Newen Connect has unveiled its lineup for the next week’s American Film Market (AFM). The European distributor is placing a major focus on European situational comedy with three French titles showcasing established and up-and-coming talent in the space.
Alice Damiani, SVP International Film Sales, Newen Connect: “Newen Connect is delighted to bring to AFM a selection of feel-good comedies that provide cinemagoers with some much-needed escapism. All three titles offer something different and yet familiar with a selection of the most recognizable names and faces in French comedy and brings together the talents of new and established writers, directors and producers who bring a fresh perspective to the genre.”
Its first title, MEET THE LEROYS (NOUS, LES LEROY) features cinema legend Charlotte Gainsbourg (MY STUPID DOG, PROMISE AT DAWN, I DO) alongside José Garcia (ASTERIX & OBELIX: THE MIDDLE KINGDOM, NO FILTER, FULL SPEED) playing a man facing divorce who – after years of neglecting his family – tries to rekindle his wife’s affections by taking her and their teens on a road trip down memory lane. Produced by Nolita Cinéma and TF1 STUDIO and written and directed by Emmy-Award nominated Florent Bernard (LE FLAMBEAU), MEET THE LEROYS will be released in France by TF1 Studio and Apollo Films in April 2024.
HERE & THERE (Ici et là-bas) – directed by Ludovic Bernard (THE CLIMB, TEN DAYS WITHOUT MUM, IN YOUR HANDS, LUPIN) and produced by Prélude’s Philippe Rousselet (CODA, TWO IS A FAMILY, THE BELIER FAMILY) & Jonathan Blumental (THE LOST PRINCE) and TF1 Studio – sees Ahmed Sylla (THE LULUs, OUR TINY LITTLE WEDDING, THE CLIMB) and Hakim Jemili (OPEN SEASON, A GOOD DOCTOR) play an unlikely pair of cousins who must team up for a culinary tour of France in a race to save someone’s job; return an expat to his home; and then reconnect with their long-lost roots. This heartfelt comedy is scheduled for release in April 2024 by TF1 Studio and StudioCanal.
Completing the trio of new titles is KARAOKE (Karaoké), a gentle odd-ball couple comedy which stars Claudia Tagbo (WHO’S THAT GRANNY?!, SERIAL BAD WEDDINGS 2) as a karaoke-obsessed cleaning lady and Michèle Laroque (DANCING ON, JUST RETIRED, MY LIFE IN PINK) as a disgraced opera star who have to overcome their clashing personalities and class divide to form an unexpected singing duo that could solve all their problems. KARAOKE is directed by Stéphane Ben Lahcene (TOP OF THE CLASS) and produced by Les Films du 24 and is expected to be released in France in March next year through UGC Distribution.
In addition to its comedy slate, Newen Connect will provide the market with an update on its live action title KINA & YUK. The family adventure, which is billed as a wild arctic tale of love and friendship, tells the story of two arctic foxes, separated by the melting polar ice, who must overcome a number of dangers in the hope of being reunited and raise a family together. KINA & YUK is film from Guillaume Maidatchevsky (AILO’S JOURNEY) and has been produced by VALDÈS (Ailo’s Journey). It is set to be released in France by TF1 Studio and UGC Distribution over Christmas this year.
During AFM, Newen Connect will also screen new footage of FUNNY BIRDS, the Marco La Via and Hanna Ladoul heart-warming comedy drama about three generations of women and their last chance for reconciliation starring Andrea Riseborough, Catherine Deneuve and Morgan Saylor.