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EXCLUSIVE: ARP Sélection has acquired French distribution rights for Jiří Mádl’s historical thriller Waves, which was recently announced as the Czech Republic’s entry to the Best International Feature Film category at the 97th Academy Awards.
Set during Prague Spring of 1968, the drama follows a radio station employee who finds himself caught between the secret services and his revolutionary brother as the station broadcasts a confidential recording, forcing him to confront history head-on.
ARP Sélection co-head Michèle Halberstadt said the film appealed to her on a number of levels.
“Having been a radio producer for many years, I was personally very touched by the film and how radio always plays an important part in historical upheavals,” she said.
“We at ARP, are very keen to release those kinds of films that bring history to today’s audiences with intelligence and spirit.”
The deal was secured by Paris-based Urban Sales. It has also sold Spanish rights for the film to La Aventura, which has previously acquired award seasons titles such as the Oscar-winning title Parasite and best international feature film entries such as The Quiet Girl and The Nile Hilton Incident.
Waves director Mádl’s timely take on history has resonated with audiences at home and in the region.
As well as winning the Audience Award at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in July, the film has grossed $4.47M (€4M) in the Czech Republic for local distributor Bonton Films, since its release in early August.
This is the best post-pandemic result for a Czech film and the fifth highest box office for a local production. The work has grossed another $1.1M (€1M) in neighbouring Slovakia.
“Waves is everything you expect from a film: a great script, an important historical event, amazing characters and actors and a skillful mise-en-scene,” said Urban Sales CEO Frédéric Corvez,
“This movie comes with many arguments to convince all audiences to come see it. Furthermore, the Pragues Spring resonates particularly today with the threat posed by Russia to Europe. Having ARP Selection on board gives the film an opportunity to reach a significant public.”
The film is produced by Monika Kristl at Dawson Films, whose previous credits include 3 Seasons In Hell, 10 Rules, and Madl’s previous film On The Roof as well as co-producing recent Austrian historical drama Alma & Oskar.
