Magnolia Pictures has acquired the North American rights to “Two of Us,” a French LGBT love story that made its premiere at TIFF over the weekend and is the directorial debut of France-based, Italian filmmaker Filippo Meneghetti, the distributor announced Monday.
Magnolia is planning a theatrical release for “Two of Us” in early 2020, which follows two older women Nina (Barbara Sukowa) and Madeleine (Martine Chevallier) who live across the hall from each other but have kept their romance hidden for decades.
The film made its world premiere Saturday as part of the Toronto International Film Festival’s Discovery program.
“We’re thrilled to be bringing ‘Two of Us’ to North America,” Magnolia president Eamonn Bowles said in a statement. “Filippo Meneghetti has delivered an incredibly beautiful, profound directorial debut and Barbara Sukowa and Martine Chevallier are unforgettable in the lead roles.”
The film was written by Meneghetti, Malysone Bovorasmy and Florence Vignon. The film is a Paprika Films, Tarantula Luxembourg and Artémis Production. The producers are Pierre-Emmanuel Fleurantin and Laurent Baujard.
The deal was negotiated by Magnolia EVP Dori Begley and Magnolia SVP of acquisitions John Von Thaden with Daniela Elstner of Doc & Film International on behalf of the filmmaker and producers.
“The film dives us deeply into the intimacy of a mutual love passion, surrounded by hidden family secrets,” Daniela Elstner of Doc & Film International said in a statement. “Brilliantly embodied by two renowned actresses and elegantly directed by Filippo Meneghetti, ‘Two of Us’ gives us the reassurance that love can overcome it all. We are convinced that Magnolia Pictures is the right partner to bring this feature debut to North America and we look forward to working together on this exciting release.”
Magnolia also picked up the opening night film from Toronto, the documentary about The Band, “Once Were Brothers,” which follows The Band’s frontman Robbie Robertson. That film too is set to open from the indie early next year.