Hong Kong’s Media Asia Films has sold Soi Cheang’s action title Motorway to Arrow Films for the UK and Ireland.

Produced by Johnnie To, the film follows a rookie cop who takes on a veteran getaway driver in a death defying showdown on the motorway.

The film, which combines car chases with Chinese wuxia traditions, made its European and North American premieres at the Locarno film festival and Toronto International Film Festival respectively.

“We are thrilled that Arrow Films has committed to releasing the film theatrically in the UK,” said Media Asia’s assistant general manager Fred Tsui. 

“This is a film that we hope can reach a broad audience in the UK and, in particular, racing aficionados and film buffs who will appreciate Soi Cheang’s maverick directing skills and visual exuberance.”

The deal was negotiated by Tsui and Arrow Films’ head of acquisitions Tom Stewart. Arrow has previously released films including Japanese Oscar-winner Departures, Lee Chang-dong’s Cannes winner Poetry, Venice best actress winner A Simple Life and Ron Fricke’s Samsara.

Arrow have also picked up UK theatrical rights for Juan Carlos Maneglia & Tana Schémbori’s 7 Boxes.

Maneglia & Schémbori’s action thriller recently screened in the Discovery section of the Toronto International Film Festival and opened last month in Asunción, Paraguay to record box office levels.

The deal was negotiated by Shoreline Entertainment VP sales Brian Sweet and EVP Sam Eigen with Tom Stewart, head of acquisitions for Arrow Films. Shoreline are handling worldwide sales on the film and expect further deals to be concluded soon.

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