Match Factory gets international sales rights to Cannes-bound Kinatay

MANILA, Philippines – Germany’s The Match Factory has picked up international rights to Brillante Mendoza’s Kinatay, which has been selected to screen in competition at Cannes.

The film is Mendoza’s second in Cannes competition following Serbis which premiered at the festival only last year. In 2007, he was selected for Director’s Fortnight with Foster Child.

Produced by Mendoza’s production outfit Centerstage and France’s Swift Productions, Kinatay is a harrowing glimpse into the Philippine underworld. It stars Julio Diaz and Maria Isabel Lopez, along with Coco Martin, who also appeared in Serbis.

Kinatay is Mendoza’s eighth film in four years and he has again collaborated with writer Armando Lao. — Ed Lejano