Global Flicks: Jia Zhangke joins Tian Qi to create Unknown Pleasures Pictures, Catalina Saavedra to star in 'A Decorous Woman'
Africa: In early 2018, Cape Town and the Western Cape region of South Africa faced a severe, multi-year drought that nearly depleted reservoirs, pushing the city to the edge of "Day Zero"—the day taps would run dry. Although disaster was narrowly avoided, filmmaker Rehad Desai highlights in his documentary Capturing Water, screening at the Joburg Film Festival, that the crisis was just a glimpse of a far greater threat to climate change that is pushing South Africa and much of the continent.
In addition, the Joburg Film Festival will feature Raoul Peck’s Ernest Cole: Lost and Found. The film’s African rights were acquired by Known Associates Entertainment a Cannes-winning documentary about the courageous South African photographer during apartheid. The film opened the Joburg Film Festival. This acquisition aligns with the South African media company’s strategy to expand its distribution across Africa and the U.S., starting with the documentary’s South African theatrical release on Wednesday, March 26.
Jia Zhangke -Thomas Laisné
Asia: South Korean production company Barunson E&A has officially joined as a co-investor for Rangga & Cinta, a musical reboot of Indonesia’s romance franchise What’s With Love? (Ada Apa Dengan Cinta?). The international sales agreement was finalized ahead of the Hong Kong International Film & TV Market (FilMart). The reboot brings back the beloved story of Cinta, a 17-year-old high school student whose name translates to “love” in Indonesian. As she falls for Rangga, a reserved classmate, her close friendships unravel, forcing her to navigate the tension between romance and loyalty. Barunson E&A was previously behind the Oscar-winning film Parasite and this project marks the company’s fourth non-Korean feature for international distribution since expanding its global operations in October 2022. The company previously supported the Vietnamese film Don’t Cry, Butterfly, which earned two awards at the 2024 Venice Film Festival. Rangga & Cinta also represents Barunson E&A’s third investment in an Indonesian production, further solidifying its foothold in the country’s growing film industry.
Renowned Chinese director Jia Zhangke, known for films like A Touch of Sin and Ash Is Purest White, is partnering with veteran distributor Tian Qi to launch Unknown Pleasures Pictures, a new company focused on acquiring and distributing international films in China. Jia, who previously founded the Pingyao International Film Festival and X Stream Pictures, will serve as president, while Tian Qi, founder of Hero Films, will be general manager. The initiative aims to diversify the films shown in Chinese cinemas, building on Pingyao’s mission to promote international arthouse cinema and support emerging filmmakers. The launch comes during a challenging time for arthouse films in China post-pandemic, though recent successes like Anatomy of a Fall ($4M box office) signal a potential recovery. Jia has also co-founded Wings International with Hello Group’s Tang Yan, a financing initiative for promising global film projects.
Jung Hyun-joo, former CEO of Korean film company Acemaker, has been appointed Head of Film Business at CJ ENM, the studio behind Parasite. With over 20 years of experience in the Korean film industry, Jung is known for her work on Bong Joon-ho’s The Host, one of the country’s highest-grossing films, and her role in distributing international hits like The Lord of the Rings and Kill Bill in Korea. Her appointment aims to bolster CJ ENM’s film division and support its global expansion as the company celebrates its 30th anniversary. CJ ENM operates Studio Dragon, Fifth Season, CJ ENM Studios, and the streaming platform TVING.
Home Court
Europe: Home Court, a documentary by directors Elpida Nikou and Rodrigo Hernandez, follows Miriam and Gloria, two teenage girls of West African descent born in Athens, as they pursue their dreams of basketball stardom. The film, part of the Docs in Progress section at the Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival’s Agora, tracks their journey over four years as standout players on a junior women’s basketball team composed of second-generation Greeks, primarily children of African migrants. Despite their talent, they face prejudice, economic struggles, and the challenge of living in a country that denies them citizenship.
Catalina Saavedra - Frazer Harrison
Latin America: Chilean actress Catalina Saavedra, known for her roles in The Maid and Problemista alongside Tilda Swinton, will star in A Decorous Woman. Saavedra plays Maria Marta, a 55-year-old Chilean hairdresser grappling with loneliness after her daughter moves abroad. Immersed in her clients’ gossip, she must confront her own life when her daughter decides not to return. The film, supported by the Chilean Audiovisual Fund and other international grants, won the pitching forum award at Thessaloniki’s Agora in 2021.
