)

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In Buenos Aires, FilmSharks, a local company, has agreed terms with Videocine – an affiliate of TelevisaUnivision – to manage the global distribution of the horror film “Don’t Leave the Kids Alone,” directed by Emilio Portes (known for “Belzebuth” and “Pastorela”).

Among Mexico’s top film distribution and production companies, Videocine has planned to release a high-concept movie in the second quarter of this year. This announcement was made by Guido Rud, CEO and founder of FilmSharks, during Berlinale’s EFM, along with other deals. Notably, Videocine holds the rights for both North and South America.

Rud is excited to keep working alongside Videocine’s exceptional crew, a partnership that spans numerous years,” said he, who has also been responsible for other Videocine horror movies like “Karem, the Possession”, “Play with Me” and “The Inhabitant.

He mentioned that we’ve held high regard for the director’s past projects for quite some time. He went on to say that ‘Don’t Leave the Kids Alone’ is a brilliantly made gem within its genre, and its storyline stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the best American directors’ recent work in terms of scale.”

“He pointed out that we’ve been big fans of the director’s earlier work. He further commented that ‘Don’t Leave the Kids Alone’ is a brilliantly executed gem in its genre, and its narrative reach is comparable to the best work of leading U.S. directors in recent times.

Set in the ’80s, this genre film focuses on Catalina, a widow recently bereaved, and her two boys, aged seven and ten. One evening, Catalina attends an event for work, leaving her sons behind. Unbeknownst to them, they start to play with their cherished video game console, oblivious that a malevolent force is driving them apart. Starring Ana Serradilla (“My Best Friend’s Wedding”) and Jose Sefami (“Amores Perros”).

The film had its world premiere at the 54th Rotterdam Int’l Film Fest in early February.

In his director’s note, Portes mentioned that while “Don’t Leave the Kids Alone” is a horror movie, it also serves as a deeply personal exploration of our childhood experiences.

The movie transports us to a time before smartphones and the internet, filled with old-fashioned landlines – it’s a journey of freedom as we explore what it means to be on our own at night without parents, able to secretly watch horror films, dust off banned board games, rediscover classic video game consoles, enjoy the simplicity of barefoot running, order late-night pizzas, drink giant sodas, and let our creativity and fears run free, particularly when facing our wildest nightmares.

In this movie, director Portes explored themes of sibling rivalry, strong familial ties, and the allure of being an only child for the fifth time.

For the fifth time in his career, Portes’ film delved into the complexities of sibling rivalry, unbreakable family bonds, and the intriguing idea of being an only child.

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In his fifth film, Portes chose to focus on the dynamics of sibling rivalry, powerful familial connections, and the fascinating notion of wanting to be an only child.

In 2020, Portes’ movie titled “Belzebuth,” a gripping thriller set at the Mexican border concerning the tragic subject of infanticide, garnered both critical acclaim and commercial success. It became the fifth most-watched film on Shudder that year, streaming on this platform.

FilmSharks has revealed a series of fresh distribution agreements for the Argentinian animated film “Dalia and the Red Book” during EFM. These include an arrangement with Vision Films for North America, and negotiations are ongoing in the U.K., France, South Korea, China, Italy, and Scandinavia.

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2025-02-16 12:47