US distributor Menemsha Films, along with Barcelona-based Studio Filmax, has sealed off North American deals on the historic thriller “Frontier.”
The director, Judith Correll (Elisa K), a World War II drama inspired by true events, follows Spanish customs, which puts everything at risk to help Jews escape Nazi-occupied France in the Pyrenees.
The project was first introduced to buyers in the Cannes Marquet du film in May, where it sparked early interest. Finalized ahead of the Toronto Film Festival’s first market weekend, the agreement is a key step for Filmax and continues to roll out one of the flagship fall titles.
“Frontier” is a Spanish co-producing film that compiles a diagonal TV from Banijay Iberia with Belgian bulletproof Cupid.
Set in 1943, the story centers around Manel Glau, a customs office in a Spanish border town, and defies his boss in support of Jews fleeing Nazi-occupied France. With the support of villagers and French smugglers, Grau embarks on a dangerous mission that endangers his own life and family life, still rekindling the injuries of the Spanish civil war.
The ensemble cast includes Bruna Kusi (“Entry”), Miki Esparve (“More Merie”), Asier Etoxanadia (“Pain and Glory”), Maria Rodriguez Soto (“House of Fire”), Belgian actor Kevin Jansenz (“Revenge”, “Nearby”), and “Jordi Signe”
Filmax will release a film in theaters in Spain in December after an international festival scheduled for this fall.
Menemusha films have been recognized for their focus on world films in first-class arthouses. “They are very connected to the film. They cherish that and give them great exposure in the North American development,” said the head of Filmax at International Ivan Díaz.
Neil Friedman, founder of Menemsha, praised the feature as “world-class filmmaking at all levels”, adding that he was “thrilled to be distributing this amazing film and working with the Filmax team.”
