by Naman Ramanchandran May 23 2024
Canadian distributor and global sales agent Filmoption International has acquired international sales rights, excluding Canada, for film “We Forgot to Break Up” and has launched sales at the Cannes Film Festival‘s market.
Based on Kayt Burgess’s award-winning book “Heidegger Stairwell,” and written by Noel S. Baker, Pat Mills and Zoe Whittall, the film follows a diverse group of musicians who form a band to spark a musical revolution. As their band, “The New Normals,” rises to fame, they navigate personal and romantic complexities, creating a rock sound that transcends gender and orientation. “We Forgot to Break Up” aims to offer an authentic portrayal of music, love, and friendship in the early 2000s indie music scene as the protagonists strive to make their voices heard and forge an unshakable bond that transcends labels.
The film is directed by actor and filmmaker Karen Knox (“The Year of Staring at Noses”). The cast features emerging Canadian talents including Lane Webber (“Slo Pitch”), Daniel Gravelle (“Star Trek: Strange New Worlds”) and June Laporte (“You Can Live Forever”).
Produced by Nicole Hilliard-Forde of Motel Pictures Inc., “We Forgot to Break Up will have its U.S. premiere this June at queer cinema showcase Frameline in San Francisco, following its debut at BFI Flare in London and its upcoming engagement as the closing night film at Toronto’s Inside Out Film Festival.
“We Forgot to Break Up” is supported by Telefilm Canada, Northern Ontario Heritage Fund and Ontario Creates.
“We are thrilled to take on international sales for this film and to bolster the 2SLGBTQIA+ voices that have created an incredibly unique story that combines music and dynamic storytelling,” said Maryse Rouillard, president of Filmoption, which is celebrating its 45th anniversary this year. “’We Forgot to Break Up’ is reflective of the exciting new crop of filmmakers that is emerging in the Canadian landscape and we are proud to ensure this story travels far and wide to reach audiences all over the world.”
Hilliard-Forde added: “We’re very excited to have Filmoption International round out our team as their passion for the film mixed with their world cinema sensibilities make them a perfect fit. The film has already received so much praise and support from festivals in Canada and the U.S. and I can’t wait to share this story with international audiences.”