Strand Releasing has acquired North American rights to Lucrecia Martel’s critically acclaimed colonial drama “Zama” which is having its U.S. premiere at the New York Film Festival this week.
Repped in international markets by The Match Factory, the drama world-premiered at the Venice Film Festival before heading to Toronto. It was co-produced by Pedro and Agustin Almodovar and Danny Glover, among others.
The drama, based on Antonio di Benedetto’s 1956 classic Argentinean novel and penned by Martel, stars Daniel Gimenez Cacho (“Bad Education”) as a Spanish crown officer in a remote South American colony in the late 18th century. He suffers from a full-blown tropical malady while waiting in vain for a transfer to a more prestigious location.
Strand Releasing distributed Martel’s last feature, the psychological thriller “The Headless Woman,” in 2008.
“We’re so thrilled to be working with Lucrecia again, ‘Zama’ is a wholly original film that shows her unique cinematic vision at work, infusing a historical piece with her sly touches, it’s such an honor to be presenting the film here to audiences in North America,” said Marcus Hu of Strand Releasing.
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Michael Weber of The Match Factory enthused about having “Lucrecia Martel come back at the Strand home after Headless Woman with her wonderful ‘Zama.'”
Meanwhile, Benjamín Domenech, who produced the film at Rei Cine, pointed out Strand Releasing have “an in-depth knowledge” of Martel’s work. “We’re convinced Strand has the perfect drive and expertise required to bring ‘Zama’ to its natural audience,” said Domenech.
The deal was negotiated between Jon Gerrans of Strand Releasing and Michael Weber of The Match Factory.
“Zama” was produced by Rei Cine and Bananeira Filmes. Co-producers are El Deseo, Patagonik, MPM Film, Canana, Lemming Film, KNM, O Som e a Fúria, Louverture Films, Schortcut Films, Telecine, Bertha Foundation, Perdomo Productions, Picnic Producciones, Punta Colorada de Cinema.
Strand Releasing plans is planning to release “Zama” in theaters early next year. The U.S. distributor’s slate also includes Amat Escalante’s “Untammed,”Tarik Saleh’s “The Nile Hilton Incident” and Alain Gomis’”Felicité” which also had its premiere at New York Film Festival.
