Cohen Media nabs “Standing Tall” Cannes drama

PanARMENIAN.Net - Cohen Media Group has acquired all U.S. distribution rights to French social drama “Standing Tall”, the Opening Night selection for this year’s Cannes Film Festival, Variety reports.

The announcement was made early Friday by Cohen Media Group Chairman and CEO Charles S. Cohen. Cohen Media plans a theatrical release in late 2015.

Emmanuelle Bercot’s “Standing Tall” is the second female-helmed film to open the festival. It stars Catherine Deneuve and Rod Paradot, who plays a volatile and violent teen delinquent.

The French-language film follows Paradot’s character as he navigates the criminal justice system, aided by a child court judge (Deneuve) and a youth counselor, played by Benoit Magimel (“The Connection”).

Peter Debruge gave the film a positive review for Variety, calling it “an earnest homage to the unflagging dedication Gallic social workers put into ensuring that no child gets left behind.”

Cohen said, “’Standing Tall’ is a film of great depth, social importance and it is ultimately a film of great optimism.”

It’s the second Cannes deal in two days for Cohen Media, which bought rights to Turkish drama “Mustang” following its screening in the Directors Fortnight.

The “Standing Tall” deal was negotiated by Cohen Media’s John Kochman and Adeline Fontan Tessaur of Elle Driver.