Lesbian drama release a bold move given anti-gay legislation in Russia.

Stacie Passon’s lesbian drama Concussion is among four titles acquired by Russian distributor Cinema Without Borders (Kino bez Granits) at this year’s AFM for theatrical release in Russian cinemas in 2014.

The other titles acquired were:

  • Don Coscarelli’s black fantasy comedy John Dies At The End
  • Lucky McKee and Chris Sivertson’s horror film remake All Cheerleaders Die, and
  • Australian Zak Hilditch’s apocalypse drama These Final Hours

According to Cinema Without Borders, the latter two titles are expected to be given a wide release.

The acquisition of the 2013 Teddy Award winner Concussion would seem particularly brave given the current anti-gay mood in Russia since the introduction of legislation earlier this year banning “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations among minors.”

Despite anonymous “telephone terrorism,” bomb threats and harassment by the police, the sixth edition of St Petersburg’s Bok o Bok (Side by Side) LGBT film festival is currently being held in the northern Russian city.

Last night (Tuesday) saw the screening of the Golden Palm winner Blue Is The Warmest Colour and  a highlight at the end of the festival on November 30 will be a special screening of Milk in the presence of director Gus van Sant, producer Bruce Cohen and the film’s screenwriter Dustin Lance Black.

Picture Tree concludes AFM deals

Fledgling sales company Picture Tree International reported a raft of deals after its first appearance at this year’s AFM.

US rights for Victor “Young” Perez were sold to Synkronized, which will have the film released theatrically in US cinemas by partner Millenium, with other deals on the true story of the Tunisian-Jewish world boxing champion sealed with Luxor (CIS and Baltic states), Sejong Communications (Korea) and Mexico’s Amarok Films for pan-Latin American rights. 

In addition, the Berlin-based company sold Thomas Imbach’s Locarno title Mary Queen Of Scots to Curious Film for Australia and New Zealand and to Caravella DDC/Carmen Film for the CIS territories.

Final negotiations are currently underway for the film with distributors in the US, Eastern Europe and the UK.

My Dog Killer to run in Germany

Mira Fornay’s Rotterdam winner My Dog Killer has been picked up by new Munich-based distributor temperclay film and will be released exclusively on digital copies from March 20, 2014 in German cinemas.

Handled internationally by Berlin-based m-appeal, the Slovak-Czech film had its German premiere at FilmFestival Cottbus at the beginning of the month and is now showing in Tallinn at the Black Nights Film Festival.

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