Film4 Takes The Hide

LONDON: ScreenOpus has secured a licensing deal for director Mark Losey’s psychological thriller The Hide with British movie network Film4.

Produced by Poisson Rouge Pictures and Solution Films, The Hide is the story of a nervous birdwatcher who is tucked away on a remote stretch of marsh. When a stranger makes an unwanted interruption, the two discover that they have a lot in common, and the threatening power play between them turns into a deadly game of cat and mouse. The film stars Alex Macqueen and Philip Campbell, and will premiere on Film4 on February 16.

ScreenOpus, a joint venture between U.S.-based Severance Pictures and Paris-based MK2, has a three-picture deal with Poisson Rouge Pictures. The international film-and-TV-distribution firm is headed up by Courtney Williams, formerly with MGM, and Nicolas Bonard, an ex-MTV Networks International executive.

"Film4 has a strong tradition of showing the best of British cinema and The Hide is a fresh and compelling addition to our British Connection season," said Julia Wrigley, the head of Film4.

"We are delighted that Film4 has embraced the film," added Christopher Granier-Deferre, the producer for Poisson Rouge Pictures. "We couldn’t think of a better place for it to land and their interest has generated even wider appeal as we are gearing up for a theatrical release."