May 22, 2012 - 15:24 AMT
PHOTOSET
Cannes: Sony Pictures Classics nabs Garcia Bernal’s Pinochet drama “No”

Sony Pictures Classics has acquired North American rights to “No,” a drama about Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet starring Gael Garcia Bernal, The Wrap reported.

The film has been screening in the Director’s Fortnight section of the Cannes Film Festival to strong reviews.

Directed by Pablo Larraín (“Post Mortem”), the film tells the true story of when dictator Pinochet called for a referendum on his presidency in 1988 under international pressure.

Garcia Bernal plays a brash young advertising executive who heads the campaign under constant scrutiny by the government’s henchmen. The opposition campaigners devise a plan to win the election and free their country from oppression.

"This movie is a masterfully engaging and energetic drama about politics and power, a tonic for the brain that is also a major entertainment,” the studio said in a prepared statement.

“’No’ establishes Pablo Larrain as a major international director and Gael Garcia Bernal gives his finest performance. We are also delighted to be back in business with our friends at Participant."

The film was produced by Juan de Diós Larraín and Daniel Dreifuss and executive produced by Participant’s Jeff Skoll and Jonathan King.

PHOTOSET