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Totem Films Secures Sofia Bohdanowicz’s ‘Measures for a Funeral’ Global Rights
Paris-based Totem Films has secured the world sales rights, excluding Canada, to Sofia Bohdanowicz’s latest film, “Measures for a Funeral.” This acquisition comes just in time for the film’s world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival’s Centrepiece program.
Totem’s head of sales and acquisitions, Margot Hervée, expressed her enthusiasm for Bohdanowicz’s work. “It immediately resonated with me,” she shared. “We’re thrilled to now have her as part of the Totem family and to represent her latest film.”
The film’s Canadian distribution rights are held by Vortex Media. Additionally, Totem Films has released a teaser for “Measures,” featuring Deragh Campbell in the role of Audrey Benac, a character she has portrayed in previous Bohdanowicz films, including “MS Slavic 7.”
Shot across Canada, the U.K., and Norway, “Measures” has already won accolades, including the Kodak and Silveryway Award at FIDMarseille’s co-production lab in 2020. The story follows graduate student Audrey as she delves into the life of Kathleen Parlow, a pioneering Canadian violin prodigy. Audrey discovers a lost concerto dedicated to Parlow in her university’s music archives and embarks on a journey to revive Parlow’s legacy through a full-scale performance.
Bohdanowicz revealed the personal connection she has to Parlow’s story, stating, “I knew about Parlow because she was a legend in my family. Parlow mentored my grandfather, who was second fiddle in the Toronto Symphony.”
In 2016, Bohdanowicz came across an article in the Toronto Star about the discovery of Parlow’s manuscript score of Opus 28. This composed by Johan Halvorsen in 1909 specifically for Parlow. The piece was considered lost until its discovery in the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Music archives.
“I went to the library to see the manuscript right away,” Bohdanowicz said. “After it was performed in Norway by the Malmo Symphony, I was stunned by the piece. I kept inquiring if it would ever be performed in Canada.”
Bohdanowicz admitted that the ambiguity and lack of interest surrounding the piece motivated her to pursue its performance. The extensive Parlow archive, filled with photographs, paper ephemera, and diaries, adds rich detail to the film’s script and visuals.
The film also marks the return of celebrated Canadian singer Mary Margaret O’Hara, who lends her voice as Kathleen Parlow. “She has an incredibly unique voice with a warm tone that also has a ghostly presence,” Bohdanowicz noted, praising O’Hara’s improvisational talent.
The climax of the film features a live concert of Opus 28 in Montreal, performed by the Orchestre Métropolitain and world-renowned Spanish violinist María Dueñas Fernández. Conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin also appears in the film, serving a dual role as conductor and actor.
“Measures for a Funeral” is produced by Montreal-based GreenGround Productions, co-produced by Priscilla Galvez, and features Aonan Yang and Andrea Mendritzki as producers.
With this acquisition, Totem Films continues to bolster its impressive 2023 slate, which includes films like Mo Harawe’s “The Village Next to Paradise,” Berlinale selections “My Favourite Cake” and “Crossing,” and Juho Kuosmanen’s “The Silent Trilogy.”
“Measures for a Funeral” will premiere at the Toronto Film Festival on Saturday, September 7th.
Source: Variety
