Esther van Messel’s Swiss-based First Hand Films has swooped to take world sales rights on A Way To B by husband and wife team Jos de Putter and Clara van Gool, that is making its world premiere in the Masters section of International Film Festival Amsterdam this week.
The documentary follows the dancers of the Barcelona-based troupe Lliant la Troca, several of whom have physical disabilities. It is produced by Janneke Doolaard and Harmen Jalvingh for Doxy Films.
Mokum is handling the Dutch release of the film. De Putter is one of the Netherlands’ best-known documentary maskers while van Gool is a renowned dance filmmaker.
“With our films we are always looking for a curious, critical and inspired view of the people, that is reflected in A Way To B,” said Jalvingh. “With First Hand Films we have found an excellent partner that fits with this universal look at human resilience and love.”
“Usually, stage performances do not speak to me, less so when filmed. And films about diverse artists are often well meant and not always well made. That said, A Way To B is an absolutely beautiful, gripping and mesmerising film on a most important subject. We are extremely happy to work with this team and this film again,” van Messel said of the acquisition.
First Hand Films has several other titles in the IDFA programme and market including Hanka Nobis’s Polish Prayers, a world premiere in the Luminous section. Van Messel produced the documentary, about a young traditional Catholic who re-thinks some of his conservative views. First Hand is also on board as producers and financiers of Nobis’ next project, Songs Of Sisterhood, about young Polish lesbians living in a queer collective.
First Hand titles in IDFA’s Docs For Sale include Jacqueline van Vugt’s Up to G-Cup - Inside the First Lingerie Shop in Iraqi Kurdistan and Rudolph Herzog’s 300 Trillion - The Debt Trap which looks at thel story behind the global debt crisis.
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