Sideshow and Janus Films announced today that they have acquired the North American rights for Flow, which received a standing ovation today at its premiere in Un Certain Regard at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. Written and directed by Gints Zilbalodis (Away), co-written by Matiss Kaza, the film will next screen in the Official Competition at Annecy Festival in June. Sideshow and Janus are planning a theatrical release.
“We were so excited to see what Gints Zilbalodis would do after his surprising debut feature Away, in which he did almost all of the work single-handedly,” Sideshow and Janus Films shared in a joint statement. “Flow did not disappoint. It’s one of the most remarkably original works we have seen in some time. We know audiences of all ages will embrace this tremendously moving and heartwarming story, and we can’t wait to bring Gints Zilbalodis’ work to a much wider audience across North America.”
The world seems to be coming to an end, teeming with the vestiges of a human presence. Cat is a solitary animal, but as his home is devastated by a great flood, he finds refuge on a boat populated by various species, and will have to team up with them despite their differences. In the lonesome boat sailing through mystical overflowed landscapes, they navigate the challenges and dangers of adapting to this new world.
Featuring an original score by Zilbalodis and Rihards Zalupe, Flow is produced by Zilbalodis and Kaza, alongside Ron Dyens and Gregory Zalcman.
“After a standing ovation at the Cannes screening, we are delighted to put our little cat in the delicate hands of Sideshow and Janus Films. We are certain that this is the best company to take Flow to the heights it deserves,” Dyens said on behalf of the filmmakers.
The deal was negotiated by international sales agent Charades on behalf of the filmmakers with Sideshow and Janus Films.
Launched three years ago, Sideshow — along with its legendary partner Janus Films — have acquired a number of celebrated Cannes titles, which have resulted in six Oscar nominations and one win, including Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s Drive My Car, Jerzy Skolimowski’s Eo and Shaunak Sen’s All That Breathes (released with Submarine Deluxe and HBO Documentary Films). The company currently has Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s Venice Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize winner Evil Does Not Exist in release, along with Bertrand Bonello’s The Beast.
