Focus World Gets U.S. Distribution for Iceland’s Oscar Hopeful, ‘The Deep’

 

Focus World, the alternative distribution initiative owned and operated by Focus Features, has taken U.S. rights to the Icelandic drama “The Deep,” from director Baltasar Kormákur

 

 

Focus World, the alternative-distribution initiative owned and operated by Focus Features, has picked up the U.S. rights to the Icelandic drama “The Deep,” the company announced on Tuesday.

Getty Images

Directed, produced and co-written by Baltasar Kormákur, the film has been selected as Iceland’s official submission for the  2012 Academy Awards, in the best foreign-language film category.

“The Deep” follows a true-life story of the sole survivor of a downed fishing boat. It screened at the Mill Valley and Toronto International Film Festivals after being a box-office hit in its home country.

BAC Films is handling foreign sales of “The Deep.”

Kormákur most recently directed Universal's “Contraband,” which topped the domestic box office when it opened in January and starred Mark Wahlberg. The studio also will release his next movie, “2 Guns,” starring Denzel Washington and Wahlberg in August 2013.

Kormákur's previous credits include “Reykjavik 101,” “The Sea” and “Jar City.” He is currently developing an English-language remake of the latter with Lava Bear Films and Furst Films, as well as “Viking,” an action adventure to film in Iceland; “Everest,” about events on the infamous mountain in 1996; and a film version of Halldór Laxness’ Nobel Prize-winning book “Independent People.”

He will also direct the pilot episode of  “The Missionary,” produced by Wahlberg. 

Comments