09/05/2006

French international sales company Onoma is optimistically preparing for the upcoming film market at the Cannes Film Festival (May 17-28). The line–up of the company directed by Pascal Diot includes the promising Hungarian film selected for the 38th Directors’ Fortnight, White Palms [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Szabolcs Hajdu
film profile] (Fehée Tenyér) by Szabolcs Hadju, whose quality and universal theme (gymnastics, see news) has good chances of inspiring buyers.

As regards market screenings, Onoma has a major advantage with its world premiere of Belle toujours by Portuguese master Manoel de Oliveira, the follow-up to Belle de jour (1967). With a cast that includes Michel Piccoli, Bulle Ogier and Ricardo Trepa, the new title from the 97 year-old director was produced by Filbox Produções Audivisuais, in co-production with French outfit Films d'ici. The film also received an advance on receipts from the Centre National de la Cinématographie (CNC). There will be two screenings of Belle toujours: May 20 at 2 pm and May 23 at 10 am.

Features completed to be sold at Cannes by Onoma also include Les aiguilles rouges by Jean-François Davy (see Shooting), which opens tomorrow in France, Serko [+see also:
trailer
film profile] by Joël Farges, Un buda by Argentina’s Diego Rafecas and the comedy Jeune homme by Swiss director Christoph Schaub. Also looking for buyers will be French documentaries Le Théâtre des opérations by Benoît Rossel and Welcome to Bataville by François Caillat.

Lastly, Onoma will also set its hopes on post-production title Gorgomesh (La fine del mare, see Making of) by Nora Hoppe, a co-production between Germany (Moonlight Filmproduction), France (Unlimited) and Italy (Revolver), backed by ZDF–ARTE.

(Translated from French)