Breaking News: SPC Secures Exclusive Rights to Jodie Foster’s ‘Vie Privée’
In a significant coup for the global film industry, StudioCanal’s Specialty Pictures Group (SPC) has acquired the exclusive rights to Jodie Foster’s critically acclaimed drama, ‘Vie Privée’, for distribution in North America and Latin America. This deal, announced by Variety, underscores SPC’s commitment to showcasing exceptional, thought-provoking cinema to a wider audience.
As a highly anticipated film, ‘Vie Privée’ is set to captivate viewers with its gripping narrative, exploring themes of family, power, and the complexities of human relationships. With Jodie Foster, a two-time Academy Award winner, at the helm, audiences can expect a masterclass in storytelling, directing, and acting.
In this article, we will delve into the details of SPC’s acquisition of ‘Vie Privée’ and what this means for film enthusiasts in North America and Latin AmericaSony Pictures Classics Acquires Jodie Foster Film “Vie Privée”
Acquisition Details
In one of the first major deals unveiled at the European Film Market, Sony Pictures Classics (“I’m Still Here”) has bought “Vie Privée,” a highly anticipated, humor-laced murder mystery movie starring Jodie Foster and directed by Rebecca Zlotowski (“Other People’s Children”), for North America and Latin America territories.
The Oscar winner stars in the film as renowned psychiatrist Lilian Steiner who mounts a private investigation into the death of one of her patients, whom she is convinced has been murdered. Foster last starred in a French-language film 20 years ago in Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s Oscar-nominated “A Very Long Engagement.” Foster, who recently won an Emmy and a Golden Globe her turn in HBO’s “True Detective: Night Country,” stars in “Vie Privée” alongside a flurry of international stars, including Daniel Auteuil (“Farewell, Mr Haffman”) and Efira (“Other People’s Children”), Mathieu Almaric (“The Diving Bell and the Butterfly”), Vincent Lacoste (“Lost Illusions”) and Luana Bajrami (“Portrait of a Lady On Fire”).
Film Synopsis and Cast
Shot in Paris and Normandy, “Vie Privée” is currently in post-production and will likely world premiere in the festival circuit.
The film centers on Lilian Steiner, a renowned psychiatrist, who becomes convinced that one of her patients has been murdered. Driven by this belief, she embarks on a private investigation to uncover the truth. The ensemble cast brings together celebrated French and international talent, including:
- Jodie Foster as Lilian Steiner
- Daniel Auteuil
- Efira
- Mathieu Almaric
- Vincent Lacoste
- Luana Bajrami
Director Rebecca Zlotowski
“Vie Privée” marks the first collaboration between Sony Pictures Classics and Zlotowski. One of France’s most successful filmmakers, Zlotowski previously directed “Other People’s Children,” which competed at the Venice Film Festival in 2022, as well as “Une fille facile” (Cannes’ Directors Fortnight 2019), “Planetarium” (Venice 2016) starring Natalie Portman and Lily-Rose Depp, and “Grand Central” (Cannes’ Un Certain Regard 2013) and “Belle Epine” (Cannes’ Critics Week in 2010) with Lea Seydoux. Zlotowski penned the script of “Vie Privée” with Anne Berest (“Happening”) and Gaëlle Macé.
Sony Pictures Classics’ Film Slate and Future Plans
Recent Acquisitions
Sony Pictures Classics is having a strong start to the year with “I’m Still Here,” Walter Salles’ poignant Brazilian political drama that is nominated for three Academy Awards including best picture and best actress for Fernanda Torres. Sony Pictures Classics recently announced additional international release dates across Latin America and Europe for the movie. The distributor is at the Berlinale with Richard Linklater’s “Blue Moon,” an anticipated highlight of the competition starring Ethan Hawke, Margaret Qualley, Bobby Cannavale and Andrew Scott. “Vie Privée” joins Sony Pictures Classics’ slate of recent acquisitions, alongside “East of Wall,” the feature debut of writer and director Kate Beecroft. The movie won the Audience Award at Sundance in the NEXT category.
International Release Dates
“I’m Still Here” will receive additional international release dates across Latin America and Europe.
“Blue Moon” will be released in key territories.
The European Film Market and Berlinale
Sales Activity at the EFM
Sales activity at the Berlin Film Festival and European Film Market revved up on Saturday as Sony Pictures Classics struck a deal for North American rights to Rebecca Zlotowski’s murder mystery “Vie Privée,” starring Jodie Foster. Variety’s Elsa Keslassy had the scoop on SPC’s deal for the film, which also covers key territories in Latin America. “Shot in Paris and Normandy, ‘Vie Privée’ is currently in post-production and will likely world premiere in the festival circuit,” Keslassy writes.
Other Highlights from the Berlinale
The festival runs from February 13-23 and features a range of films, including “Timestamp” and “Kontinental ’25”.
Variety will be on the ground in Berlin through the duration of the festival, which runs Feb. 13-23. Follow our coverage and film reviews via Variety.com — all of our news coverage can be found here and reviews found here — and through our five show daily print editions published at the festival from Feb. 13-17. Each festival daily issue is available online for Variety subscribers. And please click here to subscribe to Variety‘s free Markets and Festivals newsletter.
Industry Insights and Trends
Peak TV and Global Series Commissions
Analysts at Ampere declare Peak TV to be over, documenting the 25% slide in global series commissions since 2022. The trend has implications for the global TV production sector.
Spanish TV Production Sector
Spain shows off its bustling TV production sector with a slew of titles screening at the Berlinale Series Market.
Conclusion
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