EXCLUSIVE: Jean-Paul Rappeneau’s comedy snapped up for Benelux and Switzerland.

Families Belles Familles

Jean-Paul Rappeneau’s romantic comedy Families (Belles Familles) has been snapped up by buyers ahead of its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on Sunday.

ARP Sélection and TF1 International secured sales to Benelux (Cinéart) and Switzerland (Pathé).

TF1 International handles world sales and will be repping the film at TIFF, where it screens in Special Presenations

Families marks Rappeneau’s first film in more than 10 years and stars Mathieu Amalric as a French expat who takes a life-changing trip to his hometown. The cast also includes Marine Vacth (Young and Beautiful), Gilles Lellouche and Gemma Chan.

Producers are Michèle and Laurent Pétin of ARP Sélection, which will handle the French release of the film on October 14.

TF1 International’s Sabine Chemaly said: “Since we hadn’t shown the film to buyers before the premiere, we look forward to unveiling it to distributors and the TIFF audience together this weekend.”

French writer-director Rappeneau is known for films including Cyrano De Bergerac (1990), starring Gérard Dépardieu, Gracious Living (Une Vie de Château) (1966) starring Catherine Deneuve and Philippe Noiret, and Bon Voyage (2003) starring Isabelle Adjani and Depardieu.

Amalric, Vacth and Lellouche will walk Toronto’s red carpet with Rappeneau for Families world premiere on Sunday (Sept 13).