EXCLUSIVE: Comedy about a Jewish retiree who fancies himself a Nazi hunter is in post-production.
Paris-based Memento Film International (MFI) has picked up international sales on Uruguayan Alvaro Brechner’s upcoming comedy Mr. Kaplan.
The picture, Brechner’s second feature after Bad Day to Go Fishing which premiered in Critics’ Week in 2009, was shot in Uruguay and is currently in post-production in Spain. It is set for an autumn 2013 release. MFI will screen a first promo reel in Cannes.
Loosely inspired by Brechner’s grandfather, who fled Poland for Uruguay in 1939, Mr. Kaplan revolves around Jewish retiree Jacob who is convinced that the shy, old German owner of a local seafront restaurant is in fact a former Nazi on the run.
Ignoring his family’s concerns about his health, Jacob hires former police officer turned private detective Contreras to help investigate. The pair hatch a plan – inspired by the historic 1960 capture of Adolf Eichmann — to kidnap and secretly transport the elderly restaurant owner to Israel.
The cast features Chilean actor Hector Noguera as Jacob, Uruguayan Nestor Guzzini as the detective Contreras and Rolf Becker as the German restaurant owner.
“We couldn’t be more excited about introducing our international buyers to Mr. Kaplan,” said MFI head of sales and acquisitions Tanja Meissner. “We’re fans of Alvaro and we think he’s created a socially poignant comedy about history and aging.”
The picture is a co-production between Alvaro Brechner’s Montevideo-based Baobab Films, compatriot Mariana Secco’s Salado and German Razor Film, producers of Wadjda and Waltz with Bashir.
“Memento showed their passion for the project at every stage of its development and production. They have a sharp taste, and marvelous artistic flair, and I’m proud that they have joined us now in Mr.Kaplan’s adventure,” said Brechner.
“Mr. Kaplan is about an old man who wants to leave behind a trace on earth but is misguided in this process,” commented Razor Films co-chief Roman Paul. “It’s a timely subject treated with Alvaro Brechner’s signature humor and respect.”
The project was part of Cannes’ L’Atelier co-production market in 2011. It was supported by the Torino Film Lab, winning a production award in 2011.
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