Bruno Dumont’s Collection of Films and TV Series, Including ‘Life of Jesus’ and ‘Slack Bay,’ Acquired by MK2 Films (EXCLUSIVE)

variety.com:

Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent MK2 Films has acquired a collection of films and TV series directed by Bruno Dumont, the award-winning French director behind “Life of Jesus,” “Slack Bay” and “Humanity.” The acquisition, unveiled during Mipcom Cannes, covers the bulk of the director’s work, spanning eight films and TV series including “Li’l Quinquin,” which premiered at Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight.

MK2 Films will represent rights to these titles in France and international markets. “Bruno Dumont is, of course, a major figure of contemporary cinema,” said Nathanaël Karmitz, MK2’s chairman of the executive board.

Karmitz praised Dumont for the “originality of his unusual, unpredictable [films], veering from gravitas to some unnerving, comedic tangents.” He continued, “Iconoclastic and consistently courageous in its form, his work perfectly represents the free and ambitious cinema that we are proud to promote.” The films from Dumont’s collection have been acquired from 3B Productions, represented by Muriel Merlin and Rachid Bouchareb.

Firmly rooted in the North of France, Dumont’s films have been presented at many international festivals where they have won prizes. “Life of Jesus” was selected at Directors’ Fortnight in Cannes, where it obtained the special mention for Caméra d’Or. “Humanity” received the grand jury prize and two awards for its two non-professional actors at Cannes in 1999.