Kino Lorber has secured the North American rights Inside the yellow cocoon shellVietnamese director Pham Thien An’s fascinating debut feature film, which premiered in Cannes this year in the Directors’ Fortnights section, where it won the Camera d’Or for Best Directorial Debut.

The film delivers on the promise Pham shows in his acclaimed short films, including the 2019 Cannes Directors’ Fortnight winner Stay awake, be readywhat was the inspiration for it Inside the yellow cocoon shell.

The film follows Thien (Le Phong Vu), a prodigal son with little prospect of finding a direction in life who, after his sister-in-law is killed in a freak motorcycle accident, is tasked with rescuing her corpse and his five-year-old nephew Dao, who miraculously survived the crash, returned to his hometown in the countryside. Thus begins a journey through the mystical landscapes of rural Vietnam, a journey back into Thien’s own past and a search for his long-lost older brother, Dao’s father. The road trip spurs Thien to question his faith and the meaning of his life.

Inside the yellow cocoon shell will be screened at international festivals this fall, after which Kino Lorber is planning a theatrical release and a multi-platform release. The deal for Inside the yellow cocoon shell was negotiated by Kino Lorber’s Chairman and CEO, Richard Lorber, and Sebastien Chesneau for Cercamon, who will handle the title’s worldwide distribution.

After Kaouther Ben Hania, this is Kino Lorber’s second major film purchase in Cannes this year Four daughterswhich was awarded the festival’s Golden Eye for Best Documentary.

Inside the yellow cocoon shell is a production of JK Film and Potocol in co-production with Deuxième Ligne Films, Zorba Production and Fasten Films. Jeremy Chua and Tran Van Thi produced, with Tran Van Thi as executive producer and co-producer, including Marie Dubas, Ka Nguyen, Le Quynh Anh, Adria Monés and Gabriel Kaplan.