Keira Knightley starrer “Colette,” based on the life of the French author who wrote “Gigi” and “Cheri,” has enjoyed robust sales in Berlin this year, with sales agent Hanway Films selling out the project.
Pic, which is produced by Number 9 Films and Killer Films (both shingles behind “Carol”) as well as Bold Films, has inked deals in France (Mars), Germany and Austria (DCM), Italy (Good Films), Spain (DeAPlaneta), Scandinavia (Scanbox), Japan (Tohokushinsha), Australia/New Zealand (Transmission), Latin America (Sun Distribution), South Korea (Rollong & First Run), Poland (Monolith), Czech/Slovak Republics (AQS), former Yugoslavia (Discovery), Greece and Cyprus (Odeon), Portugal (Lusomundo), Baltics (Acme), Middle East (Front Row), South Africa (Ster Kinekor), Hong Kong (Suncream), Taiwan (Filmware) and airlines (Jaguar).
Hanway m.d. Thorsten Schumacher told Variety: “With the strong creative package and combination of Number 9 Films, Killer Films and our new friends at Bold, the HanWay team was able to partner with the classiest distributors in their territories on this great project.”
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Wash Westmoreland will direct “Colette,” based on a script he co-penned with the late Richard Glatzer, who both co-wrote and co-directed “Still Alice.” Lensing will begin in May in Budapest, Hungary.
Pam Coffer and Christine Vachon (“Carol,” “Still Alice”) produce for Killer Films, and Elizabeth Karlsen and Stephen Woolley (“Carol,” “Made in Dagenham”) will produce for Number 9 Films. Bold Films will finance and co-produce the pic through chairman Michel Litvak. Bold Films CEO Gary Michael Walters exec produces.
“Colette” has been one of the most sought-after titles in the Berlinale this year. Based on the true story of one of France’s leading female novelists, the pic will examine Colette’s complex life and marriage to critic Willy Gautheir-Villars and their pivotal status in the salons of Paris at the turn of the century.
News of sales on the title first appeared in Variety’s sister title Deadline.
