Weinstein Co., IDG keeping 'Promise'
Weinstein's 'Promise'
May 16, 2005
The Weinstein Company and IDG New Media Fund have acquired North American, English, Australia and South African rights to Chen Kaige's period adventure "The Promise."
Moonstone Entertainment is selling the $35 million epic in Cannes.
China's biggest-budgeted production to date, producers Han Sanping, Chen Hong and Etchie Stroh have already completed principal photography on the picture, which was shot by Academy Award-winning cinematographer Peter Pau ("Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"). Weinstein attended Moonstone's screening of a 12-minute "synopsis" for 120 distributors at a lavish Chateau de la Napoule spread last week. "This script is like reading poetry in motion, and seeing the promo reel confirms Kaige's status as a master of cinema," Weinstein said.
"I couldn't be more excited about this deal, knowing that this will be a top Academy push from the Weinstein Company," Stroh said.
"I worked with Harvey and Bob Weinstein on the Oscar nominated 'Farewell My Concubine,' and couldn't be more excited to join them and IDG on this new venture," Kaige said.
Michelle Krumm and Maeva Gatineau brought the film into the Weinstein Company. David Lee brought the film to IDG New Media Fund.
The deal is the latest in a number of acquisitions and productions that the Weinstein Company has boarded during the festival. The company also has taken North American, U.K., Australian, New Zealand and South African distribution rights to the film "Nomad," which tells the story of a boy who is destined to one day unite three warring tribes. The company also picked up the sci-fi alien epic "Outlander," which Karl Urban is in talks to direct in New Zealand later this year.
Earlier on the festival, the Weinstein Company announced that it was boarding the film "Stormbreaker," which is being touted as one of the biggest-budgeted British indie films of all time.
Prior to the Cannes market, the Weinstein Company picked up "Fast Track," starring Amanda Peet and Zach Braff for distribution. Meanwhile, Harvey Weinstein said that he is working closely with Paris-based producer/financier Tarak Ben Ammar, who might provide a pan-European distribution alliance, spanning several territories, including Germany, France and Italy.
Anne Thompson contributed to this report.
Moonstone Entertainment is selling the $35 million epic in Cannes.
China's biggest-budgeted production to date, producers Han Sanping, Chen Hong and Etchie Stroh have already completed principal photography on the picture, which was shot by Academy Award-winning cinematographer Peter Pau ("Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"). Weinstein attended Moonstone's screening of a 12-minute "synopsis" for 120 distributors at a lavish Chateau de la Napoule spread last week. "This script is like reading poetry in motion, and seeing the promo reel confirms Kaige's status as a master of cinema," Weinstein said.
"I couldn't be more excited about this deal, knowing that this will be a top Academy push from the Weinstein Company," Stroh said.
"I worked with Harvey and Bob Weinstein on the Oscar nominated 'Farewell My Concubine,' and couldn't be more excited to join them and IDG on this new venture," Kaige said.
Michelle Krumm and Maeva Gatineau brought the film into the Weinstein Company. David Lee brought the film to IDG New Media Fund.
The deal is the latest in a number of acquisitions and productions that the Weinstein Company has boarded during the festival. The company also has taken North American, U.K., Australian, New Zealand and South African distribution rights to the film "Nomad," which tells the story of a boy who is destined to one day unite three warring tribes. The company also picked up the sci-fi alien epic "Outlander," which Karl Urban is in talks to direct in New Zealand later this year.
Earlier on the festival, the Weinstein Company announced that it was boarding the film "Stormbreaker," which is being touted as one of the biggest-budgeted British indie films of all time.
Prior to the Cannes market, the Weinstein Company picked up "Fast Track," starring Amanda Peet and Zach Braff for distribution. Meanwhile, Harvey Weinstein said that he is working closely with Paris-based producer/financier Tarak Ben Ammar, who might provide a pan-European distribution alliance, spanning several territories, including Germany, France and Italy.
Anne Thompson contributed to this report.
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