Oscilloscope Gets “Paranoids”; Has “Unmistaken Child”

A scene from Gabriel Mendina's "The Paranoids." Image courtesy of Oscilloscope Laboratories.

Oscilloscope Laboratories acquired the North American distribution rights to both “Unmistaken Child,” a doc directed by Nati Baratz, and Gabriel Medina’s Argentine debut feature, “The Paranoids” (Los Paranoicos), which is having its U.S. Premiere today at SXSW. 

“It’s an honor for Oscilloscope to be releasing ‘Unmistaken Child,’ a film which offers a rare glimpse into the process by which reincarnate Lamas are chosen,” said Adam Yauch, Head of Oscilloscope Laboratories, in a statement. “The relationship between the student and his now reborn teacher is incredibly sweet. One can glean more about the subtlety of Tibetan culture by watching these two interact than you could by reading a 100 books on the subject.”

They are planning a theatrical release beginning on June 3 at the Film Form and a DVD release in the fall. The film premiered at Toronto Film Festival 2008 and recently screened in Official Selection at Berlin Film Festival. An Academy Award qualifying theatrical run in NYC and Los Angeles took place in early 2009.  Fortissimo Films negotiated the deal on behalf of the filmmakers.

“Unmistaken Child” follows “a shy and devoted disciple,” Tenzin Zopa, as he searches for the reincarnation of his beloved teacher, the world renown master, Lama Konchog. Unexpectedly appointed by the Dalai Lama, “Tenzin set off on a quest by foot, mule and even helicopter, through breathtaking landscapes and remote traditional Tibetan villages.”

Oscilloscope will donate 20% of their profits from the film to Tibetan Buddhist organizations.

“The Paranoids,” an offbeat comedy about Luciano, an aspiring writer in Buenos Aires, screens at 2:30 PM today at the Alamo Ritz 2 in Austin.  Oscilloscope will open the film in theaters later this year with a DVD and digital release in early 2010.

Oscilloscope Laboratories announced today that it has acquired North American distribution rights to Gabriel Medina’s Argentine debut feature, “The Paranoids,” which is having its U.S. Premiere today at SXSW.  Oscilloscope will open the film in theaters later this year with a DVD and digital release in early 2010.

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“Everyone at the o-scope office unanimously had our proverbial wigs blown back by this Argentinean wu-banger. Gabriel Medina is pinning fools to the mat and letting them know how it’s done with ‘The Paranoids,’ his directorial debut,” said Adam Yauch in a statement. The deal was negotiated by Ryan Kampe from Visit Films on behalf of the filmmakers and David Fenkel and Dan Berger for Oscilloscope. Also on deck for the distributor’s 2009 slate is Scott Hamilton Kennedy’s “The Garden,” Anders Ostergaard’s “Burma VJ,” and So Yong Kim’s “Treeless Mountain.”   Login to recommend this article » posted on March 16, 2009 Films to Snag Login to Leave a Comment »