Buzz is growing for Céline Sciamma’s Palme d’Or contender ‘”Portrait of a Lady on Fire.” The pic has been acquired following its well-received world premiere at Cannes. Neon and Hulu snagged North American rights in a “competitive situation,” Deadline writes.
Set on an isolated island in 18th century northern France, the French-language drama sees “a female painter (Noémie Merlant) commissioned to paint a wedding portrait of a young, reluctant bride (Adèle Haenel),” the source summarizes. “The painting must be done without the subject’s knowledge.”
We’ll have to wait and see if “Portrait of a Lady on Fire,” which is one of just four films directed by a woman screening in Competition, takes home a prize from Cannes, but Neon seems confident in its awards potential — they’re planning a theatrical release with an awards campaign in all categories. The film is being compared to Jane Campion’s 1993 Palme d’Or winner “The Piano.” Campion was the first — and remains the only — woman director to take the fest’s top prize.
“From the moment we saw this beautiful and captivating love story, we knew we had to release this film,” Neon and Hulu commented. “From Céline’s writing and directing, to the absolutely absorbing performances, we couldn’t be more excited for audiences to experience this sensationally moving piece of cinema on the big screen.”
“Girlhood” and “Tomboy” are among Sciamma’s previous credits.
UPDATE: NEON will release “Portrait of a Lady on Fire” December 6 in LA and NY.
