EXCLUSIVE: Paris-based ESC Films has acquired all French rights for animated thriller Dog of God ahead of its world premiere in Tribeca in June.
The film has been launched for sales at Cannes by Berlin-based Media Move ahead of the New York debut.
Dog of God is directed by Lauris Abele and Raitis Abele and produced under the banner of their Riga-based film production company Tritone Studio. They also take writing credits with Ivo Briedis and Harijs Grundmanis.
The feature follows in the wake of the Oscar for Latvian animated feature Flow but the adult skewed work is very different from family-focused Academy Award winner.
In the film, rotoscope animation sets the stage for 17th century story about a woman accused of witchcraft whose trial reveals the presence of a werewolf in a deeply religious Livonian community’s midst.
The Latvian production includes the voices of Jurgis Spulenieks, Kristians Karelins, Einars Repse, Agate Krista, Regnars Vaivars and Armands Bergis.
Producers include Raitis Abele for Tritone Studio and Kristele Pudane, with Giovanni Labadessa co-producing.
“Dog of God was a strange and intense experience—even in the making, it often felt like we were chasing something wild and unknowable. Now that the film is complete, we’re grateful to hand it over to Media Move and watch it begin its own journey. It’s a bit like childhood—when you release something precious into a flowing river, unsure where it will end up, but knowing it no longer belongs only to you,” said Lauris Abele and Raitis Abele.
The French rights deal was negotiated by Justyna Koronkiewicz on behalf of Media Move and Eric Saquet for ESC Films.
“Over the last couple years, I’ve seen and handled quite a lot of unique genre films and it’s getting harder to stand out in horror – yet Dog of God managed to do that and so much more. I, and every genre fan I discuss it with are in awe with the atmosphere, theme and the animation itself,” said Koronkiewicz.
“Tribeca and the genre festivals that will follow are only the final confirmation of the film’s appeal. I am thrilled to help these super talented filmmakers bring it to international audiences worldwide.”
