Corsican Crime Drama ‘The Kingdom,’ Cannes Hit, Lands at Vertigo for U.K., Ireland (EXCLUSIVE)

Vertigo Releasing has acquired U.K. and Ireland distribution rights to “The Kingdom,” directed by Corsican filmmaker Julien Colonna. The organized crime thriller and coming-of-age drama is set for theatrical release in spring 2025.

The film, which bowed in the Un Certain Regard strand at Cannes, centers on a teenage girl named Lesia who discovers her father, a crime boss, hiding out at a remote villa with his clan. Set against the backdrop of Corsica in 1995, the narrative follows the father-daughter pair as they’re forced to flee when violence erupts in the criminal underworld.

The picture introduces newcomers Ghjuvanna Benedetti and Saveriu Santucci in the lead roles of daughter and father, respectively, with the production featuring a predominantly Corsican ensemble cast.

Related Stories

VIP+

Sports Is Traditional TV’s Hail Mary, Despite Pressure From Streaming

Disney-Reliance $8.5 Billion Media Merger Closes, Creating Indian Entertainment Powerhouse

Reviewing the film at Cannes for Variety, critic Peter Debruge wrote: “In his sure-handed and chilling first narrative feature, director Julien Colonna examines the personal cost of the gangster lifestyle — not just the drastically shortened life expectancy, but also the diminished quality of fugitives’ remaining time, so much of which must be spent covering their tracks and looking over their shoulders. Colonna largely downplays the spectacle associated with the genre, keeping the “whackings” off-screen until relatively late in the game … at which point, they’re stone-cold efficient.”

“The Kingdom” is produced by Chi-Fou-Mi Prods., with backing from Canal+ and Netflix. Additional support comes from Centre National Du Cinéma et de l’Image Animée and Collectivité de Corse in partnership with CNC. Entourage Sofica, Artistes, and 2B are associated with the production.

The acquisition adds to Vertigo’s slate of upcoming releases, which includes Sundance London prize winner “Your Monster” with Melissa Barrera, Nicolas Cage starrer “The Surfer,” Royal Marines action vehicle “Sunray,” and coming-of-age drama “Last Swim” featuring newcomer Deba Hekmat.

The U.K. distributor has previously handled award-winning indie fare including “Sound of Metal,” “Boiling Point,” and recent box office success “Late Night With Devil” starring David Dastmalchian.