Sacha Polak’s Dirty God, which was announced today as the opening film of next year’s International Film Festival Rotterdam (Jan 23), has had its UK rights snapped up by Modern Films.

Dirty-God

Source: Independent

‘Dirty God’

The film will also play in Sundance’s World Cinema Dramatic Competition following its Rotterdam berth. Sales agent Independent struck the deal with Modern, which is the distribution outfit launched by former Soda Pictures exec Eve Gabereau in 2017.

Dirty God is Dutch filmmaker Polak’s first feature in the English language, her previous works include Zurich, which premiered at Berlin in 2015, and Hemel, which played Rotterdam and Berlin in 2012.

The film follows a young woman (played by newcomer Vicky Knight) who is rebuilding her life after an acid attack leaves her with severe facial burns. Further cast include Katherine Kelly, Rebecca Stone, Bluey Robinson, and Dana Marineci.

Producers are Marleen Slot from Viking Film and Mike Elliott of EMU Films with Belgium’s A Private View and Irish Savage Productions as co-producers. Backing came from Netherlands Film Fund, Netherlands Production Incentive, BFI, BBC Films, Eurimages, VAF, Casa Kafka, and Screen Ireland.

Independent previously struck deals on the title with The Jokers for France, and with Cinéart for Benelux.