EXCLUSIVE: Fortissimo Films has sold Wong Kar Wai’s Berlinale opener The Grandmaster to Korea’s CJ E&M.

The deal for the Jet Tone Films production was negotiated by Fortissimo chairman Michael J. Werner and CJ E&M Pictures’ distribution senior manager Josh Lee.

Fortissimo is handling select territories retained by Wong’s Jet Tone production outfit on the film, including Japan, where Gaga Corporation will release it in May, and India where discussions are currently underway. Werner served as associate producer and consultant on the film.

CJ E&M, Korea’s leading distributor by market share, is planning a major, cross-circuit release for the film in May.

“We are very confident Korean audiences will respond to the fantastic action and achingly beautiful imagery that is seen throughout the film in a way like no other film has before,” said CJ’s Lee.

Wong Kar Wai said: “It was clear to me that [CJ E&M’s] passion for my work, combined with their cinema and distribution resources and their marketing flair, ensures that my film will be well seen by Korean audiences.”

The Grandmaster is currently on release in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, where it has smashed box office records for previous Wong Kai Wai films. In mainland China, the film has so far grossed $45m.

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