Sergei Loznitsa’s debut feature is a parable of contemporary life in Russia, telling the story of a truck driver who loses his way in the Russian wilderness .

Ahead of Cannes, Fortissimo Films has acquired worldwide rights outside of Germany, Russia and the CIS for Competition title My Joy.

Sergei Loznitsa’s debut feature is a parable of contemporary life in Russia, telling the story of a truck driver who loses his way in the Russian wilderness and gets drawn into daily life in a Russian village. The film’s Cannes Competition screening is set for May 19.

Fortissimo MD Nelleke Driessen struck the deal with Heino Deckert of production company ma.ja.de.

My Joy is ma.ja.de. production in co-production with Sota Cinema Group, Lemming Film and ZDF in association with Arte, with development was supported by Mitteldeutschen Medienförderung and Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg.

Driessen said: “We are extremely excited to be involved with this project. Fortissimo has always been known for discovering new and talented filmmakers and Sergei Loznitsa undoubtedly fits right into this category. We have the utmost confidence that his film will be one of the highlights of this year’s Cannes Film Festival and we look forward to bringing it to international audiences.”

Deckert added: “Sergei has created an exceptional film, exciting and intriguing while remaining true to the hardships currently being suffered in the region. The fact that the Cannes Film Festival and Fortissimo have embraced the project so readily underlines what we are so confident of – this is a great film, made by a great director and is deserving of a great home.”

Loznitsa was born in Belarus and later moved to Ukraine. He studied to be a scientist and the graduated from Moscow’s Russian State Institute of Cinematography in 1997. He has lived with his family in Germany since 2001.He has previously worked directing documentaries including Blockade, Revue, Today We Are Going to Build A House, Life, Autumn, and The Train Stop.

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