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Maxime Vauthier, Studiocanal’s former SVP of international library sales and acquisitions, has joined forces with thriving Paris-based sales company Charades (“Urchin”) to launch ‘Déjà Vu Cinema Club.’
The curated sales label will not only represent classic films internationally but will also look to give them a new life, both physically in theaters, and digitally; reconnecting heritage cinema with today’s audiences.
The banner is launching in Park City with a restored presentation of Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden’s “Half Nelson,” which premieres at Sundance as part of the inaugural Park City Legacy program. The special screening of “Half Nelson,” starring Ryan Gosling, Shareeka Epps and Anthony Mackie, is being held today (Jan. 29) to mark its 20th anniversary.
Conceived as a selective initiative, ‘Déjà Vu’ will focus on 10 to 15 carefully chosen titles which will be handled with new marketing strategies, 4K restorations, tailored distribution and festival runs. The idea will be to reintroduce those films on the international circuit and work closely with filmmakers.
“It’s so exciting and refreshing to be part of this adventure. We will support Maxime in every possible way,” said Charades in a statement. “We know we can count on a community of distributors and filmmakers to help us search for gems that deserve to be brought back to the theaters and handled the same way we cherry pick new feature films,” Charades added. The company said these classics are often “gems” that “are targeting the young audience we target with our new feature films and often can reach equivalent BO results.”
Vauthier said he was “thrilled to partner with such talented and passionate people.” “Over the years, Charades has demonstrated a strong commitment to bold, author-driven cinema, and our Déjà Vu library line-up will extend that DNA while exploring new genres.”
He called “Half Nelson” “the perfect title to launch the label, for its aesthetics, cultural impact, and themes that continue to resonate strongly with contemporary audiences.”
“Half Nelson” producer Jamie Patricof said the movie was “career defining for so many of us – from my producing partners Lynette Howell Taylor and Alex Orlovsky to then first time filmmakers Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden to Ryan Gosling and Anthony Mackie who took a chance on this project very early in their careers.”
“The film’s premiere at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival helped to firmly secure its place in American independent film history. It is only appropriate that it be the first title under Charade’s newly launched Deja Vu Cinema Club,” Patricof continued.
Gosling stars in “Half Nelson” as Dan, an inspirational history teacher in a Brooklyn high school with a drug habit addition who strikes an unlikely friendship with a troubled student, Drey (Shareeka Epps) after she discovers his secret.
“Half Nelson” was written by Ryan Fleck (who also directs) and Anna Boden; it’s produced by Alex Orlovsky, Patricof, Lynette Howell Taylor with Boden and Rosanne Korenberg, and edited by Anna Boden. Music by Broken Social Scene.
Kevin Iwashina and Ramo Law’s Elsa Ramo represented the producers. “Half Nelson” is the first deal announced under Kevin Iwashina’s newly launched advisory company Audiovisuel.
English (US) ·