EXCLUSIVE: Artificial Eye picks up Paolo Sorrentino’s competition entry The Great Beauty.

Artificial Eye has acquired UK rights to Paolo Sorrentino’s Cannes competition entry The Great Beauty from Pathe International.

The Great Beauty reunites Sorrentino with Il Divo star Toni Servillo in the story of a jaded, ageing writer who tries to resuscitate his career but is floundering in high life parties and the memory of a former love.

Louisa Dent, managing director of Curzon Film World, said: “We’re delighted to be releasing Paolo Sorrentino’s The Great Beauty. We had great success releasing Il Divo in the UK. We are looking forward to bringing another distinctive and immaculately realised film to UK audiences.”

Artificial Eye will release later in 2013.