For the first time in 28 years, a female-directed film kicked off the 2015 Cannes Film Festival. Now comes word, just as the Croisette is winding down, that the US rights of Emmanuelle Bercot’s “Standing Tall” — the second woman-helmed film to ever open the festival — have been acquired by the Cohen Media Group.
“Standing Tall,” or “La Tete haute,” centers on a juvenile delinquent named Malony and his journey from ages 6 to 18. Catherine Deneuve plays a judge attempting to intervene in the youth’s life. The film marks the second collaboration between Deneuve and Bercot, who also directed the acting legend in the road-trip drama “On My Way.”
“’Standing Tall’ is a film of great depth, social importance and it is ultimately a film of great optimism,” said CMG chairman and CEO Charles S. Cohen.
The French-language film is expected to have a theatrical release in early 2016.
[via The Hollywood Reporter]
