Revolver takes UK rights to competition title Sleeping Beauty

Revolver Entertainment has taken UK distribution rights to Julia Leigh’s hard hitting competition title Sleeping Beauty.

eOne is handling international sales on the film, which is the directorial debut of Australian novelist Leigh (who also wrote the screenplay).

The deal was struck at on Wednesday between Revolver’s recently appointed Head of Acquisitions Dave Bishop and acquisitions executive Lucy Taylor, and eOne’s EVP, Entertainment One Films International Charlotte Mickie.

The film centres around a young university student, played by Sucker Punch actress Emily Browning who takes a job as a “sleeping beauty’ to fund her studies, allowing men to seek erotic experiences that requires her absolute submission.

“It’s fair to say that Revolver is no stranger to controversy, but Sleeping Beauty is also a beautifully crafted and haunting film that will create huge dinner debate across Britain, which is very rare with today’s cinema,” said Revolver’s head of acquisitions Dave Bishop, who negotiated the deal with eOne’s EVP Charlotte Mickie.

“Revolver is known for their innovative spirit and audacity. They have shown great enthusiasm for Sleeping Beauty and we are thrilled they have come on board as the UK distributors of this stunning cinematic debut,” added Mickie.

It is the second Australian title to be picked up by Revolver in Cannes. The UK distribution company also took rights to Justin Kurzel’s Critics’ Week thriller Snowtown from Protagonist.The film is based on true events, about a teenage boy who falls under the spell of a father figure who turns out to be a serial killer.