Sony Pictures Classics Buys Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s ‘Violette’

Sony Pictures Classics has acquired all rights in the United States, Latin America and Asia to “Violette,” marking the indie studio’s fourth collaboration with director Jean-Pierre Jeunet. The company also released Jeunet’s previous hits “Amelie,” “The City of Lost Children,”and “Micmacs.” “Violette” stars Leïla Bekhti (“Once Upon My Mother”), Matthias Schoenaerts (“Rust and Bone”), and Melvil Poupaud (“One Fine Morning”). It’s based on a bestselling novel entitled “Fresh Water for Flowers,” and centers on a cemetery caretaker whose peaceful life is thrown off course when a mysterious stranger shows up on her doorstep compelling her to confront her troubled past. In a release touting the acquisition, the company says the movie highlights “Jeunet’s uniquely poetic filmmaking style” and captures “the mystery and splendor found in the most unexpected places.” “Violette” is co-written by Jeunet and Guillaume Laurant. It is produced by Mediawan’s 24 25 Films and Palomar. “Valérie Perrin, the author of this magnificent novel, said: ‘I wrote it, Jean-Pierre will paint it,'” Jeunet said in a statement. “Jean-Pierre Jeunet has a singular gift for weaving together multiple storylines with humor, pathos and that unmistakable touch of whimsy that has made films from ‘The City of Lost Children’ to ‘Amelie’ such magical and enduring experiences,” Sony Pictures Classics said in a statement. Sony Pictures Classics has a busy fall. It recently released “The Only Living Pickpocket in New York,” which is seen as an Oscar contender for its star John Turturro, and will soon release Pedro Almodovar’s “Bitter Christmas” and Florian Zeller’s “Bunker.” The deal for “Violette” was negotiated between Sony Pictures Classics and StudioCanal. Financial terms of the pact were not disclosed.