Drafthouse Films Acquires Cannes hit Borgman

Last Updated on July 23, 2021

There was a lot of excitement out of Cannes last week surrounding Alex van Warmerdam's BORGMAN, and today we have the news that Drafthouse Films has just acquired the North American rights to the Dutch thriller.

BORGMAN made waves last week as the first Dutch film in Cannes competition in almost 40 years, and then went on to shock and delight audiences with its tale of a man whose arrival in a residential area disrupts the life of the carefully constructed façade of an arrogant, wealthy couple, their three children and their nanny. Drafthouse Films plans a US theatrical and VOD/digital release for 2014 and Films We Like in Toronto will handle Canadian distribution.

BORGMAN is the central character in Alex van Warmerdam’s dark, malevolent fable. Is he a dream or a demon, a twisted allegory or an all-too-real embodiment of our fears?  BORGMAN is a sinister arrival in the sealed-off streets of modern suburbia. His presence unleashes a crowing gallery of distortion around the careful façade constructed by an arrogant, comfortable couple, their three children and nanny.

The deal for Borgman was negotiated by James Emanuel Shapiro on behalf of Drafthouse Films and Winnie Lau of Fortissimo Films on behalf of the film's producers.

You can check out the trailer for BORGMAN below. While it doesn't have subtitles, it does a very fine job of creating a sense of dread and unease.

We'll keep you posted on news regarding BORGMAN and when you can see it as it comes our way.