EXCLUSIVE: Fortissimo takes world rights to survival thriller that pits a writer against a hitman who gets more than he bargained for.

Fortissimo Films has acquired worldwide rights, outside Benelux and Scandinavia, to writer/director Alex van Warmerdam’s upcoming project, Schneider vs. Bax (working title).

The project is Van Warmerdam’s first since Borgman, which screened In Competition at last year’s Cannes Film Festival. Fortissimo is commencing pre-sales immediately.

Schneider vs. Bax revolves around two men, a contract killer and a writer, battling each other for survival. Schneider, the contract killer and a devoted family man, is offered a rush job on the morning of his birthday to liquidate Ramon Bax. Bax is a 50 year old writer living in his secluded cabin by the lake. What seems to be a simple assignment turns out to be more than expected.

Fortissimo Films’ long time partner, production company Graniet Film, is currently casting  with principal photography scheduled for this coming summer and a theatrical release set for Spring 2015.

The deal was brokered by Fortissimo Films’ managing director Nelleke Driessen and Graniet Film’s producer Marc van Warmerdam.

Driessen said: “The entire Fortissimo team are huge fans of Alex and Marc’s work, having handled their films over the last two decades, culminating in Borgman competing for the Palme d’Or at last year’s Cannes Film Festival.

“Alex has a unique voice and style, it gives us a great thrill to be a part of bringing his films to a worldwide audience.”

Marc added: “Continuity and loyalty make Graniet Film and Fortissimo Films strong partners.”

Fortissimo Films represents all of  the director’s films including The Northerners,  Little Tony, The Dress, Waiter and The Last Days Of Emma Blank.