Julie Lerat-Gersant’s Teen Pregnancy Drama ‘Little Ones’ Sells to Italy’s Satine Film (EXCLUSIVE)

variety.com:

Marta Balaga Italy’s Satine Film has picked up Julie Lerat-Gersant’s Locarno Film Festival title “Little Ones” about teen pregnancy, Variety has learned in Locarno.

In the past, the company has also released such titles as “Beasts of the Southern Wild” and Golden Bear winner “There Is No Evil.”“We aim to discover and introduce visionary and courageous cinematographic voices from all over the world,” said Claudia Bedogni, Satine Film’s founder and managing director.“The film struck me with its gentle but secure narration and captivating, emotional performances.

It’s one of these rare gems where you feel tremendous empathy for the characters as if you were there with them, sharing the same sorrows and dilemmas,” she added.

The company is hoping to encourage young audiences to watch the film. “We have done the same with Stéphane Demoustier’s ‘The Girl With a Bracelet,’ also acquired in Locarno, and it has been a very rewarding experience.” Presented in the Filmmakers of the Present competition at the Swiss fest and sold by Be For Films, “Little Ones” is an Escazal Films production.“When we were wrapping the shoot, a 60-year-old man told me he hasn’t been so moved in years.