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'Prophet' speaks to Sony Classics

Distrib takes multi-territorial rights

By SHARON SWART

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CANNES � Sony Pictures Classics has grabbed multi-territorial rights to Cannes Competition title "A Prophet."

The French-Arabic-Corsican-language thriller, helmed by Jacques Audiard, has received a flood of critical support at the festival since its bow on Saturday. Pic is set in a prison, where a 19-year-old inmate is tested by a Corsican gang.

SPC snapped up North American, Latin American and Oz rights, among other territories.

Multiple distribs had been interested in the film but several reported that sales company Celluloid Dreams had attached a steep price tag for the U.S. rights.

Audiard's "The Beat That My Heart Skipped" (2005) won three Cesars and a BAFTA. His "Read My Lips" (2001) won a Cesar for screenwriting.