Les Misérables

Rialto Distribution acquires Cannes favourite, Les Misérables

Rialto Distribution is proud to announce the acquisition of Les Misérables - in competition for the prestigious 2019 Cannes Palme d'Or.

The feature debut from Ladj Ly, based on his César nominated short film of the same name, Les Misérables is inspired by the 2005 riots in suburban Paris.

Set in Montfermeil – the same setting of Victor Hugo's classic 1862 novel 'Les Misérables' – Ly's film offers a provocative insight into the tensions between neighbourhood residents and police.

Rialto's Head of Film, Lisa Garner said: "Every so often a film comes along with such impact and intensity that you just can't let go of it. Les Misérables is that kind of film experience - a ground-breaking feature the Rialto team is thrilled to share with Australian and New Zealand audiences."

Les Misérables premiered at Cannes to sterling reviews from critics, drawing comparisons to last year's hit Oscar nominated film Capernaum. Hollywood Reporter calls the film a "gritty and fiery urban thriller underscored by scathing social commentary".

Amazon Studios acquired the US rights to Les Misérables for a reported US$1.5 million, a major sale for a foreign-language feature debut.

Les Misérables joins Rialto's high-calibre slate of international films releasing in Australia and New Zealand throughout 2019, including the Julianne Moore and Michelle Williams starrer After the Wedding, Werner Herzog's documentary Meeting Gorbachev, along with Mrs Lowry and Son, featuring two of the world's most revered actors, Vanessa Redgrave and Timothy Spall.