Samuel Goldwyn Films has acquired all U.S. rights to writer-director Lucía Puenzo’s “The German Doctor” — which screened in Un Certain Regard at Cannes under its Argentinian title “Wakolda” — and plans a spring 2014 release, the distributor announced Monday.
Based on the life story of notorious war criminal Josef Mengele (played by Alex Brendemuhl), “The German Doctor” is adapted from Lucía Puenzo’s fifth novel, which traces the years the German SS officer and Auschwitz physician spent hiding in South America. The thriller follows an Argentinian family who befriend and entrust their young daughter to his care, unaware that he is among the world’s most wanted men.
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“The German Doctor is a film that is dear to my heart and I am delighted that Samuel Goldwyn Films shares my passion and will bring this compelling tale to US audiences,” said Puenzo.
The deal was negotiated by Samuel Goldwyn Films president and general counsel Ian Puente; and Lucero Garzon and Valentina Merli of Pyramide International on behalf of Puenzo.