September 30, 2014 - 15:46 AMT
Le Pacte scores deals on award-winning doc “Salt of the Earth”

Le Pacte has sealed a raft of deals on “Salt of the Earth”, Wim Wenders and Juliano Ribero Salgado’s documentary feature which won the audience prize at San Sebastian fest over the weekend, Variety reported.

The doc charts the life and work of iconic Brazilian photographer Sebastiao Salgado, who has captured major events of our recent history across the world over the last forty years.

New deals on “Earth” have been signed with Respect (Japan), BaekDu DaeGan (South Korea), NFP (Germany), Filmtrade (Greece), Arthaus (Norway).

“Earth” world-premiered at Cannes in Un Certain Regard, where it won the Special Prize award and was acquired by Sony Pictures Classic.

“We’re very proud to have won the audience prize at San Sebastian because it shows that on of being a critical success, this beautiful documentary also has a commercial appeal,” said Camille Neel, head of international sales at Le Pacte. “Its Spanish distributor, Caramel, is also delighted about the award and looks forward to releasing it on Oct. 31.

The feature has sold been acquired in all major markets. Buyers include Artificial Eye (U.K., Ireland), Mantarraya (Latin America), Imovision (Brazil), McF (Former Yugoslavia), Against Gravity (Poland), Art Fest (Bulgaria), Independenta Film (Romania) and Filmarti (Turkey).

“Earth” recently played at Telluride and will next screen at the Hamptons fest.

Another movie on Le Pacte’s slate, Cedric Kahn’s “Wild Life,” won the Special Jury Prize at San Sebastian. Pic, which tells the true story, stars Mathieu Kassovitz and Celine Sallette. Neel said he started negotiating various deals following its warmly-received world premiere at San Sebastian.