Producer, Ken Kaplan announced today that the suspense thriller, Sleeper’s Wake was acquired for distribution in the United States by Naedomi Media. Negotiating the deal on behalf of the film were XYZ Films, Kaplan and executive producer, Sanjeev Singh while Steve Break represented Naedomi Media. Naedomi Media launched in 2010 and has distributed 16 titles through to 2011 on digital, DVD and television and it has set a mid-year release for Sleeper’s Wake.
Sleeper’s Wake marks helmer, Barry Berk’s feature debut and is based on the acclaimed novel by Alistair Morgan. The film stars leading South African actors Lionel Newton and Deon Lotz, who received international acclaim for his powerful performance in Skoonheid which was in the 2011 Official Selection of the Cannes Film Festival. The film is co-produced by Bioskope Pictures and Videovision Entertainment.
Sleeper’s Wake is a sexual thriller which follows a recently widowed man who takes refuge in a small coastal town to heal his grief only to get caught up in a dangerous relationship with a beautiful young woman.
Commenting on the US deal, Kaplan said, “Sleeper’s Wake is gripping and suspenseful. It features some of the best home-grown filmmaking talent in South Africa and we are delighted to be partnering with Naedomi to take the film to US audiences later this year.”
Executive producer, Anant Singh said, “We are pleased that Sleeper’s Wake has been acquired for distribution in the US. It provides a platform for Barry’s debut feature as well as the cast who are among the most talented emerging talent in South Africa.”
Naedomi Media’s Steve Break commented at the EFM in Berlin, where the deal closed, “This is terrific news and we are thrilled to include Sleeper’s Wake in our line-up for release in 2013.”
Sleeper’s Wake had its World Premiere at the Durban International Film Festival which was followed by its international premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival last year and then went on to the BFI London Film Festival where it was nominated for the Sutherland Award.
Sleeper’s Wake is currently being represented for international sales by MPI MEDIA which is selling the film at European Film Market in Berlin and is located at Office 242 at the Marriott in Berlin.
Sleeper’s Wake will be released in South Africa on 8 March 2013 by United International Pictures (South Africa).
SLEEPER’S WAKE is a Bioskope Pictures and Videovision Entertainment production starring Lionel Newton, Jay Anstey and Deon Lotz. It is produced by Ken Kaplan, executive produced by Barry Berk, Anant Singh, Sudhir Pragjee, Sanjeev Singh, Robert Naidoo, Ronnie Apteker and Richard Cohen and written and directed by Barry Berk.
