Johnny Ma’s ’The Mother and the Bear’ Snapped Up by FilmNation for World Sales

FilmNation Entertainment has secured the global sales rights (excluding Canada) to "The Mother and the Bear," the third feature from Chinese Canadian director Johnny Ma.

Set against the snowy backdrop of Winnipeg, this Canada-Chile co-production tells the story of a Korean widow, played by Kim Ho-jung, who travels from Seoul after her adult daughter falls into a coma. As she grapples with her daughter’s condition, the mother becomes determined to find a husband for her, but her well-intentioned interference soon leads to surprising misunderstandings and unexpected discoveries.

“Johnny Ma’s unique blend of humor and insightful reflections on contemporary issues offers a fresh perspective that stands out in today’s film landscape,” FilmNation’s Glen Basner told Variety in an exclusive comment. “Film Nation is excited to handle the domestic and international sales, and we are thrilled that it is having its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.”

"The Mother and the Bear" is produced by Rhombus Media and Fabula, in collaboration with Thin Stuff Productions. The film is supported by Telefilm Canada and Manitoba Film and Music, with additional backing from Ashland Hill Media Finance, which also serves as an executive producer, as well as Crave and CBC Films. Elevation Pictures will handle distribution in Canada.

Johnny Ma's debut feature, "Old Stone," was awarded Best Canadian First Feature at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival.

Read the whole article on Variety.