Oliver Laxe's ‘Sirat' Sold by the Match Factory to Slew of International Territories After Cannes Jury Prize Win
The Match Factory has secured distribution for the film in the United Kingdom and Ireland (Altitude), LATAM (Cine Video y TV), BeNeLux (Cineart), Germany and Austria (Pandora Film), Switzerland (Filmcoopi), Japan (Transformer), South Korea (Challan), Taiwan (Andrews Film), Australia and New Zealand (Madman Entertainment), Poland (New Horizons), Sweden (TriArt Film), Norway (Fidalgo), Finland (Cinema Mondo), Greece (Feelgood Entertainment), Portugal (Nitrato Filmes), Former Yugoslavia (MCF MegaCom), Romania (Transilvania Film), Czech Republic and Slovakia (Aerofilms), Hungary (Cirko Film) and the Baltics (A-One Films).
More from Variety
Jeremy Strong Says Serving on Cannes Jury Was 'Like "Conclave" With Champagne' and Celebrates Palme d'Or Winner 'It Was Just an Accident': It 'Changed Me'
Cannes Awards: Jafar Panahi Vindicated With Palme d'Or for 'It Was Just an Accident,' Marking Sixth Consecutive Cannes Win for Neon
Kleber Mendonça Filho's Brazilian Epic 'The Secret Agent' Wins Fipresci Award at Cannes: 'A Rich, Strange and Deeply Troubling Story'
Negotiations for additional territories are underway. Earlier this week, Neon acquired rights to release the film in North America, while Mubi will handle Italy, Turkey and India. BTeam Pictures will release the film in Spain on June 6 and Pyramide is distributing in France.
'Sirat' follows a father (Sergi López) and his son as they 'arrive at a rave deep in the mountains of southern Morocco,' according to its official synopsis. 'They're searching for Mar — daughter and sister — who vanished months ago at one of these endless, sleepless parties. Surrounded by electronic music and a raw, unfamiliar sense of freedom, they hand out her photo again and again. Hope is fading but they push through and follow a group of ravers heading to one last party in the desert. As they venture deeper into the burning wilderness, the journey forces them to confront their own limits.'
'Sirat' earned rave reviews out of Cannes, with Variety's Jessica Kiang calling it a 'brilliantly bizarre, cult-ready vision of human psychology tested to its limits' that defies 'all known laws of narrative and genre.'
Best of Variety
New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week
Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series - The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and 'Hot Ones' Stir Up Buzz
Oscars Predictions 2026: 'Sinners' Becomes Early Contender Ahead of Cannes Film Festival
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
3 hours ago
- USA Today
Everything that came out of Diddy's trial, from disturbing allegations to photos of belongings
This story contains graphic descriptions that some readers may find disturbing. Sean "Diddy" Combs' trial had no shortage of disturbing testimony and illuminating evidence. Even for those following every step of the way in the eight-week trial, from jury selection to witness testimony, closing arguments and jury deliberations, there were a lot of claims and evidence to parse through. One juror described taking 350 pages of handwritten notes during testimony, and it was clear the 12-person jury had much to sort through before handing down the verdict that acquitted Combs of his top criminal charges. Before telling the judge they had reached a unanimous vote on four of five criminal counts on July 1, the jury asked to review testimony transcripts and refresh their memories regarding what Cassie Ventura Fine said about Combs' physical assault at the InterContinental Hotel in 2016 as well as his abusive actions at the Cannes Film Festival. They also requested testimony from Daniel Phillip, who was hired to have sex with Ventura Fine. Here are the key moments and pieces of evidence that led to the split verdict. More: Sean 'Diddy' Combs' 'Diddy Inc.' empire of mansions, cars and jet likely spared by verdict Cassie Ventura Fine's testimony in Diddy trial included 'freak offs,' other graphic abuse The "Me & U" singer testified May 13-16 and laid bare the raw details of their complicated relationship, including her participation in alleged drug-fueled sexual performances labeled "freak offs," the physical and emotional abuse she said she faced just a few years into their relationship and the violence she allegedly witnessed while with Combs. Explaining why she decided to testify, Ventura Fine told the court, "I can't carry this anymore. I can't carry the shame, the guilt." More: Where to watch the Sean 'Diddy' Combs documentaries on sex-crimes trial, allegations Toward the end of her second day of testimony, Ventura Fine delved into the years following her 2018 breakup from Combs. She said she'd put a $30 million price tag on the rights to a book she'd written about her alleged experiences, a project she'd characterized as an effort to help him understand what he'd put her through. But after he allegedly failed to respond, she sued him in November 2023, alleging he had raped, trafficked, sexually assaulted and physically abused her. The two came to an agreement by the following day and announced Ventura Fine would dismiss the lawsuit following an unspecified settlement. It was finally revealed on May 14 that the settlement amounted to $20 million, paid for by Combs and his companies. 'I understand': Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial juror breaks silence on verdict Diddy's former personal assistant describes alleged rape "Mia," a woman using a pseudonym who worked for Combs from 2009 to 2017, testified on May 29 that Combs sexually assaulted her on "more than one" occasion. While living with Combs at his Beverly Hills mansion from 2010 to 2014, she claimed she lived in a room that couldn't lock. This was where, at one point, Combs raped her as she was asleep in a bottom bunk, Mia told the courtroom through sobs. She said she felt like she couldn't tell him "no" about anything. "I couldn't tell him 'no' about a sandwich," she said. She worried that he would "fire me and ruin my future. I knew his power and his control over me. I didn't want to lose everything I had worked so hard for." OPINION: Diddy verdict got it wrong because we don't recognize what sex trafficking looks like Diddy's ex-girlfriend extensively detailed 'hotel nights' with escorts that could last 3 days "Jane," a woman using a pseudonym who dated Combs on-and-off from 2021 to 2024, tearfully testified about feeling pressured to take drugs, have nonstop sex with escorts and deprioritize her work, for fear of Combs' disapproval and cease financial contributions. She said that "freak offs" would happen every week or every other week for much of their relationship and could last as long as three and a half days. In 2023, Jane said she texted Combs that she was feeling "disgusted with myself" after one night of fun had turned into their entire relationship. She wrote that she didn't "want to lose the roof over my head" or "feel obligated to perform these nights with you." At the time, Jane said Combs was paying her $10,000 rent. Jane sobbed as she described one "hotel night" that happened as they celebrated her birthday in Miami in 2023. What was supposed to be a night for "just me and him" turned into Jane agreeing to have sex with three men consecutively to please Combs, she said. Did Cassie consent to Diddy? When it comes to abuse, there can't be consent. "I just feel like at this point I've done so many of these," she testified. "I just know how to tune it out." Diddy still pays for ex-girlfriend's home Jane testified that Combs paid her $10,000 a month in rent as part of a "love contract" that he proposed between them, and he also got her veneers. "Sean said, let's do a love contract," she said. "He asked me how much allowance I want going forward." There were gasps in the overflow room when Jane was asked who was paying her rent now and she responded, "Sean (Combs)." Combs is also still paying for Jane's lawyer. Cassie's mom said she wired Diddy $20K Regina Ventura, Cassie Ventura Fine's mother, testified that she wired Combs $20,000 when the rapper was threatening to release sex tapes of her daughter. Ventura said the money came back to her four or five days after Combs pushed her to wire it to his company. "He was angry that he spent money on her and that she had been with another person," she said on the stand, going on to add that she sent the money because she "was scared for my daughter's safety." More: Abusive lifestyle vs. a criminal enterprise: Inside the Diddy trial and what the verdict means Evidence in Diddy's trial showed drugs in his hotel room, hundreds of baby oil bottles Throughout the trial, prosecutors released evidence shown to jurors to the public. Pictures taken by federal agents showed the items in Combs' possession up until his September 2024 arrest, which included hundreds of baby oil and lubricant bottles in his Los Angeles and Miami homes – uncovered during Homeland Security raids in March 2024 – as well as drugs found in his hotel room after he was taken into custody. The government also presented photos of damage to a Porsche belonging to Kid Cudi, who testified about his belief that Combs was responsible for a Molotov cocktail that exploded in the car. However, some evidence in the criminal case, including footage of Combs' "freak offs," was off-limits to the public and only shown to jurors due to the graphic nature of the content, which was deemed a privacy violation by the witnesses –Ventura Fine and Jane – who were shown in the videos. Read on to see what prosecutors claimed was evidence of Combs' criminal enterprise. Raid of Diddy's LA home revealed 900 bottles of Astroglide, bags of ketamine On June 13, Andre Lamon from Homeland Security Investigations testified in Combs' criminal trial that he and other agents found 900 bottles of Astroglide, 200 bottles of baby oil and multiple bags of ketamine while raiding Combs' Los Angeles mansion. The jury was shown photos from the March 25, 2024, search through the sprawling is what agents discovered at Combs' multimillion-dollar Holmby Hills home. On her third day of testimony, Ventura Fine also revealed the extent of her and Combs' drug use in their decade together. Combs was once hospitalized due to "a very strong" opiate, she told defense lawyers, revealing the incident occurred around the time Whitney Houston died in February 2012. Raid of Diddy's Miami home found cocaine, guns, sexual enhancement product In the third week of Combs' trial on sex crimes and racketeering, Homeland Security Investigations special agent Gerard Gannon discussed his team's March 2024 raid of Combs' Miami estate. He and fellow agents allegedly found drugs including ketamine, cocaine, MDMA, hallucinogenic mushrooms and heroin, as well as firearms, gun accessories, Johnson's baby oil and Astroglide lubricant. A photo also showed a product promoted and sold for sexual enhancement. Diddy's arrest: Baby oil, drugs found in NYC hotel room On May 19, 2025, prosecutors released images of the belongings found in Combs' hotel room after the embattled music mogul was arrested at a New York hotel on Sept. items included baby oil, lubricant, $9,000 in cash, prescription medication and drugs that tested positive for ketamine and MDMA. Diddy's baby oil use was known at his favorite hotels Multiple witnesses' testimony touched on Combs' reported use of baby oil in "freak-offs." On May 22, for example, Frederic Zemmour, the general manager of the L'Ermitage Beverly Hills luxury hotel, walked jurors through logs of Combs' stays at the celebrity-favorite institution. For one of Combs' stays in 2015, the hotel's documents said that the rapper "ALWAYS spills candle wax on everything and uses excessive amounts of oil," and that his room should be placed "out of order upon departure for deep cleaning." The notes also said to "please authorize an extra $1000 when guest stays with us to cover any room damages." A housekeeping note said to "monitor outside his room/down the hall to spray air freshener." Alleged Molotov cocktail tore up the inside of Kid Cudi's Porsche Kid Cudi took the stand on May 22 to reveal Combs allegedly broke into his home in December 2011 after finding out Cudi was romantically involved with Ventura Fine. When the "Pursuit of Happiness" musician arrived at his house, he noticed no one was inside but some of his belongings were in disarray. Cudi said he received a call in January 2012 that his car was on fire, and jurors were shown photos of the destroyed vehicle. He later confronted Combs in a meeting, asking, "What about my vehicle?" to which Combs allegedly responded, "What vehicle?" Combs' team has repeatedly denied his involvement in the incident. While cross-examining Los Angeles law enforcement officials on May 28, the defense cast doubt on Combs' role by emphasizing police found a potential hit for female DNA on the bottle used in the car explosion. Contributing: Gina Barton, Aysha Bagchi, Josh Meyer, Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY staff If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, RAINN's National Sexual Assault Hotline offers free, confidential, 24/7 support in English and Spanish via chat and at 800-656-4673. If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788.
Screen Geek
4 hours ago
- Screen Geek
ABC Cancels Series After Only One Season
ABC has made another tough decision regarding one of their newest television shows. Unfortunately, for fans of one particular series, it's been confirmed that ABC has canceled the title after releasing one sole season on their network. It took quite some time for the scripted series to receive some kind of update regarding whether or not it would be renewed or canceled entirely. Now, however, we know that ABC decided on the latter. It's unfortunate that the series had to be canceled, and even more so that crew members are alleging that there was inappropriate behavior while working on the series. What began as a promising addition to the network's lineup has now ended not only in cancellation, but under the cloud of behind-the-scenes concerns that have started to come to light in recent weeks. '' Doctor Odyssey ' has been canceled after one season on ABC.' Variety notes that 'the cast's contracts expire on Monday with no move from ABC to put the series back on its schedule for the upcoming year.' With that said, the outlet does suggest one possible reason for the show's cancellation. The news was released just 'after three of the show's former crew members filed a lawsuit against Disney and 20th Television on May 30, alleging that the studio enabled an 'unchecked campaign of sexual harassment for months'' and the crew members also accused 'assistant prop master Tyler Patton of making 'sexual jokes, innuendos, comments, sexual gestures and images' in addition to 'unwanted touching' including 'openly grabbing a visiting female employee's buttocks.' The medical drama series, created by Ryan Murphy, starred Joshua Jackson as Max Bankman. His character is a doctor on a luxury cruise line called the Odyssey. The story revolves around Bankman as he assists with medical emergencies while overseas. The series Doctor Odyssey was produced by 20th Television in association with Ryan Murphy Television. Stay tuned to ScreenGeek for any additional updates regarding the latest titles to be renewed or canceled by ABC and other such television networks and platforms as we have them.
UPI
11 hours ago
- UPI
Virginia Madsen leads tributes to late brother, actor Michael Madsen
Hollywood is mourning the death of "Reservoir Dogs" and "Kill Bill" actor Michael Madsen. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo July 4 (UPI) -- Sideways icon Virginia Madsen is leading the tributes to her brother, Reservoir Dogs and The Hateful Eight actor Michael Madsen, who died Thursday at the age of 67. "My brother Michael has left the stage," Virginia wrote in a statement to Variety. "He was thunder and velvet. Mischief wrapped in tenderness. A poet disguised as an outlaw. A father, a son, a brother -- etched in contradiction, tempered by love that left its mark," she added. "We're not mourning a public figure. We're not mourning a myth -- but flesh and blood and a ferocious heart." Actor Titus Welliver said: "Michael Madsen has departed. Mike leaves behind a body of work that will never be forgotten. Rest brother, too young." REMEMBERING MICHAEL MADSEN: The "Reservoir Dogs" and "Kill Bill" actor has died at the age of 67. Madsen was found unresponsive Thursday morning at his Malibu home and is believed to have died of cardiac arrest, his publicist told ABC News. Good Morning America (@GMA) July 4, 2025 "I had the pleasure of working with Michael Madsen on Kill Bill & several other films!" Vivica A. Fox told the New York Post in an email Thursday. "Michael was a talented man with an AMAZING on screen presence! My deepest condolences & prayers to his family. #GoneTooSoon #RestinParadise." "Michael Madsen... this man... this artist... this poet... this rascal," Walton Goggins said on Instagram. "ICON.... Aura like no one else. Ain't enough words so I'll just say this.... I love you buddy. A H8TER forever." Filmmaker Robert Rodriguez posted on X: "Frank Miller and I have always loved telling the story how no one was allowed to improvise any dialogue on Sin City. (We wanted to have the movie be incredibly faithful to his graphic novel.) "But we bent that rule every day Michael Madsen worked with us. Being a fantastic writer, he just kept bringing us one golden additional line after another, and he would make us laugh so much we'd relent and say to each other, 'Well if we're going to break the rule with someone, it might as well be Michael Madsen,'" Rodriguez added. "He keeps coming up with such great lines! "The other rule we broke was by casting someone who didn't look at all like the drawn character in the book. Michael was so larger than life, we just felt he would make a much better partner to Bruce Willis' detective, I mean, what an ultimate cop team! And he was just an absolute joy to work with. I will miss you Michael, you truly are one of the greats." "Oh man, this is a hard one," said James Woods. "Michael and I did The Getaway together. We did Straight Talk together. I was always touched by his sweet nature and generosity, the absolute opposite of the 'tough guys' he portrayed so brilliantly. Rest in Peace, dear friend." Comedian Rob Schneider said: "Michael Madsen was a dream to work with. A truly gifted actor & gentleman who made every person on the set comfortable; generous with his stories & with his infectious laughter. I only wish we could have done more things together in this crazy business. My love to his kids & friends."
