Canadian-based NEOCLASSICS FILMS LTD. has acquired all US rights to the international hit thriller L'AFFAIRE FAREWELL from Pathé International. A film by Christian Carion, whose MERRY CHRISTMAS was nominated for an Academy Award® for Best Foreign Film in 2006, and produced by Christophe Rossignon, the cold war era spy epic recounts the true story of the biggest theft of Soviet secret information in history.
At the height of the Cold War in the early 1980's, the French intelligence service alerted the US about extensive Soviet spy infiltration at all levels of the US government, which sets off an unforeseen chain of events. Based on the book Bonjour Farewell by Serguei Kostine, the film boasts a strong international cast starring two noted film directors who are also respected actors, Guillaume Canet (The Beach, Merry Christmas, Tell No One) and Emir Kusturica (The Good Thief, Underground, Arizona Dream). The ensemble also includes Alexandra Maria Lara (The Reader, The Baader Meinhoff Complex, The Downfall), Ingeborda Dapkunaite (Defiance, Hannibal Rising, Mission Impossible), Diane Kruger (Inglourious Basterds) and Americans Willem Dafoe, Fred Ward and David Soul. L'AFFAIRE FAREWELL cost some $25 million to produce and has a multi-lingual soundtrack in French, English and Russian. This highly commercial story of intrigue, which world-premiered at the Telluride Film Festival and went on to the Toronto International Film Festival this past September, has generated strong box office response in France, grossing more than $7 million to date.
Screen International called L'AFFAIRE FAREWELL "...a harrowing, richly human and well-acted espionage tale..." Variety said, "It's juicy, fascinating stuff, well orchestrated...and finely thesped...Carion keeps things simmering on medium-high heat throughout."
"We're delighted we can bring L'AFFAIRE FAREWELL to US audiences," says Irwin Olian, CEO of NeoClassics. "This film's true story is one of the great spy tales of all time, yet it is little known outside of France and least of all in the US. The film's terrific direction, performances, international story of intrigue and cast will combine to ensure its exposure and success in this market." NeoClassics plans a May theatrical release commencing in New York and Los Angeles, and expanding thereafter to other major domestic markets.
The deal for L'AFFAIRE FAREWELL was negotiated by President and CEO, Irwin Olian and Head of Distribution Frederic Demey on behalf of NeoClassics, and by sales executives Muriel Sauzay and Mike Runagall, on behalf of Pathé International.
About NeoClassics, Films, Ltd.
NeoClassics Films Ltd. ("NeoClassics") is a distributor of independent feature films from filmmakers around the world. Canadian-based with U.S. operations run from the Culver City offices of its U.S. subsidiary, NeoClassics is releasing its U.S. theatrical product through its NeoClassics label and its home video product through its NeoClassics Home Entertainment division. It also acts as a foreign sales agent for rights to other territories. NeoClassics typically releases its theatrical films in the U.S. utilizing regional focus campaigns or platform releases commencing in three to ten key urban markets, including New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. The NeoClassics label is being branded as quality independent fare typical of festival product as well as independent films with potential for broader commercial appeal to reach a wider audience. More information about NeoClassics is available online at www.neoclassicsfilms.com
