Metrograph Pictures secures North American rights for “April”

A cinematic triumph from Dea Kulumbegashvili

Metrograph Pictures has proudly announced the acquisition of North American rights for Dea Kulumbegashvili’s critically acclaimed film, “April”. This film, which garnered the Venice Special Jury Prize, has been lauded for its profound exploration of women’s lives and rights.

A journey through film festivals

“April” made a significant impact at its world premiere in Venice, where it received unanimous praise. The film’s exploration of women’s struggles and resilience was described as a “radical, shattering exploration” by critics. Following its success in Venice, “April” continued to captivate audiences at the Toronto and San Sebastian film festivals, earning additional accolades. The film is set to be showcased at the New York Film Festival as part of its main slate, with a theatrical release planned for next year by Metrograph Pictures.

The story of “April”

The narrative of “April” centers on Nina, a dedicated obstetrician working in a maternity hospital in Eastern Georgia. After a tragic incident where an infant dies during delivery, Nina faces intense scrutiny from the grief-stricken father, who demands an investigation into her methods. This scrutiny threatens to expose Nina’s secret side job—providing unsanctioned abortions to pregnant girls and women in rural villages. The film delves into the complexities of Nina’s life, highlighting the beauty and pain of her journey.

A reunion of talent

“April” marks Kulumbegashvili’s follow-up to her 2020 debut feature, “Beginning”, which was celebrated at the Cannes and San Sebastian Film Festivals. The new film reunites Kulumbegashvili with key collaborators from “Beginning,” including actress Ia Sukhitashvili, actor Kakha Kintsurashvili, and cinematographer Arseni Khachaturan.

Kulumbegashvili’s vision

Kulumbegashvili describes “April” as a tribute to her homeland, Georgia. She reflects on the film as a portrayal of both pain and beauty, capturing the lives of women in rural villages. The director’s vision for the film is one of empathy and a deep connection to her roots, expressing love and a sense of belonging to her place of origin.

Metrograph Pictures’ commitment

David Laub, head of Metrograph Pictures, expressed his admiration for “April,” calling it a bold and original piece of cinema. He emphasized the film’s relevance to modern issues and its unique, unclassifiable nature. Laub praised Kulumbegashvili as an exceptional artist and expressed excitement about bringing her work to a wider audience.

Production details

“April” was produced by Frenesy Film, First Picture, Memo Films, and Independent Film Project. The production team includes notable names such as Luca Guadagnino, Ilan Amouyal, David Zerat, Francesco Melzi d’Eril, Archil Gelovani, Gabriele Moratti, and Alexandra Rossi. Executive producers include Steven Darty, Adrien Dassault, Christian Vesper, Giovanni Corrado, Raffaella Viscardi, Moreno Zani, Malcom Pagani, Marco Colombo, and Federico Marchetti, with Sergei Yahontov co-producing alongside associate producers Livio Strazzera and Jan Pastori.

The deal for “April” was negotiated by Eva Diederix at Goodfellas on behalf of the filmmakers.

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