Cannes Abortion Drama ‘Power Alley’ Secures Distribution in Spain (EXCLUSIVE)

Berlin-based sales agency M-Appeal has closed a deal with Reverso Films for the Spanish distribution of Lillah Halla’s “Power Alley.”

Reverso Films, which specializes in distributing emerging talents from Europe and Latin America, will launch the film this week at the Huelva Ibero-American Film Festival. After a festival run in generalist, social issue and LGBTQ+ festivals in Spain, the film will be released in 15-25 cinemas across the country, alongside special events and screening-debates with invited panellists.

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“We are thrilled to bring this dynamic, female-driven film to cinemas across Spain. It is timely, energetic and powerful filmmaking from an exciting new female voice in cinema, which will speak to modern audiences,” said Sylvie Leray, managing director of Reverso Films.

“Power Alley,” which had its world premiere in Critics’ Week in Cannes, is a fast-paced drama set in Brazil. The film follows talented volleyball player Sofia, who discovers she is pregnant on the eve of a career-defining game. Seeking an abortion, which is illegal in Brazil, she is confronted by a fundamentalist group who become fixated on stopping her. The film puts sisterhood and collective resistance at the forefront of the story.

Following its premiere in Cannes, the film has been screened at the BFI London Film Festival, Festival do Rio, FICValdivia, Tokyo Film Festival, Hamburg Film Festival, FNC Montréal, among others.

At Festival do Rio, the film picked up both the best director award for Halla, and best editing for Eva Randolph. “Power Alley” also received the best feature film award at Festival Biarritz Amérique Latine, and the TILDA Award (best film by a female director) at Braunschweig Film Festival in Germany.

“Power Alley” has already been sold to U.K. and Ireland (AX1 Entertainment), Benelux (September Film Distribution), Portugal (Leopardo Filmes), Sweden (Njutafilms), Switzerland (Cineworx), and Denmark (Øst for Paradis). In France, Rezo Films is handling distribution and will release the film in theaters on Dec. 6.

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