E1 Takes Italian Classics

PORT WASHINGTON: E1 Entertainment has acquired all North American rights to Federico Fellini’s La Dolce Vita, alongside four other classic Italian films, through a new agreement with International Media Films.

E1 previously only held North American home-video rights for La Dolce Vita, but the new agreement covers all rights, including DVD, TV and digital. A 50th anniversary special edition DVD release of La Dolce Vita, as well as a theatrical re-release and a Blu-ray release, are planned for later this year. Other films included in the deal between E1 and International Media Films are Vittorio De Sica’s Shoe–Shine (1946) plus three early films by Luchino Visconti: Bellissima (1951), La Terra Trema (1948) and Ossessione (1943).

E1 Entertainment’s president of U.S. distribution, Michael Rosenberg, said, “We are pleased to expand our relationship with Alfredo Leone to distribute these important films, many of which have not been available in the U.S.”

Alfredo Leone, the CEO and owner of International Media Films, added, “International Media Films is delighted to enter into this new agreement with E1 Entertainment to release La Dolce Vita and to offer these great classic films to North American audiences.”