Optimum acquires Tolstoy love story The Last Station

The much-anticipated film tells the story of the last year of Russian writer Leo Tolstoy’s life and his turbulent marriage to Countess Sofya. It also stars James McAvoy, Paul Giamatti and Anne-Marie Duff.

The film, which is written and directed by Hoffman, is currently in post-production and looks set for festival autumn launch. The deal was negotiated directly between Optimum’s Will Clarke and producer Chris Curling of Zephyr Films.

The deal comes as the company celebrates its tenth anniversary today (July 9). Its releases have included Amores Perros, Spirited Away and Fahrenheit 9/11 and, more recently, The Wrestler, Vicky Cristina Barcelona and In The Loop.

This year, Optimum started to shift into production with its first feature, Brighton Rock. The adaptation of the Graham Greene novel is being directed by Rowan Joffe, and stars Sam Riley and Carey Mulligan.

It is also backing the recent launch of the European division of Warp Films, which Optimum is backing. The launch is part of a first-look deal between Warp, Optimum and Film 4 and formalises long-term relationship between the three companies that started on Shane Meadow’s Dead Man’s Shoes.

Optimum CEO Will Clarke said: “This is the start of more exciting developments for the company, and we want to maintain our reputation for innovation, energy and imagination across all our work.”

Optimum is part of StudioCanal, film, production, sales and distribution arm of French media group Canal Plus.