French mini-major MK2 Films has acquired all rights to late Iranian film master Abbas Kiarostami\u2019s first 20 movies.<\/p>\n
Under the agreement \u2013 signed with the Institute Kanoon (Institut iranien pour le D\u00e9veloppement Intellectuel des Enfants et des Adolescents), MK2 will restore the 20 films of Kiarostami in 4K. Among the acquired titles are \u201cWhere is My Friend\u2019s Home,\u201d\u201dAnd Life Goes On\u201d and \u201cThe Traveler,\u201d Kiarostami\u2019s first feature film.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd Life Goes On\u201d complete the trilogy including \u201cWhere is My Friend\u2019s House?\u201d and \u201cThrough the Olive Trees,\u201d both of which are already acquired by MK2.<\/p>\n
Some of the acquired titles include films that mostly unknown, as well as 14 short- and medium-length films, notably his very first film, \u201cThe Bread and Alley,\u201d which came out in 1970.<\/p>\n
MK2 now owns nearly all of Kiarostami\u2019s films. The French company already detained rights to Kiarostami\u2019s more recent films, notably \u201cLike Someone in Love,\u201d\u201dCertified Copy,\u201d \u201cTaste of Cherry\u201d (which won the Palme d\u2019Or 20 years ago) and Shirin, among others.<\/p>\n
\u201cMK2 had a very close relationship with Abbas Kiarostami. We produced and distributed his films since 1999,\u201d said Karmitz, MK2\u2019s president who is running the vertically-integrated company with his two sons, Nathanael and Elisha Karmitz.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis collaboration with the Institut Kanoon will allow us to give every generation of audiences the opportunity to discover these world cinema masterpieces that have inspired and continue to inspire filmmakers and cinefiles for the last 30 years,\u201d said Karmitz, who added that Kiarostami gave birth to the tradition of Iranian documentary.<\/p>\n
MK2 had started working with Kiarostami on a new feature before he passed last year. The movies was due to start shooting last September in China.<\/p>\n
Cannes Film Festival is paying tribute to Kiarostami with the screening of his last feature \u201c24 Frames\u201d as part of the special screenings of the festival\u2019s 70th anniversary on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Karmitz said MK2 was exploring many possibilities to give the newly-acquired films some exposure. The company runs a thriving international sales division as well as France\u2019s leading arthouse theater circuit in Paris.<\/p>\n
MK2\u2019s library now comprises over 400 films from some of the world\u2019s best known auteurs, notably Charles Chaplin, Fran\u00e7ois Truffaut, Krzysztof Kieslowski, David Lynch, Claude Chabrol, Alain Resnais, Xavier Dolan, Olivier Assayas, Kiarostami, as well as Agnes Varda and Jacques Demy.<\/p>\n
\u201cThrough these films, MK2 perpetuates the heritage of world cinema. We remain the biggest co-producer and distributor of foreign films,\u201d pointed out Karmitz.<\/p>\n
The veteran producer and businessman explained the company\u2019s growth going forward is increasingly vested in its exhibition activities. MK2 owns theaters in France, Spain and is considering opening some in Montreal. The banner also recently bowed a venue dedicated to virtual reality and launched international sales of director-driven VR content at Cannes.<\/p>\n
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