IFC Takes Another Cannes Title

A scene from Marco Bellochio's "Vincere." Image courtesy of IFC Films.

IFC Films has acquired U.S. rights to Italian filmmaker Marco Bellochio's "Vincere," a drama inspired by the true and tragic story of Mussolini's first wife, Ida Dalser. Written and directed by Italian master Marco Bellochio, "Vincere" had its world premiere in competition at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival, Bellochio's sixth film in competition since 1980. The film stars Giovanna Mezzogiorno as Dalser, and co-stars Filippo Timi in a dual role as Mussolini and his illegitimate son. The film will have its North American premiere in September at the Toronto International Film Festival, followed by its U.S. premiere in October at the New York Film Festival.

"'Vincere' was one of the standout films of Cannes for us with Marco Bellochio at the top of his game and with an absolute star making performance by Giovanna Mezzogiorno that people will be talking about for years to come," Jonathan Sehring, President of IFC Entertainment said in a statement. "She and Filippo Timi bring a physicality to their performances that is positively electrifying. We think this is the perfect film for all of our platforms and surely one of the most discussed international films of the year."

The deal for was negotiated by Arianna Bocco, IFC Films VP of Acquisitions, with Hengameh Panahi of Celluloid Dreams. It marks IFC Films' sixth acquisition from the 2009 Cannes Film Festival including Cristian Mungiu's "Tales from the Golden Age," Lars Von Trier's "Antichrist," Ken Loach's "Looking for Eric," Andrea Arnold's "Fish Tank" and Corneliu Porumboiu's "Police, Adjective."

IFC Films is releasing "Vincere" via its IFC in Theaters platform which brings films to on demand viewers at home the same day they premiere in theaters.