EXCLUSIVE: Unknown Pleasures Pictures, the Chinese distribution outfit founded by filmmaker Jia Zhangke and distribution veteran Tian Qi, has come out of Cannes with a trio of Official Selection titles aiming at Chinese theatrical release.
The Bejing-based company has acquired Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value, which bagged the Grand Prize in Cannes Competition; Japanese filmmaker Koji Fukada’s Love On Trial, which played in Cannes Première; and Charlie Chaplin’s The Gold Rush, which premiered in a 4K-restored version in Cannes Classics.
“As a new company launched earlier this year, Unknown Pleasures Pictures is proud to present these great films in mainland China,” said Tian Qi.
“We are grateful for the trust of MK2 Films, the international sales partner of these titles. Director Jia Zhangke told us to make every effort to release the films in cinema, letting more Chinese audiences to enjoy them on the big screen.”
Unknown Pleasures Pictures was founded earlier this year to bring a more diverse range of international films to Chinese theatres (see Deadline’s interview with Tian Qi here). The company’s first release, Italian drama There’s Still Tomorrow, released on March 8 to coincide with International Women’s Day, grossed $6.2M (RMB44.8M) at the China box office.
