Paolo Strippoli’s horror ‘The Holy Boy’ racks up key international sales

Italian director Paolo Strippoli’s horror The Holy Boy has secured key international sales following its world premiere out of competition at the Venice Film Festival.

The film has sold to Busch Media for Germany, Austria and Switzerland, Alfa Pictures for Spain, Knight Cap for Australia, Lev for Israel, World Pictures for CIS, Film Dabin for South Korea, Weirdwave for Greece and Media4fun for Poland. Deals for Latam and Japan are in advanced negotiations.

Shudder recently picked up the film for North America, UK and Ireland.

The Holy Boy sees Sergio, a teacher tormented by his past, transferred to Remis, a secluded village known as the happiest town in Italy. At first, it seems the perfect place for a new star, but Sergio soon discovers that behind the town’s joyful facade lies a dark and disturbing secret. Each week, the villagers gather to meet Matteo, an introverted fifteen-year old. They say Matteo is an angel whose embrace can free one of all pain and sorrow. But as Sergio realizes the village’s relationship to the young man is not as benevolent as it seems, his attempt to save Matteo awakens the darker side of the community, and the boy everyone calls the angel of Remis.

The film, which marks Strippoli’s third feature, had its international premiere at Austin’s Fantastic Fest winning the Next Wave best director award and the audience award.

Italy’s Fandango handles international sales.

The Holy Boy is produced by Fandango (Domenico Procacci and Laura Paolucci), Vision Distribution (Massimo Proietti), and Nightswim (Ines Vasilevic and Stefano Sardo), along with Spok (Jožko Rutar and Miha Černec).

• ‘The Holy Boy’ review: Paolo Strippoli’s third feature is a warped coming-of-age tale