E1 Entertainment Scores Major Titles at Cannes
01 June 2010
Leading independent secures Kane and Lynch in the Benelux, The Three Musketeers in the UK &
Fields of Enchantment in Canada -
TORONTO/LOS ANGELES/LONDON/AMSTERDAM – JUNE 1, 2010 – Leading international independent distributor E1 Entertainment (E1) snapped up rights to a broad array of premium films at the 63rd annual Festival de Cannes in France. E1 inked deals for films, ranging from dramas to documentaries and horrors to comedies, for each of its core markets and secured multi-territory deals for several titles.
E1 secured a host of action and horror titles for the Benelux including the action flick “Kane and Lynch” (Nu Image). The film based on the best-selling video game, stars Bruce Willis and Jamie Foxx as a pair of escaped Death Row inmates. E1 also acquired “Safe” (IM Global) starring Jason Statham and, on the horror front, picked up David R. Ellis’ larger than life “Shark Night 3D” (Sierra Pictures) and horror thriller “Mother’s Day” (Sierra Pictures).
E1 secured UK distribution for Summit Entertainment’s “The Three Musketeers” - director Paul W. S. Anderson’s 3D take on the Alexandre Dumas’ 1884 classic novel. Ray Stevenson (“The Book of Eli”), Luke Evans (“Clash of the Titans”) and Matthew Macfadyen (“Robin Hood”) have been cast as Porthos, Athos and Aramis, respectively while Orlando Bloom will take on the role of the Duke of Buckingham.
For the Canadian market, E1 inked deals for several films including Director Vadim Perelman’s “The Song of Names” (Feel Films/Foundation Features/Egoli & Tossell); the in-your-face, 3D return of Jean Claude Van Damme and Dolph Lundgren in “Universal Soldier IV” (Foresight); thriller “The Ledge” (Foresight) starring Liv Tyler, Terrence Howard and Patrick Wilson, and director Ken Loach’s drama “Route Irish” (Wild Bunch).
On the French language front, E1 picked up Canadian rights for “The Field of Enchantment” (Wild Bunch), the latest documentary from “Microcosmos” director Claude Nuridsany, as well as “Potiche” (Wild Bunch), director François Ozon’s comedy starring French screen legends Catherine Deneuve and Gérard Depardieu.
E1 acquired several titles that it will distribute across multiple territories including Canadian and UK rights to “Norwegian Ninja” (Celluloid Dreams) an action comedy based on the true story of Arne Treholt, the Cold War Norwegian diplomat charged with spying for the Russians. The company also acquired the UK and France rights to “Lemmy” (Vision Films) – a documentary on the life of Lemmy Kilmister, founding member of the mega metal band Motorhead.
About E1 Entertainment
E1 Entertainment (AIM: ETO) is a leading international independent entertainment group of companies that specialises in the acquisition, production and distribution of film and television content. With operations in Canada, the U.S., the UK, Ireland, the Benelux, France, Australia and New Zealand, the group extends its comprehensive network around the globe. Through established Entertainment and Distribution divisions, the company provides extensive expertise in film distribution, television and music production, kids programming and merchandising and licensing. Its current rights library is exploited across all media formats and includes more than 20,000 film and television titles, 2,400 hours of television programming and 45,000 music tracks.