Maxime Vauthier, former Senior Vice President of International Library Sales and Acquisitions at Studiocanal, has partnered with thriving Paris-based sales company Charades (“Urchin”) to launch the “Déja Vu Cinema Club.”
The carefully selected distribution label strives not only to represent classic films internationally, but also to breathe new life into them, both in theaters and digitally. Reconnecting traditional cinema with today’s audiences.
The banner will launch in Park City with a restored presentation of Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden’s “Half Nelson,” which will premiere at Sundance as part of the inaugural Park City Legacy Program. A special screening of Half Nelson, starring Ryan Gosling, Shareeka Epps, and Anthony Mackie, will be held today, January 29th, to celebrate the 20th anniversary.
Conceived as a selective initiative, Déjà Vu will focus on 10 to 15 carefully selected titles that will be treated with new marketing strategies, 4K restoration, customized distribution, festival management, and more. The idea is to reintroduce these films on the international circuit and work closely with the filmmakers.
“It’s very exciting and refreshing to be part of this adventure. We will support Maxim in every way,” Charese said in a statement. “We know our community of distributors and filmmakers will help us find gems that deserve to be brought back into theaters and treated in the same way that we hand-pick new feature films,” Charese added. The company said these classics are often “gems” that “target the younger audiences we target with new feature films and can often achieve comparable BO results.”
“I’m excited to partner with such talented and passionate people,” said Vauthier. “Over the years, Charade has demonstrated a strong commitment to bold, auteur-driven films, and our Déjà Vu Library lineup expands on that DNA while pioneering new genres.”
He called “Half Nelson” “a perfect title to launch the label, given its aesthetic, cultural influence, and themes that continue to resonate strongly with modern audiences.”
Half Nelson producer Jamie Patricoff said the film was “career-defining for many, from my producing partners Lynette Howell Taylor and Alex Orlovsky, to first-time filmmakers Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden, to Ryan Gosling and Anthony Mackie, who took a chance on this project early in their careers.”
“The film’s premiere at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival helped cement its place in American independent film history, so it’s no surprise that it will be the first title in Charade’s newly launched Deja Vu Cinema Club,” continued Patricoff.
Gosling plays Dan in Half Nelson. Dan is a drug addict and an inspiring history teacher at a Brooklyn high school, with whom he develops an unlikely friendship when troubled student Dray (Sharika Epps) learns his secret.
“Half Nelson” was written by Ryan Fleck (who also directs) and Anna Boden. Produced by Alex Orlovsky, Patricof, Lynette Howell Taylor and Boden, Rosanne Kollenberg, edited by Anna Boden. The music is Broken Social Scene.
Kevin Iwasina and Elsa Ramo of Ramo Law represented the producers. “Half Nelson” is the first deal announced under Kevin Iwasina’s new advisory firm Audiovisual.
