Film Europe closes deals on Czech and Slovak titles

The company has closed deals on Maria Prochazkova’s Berlinale title Who’s Afraid Of The Wolf for Romania (Clorofilm), Hungary (Anjou Lafayette) and Poland (Polmedia). The negotiations were led by Film Europe managing director Marta Lamperova.

My Husband’s Women went to Poland (Polmedia) and Greece (ERT). Ivan Vojnar’s film will have its world premiere at the Shanghai International Film Festival next month before going on to Karlovy Vary in July.

Broken Promise sold to Poland (Polmedia) and to Japan (Aya Pro). Film Europe previously closed a North American deal on Jiri Chlumsky’s film with Picture This! Entertainment. The film won the grand prize at the Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival in April and is due to screen at the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival as well as in Shanghai and Karlovy Vary. SPI International distributes Broken Promise in Slovakia.

Local release Heaven, Hell … Earth has also sold to Poland (Vivarto) but is still seeking an international premiere. While, Vaclav Vorlicek’s fantasy Saxana – The Little Witch went to Spain (Flinis y Pinicula).

Lamperova says the sales suggest a positive future for Slovak features, which so far have yet to enjoy the success of Slovak documentaries like Juraj Lehotsky’s Blind Loves.

“Slovak producers are disciplined and willing to learn and listen,” she told ScreenDaily. “There are more young producers and young directors willing to do whatever it takes.”

Lamperova says Film Europe is filling a gap by bringing Slovak features to international markets.

“I want to work with [Slovak] producers and show them that sales and festivals are possible,” she says. “If there’s no sales agent, and the producers don’t have time to do this work, then the distributors aren’t going to find the film.”