Shout Factory continues move into distribution with deal on fantasy adventure Beauty and the Beast

Shout Factory – which until recently was more known for its doted releases of cult classic movies and television shows – has inked an exclusive deal with European distributor Pathé International to distribute the epic fantasy adventure Beauty and the Beast (La Belle et la Bête) in the United States. Directed by Christophe Gans (Silent Hill, The Brotherhood of the Wolf), this visually opulent film stars Vincent Cassel (Black Swan, Ocean’s 13), Léa Seydoux (Spectre, The Grand Budapest Hotel), and André Dussollier (A Very Long Engagement, Amélie). The Eskwad and Pathé production premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival to what is being described as great audience enthusiasm and has been a box-office hit in much of the world. The announcement was made today by Shout Factory founders Richard Foos, Bob Emmer and Garson Foos, along with Pathé EVP Muriel Sauzay.

According to Shout Factory’s press release, the company has secured all U.S. distribution rights to Beauty and the Beast, including theatrical, video on-demand, digital, broadcast and home entertainment for cross-platform releases. The company plans a strategic rollout of the film in theaters, across all major entertainment platforms, and on disc media, their specialty.

“We are incredibly excited about this new relationship with Pathé, an internationally renowned studio recognized for its fantastic movie productions. This stunning film delivers a vibrant, captivating cinematic adventure. The remarkable talent behind and in front of the camera is sure to win the hearts and minds of movie fans,” said Shout Factory Senior Vice President Melissa Boag. “We look forward to building a broad audience across all major distribution platforms.”

“We are thrilled to be partnering up with Shout! Factory for the first time and are confident they will do a sterling job with the film’s release in the US. This modern take on a classic tale, shot with state-of-the-art technology and under the imaginative vision of Christophe Gans deserves to reach as wide an audience as possible,” said Pathé International Sales EVP Muriel Sauzay.

Beauty and the Beast (La Belle et la Bête) takes place in 1810. After the wreck of his ships, a financially-ruined merchant (André Dussollier) exiles himself in the countryside with his six children. Among them is Belle (Léa Seydoux), his youngest daughter, a joyful girl full of grace. One day, during an arduous journey, the merchant stumbles across the magical domain of the Beast (Vincent Cassel), who sentences him to death for stealing a rose.

Feeling responsible for the terrible fate which has befallen her family, Belle decides to sacrifice herself and take her father’s place. At the Beast’s castle, it is not death that awaits Belle, but a strange life in which fantastical moments mingle with gaiety and melancholy. Every night, at dinner, Belle and the Beast sit down together.

They learn about each other, taming one another like two strangers who are total opposites. When she has to repulse his amorous advances, Belle tries to pierce the mysteries of the Beast and his domain. And when night falls, the Beast’s past is revealed to her bit by bit in her dreams. It is a tragic story, which tells her that this solitary and fearsome being was once a majestic prince. Armed with her courage, ignoring every danger, and opening her heart, Belle manages to release the Beast from his curse. And in doing so, she discovers true love.

Beauty and the Beast also stars Eduardo Noriega, Myriam Charleins, Audrey Lamy, Sara Giraudeau, Jonathan Demurger, Nicolas Gob, Louka Meliava and Yvonne Catterfeld.

Below is one of the international trailers and posters for Beauty and the Beast (La Belle et la Bête).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlkdhz-Ncv4