Sony Pictures Classics has acquired the North America, Australia and New Zealand rights to director Sebastián Lelio’s Spanish-language trans drama “A Fantastic Woman” (“Una Mujer Fantástica”) from Participant Media.
The movie will premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival on Feb. 12.
The film follows Marina, a waitress and singer, and older man Orlando as they plan for the future together. When Orlando unexpectedly falls ill and dies, Marina has to face his family and society and show her true colors.
Lelio and Gonzalo Maza wrote the movie, which stars Daniela Vega and Francisco Reyes. The film is produced by Fabula’s Juan de Dios Larraín and Pablo Larraín with Germany’s Komplizen Film, and executive produced by Jeff Skoll and Jonathan King of Participant Media.
“I’m thrilled Sony Pictures Classics will be releasing ‘A Fantastic Woman,’ and am excited by their passion for Marina’s story,” Lelio said in a statement. “The story is one of great human strength, which I hope will invite and challenge audiences to explore the limits of their own empathy. For me, Marina is an inspiration.”
“‘A Fantastic Woman’ is something special, timely, magical, dramatic and mysterious,” Sony Pictures Classics said in the statement. “We are so excited to be partnering again with our friends at Participant, Fabula and Komplizen on Sebastián Lelio’s remarkable film.”
Gabriel Brakin and King negotiated the deal on behalf of Participant Media, while Funny Balloons is handling international sales for the remaining territories.