EXCLUSIVE: Curzon has acquired UK-Ireland rights to Francois Ozon’s The Stranger ahead of its world premiere in Competition at Venice Film Festival.
The film is adapted from the classic 1942 novella of the same name by Albert Camus, and marks French filmmaker Ozon’s fourth time in Venice Competition.
Benjamin Voisin, who starred in Ozon’s Summer Of ’85, reteams with the director to play the film’s protagonist Meursault, an unassuming Frenchman living in 1930s Algeria. After his mother’s death, he slips back into his usual routine, and begins an affair with a work colleague. However, his daily life soon becomes disrupted by his neighbour, who draws Meursault into his shady dealings, culminating in a tragic event that occurs on a beach.
The high-profile French cast also includes Rebecca Marder, Pierre Lottin, Swann Arlaud and Denis Lavant.
Ozon’s production company FOZ produces the film, in co-production with Gaumont, France 2 Cinema, Macassar Productions and Scope Pictures.
French distribution and international sales are handled by Gaumont.
The film has previously landed a raft of deals across Europe and beyond, including Spain (BTeam Pictures), Canada (Immina), Japan (Kino Films), Italy (Bim), and Germany (Weltkino).
“The Stranger achieves the rare accomplishment of refreshing and enlivening a piece of classic literature for a modern audience,” said Curzon Film managing director Louisa Dent. “It’s bold, stylish and seductive filmmaking with a collection of brilliant performances. We congratulate Francois and his team and look forward to the reaction in Venice and bringing the film to audiences in the UK and Eire in due course. It is a pleasure to be working again with Alexis and the team at Gaumont.”
No comments yet