As theVenice Festival ends the final stretch, there has been a small flurry ofdeal-making on the Lido. Russiansales agent Intercinema has soldits competition title The Island by Pavel Longouine to Metropole Pathe for Switzerland and hasdeals pending with distributors in Mexico, Turkey, the UK and Greece for thetitle.
Intercinema's Raisa Fomina acknowledged that the film's slot "right at the endof the festival" wasn't especially advantageous given that so many buyers arenow heading to Toronto.Nonetheless, she insists that Venice is a keyevent for Russian films. (Three years ago, Intercinemasold Venice prizewinner The Return to 73 countries.)
Anothersales agent reporting brisk business was Films Distribution. Competition entry Falling, by Barbara Albert, has been soldto Italy (LadyFilm) as has Venice Days title The Night Of The Sunflowers (which has gone to InstitutoLuce and has several other deals pending). Meanwhile, Films Distribution willshortly be announcing an Italian deal with a major distributor for buzz Belgiancompetition title Private Property,which stars Isabelle Huppert.
Francois Yon, head international sales, pointed out that Venice remainsthe best place to catch Italian buyers.
"It has beenpretty good for business," Yon said of this year's Venice Festival. "A lot ofthe Italian buyers come to Toronto but theycome late. You really have to close Italy in Venice."
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