North American Rights for ‘Broken Voices’ Acquired by Sumerian (EXCLUSIVE)

Sumerian Pictures has acquired North American rights to the Czech drama “Broken Voices,” setting plans for a theatrical release this year. Salaud Morisset is handling world sales.

The film won the Europa Cinemas Label for best European film at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival, as well as the best film award at the Oldenburg Film Festival.

It is among the most nominated films at the upcoming Czech Lion Awards, to be awarded by the Czech Film and Television Academy. The film received 13 nominations including best feature, directing, screenplay, and several acting and craft categories, including a leading actress nomination for Kateřina Falbrová.

The film was a box office hit during its local release in Czech Republic and Slovakia, grossing over €1 million ($1.18 million) at the box office through distributor CinemArt.

The film is written and directed by Ondřej Provazník.

“Broken Voices” takes place in a famous girls’ choir in the 1990s Czech Republic. Thirteen-year-old Karolína’s extraordinary voice brings the attention of an enigmatic and charismatic choirmaster. Being singled out feels like a triumph, until she begins to understand the price of that privilege. Inspired by the Bambini di Praga case, the film explores the line where innocence collides with abusive power.

Isaac Feldberg of RogerEbert.com wrote “Of that first wave of competition films at Karlovy Vary, none have been so emotionally resonant or quietly lacerating as ‘Broken Voices,’ Ondřej Provazník’s exceptional, restrained account of power and silence in the elite concert section of a Czech girls’ choir. Sustaining a tense note of agony and despair so long it left me breathless, it skilfully depicts the blurred lines and queasy imbalances where abuse can fester within academic environments.”

In Variety‘s review, Peter Debruge said, “One might pick up on echoes of Sofia Coppola’s impressionistic style throughout — especially that of ‘The Beguiled,’ in which a lone man is surrounded by young women — as ‘Broken Voices’ emphasizes childhood memories that can last a lifetime: collecting exotic crystals, riding the subway, studying adult behavior from across the room.”

“Broken Voices” has screened at over 50 international festivals, including Palm Springs, Vancouver, Rio, Warsaw and Marrakech, and will screen next at Tromsø, Trieste and Göteborg.

Rob Williams, president, content strategy for Sumerian Pictures negotiated the acquisition on behalf of Sumerian Pictures with Salaud Morisset Film Sales.

“Broken Voices” joins a slate of upcoming theatrical releases from Sumerian Pictures that includes the romantic comedy “Mile End Kicks,” directed by Chandler Levack; “The Wolf, the Fox and the Leopard,” directed by David Verbeek; and “Horsegirls,” directed by Lauren Meyering. Sumerian Pictures recent releases include “Queen of the Ring,” directed by Ash Avildsen, and “Turnstile: Never Enough,” directed by Brendan Yates & Pat McCrory.