Focus Features has acquired the sci-fi thriller Hot Spot, the second English-language feature from veteran Polish filmmaker Agnieszka Smoczyńska.
Focus will distribute the film in all territories worldwide, excluding Poland, Greece, and France.
Hot Spot, which wrapped production in Greece on November 22, features an original script from repeat Smoczyńska’s collaborator Robert Bolesto. The film stars Andrzej Konopka, BAFTA nominee Noomi Rapace, and Reika Kirishima.
Hot Spot is produced by Klaudia Śmieja-Rostworowska, Smoczyńska’s longtime producing partner, and Bogna Szewczyk-Skupień on behalf of Polish production company Madants. Co-producers are Neda Film’s Amanda Livanou, Film i Väst’s Kristina Börjeson, Zentropa’s Lizette Jonjic, Beata Ryczkowska and Filip Bałdyga for Canal+ Polska, and Adam Gudell from Moderator Inwestycje. Gregory Jankilevitsch, Marcin Czernik, Christos V. Konstantakopulos serve as executive producers. Focus Features’ Michelle Momplaisir is overseeing the project for the studio.
In Hot Spot, set in a near future society ruled by sentient A.I., a private eye investigates a murder case only to discover a rebel group capable of undermining the digital overlord.
Discussing today’s deal, Kiska Higgs, President of Production and Acquisitions at Focus Features, said “Agnieszka is a singular visionary whose work – be it about vampire mermaids, silent twins or a tech-ruled society – is both visually astounding and thematically prophetic, and we can’t wait to share her latest with the world.”
The deal was negotiated by Iddo Arad, Focus Features’ Senior Vice President of Business Affairs, and Przybecki & Partners on behalf of the producers. The film was brokered by Mid March Media, Madants, and New Europe Film Sales, with Marcin Łuczaj and Jan Naszewski also executive producing. Faliro House is servicing the film in Greece. The production is co-financed by the Polish Film Institute and the Hellenic Film & Audiovisual Center – Creative Greece.
Smoczyńska is represented by UTA, Black Bear, and High Spot. Konopka is represented by Cont-act. Rapace is represented by CAA and Stella Hernström, and her deal was negotiated by Kurt Selling. Kirishima is represented by Nest Co.