French distributor picks up Chinese melodrama 'Dearest'

Film poster for Peter Chan's "Dearest". The film will hit the theaters on September 26, 2014. [Photo/Xinhua]

Zhao Wei: Acting as a foster mother is challenging

Peter Chan's 'Dearest' screens in Venice

French sales agency Versatile has picked up international distribution rights to Chinese director Peter Chan's melodrama, "Dearest," which has recently made waves at the Toronto and Venice film fests.

"Dearest" is a child abduction story based on real events that goes beyond the surface to explore the nuances of a changing Chinese society.

A cast of China's impressive new crop of young actors appear in the film, including Zhao Wei, Tong Dawei, Huang Bo and Hao Lei.

Entertainment trade publication Variety is reporting that, while Versatile will handle distribution outside of Asia, Chan's own We Pictures owns the film's distribution rights in the continent.

"Dearest" is also the first film to be financed under a slate deal with the recently-formed Alibaba Picture Group, the film arm of Chinese e-commerce giant.

With reviews for the movie highlighting a complex examination of child abduction in China and a stellar performance delivered by Zhao Wei, the film is also likely to make waves at home when it premieres on the mainland on September 26th.