Robert Beeson’s London-based arthouse distribution outfit New Wave Films has snapped up UK and Irish rights to renowned photographer Richard Billingham’s debut feature, Ray & Liz. It is screening next month in the first feature competition at the BFI London Film Festival.
Paris-based sales and production company Luxbox previously secured deals to Potemkine for France and Filmfreak for Benelux.
s In Ray & Liz, Billingham revisits his parents’ life in the West Midlands, as featured in his book ’Ray’s a Laugh’. The film has already been feted on the festival circuit following successful screenings in Locarno, Toronto and New York.
New Wave founder Beeson had been keeping close track of the film since its earliest stages. “We finally saw it in Locarno, and immediately knew it was a film we had to have. We’re very pleased that our long pursuit has borne fruit.”
A Primitive Film production. Ray & Liz was financed by the BFI, which also backed development. and Ffilm Cymru Wales with National Lottery funding, in association with Severn Screen and Rapid Eye Movies.
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