Metrograph Pictures has acquired North American rights to Meanwhile on Earth, the live-action debut of Jérémy Clapin, the Academy Award®-nominated director of the adult animated film I Lost my Body. Metrograph Pictures is planning a 2024 theatrical release.
Meanwhile On Earth, which world premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival in the Panorama section and was written and directed by Clapin, follows Elsa (Megan Northam, in her debut feature starring role), who, along with her family, is struggling following the disappearance of her brother Franck, an astronaut who vanished during his first mission. While stargazing one night, Elsa is shocked to receive contact from Franck, but her joy is short-lived when she learns of the dark and troubling forces behind Franck’s reappearance, forcing her to confront the lengths she will go for the brother she once feared was gone forever.
Filmmaker Jérémy Clapin says, “I’m so excited about this brand-new collaboration with Metrograph Pictures. It is more important than ever for a filmmaker to feel that all the partners who are going to accompany the film align with its essence. Now, there’s no doubt that the film is in very good hands here in North America.”
About the acquisition, David Laub, Head of Metrograph Pictures, says, “Jérémy Clapin is a hugely talented filmmaker, and he has created an exciting and inspiring new work of science fiction. Meanwhile on Earth is reminiscent of the best of the genre, combining an innovative, visionary world and compelling supernatural premise with deeply emotional, real-life underpinnings. We’re thrilled to be releasing this film and adding Jérémy to our roster of directors at Metrograph Pictures.”
Christian Grass, CEO of Metrograph, says, “As we grow our distribution business, we are always on the lookout for films like Meanwhile on Earth– a smart, original movie from an exciting and distinctive filmmaker. We’re thrilled to be working with Jérémy and supporting his vision as we release the film across the country.”
Meanwhile on Earth is Clapin’s sophomore feature effort, following a string of animated shorts and the multi-award-winning 2019 adult animated film I Lost My Body, which premiered as part of Critics’ Week at the Cannes Film Festival and became the first animated film to win the Nespresso Grand Prize, the top honors for its section. The critically acclaimed debut would later win three awards at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival, take two César Awards—including Best Animated Film—and was named the Best Animated Feature of the year by both the New York Film Critics Circle and the Los Angeles Film Critics Association, among numerous others, before receiving a nomination for Best Animated Feature Film at the 2020 Academy Awards®.
Meanwhile on Earth is produced by Marc Du Pontavice and executive produced by Luc Bricault. The film is edited by Jean-Christophe Bouzy, Julia Ducournau’s longtime film editor, and stunningly lensed by Robrecht Heyvaert (Revenge, Bad Boys for Life, Rebel). The music is by Dan Levy, who also scored I Lost My Body.