Berlin: Talk of the town, The Devil’s Double secures distribution deal

We are hearing some great buzz about Lee Tamahori’s The Devil’s Double coming out of this year’s Berlin Film Festival, and today it was announced that the film has managed to secure a distribution deal through Icon.

Baghdad, the playground for the rich and infamous, where anything can be bought – but for a price. This is Uday Hussein’s (Dominic Cooper) world and with his depraved lust for debauchery and immortality, he helps himself to whatever turns him on. When army lieutenant Latif Yahia (Dominic Cooper), is summoned to Saddam’s palace, he is faced with an impossible request – to be Uday’s ‘fiday’ – his body double, or have his family condemned to death. In a world entrenched in betrayal and corruption knowing who to trust becomes a matter of life or death for Latif, as he battles to escape from his forced existence.

Check out the full announcement below.

Following the successful international launch at the Sundance Film Festival and on the eve of the film’s European premiere at this year’s Berlinale, Corsan World Sales today confirmed Icon Film Distribution will distribute the highly sought after, multi-million dollar production THE DEVIL’S DOUBLE in the UK. The UK deal was brokered by Corsan World Sales president Pascal Borno, Icon UK Group Managing Director (Distribution) Ian Dawson and Icon Head of UK Acquisitions Toby Hill.

The Lee Tamahori (ONCE WERE WARRIORS, DIE ANOTHER DAY) directed film starring Dominic Cooper (CAPTAIN AMERICA:THE FIRST AVENGER, AN EDUCATION) and Ludivine Sagnier (SWIMMING POOL, UN SECRET) is a dynamic and chilling story of one man’s struggle in a world of gangsters, violence, power and seduction based on Latif Yahia’s book of the same name. One of the hot properties of this year’s Sundance, where it was picked up for US theatrical distribution by Lionsgate, THE DEVIL’S DOUBLE is screening as a Panorama Special in Berlin on February 11th. Actors Dominic Cooper, Ludivine Sagnier and Latif Yahia himself will be in town to present the film.

Further previously announced deals include CCV for Scandinavia, Lusomundo for Portugal, Eagle Films for the Middle East, Media Film International for Thailand, Parkit for Indonesia and JRD Films for India & Pakistan. The Corsan team are preparing for a busy EFM where they will complete sales on THE DEVIL’S DOUBLE and screen footage to buyers of the new 30 million dollar production SINGULARITY currently in production, directed by Academy Award® winner Roland Joffé (THE MISSION, THE KILLING FIELDS) and starring Josh Hartnett (PEARL HARBOR, BLACK HAWK DOWN), Olga Kurylenko (QUANTUM OF SOLACE, HITMAN) and Bipasha Basu (DHOOM 2, OM SHANTI OM). Corsan are also launching a new project from John McTiernan, SHRAPNEL, which is confirmed to commence principal photography this summer with a high profile casting announcement expected imminently.

On making the announcement, Borno commented “We are very excited to be working with the Icon team on this project. We have the utmost confidence THE DEVIL’S DOUBLE will be a hit with international audiences and there is no team better skilled or equipped to bring the film to audiences in the UK.”

Corsan CEO Paul Breuls added “Dominic’s electrifying performance galvanised the UK distributors at Sundance and although there were several bidders we decided Icon were the most committed in making this film a success. We know the film is safe hands with the Icon team.”