Image Entertainment has acquired all U.S. rights to the romantic drama Last Love, based on Francoise Dorner’s French novel “La Douceur Assassine.” Starring Oscar winner Michael Caine (The Dark Knight Rises, Inception), who recently signed on to star in Interstellar – his 6th Christopher Nolan film, Last Love is written and directed by Sandra Nettelbeck, and co-stars Clémence Poésy (In Bruges, 127 Hours), Justin Kirk (Goats, Showtime’s “Weeds”), Gillian Anderson (“The X-Files”) and Jane Alexander (Dream House, Terminator Salvation). Bill Bromiley, chief acquisitions officer for Image Entertainment, made today’s announcement.
Image acquired the film from producers/financiers Sidney Kimmel Entertainment, Bavaria Pictures GmbH and Kaminski Stiehm. Global Screen is handling international sales and will be attending the upcoming Cannes film market. The film will be released via ultra VOD in October and then theatrically in markets across the country.
Last Love stars Michael Caine as a lonely American widower who learns to love life again after a chance meeting with a young woman (Clémence Poésy) while living in Paris. The film, scored by Academy Award winner Hans Zimmer, was filmed entirely in Paris, France.
“The legendary Michael Caine delivers an outstanding performance in this film,” said Bromiley. “His versatility and presence on screen command respect from peers and audiences alike. We are proud to distribute another great work from one of the greatest actors of all time.”
“Quality-made character driven dramas are finding great success in this new business model of Ultra VOD and so we are thrilled to partner with Image Entertainment as they release ‘Last Love’ theatrically in all the major U.S. markets in conjunction with their VOD strategy. We have worked with Bill Bromiley and Image and they have proven to be pioneers in this multi-platform arena, breaking new ground with films of real substance. We are confident that Michael Caines performance in this exquisite romantic drama will reach a wide audience,” said Jim Tauber, President of SKE.
Last Love was produced by Astrid Kahmke, Frank Kaminski, Sidney Kimmel, Philipp Kreuzer, Helge Sasse and Ulrich Stiehm and was executive produced by SKE President Jim Tauber, SKE President of Production Matt Berenson and Bruce Toll. German production companies Bavaria Pictures, Kaminski Stiehm Film and Senator film co-produced with Belgium-based Scope Pictures and SKE, in association with Elzevir Films of France. The deal was negotiated on behalf of SKE by EVP Business and Legal Affairs Nick Hanks, Bromiley, Mark Ward and Jess DeLeo on behalf of Image Entertainment, and ICM Parners on behalf of the filmmakers.
(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
