Fortissimo Films has acquired worldwide rights outside mainland China to Berlin competition title Black Coal, Thin Ice, directed by Diao Yinan.

Black Coal, Thin Ice

Starring Liao Fan (Let The Bullets Fly) and Taiwanese actress Gwei Lun-mei, the film revolves around a former detective who, while investigating a series of murders, falls in love with a mysterious woman with a link to all the victims.

An official China-Hong Kong co-production, the film is produced by China’s Omnijoi Media Corp; Boneyard Entertainment China, the local subsidiary of New York-based Boneyard Entertainment, and China Film Company.

Vivian Qu and Wan Juan produced with Shen Yang and Zhang Dajun as co-producers.

Diao previously directed Night Train (2007), which premiered in Cannes’ Un Certain Regard section, and Uniform, about a man impersonating a police officer.

The deal was brokered by Fortissimo chairman Michael J. Werner and executive vice president, sales and acquisitions, Winnie Lau together with the film’s producer Wan Juan and co-producer Shen Yang.

Established in 2005, Omnijoi is involved in film and TV production and operates movie theatres. The company has invested in films such as Teddy Chen’s Bodyguards And Assassins and Jiang Wen’s Let The Bullets Fly.

Boneyard Entertainment manages three funds to finance film and TV production and has invested in films such as Billy Bob Thornton’s Sling Blade and Hal Hartley’s Henry Fool.