Kino Lorber has acquired the North American rights to Gabriel Mascaro’s “Neon Bull” ahead of its screening at Toronto International Film Festival on Friday, an individual with knowledge of the deal told TheWrap.
The Brazilian drama — which already won the Horizons Special Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival — is set in Northeast Brazil on the Vaquejadas circuit, which is a Brazilian-style rodeo where two men on horseback attempt to bring down a bull by its tail. Iremar (Juliano Cazarre) is one of these rodeo cowboys, but dreams of becoming a fashion designer instead.
“‘Neon Bull’ is a stunning work by an up-and-coming filmmaker we’ve been tracking for a while now,” said Kino Lorber CEO Richard Lober. “We believe Gabriel Mascaro has not only made a film that will continue to impress critics worldwide, but will also become an audience favorite in the upcoming months. […] This is just terrific filmmaking that demands to be seen on the big screen, and that’s exactly our plan for the film.”
Kino Lorber is planning to release the film in theaters during the first half of 2016 with a VOD release at the end of 2016.
The film was written and directed by Mascaro and shot by Mexican cinematographer Diego Garcia.
The deal was negotiated by Kino Lorber CEO Richard Lorber and Tanja Meissner of Memento Films International, who are also handling international sales for the project.