EXCLUSIVE: Vertical has closed a North American rights deal for A Sacrifice, writer-director Jordan Scott’s gripping thriller. The film, originally titled Berlin Nobody, is from Ridley Scott’s Scott Free Productions and augenschein Filmproduktion.
A Sacrifice stars Eric Bana (Black Hawk Down), Sadie Sink (Stranger Things & The Whale), Sylvia Hoeks (Blade Runner 2049), Jonas Dassler, Sophie Rois, Stephan Kampwirth, and Lara Feith. Vertical will release the film exclusively in theaters on June 28.
Inspired by Nicholas Hogg’s 2015 novel Tokyo Nobody, A Sacrifice follows American social psychologist Ben Monroe (Bana) who is investigating a local Berlin cult connected to disturbing events. While he immerses himself in his work, his rebellious teenage daughter, Mazzy (Sink), becomes embroiled with a mysterious local boy who introduces her to the city’s underground party scene. As their two worlds head toward a dangerous intersection, Ben will need to race against the clock in order to save his daughter.
Director/screenwriter Scott is the daughter of Ridley Scott. She said she was “delighted to be partnering with Vertical on the release of A Sacrifice. Their passion and appreciation for the film has been steadfast throughout, and I couldn’t be more excited for audiences to see the film in theaters and beyond.”
Vertical Partner Peter Jarowey called A Sacrifice a “riveting, emotionally charged film. Eric and Sadie create a dynamic and tense father-daughter relationship that will captivate audiences from beginning to end.”
Scott Free’s Ridley Scott added. “I’m thrilled to be back in business with our friends at Vertical. Their commitment to great filmmakers and storytelling, as well as the theatrical experience, makes them the perfect home for A Sacrifice.”
augenschein’s co-founders Maximillian Leo and Jonas Katzenstein remarked, “It’s been a privilege to partner with Scott Free to make this intense and powerful film. And being able to shoot it on location in Berlin was a dream come true – in Jordan’s hands the City brings its own special dynamic character to the story. American audiences will now get to experience everyone’s hard work to bring this incredible film to life. It’s a thrilling ride. Get ready.”
Pic is produced by Scott, Michael Pruss, Jonas Katzenstein, Maximilian Leo, and Georgina Pope. The executive producers are Bana, Jonathan Saubach, Justin Alvarado-Brown, Kenji Isomura, Céline Dornier, and Frédéric Fiore. The co-producers are Rebecca Feuer, Marius Ehlayil, Carlotta Löffelholz, Rusta Mizani, and Simon B. Stein. Additional below the line talent include director of photography Julie Kirkwood, production designer Sebastian Soukup, editor Rachel Durance, costume designer Brie Harris and composer Volker Bertelmann.
Protagonist Pictures is handling all international rights to the film.
Vertical’s Jarowey and SVP of Acquisitions Tony Piantedosi negotiated the deal on behalf of Vertical; WME Independent and Protagonist Pictures’ Lina Marrone and George Hamilton negotiated the deal on behalf of the production.