D FILMS ACQUIRES CANADIAN DISTRIBUTION RIGHTS TO
MAX MANUS

ROUSING WORLD WAR II HISTORICAL EPIC ABOUT NORWEGIAN

RESISTANCE FIGHTERS COMES TO CANADA

For immediate release


Toronto, Ontario, November 26, 2009   – – D Films Corporation today announced that it has acquired  long term, Canadian distribution rights in all media to the  acclaimed  World War II historical epic MAX MANUS, Norway‟s official submission to the Academy Awards in the Best Foreign Language Film category.    The announcement was made by  Tony Cianciotta, VicePresident of D Films Corporation.


Norway’s  top-grossing domestic  release since 1975, MAX MANUS  received tremendous audience response at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival.  The rousing historical epic tells the true story  of one  of  Europes‟s  most  celebrated  World  War  II-era resistance fighters. MAX MANUS, starring Aksel Hennie in a bravura performance, follows Manus from the outbreak of World War II until the summer of 1945. After fighting against the Russians during the Winter War in Finland, Manus returns to a German-occupied Norway. He joins the resistance movement and becomes one of the most important members of the so-called “Oslo Gang,” soon confirming his reputation for audacity by making two daring escapes from German captivity. He eventually reunites with his best friend Gregers Gram (Nicolai Cleve Broch) in Scotland, where they receive special training as saboteurs with a pan-national resistance movement, after which they are parachuted back to their homeland. One of the film‟s most thrilling sequences is a detailed account of the sabotage techniques used to sink a heavily guarded German supply ship in Oslo harbour, an act that leadsto  severe retaliation  from the local  Gestapo leader, Siegfred Fehmer (Ken Dunkun  – Inglorious Basterds).


MAX MANUS has been sold to 30 territories worldwide, including the UK, France, Germany, Australia and Japan.  It is directed by Norwegian duo Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg from a screenplay by Thomas Nordseth-Tiller from Manus’ autobiographical books. Directors RønningSandberg’s first feature was the Luc Besson produced western comedy, Bandidas (2006), starring Penelope Cruz and Salma Hayek.

“We are very excited about MAX MANUS,” said Tony Cianciotta.   “It‟s a compelling film from start to finish and is an important World War II story that we‟re  proud  to share with Canadian audiences.”


President and CEO of D Films, Jim Sherry and VP of Acquisitions, Tony Cianciotta negotiated the deal of behalf of  D Films.  Susan Wendt, Head of Sales, negotiated the deal on behalf of TrustNordisk.


ABOUT D FILMS


D FILMS is a Toronto-based,  full service marketing and motion picture distribution boutique that acquires long term rights to films across all platforms, including theatrical, television,  home entertainment and internet. Launched in September, 2009,  D Films is headed by distribution veterans Jim Sherry and Tony Cianciotta. The company‟s first acquisition under the D Films banner is CREATION, which had its world premiere as the prestigious Opening Night Gala at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival. CREATION stars real-life couple, acclaimed British actor Paul Bettany  and  Academy Award winner Jennifer Connelly  as  Charles Darwin and his devout wife, Emma in the powerful tale of Darwin and the most explosive idea in history. Directed by Jon Amiel (The Singing Detective, Entrapment) from a screenplay by John Collee (Master and the Commander: The Far Side of the World),  the film  is based upon Darwin‟s great, great-grandson Randal Keynes‟ book, „Annie‟s Box,‟ which recalls the struggle that Darwin faced to finish his legendary book. CREATION will be released in major cities across Canada on January 22, 2010, followed by  acclaimed  World War II epic  MAX MANUS, which will  open theatrically  in the first quarter of 2010.