Protagonist Pictures have secured a vast number of global deals for Lenny Abrahamson’s feature film ‘Frank’, following Magnolia acquiring the film for distribution in North America (read the full story
here). ‘Frank’ is a comedy about a wannabe musician who finds himself both in peril and in awe when he joins an electric rock band with a mysterious papier-mache head-wearing leader.
The feature is an Element Pictures/Runaway Fridge production for Film4, BFI, Protagonist Pictures and the Irish Film Board. It stars Michael Fassbender, Domhnall Gleeson and Maggie Gyllenhaal. ‘Frank’ marks Abrahamson’s fourth feature film, following ‘Adam & Paul’, ‘Garage’ and ‘What Richard Did’, all IFTA winners.
The reckless comedy has sold to Japan (Nettai Museum), Australia and New Zealand (Madman), Italy (I Wonder), Scandinavia (Non Stop), Benelux (Wild Bunch), CIS (Cinema Prestige), Portugal (Lusomundo), Turkey (Bir Film), Israel (Lev Film), Poland (Gutek Film), Hungary, Czech Republic and Slovakia (ACFK/Mozinet).
It has also sold Middle East (Front Row) and Singapore (PT Parkit) with Jaguar taking airline rights and a deal pending in France. ‘Frank’ has screened at Sundance in Utah, SXSW in Texas, and Berlinale. It will have its UK premiere at Sundance, London on 25th April.
The screenplay for ‘Frank’ was written by Jon Ronson and Peter Straughan. The film was produced by Ed Guiney, David Barron and Stevie Lee, with executive producers Tessa Ross, Katherine Butler, Andrew Lowe and Nigel Williams. Film4, the BFI and the Irish Film Board provided funding.
The trailer for ‘Frank’ can be viewed here:
