Both Sides Of The Blade

Source: Curiosa Films 2022

Both Sides Of The Blade

Anglo-French producing and financing outfit Anton and Paris-based sales powerhouse Wide Bunch International (WBI) have posted a raft of deals on French director Claire Denis’s love triangle drama Fire (aka Both Sides Of The Blade), following its world premiere in competition at the Berlinale on Saturday (Feb 12).

The sales teams headed by Anton president of international production and distribution Cécile Gaget and WBI head of sales Eva Diederix have co-sold the title into more than 30 key territories worldwide.

In Europe, it has been acquired for Benelux (Cherry Pickers Film), Austria (Polyfilm), Spain (Caramel), Greece (Weird Wave), UK (Curzon), Italy (Europictures), Portugal (Midas Filmes), the Baltics (Best Film), Poland (Galapagos Films), CIS (Paradise/MGN), Bulgaria (SIFF) and ex-Yugoslavia (MCF). TriArt has done a pan-Scandinavian deal for Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.

In the rest of the world, it has sold to Turkey (Bir), Australia and New Zealand (Palace Films), Latin America (Synapse Distribution) and South Korea (AV-Jet). As previously announced, IFC Films has taken US rights for a summer release. Germany and Japan are currently under negotiation.

Fire brings French Cannes best actor/actress winners Vincent Lindon and Juliette Binoche together on the big screen for the first time as a Paris couple whose happy relationship is shaken to the core by the appearance of an old flame, played by long-time Denis collaborator Grégoire Colin.

It marks Denis’ first time in Berlinale Competition, although previous works including Beau Travail, Towards Mathilde and 35 Shots Of Rum have also played in other sections of the festival.