Music Box picks up Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight standout “Alleluia”

PanARMENIAN.Net - Chicago-based arthouse distributor Music Box has acquired all North American rights to Belgian genre filmmaker Fabrice du Welz’s gritty horror movie “Alleluia”, a Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight standout repped by SND, Variety said.

“Alleluia” stars Lola Duenas as a lonely single mother and Laurent Lucas as a small-time gigolo who meet through a dating website and embark into a destructive and deadly passion. Penned by Du Welz and Vincent Tavier, the movie is freely inspired by the story of Martha Beck and Raymond Fernandez which made headlines in the U.S. in the late 40′s.

“We knew pretty quickly this was something special. Fabrice du Welz has refashioned with tremendous precision ‘The Honeymoon Killers’ into a toweringly unhinged love story both bizarre and beautiful,’ said Music Box Films’ managing director Edward Arentz. “‘Alleluia’ is nothing short of an answered prayer for lovers of extreme cinema. After showcasing it at select North American film festivals this fall, we expect to open in theaters late this year or early next.”

“Alleluia” was also acquired by Carlotta Films, a company specializing in classics, for French distribution.

“Carlotta Films (…) is proud to bring a contemporary film to the screen in France: ‘Alleluia’ directed by Fabrice du Welz. One of the revelations at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival, Fabrice du Welz’s new film affirms his voice as a strong, singular and innovative director, taking on the slasher movie tradition and adapting it to his own menacing universe,’ said Carlotta Films’ Vincent Paul-Boncour.

“Alleluia” marks du Welz’s third and most accomplished film. He previously helmed “The Ordeal” (“Calvaire”) and “Vinyan,” which traveled well but failed to ignite the local box office. French audiences have yet to warm up to local slasher movies.

Charlotte Boucon, head of international sales at SND noted “Directors’ Fortnight was the perfect place to premiere the movie. Especially coupled with the restored version of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre .

SND will soon be closing a flurry of other territories.

Pic was produced by Panique, Radar Films, Savage Film and One Eyed.