Oscilloscope Laboratories has acquired North American rights to Michel Gondry’s documentary The Thorn In The Heart(L’Epine Dans Le Coeur).

The film just had its world premiere as a Special Screening in Cannes.

The film examines Gondry’s aunt Suzette’s years as a school teacher and her life in rural France. Partizan Films produced.

Oscilloscope plans a theatrical release, with DVD and digital roll-out to follow. Oscilloscope’s David Fenkel negotiated the deal with CAA on behalf of Gondry and Partizan.

In a statement Gondry said: “So I called up my best friend Etienne and told him, ‘Guess who’s distributing my documentary about my aunt?’ and he said, ‘who?’ and I said, ‘MCA from Beastie Boys’ and Etienne said, ‘The Beastie Boy bought your Aunt’s documentary?! Get the f*** out of here!’ and I said, ‘Yeah!!!’”

“Michel is one of the most innovative and creative people in the world,” Oscilloscope Laboratories head Adam Yauch said. “So it’s great to see him making a sincere doc on a subject that is so close to his heart.”