TrustNordisk has struck multiple Cannes deals for the Norwegian documentary about chess world champion Magnus Carlsen.
Arrow Films has picked up UK and Ireland rights for Benjamin Ree’s Norwegian documentary Magnus.
The deal was struck in Cannes with Scandinavian sales agent TrustNordisk, who also closed a deal with Pretty Pictures for France.
Rights were previously sold to the US, Germany, Austria, Hong Kong, Benelux and former Yugoslavia.
The film depicts Magnus Carlsen, who at the age of 13 decided that he would become the world chess champion. Now at age 25, Carlsen is the no.1 ranked player in the world, having achieved the highest grandmaster rating in history.
In November, he will defend his world title against Sergey Karjakin in New York City, with a prize of more than $1m on offer.
The film premeired at Tribeca in April, where Screen’s review called it “a sure-fire festival sensation”.
Magnus was produced by Sigurd Mikal Karoliussen for Moskus Film in co-production with VGTV, Nordisk Film Production and Main Island Production with support from The Norwegian Film Institute, Nordisk Film & TV Fond and Fritt Ord.
Arrow is plotting a late 2016 or early 2017 release.
The distributor’s acquisitions director Tom Stewart commented: “We’re delighted to be continuing our long relationship with our friends at TrustNordisk to bring such an amazing human triumph story that will truly fascinate both the millions who love the game and a whole new audience who will discover the incredible world of Chess at the highest level!”
