Cannes: Diaphana Closes France on Films Boutique’s ‘Embrace of the Serpent’ (EXCLUSIVE)

Berlin-based sales company Films Boutique has closed its first deal on Colombian Ciro Guerra’s Directors’ Fortnight player “Embrace of the Serpent,” with Michel Saint Jean’s Diaphana Distribution acquiring distribution rights for France.

One of France’s premier arthouse/crossover distributors, Diaphana’s recent lineup includes high-level arthouse films such as Richard Linklater’s “Boyhood,” Xavier Dolan’s “Mommy” and Mike Leigh’s “Mr. Turner.”

The caliber of a film’s French deal is often used by foreign arthouse distributors to gauge a title’s potential market value, just as a U.S. sale guides mainstream distributors around the world.

Films Boutique’s CEO-partner Jean-Christophe Simon negotiated the deal with Cecile Salin from Diaphana Distribution.

Lead-produced by Cristina Gallego at Colombia’s Ciudad Lunar, “Embrace of the Serpent” tells the story of the first foreign ethnologists who explored the Amazon looking for a plant held sacred by its indigenous inhabitants.

Guerra’s fourth feature world premieres May 15 in Directors’ Fortnight.

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