Monday, February 22, 2010

UTV closes Poland deal for PEEPLI LIVE at Berlin Film Festival

Sundance Film Festival favourite, PEEPLI LIVE, directed by Anusha Rizvi, co-produced by UTV Motion Pictures & Aamir Khan Productions today announced the sale of Poland rights at the Berlin Film Festival to Polish distribution company Vivarto SP ZOO. Theatrical release for PEEPLI LIVE in Poland is planned for close to 10 prints. Vivarto has also acquired the Home Video and Television for the territory. This closely follows the sale of German rights which were acquired earlier this week.
Justyna Troszczynska from Vivarto commented, "PEEPLI LIVE is a truly emotional film and it starts our trip with Indian movies that will open new horizons and develop our company to proceed with many more."
Amrita Pandey, VP, International Distribution and Syndication, UTV Motion Pictures, said, "We are thrilled to announce the sale of Polish rights to Vivarto. Vivarto is an ideal distribution partner for a film like PEEPLI LIVE and we are looking forward to the theatrical release of the film in Poland."
PEEPLI LIVE is Anusha Rizvi's first feature. It is a fresh and intelligently spun satire of the real-life epidemic of farmer suicides that have plagued India for the past decade. With a deft hand, Rizvi infuses humor and buoyancy in depicting this tragic predicament, illuminating the true colors of many corridors of Indian society. PEEPLI LIVE, is the first Indian film ever to be selected at the Sundance Film Festival (World Cinema Dramatic competition) and is also screening out of competition at the Berlin Film Festival.
Critics who have wathed the film say:
"A peppy screwball comedy with elements of social satire... Debuting writer-director Anusha Rizvi manages to wrest a lively feature out of a gravely serious issue, capturing the desperation of India's village farmers, as well as the nation's shift from agriculture to industrialization, without losing sight of the entertainment principle." - Rob Nelson, VARIETY
"A comic gem set in India's beleaguered rural communities... Both funny and sobering, this film, produced by Bollywood icon Aamir Khan (the Oscar-nominated LAGAAN), aims beyond Indian audiences." - Kirk Honeycutt - THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
"PEEPLI LIVE is a film about land ownership and suicide that makes you laugh. In her debut feature, Anusha Rizvi entertains with a bawdy take on the rural class struggle as she examines a serious injustice in India today. Her comedy is as wildly funny as it is outrageous." - David D'Arcy, SCREEN INTERNATIONAL.

No comments: