M-Appeal Seals Deals on ‘Downtown,’ ‘Garden We Dreamed,’ ‘Truly Naked’

Berlin-based world sales company M-Appeal has closed a string of international deals out of the Cannes Film Market on Michiel van Erp’s “Downtown,” Joaquín del Paso’s “The Garden We Dreamed” and Muriel d’Ansembourg’s “Truly Naked.”

Dutch drama “Downtown,” which M-Appeal launched at the Cannes Film Market, has sold to Dark Star Pictures for North America and Salzgeber for Germany and Austria. The film is set to world premiere at Frameline soon.

Set between the hedonistic gay nightlife of 1980s Amsterdam and the present day, “Downtown” follows three young men whose bond is forged on the dance floor of the city’s nightclub scene, before the disappearance of regulars begins to alter the atmosphere of their local paradise and the relationships within it.

The film features some of the Netherlands’ leading actors, including Yorick van Wageningen, Hans Kesting and Roeland Fernhout. It is produced by Maarten Swart of Kaap Holland Film, and Van Erp and Monique Busman of Het Familiedrama.

” ‘Downtown’ is the rare kind of story that feels both deeply personal and broadly accessible at the same time. Director Michiel van Erp has done a masterful job crafting a film that will stay with audiences long after the credits will roll, and we are incredibly excited to be bringing it to North American audiences,” Michael Repsch at Dark Star Pictures said.

Dark Star Pictures has previously collaborated with M-Appeal on several titles, including “Baby” by Marcelo Caetano, which premiered at Cannes Critics’ Week in 2024.

Salzgeber, one of Germany’s key distributors for LGBTQ+ cinema, has also boarded the film for Germany and Austria. Salzgeber’s theatrical releases include “Enzo, Love Me Tender,” which is currently in cinemas, and the upcoming “Drunken Noodles,” previously a collaboration with M-Appeal.

Joaquín del Paso’s “The Garden We Dreamed,” which world premiered in Berlinale Panorama, has sold to Arsenal for Germany and Austria, to Falcon for Indonesia and to Dexin Film for Serbia, Bosnia, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Kosovo.

Set in a remote forest in central Mexico, the film follows Esther and Junior, a Haitian couple travelling north with Esther’s two daughters in search of a better future. As illegal logging and organized crime threaten the land around them, the family carves out a fragile bubble of tenderness and hope in an increasingly endangered world.

Falcon Pictures has acquired 12 Cannes Competition titles, including Palme d’Or winner “Fjord” by Cristian Mungiu, “Minotaur” by Andrey Zvyagintsev, “Coward” by Lukas Dhont, “All of a Sudden” by Ryusuke Hamaguchi, “Bitter Christmas” by Pedro Almodóvar, “A Man of His Time” by Emmanuel Marre, and Rodrigo Sorogoyen’s “The Beloved,” among others.

“For us, this is a powerful film that we believe will speak directly to German cinemagoers, emotional, engaging, and highly accessible. It combines strong storytelling with striking cinematography, creating an experience that is both gripping and deeply moving. We were truly on the edge of our seats, and we expect audiences will be too,” said Stefan Paul, CEO of Arsenal Filmverleih.

Arsenal’s slate includes “Only Rebels Win” by Danielle Arbid (Panorama premiere) and “Sweetheart” (Gioia Mia) by Margherita Spampinato (Locarno).

Dexin Film lineup features “My Salinger Year” by Philippe Falardeau (Berlinale Special Gala), “True History of the Kelly Gang” by Justin Kurzel (TIFF) and “First Reformed” by Paul Schrader (Venice Competition).

Muriel d’Ansembourg’s “Truly Naked,” which world premiered in Berlinale Perspectives, has sold to Wanted Cinema for Italy and Cinobo for Poland and Greece.

The new deals build on the strong international momentum generated by “Truly Naked” following its Berlinale premiere, where buyer buzz translated into sales to Nitrato Filmes for Portugal, AX1 for the U.K. and Ireland, Edko Films Ltd. for Hong Kong, Njuta Films for Scandinavia — covering Norway, Finland, Sweden and Denmark — Filmin for Spain, Capelight Pictures for North America as well as Germany, Austria and Switzerland, Gluon Media for Latin America, Creative Century Entertainment Co. for Taiwan, PictureWorks for India and EnterMode Corp. for Korea.

The U.K.-set film follows Alec, an introverted teenager raised around his father’s adult entertainment business, whose understanding of intimacy is challenged when he meets Nina. Blending bold imagery with an emotionally precise and sex-positive approach, the film explores intimacy, masculinity and the ways in which young people learn – and unlearn – ideas about desire, connection and vulnerability.

“We’re looking for films that question the present with courage and sensitivity. ‘Truly Naked’ is exactly that: a bold and deeply contemporary debut that turns a divisive issue into a profoundly human and political story,” said Anastasia Plazotta, CEO of Wanted Cinema.

Wanted Cinema’s recent and upcoming lineup includes Kristen Stewart’s “The Chronology of Water,” Annemarie Jacir’s “Palestine 36,” set for a September release, Vincent Munier’s César-winning documentary and box-office hit “Le Chant des Forêts,” as well as Berlin Silver Bear winners Emin Alper’s “Salvation” and Grant Gee’s “Everybody Digs Bill Evans,” and Cannes Un Certain Regard winner Sandra Wollner’s “Everytime.”

Cinobo’s recent acquisitions are Lukas Dhont’s “Coward” and Kore-eda’s “Sheep in the Box” and Mysius’ “Birthday Party.”