Drafthouse Films announced on Friday [31] that it has acquired North American rights to Alex van Warmerdam’s thriller and Cannes competition entry Borgman.

The tale of the Devil who enters the home of an arrogant middle-class family under the guise of a vagrant was the first Dutch film in Cannes competition in almost 40 years.

Drafthouse Films plans a US theatrical, VoD and digital release in 2014 and Films We Like in Toronto will handle Canadian distribution.

“Maybe once a year, I am deluged after a premiere with texts and emails to the effect of ‘this is such a Drafthouse movie,’” said Drafthouse Films founder and CEO Tim League.

“It’s strange, disturbing, hysterical and utterly unique. Borgman is the quintessential Drafthouse film of Cannes. We can’t wait to share it with audiences in North America.”

The distributor finalised the deal with Winnie Lau of Fortissimo Films.

  • Tribeca Film has picked up North American rights from The Film Colony to mystery The Time Being starring Wes Bentley and Frank Langella and will release on VoD on Jul 23 followed by theatrical on Jul 26. The film premiered in Toronto last year.