Guido Rud’s FilmSharks Intl., one of Latin America’s most active sales companies, is vigorously plying two growth trends — foreign-language comedy hits and remakes — at Mexico’s Guadalajara Festival.
FilmSharks has licensed Santiago Segura’s 3D blockbuster “Torrente 4: Lethal Crisis” to 30 countries following its sale to South Korea (Sanamu), made by Nicolas Piccato at FilmSharks’ Seoul office, and to Wiesner Distribution for Central America, a growing multiplex market.
The latest entry in the corrupt cop saga, “Torrente 4” grossed $29.6 million in Spain. FilmSharks is negotiating sales to the U.S., U.K., Germany and Australia, Rud said at Guadalajara, which kicked off Friday.
“Torrente 4” had its U.S. premiere Saturday at the Miami festival and Mexican bow Sunday at Guadalajara.
Deals follow the sale to Venevision Intl. for U.S. distribution of Spanish gross-out laffer “Unresolved Sexual Tension,” produced by Segura at his Madrid-based Amiguetes Entertainment, one of Spain’s biggest mainstream production hubs.
Meanwhile, Paolo Ansaldi’s Paco Pictures is set to purchase Italian remake rights to Argentine smash-hit “A Boyfriend for My Wife,” Rud said. Ansaldi has already optioned remake rights, he added.
FilmSharks has also acquired remake sales rights to Leonardo Di Cesare’s 2004 hit “Good Life Delivery,” whose original version was sold by Wild Bunch. FilmSharks is now selling just remake rights on more than 20 films, Rud said.
In a straight sale, FilmSharks has licensed “Our Home Astral City,” distribbed in the U.S. by Strand Releasing as “A Spiritual Journey,” to South Korea’s Focus & Co.
The 27th Guadalajara fest runs until Saturday.
