Fortissimo Films has picked up international rights outside China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Japan to Prince Of Tears from acclaimed filmmaker Yonfan and has already sold it to Ocean Films for France.

Produced by Hong Kong’s Far Sun Film Co and Taiwan’s Peony 5 Film Co, the film is set in Fifties Taiwan during the period known as “White Terror” when an anti-Communist campaign swept the island.

The cast is headed by Taiwanese actors Fan Chih Wei (The Best Of Times), Terri Kwan (Turn Left, Turn Right) and Joe Chang (Eternal Summer) with actress Zhu Xuan making her film debut.

The film has also been snapped up by Intercontinental Film Distribution for Hong Kong.

“We’ve been waiting for a long time to have the opportunity to work with Yonfan. His sense of style, artistry and story-telling is unique amongst directors in Asia and with this film he breaks new ground,” said Fortissimo co-chairman Michael J. Werner.

Yonfan previously directed Colour Blossoms, which had its international premiere at Berlin in 2005, and Peony Pavilion, which won best actress at Moscow in 2001.