EXCLUSIVE: In what we understand to be a seven-figure deal, Prime Video has acquired all international rights (except Germany) to the Toronto Film Festival science fiction film The evaluationwith Alicia Vikander (Grave robbers), Elizabeth Olsen (WandaVision) and Himesh Patel (Station Eleven).
Set in a near future where parenthood is tightly controlled, the film follows a couple’s seven-day ordeal to determine whether they have the right to have a child. The ordeal turns into a psychological nightmare, forcing the two to question the foundations of their society and the meaning of being human.
Also starring: Minnie Driver (Hunting for good will), Indira Varma (game of Thrones), Nicholas Pinnock (Captain America: The First Avenger), Charlotte Ritchie (Wonka) and Leah Harvey (Foundation).
We’ve heard good things about the film, which is Fleur Fortuné’s feature film debut. Fortuné has previously directed music videos for 83, Skrillex and Drake, and made commercials for brands such as Chanel, Apple and Nike. She also directed Travis Scott’s short film Birds in the trap.
The international deal was brokered by WME Independent. Domestic distribution will be handled by UTA Independent Film Group and there is every chance the film will be a success after its world premiere in Toronto next Sunday. Capelight will handle distribution in Germany.
The film’s screenplay was written by Mr. and Mrs. Thomas and John Donnelly, and production was by Stephen Woolley and Elizabeth Karlsen of Number 9 Films, Shivani Rawat and Julie Goldstein of ShivHans Pictures, Jonas Katzenstein and Maximilian Leo of augenschein Filmproduktion, and Grant S. Johnson of Project Infinity.
Executive producers are Allen Gilmer, Riki Rushing, William Shockley and Tom Brady of Tiki Tāne Pictures, Connor Flanagan of ShivHans Pictures and Jonathan Saubach and Carlotta Löffelholz and Rusta Mizani of augenschein Filmproduktion. Financial support came from the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW and the DFFF.
Producers Stephen Woolley and Elizabeth Karlsen of Life And Carol Studio Number 9 Films said: “We have been developing this project for over eight years, and much of that time with the incredibly talented Fleur Fortuné, so we are very grateful to our production partners and financiers ShivHans, Tiki Tane, Project Infinity and Augenschein for joining us on the final and most crucial part of the journey. We are also excited to work with Prime Video on the international release of the film outside of the US and Germany, and we look forward to premiering the film at the Toronto International Film Festival to introduce the world to this wonderful film.”
“We are delighted to be working with Number 9 Films and Augenschein Filmproduktion on this gripping film. We were immediately drawn to this futuristic thriller and knew it would undoubtedly delight our international Prime Video customers,” added Chris Mansolillo, Director, Content Acquisition, Prime Video.. “Combining Fleur Fortuné’s refreshing take on the science fiction genre with outstanding performances from Alicia Vikander, Elizabeth Olsen and Himesh Patel, audiences can look forward to a visually stunning and gripping psychological tale.”
