Sony Pictures Classics announced today that they have acquired all rights in North America, Latin America and Scandanavia to Samuel Maoz’s Foxtrot. The film is the official Israeli Oscar submission and has screened at the Venice, Telluride and Toronto Film Festivals to rave reviews. It won the Grand Jury prize at Venice, as well as eight Ophir Awards including Best Film, Best Director and Best Actor.
With biting humor and social satire, Foxtrot dances with fate. An Israeli couple opens their door, only to see army officials on their doorstep who tell them their soldier son has been killed. Much of the film deals with the young soldier as he mans an isolated checkpoint.
Having worked together previously on Lebanon, Foxtrot marks the second film between Maoz and Sony Pictures Classics. The Match Factory and Sony Pictures Classics have partnered together on a number of films including The Lunchbox, Waltz With Bashir and most recently Toni Erdmann.
“’Foxtrot’ is a rare, fresh, suspenseful and important movie. Once you’ve experienced all of its surprises, you will never be the same. It is great to be in business with Samuel, Eitan Mansuri, and Michael Weber from The Match Factory once again,” said Sony Pictures Classics.
Said Samuel Maoz, “It was a huge compliment when Sony Pictures Classics took my first film ‘Lebanon’ and now I’m proud and glad they did it again. I think it’s the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”
“The rhythm has changed, in 2009 it was the Waltz (with Bashir), this time its the ‘Foxtrot,’ I’m delighted about dancing with my friends at Sony Pictures Classics again,” stated Michael Weber.
“We are happy and excited to go in the Oscar journey together with Sony Pictures Classics, it’s the best fit for our film,” added Eitan Mansuri.
Foxtrot is produced by Eitan Mansuri of Spiro Films, Michael Weber and Viola Fügen of Pola Pandora, Cedomir Kolar and Marc Baschet of A.S.A.P. Films and Michel Merkt of KNM and is co-produced by Jonathan Doweck of Spiro Films and Jamal Zeinal Zade of Bord Cadre films.
