Janus Films has acquired all North American rights to Two Prosecutors, Ukranian writer-director Sergei Loznitsa’s Cannes competition entry and Francois Chalais Prize winner.
Based on the novella by Soviet scientist and political prisoner Georgy Demidov, the historical drama is set during Stalin’s Great Purge of 1937 and centres on a newly appointed prosecutor on a quest for justice for a victim of the secret police. Aleksandr Kuznetsov, Alexander Filippenko, Anatoli Beliy, Andris Keišs and Vytautas Kaniušonis star.
The film marks a return to narrative filmmaking for Loznitsa, known for documentaries and dramas exploring Ukrainian history. His previous fiction feature, Donbass, earned him the best director prize in Cannes’ Un Certain Regard section in 2018.
Two Prosecutors is produced by Kevin Chneiweiss of SBS Productions and co-produced by Regina Bouchehri, Gunnar Dedio and Birgit Rasch of LOOKSfilm, Loznitsa and Maria Choustova of Atoms & Void, Alise Ģelze of White Picture, Vlad Rădulescu of Avanpost Media, Uljana Kim of Studio Uljana Kim and Viola Fügen, Michael Weber and Cécile Tollu-Polonowski of The Match Factory. The Janus deal was negotiated by SBS International.
Loznitsa commented: “I am proud to entrust my latest film to Janus and excited to work with them for the first time. They have all my confidence to give the film the impactful North American launch it deserves.”
Janus added: “With Two Prosecutors, Sergei has meticulously crafted a haunting and taut thriller rooted in the horrors of the past, yet chillingly resonant with the political realities of today. We’re proud to release this vital film and to be back in business with Kevin, Saïd [Ben Saïd, SBS Productions founder] and the entire team at SBS Productions.”
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