Sony Pictures Classics Takes Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s ‘Violette’ for U.S.

Sony Pictures Classics has snapped up all rights in the United States, Latin America and Southeast Asia to Violette, the new film from Amelie director Jean-Pierre Jeunet.

The French drama, based on Valérie Perrin’s international bestseller Fresh Water for Flowers, the film follows Violette, a cemetery caretaker — played by Once Upon My Mother actress Leïla Bekhti — whose peaceful life is disrupted with the arrival of a mysterious stranger (Melvil Poupaud) who insists on depositing the ashes of his recently departed mother on the gravesite of a complete stranger. His arrival will force Violette to confront hidden truths of her troubled past filled with hidden truths. Matthias Schoenaerts (Rust and Bone, The Danish Girl) co-stars.

Violette marks SPC’s fourth collaboration with Jeunet, following the releases of Amelie (2001), Micmacs (2009) and The City of Lost Children (1995).

“Jean-Pierre Jeunet has a singular gift for weaving together multiple storylines with humor, pathos and that unmistakable touch of whimsy,” SPC said in a statement. “We’re especially delighted that Violette marks our fourth film together. It continues his lyrical tradition while also feeling completely fresh, and theatrical audiences will be enchanted.”

SPC did not reveal details of their planned rollout for the film. The was negotiated between Sony Pictures Classics and Studiocanal, who are handling international sales.