Cannes documentary ‘The Velvet Queen’ is sold to the US and more

“Velvet Queen(La Panthere des neiges), Marie Amiguet’s carefully-lensed documentary had its world premiere at Cannes Film Festival in the Cinema for Climate section, has attracted buyers in major territories, including the United States

Represented in international markets by the London-based banner The Bureau Sales, “Velvet Queen” follows award-winning nature photographer Vincent Munier and writer Sylvain Tesson on a journey across the region. Tibetan Plateau to capture the notoriously elusive snow leopard. Munier introduced Tesson to the delicate art of waiting from a blind spot, tracking animals and finding the patience to catch the beasts. Through exploring the peaks of Tibet, the two men engage in a philosophical conversation about man’s place among creatures and celebrating the beauty of the world.

Produced by Paprika (“Two of Us”), Kobalann and Le Bureau, the highly cinematic documentary also boasts Warren Ellis’ original point with Nick Cave.

Oscilloscope Laboratories has acquired the US rights to the documentary and is planning a traditional theatrical release for the film.

“‘The Velvet Queen’ is a beautiful experience, filled with wisdom and insight worth a lifetime,” said Dan Berger of Oscilloscope Labs. “Marie Amiguet’s nontraditional storytelling really embraces the adage ‘it’s not the destination, it’s the journey.’ And it’s been a great journey.”

The Office’s Sales Department, whose team is Clementine Hugot, also scored a series of contracts for the documentary, which was shown to buyers and audiences for the first time at Cannes. The territories closed at Cannes include Australia and New Zealand (Madman), Germany and Austria (MFA), Switzerland (Filmcoopi), Benelux (Periscoop & Lumiere), Italy (Wanted), Spain (Wanda) and China Country (DD Dream). Other territories are currently being discussed.

Haut et court, the prestigious French distributor of the Cannes-prizewinning “Room 6”, will release “The Velvet Queen” in December.

Clementine Hugot, head of sales for The Bureau Sales, said: “I couldn’t be happier with the film’s initial gross to date. “We have passionate distributors who have spent their time prioritizing the film and believing in its potential even though coverage is often focused on competitive titles and movie slots. premieres early, while reality films like this are the ones that need the most support.”

Tesson, who is also credited as the film’s cinematographer alongside Munier, previously wrote about his discovery in the illustrated book “La Panthere des neiges”, which won the prestigious 2019 Prix Renaudot and sold more than 270,000 copies.

Le Bureau is a longstanding production company with a track record in documentaries (“Violent Monopoly” by David Dufresne) and film (“Little Joe” by Jessica Hausner).