Mubi to Release Giulio Bertelli’s ‘Agon’ in Italy Following Venice Critics’ Week Launch, Match Factory Takes World Sales (EXCLUSIVE)

Mubi has acquired all Italian rights to Giulio Bertelli’s directorial debut “Agon,” starring Italian judo athlete and Olympic Gold medalist Alice Bellandi, ahead of the film’s premiere in the Critics’ Week section of the upcoming Venice Film Festival.

Concurrently, Mubi-owned sales company The Match Factory has taken world sales on “Agon.”

The specialty streamer will release “Agon” in Italian cinemas on Aug. 29, kicking off Mubi’s Italian theatrical release slate that also comprises Paolo Sorrentino’s “La Grazia,” which is Venice’s opening film.

“Agon” is an allegorical film that follows three athletes as they prepare and subsequently compete at the fictional Ludoj 2024 Games in judo, fencing and shooting. The sports-themed drama marks the directorial debut of Bertelli, who is fashion designer Miuccia Prada’s son.

Bertelli’s debut also features “La Chimera” stars Yile Vianello and Sofija Zobina. The drama is “informed by the historical figures of Joan of Arc, Cleopatra and Russian cavalry officer Nadezhda Durova,” according to the provided synopsis.

“Agon” intends to provide “a contemporary account of the contradictions of these sports,” the synopsis adds, further noting that judo, fencing and shooting all “began as a practice for wartime during peacetime” and subsequently “evolved into professional sports and entertainment.”

“As Mubi Italia, we couldn’t be more excited to support Giulio Bertelli in his visionary and striking directorial debut,” said Gabriele D’Andrea, VP and managing director of Mubi in Italy. “We are deeply committed to bold, original storytelling — in Italy and globally — and ‘Agon’ perfectly embodies our passion for discovering new and singular voices in cinema. We look forward to its premiere in Venice and to sharing it with audiences soon.”

“Agon” is produced by Bertelli, Max Brun, Jules Daly, Stella Rossa Savino, Joe Anton, Pietro Caracciolo and Matthew E. Chausse for MIA Film, Big Red Films & Art+Vibes, with co-production support from Idev Sas and Financière Marigny Sasu.