Fortissimo Films has acquired international rights to dystopian drama The White King, starring Jonathan Pryce, Greta Scacchi and Agyness Deyn.

Based on the award-winning novel by Hungarian novelist György Dragomán, the English-langue film is the debut feature of co-directors Alex Helfrecht and Jörg Tittel.

Currently in the final stages of post-production, the film was shot in Hungary and produced by Oiffy – a production house founded by Tittel, Helfrecht and producer Philip Munger – and London and LA-based producer Teun Hilte (Black Book).

Set in a small, unknown country in the near future, the story revolves around a 12-year-old boy and his mother fighting to reunite their family in a brutal dictatorship.

Newcomer Lorenzo Allchurch plays the boy, with Deyn as his mother. The cast also includes Fiona Shaw, Clare-Hope Ashitey and Ólafur Darri Ólafsson.

The deal for international rights was negotiated by Fortissimo Films’ executive vice president, Nicole Mackey, with the film’s producers.

Fortissimo will introduce the film and present exclusive footage to buyers in the upcoming Cannes Market.