Thai 'Universe' orbits to Oscars
Pic set up U.K. rights with Artificial in Venice
The film premiered last week in the Venice Film Festival's Upstream competition to strong critical response. Co-producer and international sales agent Fortissimo Film Sales reported significant distributor interest.
The company closed a deal Monday on the Lido for U.K. rights with Artificial Eye, adding to a number of European territories already sold. Fortissimo is keeping potential U.S. buyers on hold until the film screens in Toronto.
The third feature from Ratanaruang chronicles an unconventional romance between a Thai call girl and a suicidal Japanese librarian whose dark past catches up with him.
Pic was produced by Nonzee Nimibutr, Duangkkamol Limcharoen and Wouter Barendrecht. Ratanaruang's previous films "Mon-rak Transistor" and "6ixtynin9" also were selected as Oscar submissions, but were not nominated.
