Radiant Films International Acquires International Rights To MADAME BOVARY; Stars Mia Wasikowska And Paul Giamatti

Radiant Films International has come aboard to handle the international rights to the period drama MADAME BOVARY starring Mia Wasikowska (ALICE IN WONDERLAND) and Paul Giamatti (SIDEWAYS) who are now joined by Ezra Miller (WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN), it was announced today by Radiant Films’ President and CEO Mimi Steinbauer.

Directed by Sophie Barthes (COLD SOULS) and written by Rose Barrenche who has adapted Gustave Flaubert’s classic novel, MADAME BOVARY is produced by Joe Neurauter & Felipe Marino of Occupant Entertainment (THE WACKNESS, BETTER LIVING THROUGH CHEMISTRY).  Andrij Parekh is on board as director of photography (BLUE VALENTINE).

Miller joins the cast as Madame Bovary’s love interest, Leon. He stunned audiences for his portrayal as a young killer in Lynne Ramsey’s WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN for which he was nominated for a Broadcast Film Critics Association Award and a British Independent Film Award.  Miller will next be seen in Summit’s THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER opposite Emma Watson and released in September by Lionsgate/Summit.

Set to start principal photography in Fall 2012, MADAME BOVARY tells the tragic story of Emma, a young beauty who impulsively marries a small-town doctor to leave her father’s pig farm behind.  But after being introduced to the glamorous world of high society, she soon becomes bored with her stodgy mate and seeks excitement and status outside the bonds of marriage.

On announcing the film Steinbauer said, “Madame Bovary is one of the most passionate, tragic and intriguing story’s we have come to love.  The producers have assembled an enviable team of actors and filmmakers and this film is set to stand a cut above the rest.  I am just delighted to be aboard.”

Steinbauer negotiated the rights deal with Neurauter and Marino.  Mark Ankner at WME is handling US rights to the film.

Wasikowska is taking her place among the great female actors of our time with credits that include THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT, JANE EYRE, ALBERT NOBBS as well as the blockbuster box office hit ALICE IN WONDERLAND in the title role.

Academy Award nominated Giamatti has been charming us in such films as THE ILLUSIONIST, THE IDES OF MARCH, COSMOPOLIS that will debut at the Cannes Film Festival and CINDERELLA MAN for which he was nominated for an Oscar.  He will next be seen in the Tom Cruise starrer ROCK OF AGES.

Director Barthes previous film COLD SOULS was released by Samuel Goldwyn Films and nominated for three Independent Spirit Awards including Best Cinematography for Parekh and the Dramatic Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival among other honors.

Producers Neurauter and Marino have carved out a successful independent producing career with credits that include ALL THE BOYS LOVE MANDY LANE, PEEP WORLD, as well as the Sundance Audience-Award winning THE WACKNESS released by Sony Pictures Classics. They are currently in production on BETTER LIVING THROUGH CHEMISTRY, starring Sam Rockwell, Olivia Wilde, Michelle Monaghan and Ray Liotta and are prepping THE DARKNESS, director Daniel Stamm’s follow up to his B.O. hit THE LAST EXORCISM.