CANNES: Sony Classics Buys Gael Garcia Bernal Drama ‘No’
Sony Pictures Classics has finally gotten into the game at Cannes with its acquisition of North American rights to Pablo Larrain’s “No.” The Directors’ Fortnight drama starring Gael García Bernal has drawn much praise since its premiere late last week.
Based on true events, “No” dramatizes the advertising campaign opposition forces designed to win a referendum on the presidency of Chilean military dictator Augusto Pinochet in 1988.
Pedro Peirano wrote the screenplay, and Juan de Diós Larraín and Daniel Dreifuss produced.
Jeff Skoll and Jonathan King of Participant Media are executive producers; the company financed the film in association with Funny Balloons and Fabula.
“This movie is a masterfully engaging and energetic drama about politics and power, a tonic for the brain that is also a major entertainment,” said SPC’s Tom Bernard and Michael Barker. “’No’ establishes Pablo Larrain as a major international director and Gael Garcia Bernal gives his finest performance.”
Participant’s Jeff Ivers and King negotiated the deal with SPC, which released last year’s opening-night film at Cannes, Woody Allen’s “Midnight in Paris.”
