VENICE – Maren Kroymann’s Berlin-based sales company M-Appeal has picked up world sales on “Blanka,” an Italian production shepherded through the Venice fest Biennale College initiative and shot in the Philippines by first-time Japanese director Kohki Hasei.
Pic about an eleven-year-old girl who survives alone in Manila begging and stealing from tourists is produced by Italy’s Flaminio Zadra through Biennale College which finances and shepherds micro-budget works with potential to travel from development through distribution.
Abandoned by her mother Blanka is on a quest to raise money to “buy” a new mom, only to find that a family is made up of those who love you.
The world preem took place Saturday on the Lido, while the final screening of “Blanka” (pictured) will take place at the fest tomorrow (Tuesday).
Besides Euros 150,000 ($167,000) from the Biennale College program “Blanka” also received support from the Asian Cinema Fund for postproduction.
Flaminio Zadra and Alberto Fanni’s Rome-based Dorje Film have co-produced several Fatih Akin titles, including “Soul Kitchen” and “The Cut.”
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“We are extremely pleased and excited by the collaboration with M-Appeal,” gushed Zadra. “Their enthusiasm for Blanka was so overwhelming that this is surely the fastest deal I ever finalized!”
“Blank” director Hasei who has already helmed a documentary titled “W/O” and a short doc titled “Godog.”
Titles from previous Biennale College crops include U.S. helmer Tim Sutton’s “Memphis” which segued from Venice to Sundance and has since been sold in some 30 territories, in some cases even for theatrical distribution.
