Malavida Acquires Wang Chao's 'A Woman,' Plans 2027 Retrospective Alongside Other Cinematic Revivals

French distribution company Malavida has officially secured the rights to Wang Chao's 2022 feature film, 'A Woman,' a drama that garnered the screenplay award at the San Sebastián Film Festival but has yet to see a theatrical debut in France. This acquisition is part of a broader strategy by Malavida, which also includes orchestrating a comprehensive retrospective dedicated to Wang Chao's cinematic career, slated for early 2027. The announcement, made during the International Classic Film Market in Lyon, underscores Malavida's commitment to bringing diverse and impactful films to the French audience.

In addition to 'A Woman,' Malavida's expanded collection will feature three earlier works by Wang Chao: 'The Orphan of Anyang' (2001), 'Day and Night' (2004), and 'Luxury Car' (2006). A key part of this initiative involves the restoration of 'The Orphan of Anyang,' ensuring that these significant films are preserved and presented in optimal quality for contemporary viewers. The company also intends to host Wang Chao in France for the retrospective, which is scheduled to commence on March 24, 2027, offering a unique opportunity for audiences to engage directly with the filmmaker's artistic vision and journey. Discussions are also underway for a standalone theatrical release of 'A Woman,' suggesting further opportunities for its exposure.

Anne-Laure Brénéol, co-founder of Malavida, emphasized the importance of these acquisitions as a means to re-elevate the profile of a filmmaker whose works have become less accessible over time. Brénéol noted that Wang Chao represents an extraordinary, albeit somewhat overlooked, voice in Chinese cinema. She highlighted that many of his films from the 2010s did not achieve international distribution, and even 'A Woman,' despite its accolades, did not receive a theatrical release outside of China. For Brénéol, this presented a compelling moment to reintroduce Wang Chao's distinctive contributions to the global film landscape.

Malavida's expanded slate also includes a tribute to Italian cinema with three films by Dino Risi: 'The Easy Life' (1962), which was showcased at this year’s Lumière Film Festival; 'The Monsters' (1963); and 'Tolgo il disturbo' (1990), known in France as 'Valse d’amour.' Notably, 'Valse d’amour,' featuring Vittorio Gassman and Elliott Gould, has not had a theatrical re-release in France since its original debut. These three films will be central to a Dino Risi retrospective planned for the summer of 2027.

The distributor is also showcasing a newly restored 4K digital version of Michael Radford's '1984' at the Lumière Classics program in Lyon. This marks the film's first theatrical screening in France since its initial release in 1984. The meticulous restoration process was overseen by the Oscar-winning cinematographer Roger Deakins, who was also responsible for the original film's cinematography. Furthermore, Malavida is preparing a new French-language rendition of Fyodor Khitruk’s 1969 animated classic, 'Winnie and His Friends,' featuring narration and songs by French musician and actor Philippe Katerine. This program, set for release on February 25, 2027, will also offer a French-subtitled version and has gained support from AFCAE's young audiences group, reflecting a broader effort to make classic and international works accessible to a wider demographic.

This collaboration with Katerine is a continuation of a long-standing relationship with Malavida, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Katerine’s directorial debut, 'Peau de cochon,' was Malavida’s inaugural release in 2005 and is now being brought back to theaters. Brénéol recounted the initial challenges, noting Katerine’s lesser-known status at the time compared to his later fame. Despite critical acclaim, its initial theatrical run was not commercially successful. Malavida is enthusiastic about re-releasing it for their anniversary, especially as it will receive its first DCP release, having originally been distributed on video. Malavida has also previously collaborated with Katerine on French-language versions of animated shorts by Eduard Nazarov.

The 2027 distribution schedule for Malavida also features Konrad Wolf’s 'I Was Nineteen,' slated for an April 21 release. Malavida discovered this 1968 East German film during a retrospective at last year’s Lumière Festival, an experience Brénéol described as profoundly moving, leading to its acquisition for French distribution. Another significant rediscovery is Jean-Henri Meunier’s 1979 film, 'La Bande du Rex,' a rock-infused narrative starring French singer Jacques Higelin as a rebellious film projectionist named Franckie Mégalo. With an original soundtrack composed by Higelin, this film is scheduled for re-release in May.

Malavida’s strategic acquisitions and planned retrospectives for 2027 underscore a dedicated effort to enrich France's cinematic landscape. By reintroducing significant works from both established and underappreciated filmmakers, the distributor aims to foster a deeper appreciation for diverse cinematic expressions. This initiative not only celebrates the artistic legacies of directors like Wang Chao and Dino Risi but also ensures that restored classics and unique animated features are made available to contemporary audiences, reflecting a vibrant commitment to film culture and preservation.