New York, NY – August 22, 2007 – IFC Entertainment announced today that it has acquired all North American rights to Jacques Rivette's The Duchess of Langeais (Ne Touchez pas la Hache.) The announcement was made today by IFC Entertainment President Jonathan Sehring.
"Simply put, this is the work of a great master filmmaker. Every detail is right, in this film, particularly the bold, emotionally moving performances of Guillaume Depardieu and Jeanne Balibar," said Sehring. Rivette has made many great films but this is perhaps the most emotionally moving and romantic film of his career."
An adaptation from Honore de Balzac's novella La Duchesse de Langeais, the French language film will be screening at the upcoming Toronto International Film Festival. Directed by innovative French filmmaker Jacques Rivette and produced by Martine Marignac, Maurice Tinchant, The Duchess of Langeais stars Jeanne Balibar as Antoinette de Langeais; Guillume Depardieu as Armand de Montriveau; Bulle Ogier as Princesse de Blamont-Chauvry; and Michel Piccoli as Vidame de Pamiers.
A period film which takes place in the Saint-Germain neighborhood in Paris, The Duchess of Langeais depicts the unsteady and unconsummated love affair between a Parisian socialite and a Napoleonic war hero. At first sight, Montriveau is infatuated with Antoinette, a married coquette who frequents the most extravagant balls of 1820's Restoration Paris, where hypocrisy and vanity reign. Flattered by his attentions, the alluring Antoinette orchestrates a calculating game of seduction, however repeatedly refuses Montriveau. Despite his sincere romantic declarations, Montriveau's passion remains unfulfilled. When the humiliated Montriveau eventually seeks his revenge, Antoinette's love awakens, although it may be too late.
Arianna Bocco, Vice President of Acquisitions and Productions for IFC Entertainment, negotiated the acquisition of the film with Daniela Elstner, Head of International Sales from Les Films du Losange who represents the filmmakers.
The film will be released theatrically and on local cable's On Demand platform.
About IFC Entertainment
IFC Entertainment consists of IFC Films, a leading theatrical film distribution company bringing the best of independent and specialized films to theaters; IFC First Take and IFC In Theaters, the operations that together make up IFC Entertainment's theatrical and on-demand day and date initiative; IFC Productions, a feature film production company that provides financing for select independent film projects; the IFC Center, an art house in NYC and IFC Films on Demand, video-on-demand offerings. Recent films included Ken Loach's The Wind that Shakes the Barley, and Shane Meadows's This Is England. Upcoming films include Hou Hsiao Hsien's The Flight of the Red Balloon, and Cristian Mungiu's 4 Months, 3 Weeks & 2 Days.
About Rainbow Media Holdings LLC
Rainbow Media Holdings LLC is a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC). Rainbow Media is a leading producer of targeted, multi-platform content for global distribution, creating and managing some of the world's most compelling and dynamic entertainment brands, including AMC, IFC, WE tv, LIFESKOOL, SPORTSKOOL, and VOOM HD Networks. Through its IFC Entertainment division, Rainbow Media also owns and manages the following: IFC Films, a theatrical feature film distribution company; IFC First Take/IFC in Theaters, a day and date theatrical feature film/VOD initiative; the IFC Center in New York City; IFC Productions, a feature film production company; and IFC Entertainment, which owns and operates a film library. Rainbow Media also operates Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation, its advertising sales division, and Rainbow Network Communications, its full service network programming origination and distribution company.