Paris Wallpaper, #2232

Sony Pictures Classics has landed U.S. rights at Cannes to The Past (Le Passe), Iranian helmer Asghar Farhadi’s ambitious drama starring Oscar nominee Berenice Bejo (The Artist), Ali Mosaffa and Tahar Rahim. The film is an early contender for the Palme d’Or, with reaction and reviews very strong after it screened Friday in competition. (Watch the trailer here.) The Memento Films production’s twisting plot involves secrets, lies, deceit, divorce, affairs, comas, pregnancy and other traumatic situations. Bejo stepped into the lead role after Oscar winner Marion Cotillard had to exit due to a scheduling conflict. Paris-based Memento Films International is handling worldwide sales. Michael Barker and Tom Bernard’s SPC also handled Farhadi’s A Separation, which grossed $19.9M worldwide and won the foreign-language film Oscar last year. Related: Cannes: Backup Media, Memento Bring Heat To Fest Helmer Jim Mickle’s ‘Cold In July’ Related: Cannes Analysis: Veterans And Newcomers Mix It Up In Official Selection

Re-enforcing the growing film axis between Chile and France, Paris-based Rezo has re-upped with Chilean director Cristian Jimenez (pictured) and producer Bruno Bettati, tying down international rights to their upcoming “Voiceover.” Laurent Danielou’s Rezo, a Gallic producer-distributor-sales agent that has just boarded Ralph Fiennes starrer “Two Women” will handle international sales. Rezo distributed Jimenez’s “Bonsai,”... Read more »