Lesley Manville-Starring Cold War Thriller ‘Winter of the Crow’ Sells to Cohen for U.S. as HanWay Closes Multiple Deals (EXCLUSIVE)

By Alex Ritman

According To The variety “Winter of the Crow,” Kasia Adamik’s English language feature starring Oscar and BAFTA nominee Lesley Maville (“Phantom Thread”) has sold to Cohen Media Group for the U.S.

HanWay Films has also closed multiple territory sales including YouPlanet in Spain, Signature Entertainment in the UK & Ireland, Beta Film in Bulgaria, Cinemania Group in Former Yugoslavia, The Film Group in Greece, Forum in Israel, Frontrow Films in the Middle East, Outsider Films in Portugal, Ad Astra in Ukraine, CInetel in Hungary, Shaw Renters in Singapore and Cinesky Pictures for Airlines. The producers locked in an early distribution deal with Telewizja Polska for Polish rights

“Winter of the Crow” sees Manville play Joan Andrews, an ordinary woman who finds herself in an extraordinary situation fighting for her life in the surreal and cinematic setting of 1981 Warsaw. When Martial Law is imposed and the country shuts down overnight, Andrews — a British psychiatry professor — arrives as a guest lecturer at the university. As chaos engulfs the city, armed with her polaroid camera, she witnesses a brutal murder by the secret police. In mortal danger and trapped as Poland is closed down, Joan becomes a hunted fugitive running for her life. Supporting Lesley is Tom Burke (“Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga,” “True Things”), European Shooting Star winner Zofia Wichłacz (“World on Fire”), Sascha Ley (“We’ll Find Happiness”) and Andrzej Konopka (“The Lure,” “Nina”).

Following its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, “Winter of the Crow” had its European premiere as the closing night film of the San Sebastian Film Festival, then was screened at the Rome Film Festival and Warsaw Film Festival. It will next screen at the Athens International Film Festival with further festival selections to be announced. In Variety‘s review, it said “Manville carries the film with an air of increasingly raw determination.”

“The Cohen Media Group are known for backing strong auteur directors from many parts of the world,” said Gabrielle Stewart, CEO, HanWay Films. “They are an excellent partner for ‘Winter of the Crow’ as they have a real understanding of the target audience and will have a superb ally in the unique Lesley Manville.”

“Winter of the Crow” was co-financed by Polish Film Institute, Film Fund Luxembourg, UK Global Screen Fund and Silesia Film.