Aussies already know that Hopscotch Films are releasing Bel-Ami some time in February or March 2012 in both Australia and New Zealand, although a definite date is yet to be confirmed, but here’s a bit more information from @Larry411 concerning worldwide distribution and possible premiere:
“Few upcoming films have garnered as much attention from my readers and Twitter followers as Declan Donnellan’s Bel Ami. Based on the novel by Guy de Maupassant, the movie stars Robert Pattinson (you’ve heard of him) as George Duroy, an ambitious young man in Paris circa 1890s. The film is said to be fast-paced, provocative, and sexy.
With an all-star cast featuring Christina Ricci, Uma Thurman, Kristin Scott Thomas, and Colm Meaney, Bel Ami is a co-production of UK firms Redwave Films, XIX Entertainment, and Protagonist Pictures, along with Italy’s giant Rai Films. It opens in some European territories, including the UK, on March 2 with a worldwide rollout in the weeks to follow. Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions sealed the deal for North American distribution rights at AFM in early November. The film is expected to be released in the US by Columbia Pictures in March but no release date has been set. Although a premiere has yet to be announced, rumor has it that Bel Ami will debut at the Berlin Film Festival in February. The timing is certainly right. We shall see.
*Update:
This week the festival announced five films in the Competition lineup and five in the Berlinale Special section. The rest of the lineup will be revealed in about a month (the balance of Competition titles were announced on January 18th for the 2011 festival). We shall see.*
Besides Sony/Columbia in the US, distributors include Studio Canal in the UK, Germany and France, RaiCinema in Italy, Hopscotch in Australia, Independent in Benelux, Impuls in Switzerland, Scanbox in Scandinavia, Golden Scene in Hong Kong/Macau, Unikorea Culture and Art in South Korea, SSG in Taiwan, Central Partnership in CIS, Ablo in Eastern Europe, Ozen Film in Turkey, Lusomundo in Portugal, Front Row in the Middle East, California Filmes in Latin America, PVR in India, PT Amero in Indonesia, Pioneer in the Philippines, Nu Metro in South Africa, Passion Encore in Singapore and Hollywood Entertainment in Greece and Cyprus.”
Thanks Larry – always a font of knowledge when it comes to films.
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