‘Broken Voices’ Acquired by Sumerian for North America

Sumerian Pictures has acquired North American rights to the Czech drama “Broken Voices,” setting plans for a theatrical release this 12 months. Salaud Morisset is dealing with world sales.

The movie received the Europa Cinemas Label for best European movie at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival, in addition to the best movie award at the Oldenburg Film Festival.

It is among the most nominated movies at the upcoming Czech Lion Awards, to be awarded by the Czech Film and Television Academy. The movie acquired 13 nominations including best feature, directing, screenplay, and a number of other performing and craft classes, including a number one actress nomination for Kateřina Falbrová.

The movie was a box workplace hit during its local release in Czech Republic and Slovakia, grossing over €1 million ($1.18 million) at the box workplace via distributor CinemArt.

The movie is written and directed by Ondřej Provazník.

“Broken Voices” takes place in a well-known ladies’ choir in the Nineteen Nineties Czech Republic. Thirteen-year-old Karolína’s extraordinary voice brings the consideration of an enigmatic and charismatic choirmaster. Being singled out seems like a triumph, until she begins to grasp the worth of that privilege. Inspired by the Bambini di Praga case, the movie explores the line the place innocence collides with abusive energy.

Isaac Feldberg of RogerEbert.com wrote “Of that first wave of competition films at Karlovy Vary, none have been so emotionally resonant or quietly lacerating as ‘Broken Voices,’ Ondřej Provazník’s exceptional, restrained account of power and silence in the elite concert section of a Czech girls’ choir. Sustaining a tense note of agony and despair so long it left me breathless, it skilfully depicts the blurred lines and queasy imbalances where abuse can fester within academic environments.”

In Variety‘s review, Peter Debruge said, “One might pick up on echoes of Sofia Coppola’s impressionistic style throughout — especially that of ‘The Beguiled,’ in which a lone man is surrounded by young women — as ‘Broken Voices’ emphasizes childhood memories that can last a lifetime: collecting exotic crystals, riding the subway, studying adult behavior from across the room.”

“Broken Voices” has screened at over 50 worldwide festivals, including Palm Springs, Vancouver, Rio, Warsaw and Marrakech, and can display next at Tromsø, Trieste and Göteborg.

Rob Williams, president, content strategy for Sumerian Pictures negotiated the acquisition on behalf of Sumerian Pictures with Salaud Morisset Film Sales.

“Broken Voices” joins a slate of upcoming theatrical releases from Sumerian Pictures that contains the romantic comedy “Mile End Kicks,” directed by Chandler Levack; “The Wolf, the Fox and the Leopard,” directed by David Verbeek; and “Horsegirls,” directed by Lauren Meyering. Sumerian Pictures latest releases embody “Queen of the Ring,” directed by Ash Avildsen, and “Turnstile: Never Enough,” directed by Brendan Yates & Pat McCrory.