Sony Pictures International Productions (SPIP) has picked up remake rights to Arnaud Lemort’s French family comedy “Family Therapy” (“Jamais sans mon psy”) from Newen Connect.
Under the deal, SPIP will develop localized versions of the French movie around the world, excluding China and France.
Produced by Mathieu Verhaeghe and Thomas Verhaeghe at Atelier de Production, “Family Therapy” follows Damien Leroy, a deeply anxious man who is challenged by his therapist Dr Beranger, to find a woman to share his life. When Damien unexpectedly falls in love with Alice, he soon discovers that his father-in-law is none other than his therapist who is determined to make his life a living hell.
The cast is headlined by well-known French comedy fixtures, Christian Clavier (‘Serial (Bad) Weddings,” “Asterix and Obelix”), Baptiste Lecaplain (“The Exes,” “Nous York”), Claire Chust (“Instant Family,” “Miss”), Cristiana Réali and Rayane Bensetti (“Let’s Dance”). TF1 Studio, UGC and TF1 Films Productions co-produced the movie
“We’re always on the lookout for high-concept films for local adaptation and when the talented teams at Newen Connect, TF1 Studio, and UGC first brought ‘Family Therapy’ to our attention, we recognized its potential,” said Shebnem Askin, EVP, creative production and head of Sony Pictures International Productions. “It’s a heartwarming and universally relatable film, and we are thrilled to share this comedy with audiences around the world,” Askin continued.
Alice Damiani, Newen Connect’s SVP of international film sales, who negotiated the deal with SPIP, described “Family Therapy” as “a warm relationship comedy that has universal themes that transcend geographic boundaries.”
“Sony Pictures International Productions’ acquisition of the global remake rights is testament to the worldwide appeal of the subject matter and its suitability for local adaptation,” she said.
Newen Connect has also sold “Family Therapy” in over 30 markets with major theatrical distributors across Europe and the Middle East, North America, and Australia and New Zealand. These deals include Australia & New Zealand (Vendetta Films), Benelux (Paradiso), Bulgaria (Beta Film), Canada (TVA Films), Czechia & Slovakia (Donart), Estonia (Estin Film), Germany & Austria (Lighthouse), Greece (Spentzos), Hungary & Romania (Vertigo Media), Italy (Movies Inspired), Israel (Forum Film), Middle-East (Grand Entertainment), Poland (Telewizja Puls), Portugal (Nos Lusomundo), Spain (A Contracorriente Films), Switzerland (Pathé Films) and Ukraine (Total Film Distribution). Skeye also bought airlines rights.
In France, “Family Therapy” will be released in by UGC Distribution and TF1 Studio on Dec. 11.
Newen Connect, the commercial arm of Newen – whose parent company is TF1 — previously sold U.S. remake rights to the hit French cop comedy series “Haut Potential Intellectuel” to ABC. The American remake penned by Drew Goddard, will star Kaitlin Olson in the lead role of a single mom with an exceptional mind who helps solve crimes.
