StudioCanal picks up theatrical distribution rights for UK and Germany

March 10, 2016: Netflix has acquired worldwide streaming rights to Image Nation Abu Dhabi’s recent Emirati feature film, RATTLE THE CAGE (ZINZANA).

Prolific independent studio IM Global handled international sales rights (excluding Germany, the UK and the Middle East) on the deal via its foreign language label IM Global Anthem on behalf of the filmmakers; and Cinetic Media oversaw U.S. sales rights.

StudioCanal has also picked up theatrical distribution rights to the film for Germany and the UK. Vox will release the film theatrically in the Middle East.

RATTLE THE CAGE (ZINZANA), a psychological thriller which marks the feature directorial de-but of Emirati filmmaker Majid Al Ansari, had its world premiere at Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas last September and its European premiere at the BFI London Film Festival last Octo-ber.

The film stars Ali Suliman (PARADISE NOW) and Saleh Bakri (SALVO, THE TIME REMAINS) and follows the story of a man trapped in a prison cell who is forced to play a madman’s game in order to save his family’s lives. Produced by Rami Yasin (SEA SHADOW, FROM A TO B), popular Emirati actors Ali Al Jabri, Abdullah Al Shehhi and Mansoor Al Feeli co-star.

“Our Anthem label is highly focused on generating new distribution opportunities for inter-national films worldwide,” said IM Global Founder/CEO Stuart Ford, “and this Netflix deal for ZINZANA is a very healthy indication of how the marketplace for non-English language films is evolving.”

Michael Garin, CEO of Image Nation Abu Dhabi, added: “Image Nation is delighted to have stellar partners like Netflix and StudioCanal onboard to bring RATTLE THE CAGE (ZINZANA) to global audiences. Majid is a shining example of the high-calibre talent and artistry coming out of the Middle East at the moment and we’re pleased to be able to provide him with both local support and international access.”

I) marks the second project that IM Global and Image Nation have teamed up on.

Image Nation is also fully financing the feature adaptation of Dave Eggers’ contemporary thriller THE CIRCLE, starring Tom Hanks and Emma Watson which has just closed a US distri-bution deal with EuropaCorp.

Image Nation has been ramping up its film and TV production output over the last year with a number of new titles in the pipeline including Emirati filmmaker Al Mostafa’s third film THE WORTHY, currently in postproduction, the follow-up to his hit comedy drama FROM A TO B.

Al Ansari is repped by UTA.