Cannes: Sony Pictures Classics Takes 'The Red Turtle'

The animated fable debuted in the Un Certain Regard section Wednesday.

Sony Pictures Classics has acquired its third film in Cannes, taking North American and Latin American rights to Michael Dudok de Wit's The Red Turtle. The film premiered Wednesday in Un Certain Regard at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival.

The story centers on a man shipwrecked on a tropical island inhabited by turtles, crabs and birds, recounting the milestones in the life of a human being.

THR's review stated: "If the lack of a busy Hollywood-style storyline may frustrate some viewers, except perhaps for the youngest ones, then they probably don’t get the point. Like The Red Turtle’s shipwrecked protagonist, you have to simply stop fighting the current and go with the flow."

The film is produced by Wild Bunch and Studio Ghibli in association with Why Not Productions.

"The Red Turtle takes you on an ultimate journey through life. It sweeps you up in fantasy, poetry and awesome visual beauty. Artistically and commercially it is a major movie for all ages. It is a privilege to collaborate with Studio Ghibli, Pascal Caucheteux and Wild Bunch in bringing The Red Turtle to the American audiences," said a statement from Sony Pictures Classics.

The deal was negotiated by Carole Baraton on behalf of Wild Bunch and Sony Pictures Classics.

Sony Pictures Classics also already acquired Paul Verhoeven's Elle and Maren Ade's Toni Ermann out of the festival.