IM Global announced on Thursday [30] it had closed a raft of key territories in Cannes on Martin Scorsese’s upcoming period drama financed by Emmett/Furla Films, Corsan Films and Len Blavatnik’s AI Film.

Andrew Garfield and Ken Watanabe will star in the story, based on Shusaku Endo’s 1966 novel about a pair of 17th century Portuguese missionaries in a hostile Japan. Principal photography is scheduled to commence in Taiwan in July 2014. 

Rights have gone to France (Metropolitan), Germany (Concorde), Japan (Gaga), Italy (RAI), Latin America (Gussi), Australia (Transmission), Scandinavia (Mis Label), Benelux (Paradiso) and South Korea (JMD Entertainment).

Deals have also closed in Turkey (Aqua), Portugal (Lusomundo), Israel (United King), Hong Kong (Golden Scen), Greece (Spentzos), former Yugoslavia (Padora), Taiwan (Catchplay) and Singapore (MVP).

IM Global’s pan-Asia rights buying unit Apsara handles the drama in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand. IM Global and AI Film acquired international rights shortly before Cannes.

Randall Emmett and George Furla will produce alongside Emma Koskoff of Sikelia Productions, Irwin Winkler, Vittorio Cecci Gori and Barbara DeFina. Niels Juul and Corsan head Paul Breuls serve as executive producers.

Scorsese and IM Global head Stuart Ford are pictured during the recent buyers presentation in Cannes.

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