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Thread: Zenithal

  1. #1
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    Zenithal

    Best Friend Forever Launches Kung Fu Action Romance ‘Zenithal’ From ‘Titane’ Producer Kazak & ‘Parasite’ Distributor The Jokers Films – Cannes Market
    By Melanie Goodfellow
    Senior International Film Correspondent
    @mel_goodfellow

    May 16, 2023 5:08am

    Vanessa Guide
    Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images
    EXCLUSIVE: Brussels-based company Best Friend Forever has acquired international rights for the zany kung-fu-themed action romantic comedy Zenithal.

    Vanessa Guide stars as a woman battling to establish peace between the sexes after her longtime boyfriend falls under the thrall of a Machiavellian schemer, who has murdered and harnessed the virulent powers of a famous kung-fu master, as part of a plan to restore absolute male domination.

    It is the first feature of Jean-Baptiste Saurel, who has recently been signed as one of the directors on France TV’s upcoming Zorro reboot starring Jean Dujardin, with previous credits including the Disney+ sci-fi French original Parallels.

    The feature expands on his provocative 2012 Cannes Critics’ Week short The Dickslap (La Bifle). BFF has released a first-look photo hinting at one of the zany plot twists.


    First look at ‘Zenithal’
    “Zenithal questions the injunctions of virility through comedy, with a visual style inherited from U.S. comedy and manga culture,” said Saurel.

    “At the time of gender relations redefinition, I offer my own answer, by making fun of the level of seriousness with which these subjects are addressed today. The intimate enemy is men’s ignorance of their own bodies and of women’s bodies and the difficulty of questioning themselves.”

    Vanessa Guide (30 Days Left, The Brand New Adventures of Aladdin) is joined in the cast by Franc Bruneau, Cyril Guei (Full Time, How I Became a Superhero), Xavier Lacaille (Parliament), Bruno Gouery (Emily in Paris, The White Lotus).

    Key crew include cinematographer Yann Maritaud (The Big Hit, Slalom) and stunt coordinator Samuel Kefi Abrikh (Valerian, Dunkirk, Mission: Impossible – Fallout).

    “Zenithal is a unique, cathartic and necessary film, which teenagers, as well as their parents, will be able to identify with through a relaxed, benevolent and fair laugh,” BFF heads and co-founders Martin Gondre and Charles Bin.

    Producers Kazak Productions are best known internationally for the 2021 Cannes Palme d’Or winner Titane, with other credits including Corsage and Arab Blues.

    The Jokers Films will release the film in France.
    Zenithal
    Cannes
    Gene Ching
    Publisher www.KungFuMagazine.com
    Author of Shaolin Trips
    Support our forum by getting your gear at MartialArtSmart

  2. #2
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    Zenithal NA rights

    Feb 15, 2024 10:20pm PT
    Dark Star Pictures Buys French Kung Fu Comedy ‘Zenithal’ for North America (EXCLUSIVE)

    By Elsa Keslassy


    Courtesy of Best Friend Forever

    Dark Star Pictures has acquired North American rights to “Zenithal,” a kung fu comedy directed by Jean-Baptiste Saurel, an up-and-coming filmmaker whose previous short, “The Dickslap,” premiered at Cannes’ Critics Week.

    “Zenithal” is being represented in international markets by Best Friend Forever, which will unveil an exclusive promo reel at the EFM. Currently in post-production, the film will world premiere this year.

    “‘Zenithal’ is unique in its genre and content, and marketing possibilities are infinite,” said Dark Star Pictures president Michael Repsch, who negotiated the deal with Charles Bin, co-founder of Best Friend Forever. “‘Zenithal’ [can reach] such diverse audiences as genre lovers, younger Gen Z and X, sex positives or just couples,” added Repsch.

    Saurel’s directorial credits include “Parallels,” the Disney+ series. He’s also set to direct the highly anticipated TV reboot of “Zorro” starring Jean Dujardin. “Zenithal,” which expands on “The Dickslap,” is an action-packed comedy revolving around the death of famous kung fu master Ti-Kong.

    “Zenithal” stars Vanessa Guide (“30 Days Left”), Franc Bruneau, Cyril Guei (“Full Time”), Xavier Lacaille (“Parliament”) and Bruno Gouery (“Emily in Paris”). The production crew includes cinematographer Yann Maritaud (“The Big Hit”) and stunt coordinator Samuel Kefi Abrikh, who worked on films such as “Valerian,” “Dunkirk” and “Mission: Impossible — Fallout.”

    The film is produced by French outfit Kazak Prods. (“Titane”) and will be released in the France by the Jokers Films (“Parasite”).

    Best Friend Forever is attending the Berlinale with “Shambhala,” the first Nepalese film to premiere in competition at a major festival.
    Very curious about this film.
    Gene Ching
    Publisher www.KungFuMagazine.com
    Author of Shaolin Trips
    Support our forum by getting your gear at MartialArtSmart

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