Front Row will co-distribute ‘City of God’ with The Festival Agency, led by Leslie Vuchot who acquired the rights from Wild Bunch.
Front Row Filmed Entertainment has announced the theatrical release of the iconic film City of God on February 22, 2024, across cinemas in the GCC for the very first time. This milestone coincides with the film’s 21st anniversary and its global re-release scheduled for February 23, 2024.
Renowned as a cult classic, City of God boasts an impressive ranking at #25 on IMDB and an audience score of 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, based on over 250,000 ratings. Additionally, the film has received four Oscar Nominations for Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Film Editing. Its narrative and artistic brilliance have earned it over 50 nominations and more than 75 awards from festivals worldwide.
Originally released directly to DVD due to market constraints in the Middle East, City of God is finally making its theatrical debut in the region, courtesy of Front Row’s unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional cinema experiences to audiences. This decision is particularly significant as it aligns with Front Row’s 20th anniversary, marking a momentous occasion for both the company and the film. Moreover, the MENA region will serve as the starting point for the global rollout of the film.
Gianluca Chakra, CEO of Front Row, said: “The film holds a special place in our hearts; it was our first acquisition, and at the time we couldn’t release it theatrically due to language restrictions imposed by cinemas, and also because we couldn’t afford the budget it needed to stand out, so it went straight to DVD. We’ve come a long way since, and City of God remains an unforgettable masterpiece that deserves to be seen on the silver screen. What better way of celebrating our 20th?”
Front Row will collaborate with The Festival Agency, led by Leslie Vuchot, in co-distributing City of God, with the rights acquired from Wild Bunch. This partnership marks the commencement of several planned re-releases by Front Row, with City of God leading the way. The Front Row team is dedicated to reintroducing classics and cult films, particularly in KSA, where such films were previously not screened theatrically.
Recent theatrical releases of classic titles across the GCC, including Old Boy, Spirited Away, and Howl’s Moving Castle, have paved the way for the release of Studio Ghibli’s latest film, The Boy and The Heron. Front Row has also previously re-released classics like Luc Besson’s Leon and will continue its efforts to bring cinematic treasures back to the big screen, including the highly anticipated re-release of The Fifth Element.
