IM Global does roaring trade overseas on A Single Man

A flurry of negotiations followed the first screening on Monday and played out throughout the night in tandem with CAA’s domestic discussions that resulted in a US deal with The Weinstein Company.

Ford deliberately refused to sell the film until it had screened in both Venice and Toronto and the ploy paid dividends as he closed deals with Icon in the UK and Australia, Mars in France, and The Weinstein Company in Germany.

Further rights sold to Aurum in Spain, Svensk in Scandinavia, Alliance in Canada, Village Roadshow in Greece, Festive Films in Singapore, and Studio Solutions in Taiwan.

Prisvideo acquired the drama for Portugal, Nu Metro for South Africa, Forum for Israel, Gulf for the Middle East, and PVR for India. Ford said he expected to close deals with Japan, Italy and remaining territories after the second screening on Tuesday afternoon.

A Single Man arrived from Venice on a wave of acclaim after Colin Firth’s Coppa Volpi best actor triumph for his portrayal of a gay British professor in Los Angeles grieving for his dead lover.

Firth’s performance now ranks as a leading Oscar contender after Harvey Weinstein said he would schedule a US release later this year. Fashion icon Tom Ford also earned glowing praise for his directorial debut.

“It was bold hold tactic to hold back on pre-selling the film anywhere, and I have to applaud Tom’s confidence in the movie and thank him for his faith in us,” IM Global’s Ford said. “It looks like the gamble paid off.”