Locarno Competition Title ‘Red Path’ Lands at Sovereign for U.K., Ireland (EXCLUSIVE)

As I delve deeper into the captivating world of international cinema, I find myself continually astounded by the stories that unfold before us. The latest masterpiece to capture my heart is “Red Path,” a film that encapsulates the raw power of human resilience in the face of adversity, as told through the lens of Tunisian director Lotfi Achour.

Film production company Sovereign Films secures the distribution rights for “Red Path,” the newest creation by Tunisian filmmaker Lotfi Achour, in the United Kingdom and Ireland. This compelling movie was a contender for the Golden Leopard award at this year’s Locarno International Film Festival.

The movie, scheduled to hit cinemas around mid to late 2025, revolves around Achraf, a 13-year-old boy, who is compelled to perform a horrific act due to his cousin Nizar’s brutal murder at the hands of a gang. With Nizar’s severed head serving as a chilling reminder for his family, Achraf struggles under the haunting presence of Nizar’s ghost. As his elders prove ineffective, Achraf faces a moral dilemma between preserving Nizar’s spirit and retrieving his cousin’s remains, all while battling the crushing weight of sorrow and the need to survive.

The short film “Law of Lamb,” which competed for the Palme d’Or at Cannes in 2016 by director Achour, was inspired by real-life events that transpired in a disadvantaged mountainous area of Tunisia in 2015. The story revolves around a shocking crime committed by teenagers, marked by its brutality and the callous manner in which it was carried out. The fact that this tale centered on adolescents resonated deeply with Achour, stirring an almost compulsive desire within him. As a result, he decided to create a film focused primarily on childhood and its inherent resilience. A childhood that employs various methods, both practical and fantastical, to confront this violence, endure it, and navigate life despite the hardships, even in the face of traumatic experiences.

This project is a collaborative effort among multiple countries, with the production credit being jointly held by Artistes Producteurs Associés from Tunisia, La Luna Productions from France, Versus Production from Belgium, Shipsboy from Poland, and Bord Cadre Films from Switzerland. MPM Premium is responsible for handling international distribution.

The screenplay was penned by Natacha De Pontcharra, with further contributions from Achour, Doria Achour, and Sylvain Cattenoy. Anissa Daoud and Sébastien Hussenot are the producers involved in this project.

The title ‘Red Path’ is now part of Redistributor’s collection, alongside recent additions such as Ruben Östlund’s Palme d’Or winning film ‘Triangle of Sadness’ and Apichatpong Weerasethakul’s ‘Memoria’, starring Tilda Swinton. Known for distributing films that have made their mark on the festival circuit, Redistributor has also recently acquired ‘Inside’, starring Willem Dafoe, and the Sundance-nominated film ‘The Cow Who Sang a Song Into the Future’.

Andreas Roald, head of Sovereign, announced: “We’re thrilled to share with UK and Irish viewers the emotionally impactful and visually captivating movie called ‘Red Path.’ This film offers a profound examination of trauma and tradition, and we believe it will strongly connect with audiences. Its acclaim at Locarno demonstrates its artistic importance, and we eagerly anticipate its premiere in the U.K. and Ireland.

MPM Premium previously sold “Red Path” to France, Belgium and the Middle East and North Africa.

2024-10-23 11:16

Locarno Competition Title ‘Red Path’ Lands at Sovereign for U.K., Ireland (EXCLUSIVE)

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