Indie Circle takes "Take My Eyes".

ROME -- "Take my Eyes," Spanish director Iciar Bollain's domestic violence-themed drama, which was among standout titles at the San Sebastian Intl. Film Festival, has been acquired by the recently formed Indie Circle consortium of five European arthouse distribs.
Italy's Lucky Red, France's Haut et Court, Holland's A-Film, Belgium's Cineart, and Switzerland's Frenetic Films comprise the Paris-based Indie Circle. They bought "Take My Eyes" from Sogepaq, Spanish paybox Sogecable's distribution arm.

Bollain's subtly textured tale of a wife-beating, but also very enamored, husband nabbed both male and female acting nods in San Sebastian for thesps Luis Tosar and Laia Marull.

Co-produced and distributed by Alta Films, "Take My Eyes" opened strongly last weekend in Spain to a robust more than ?4,000 ($4.600) per screen average.

"It's a film on a powerful subject that is not usually talked about," said Lucky Red topper Andrea Occhipinti.

"Of course, in France male domestic abuse is now a hot issue after the [Marie] Trintignant killing," he added. "But it is rarely mentioned in Italy, where it is certainly a widespread problem."

"Take My Eyes" is Indie Circle's second joint acquisition after the Afghan drama "Osama," directed by Siddiq Barmak, which the five partners picked up in Cannes and will each be releasing in their respective territory in January.

"One of the advantages of our alliance is that we can come up with a common marketing plan. This gives us the opportunity to cut costs on things such as trailers, posters, and talent travel and accommodation expenses," Occhipinti said.

Indie Circle will also be collaborating on DVD distribution.

By NICK VIVARELLI, VARIETY

Back