U.S. Distributor Buys Burma Biopic

by Sandy Mandelberger, North American Editor

The Cohen Media Group (CMG) has picked up U.S. distribution rights to French director Luc Besson’s newest film, THE LADY, from French production company/sales agent Europa Corp. The biopic, a French/UK co-production stars Michelle Yeoh as Aung San Suu Kyi, the Burmese pro-democracy leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner, and details her personal struggle for political expression in one of the world’s most oppressive military dictatorships. The film made its world premiere bow on September 12 at the Toronto International Film Festival. CMG is planning to open the film in New York and Los Angeles by the end of the year to qualify for Oscar and other awards consideration for both Yeoh and her co-star David Thewlis, with a full release early next year. CMG, which produced the Oscar nominated FROZEN RIVER in 2008, moved into distribution last year with the release of the French/Algerian Oscar nominee OUTSIDE THE LAW.