Black comedy ‘The Peacock’ acquired by Picture Tree Intl.

Picture Tree Intl. Lutz has picked up worldwide sales rights for Hyneking Jr.’s “The Peacock.” The black comedy is based on the best-selling novel of the same title by German author Isabelle Bogdan, published in key European territories. diversity Exclusive access to the trailer is provided (below).

The film’s cast is packed with German stars, including Lavinia Wilson (“What We Wanted,” “Deutschland 86”), Tom Schilling (“Never Look Away,” “Oh Boy”), David Kross (“The Reader,” “The King’s “Men”) and Jürgen Vogel (“The Wave,” “The Free Will”). Toby’s film was released in Germany on March 9.

When investment banker Linda Bachmann and her team arrive at the country estate of Lord and Lady Mackintosh for a team-building seminar, the prospects for a relaxing weekend in Scotland are not looking good: the annual balance sheet is bad, the team is in doubt. Look at each other and their boss, and rumor has it that a compliance officer will soon reorganize the department.

To make matters worse, the estate isn’t very comfortable – even the skilled cook Helen can’t hide that fact – and young seminar leader Rebecca’s methods seem rather questionable. When the lord’s favorite peacock and the lady’s favorite goose disappear, more strife and chaos is inevitable.

Heineking founded his production company Eitelsonnenschein in 2003. He began his directing career on television with “Endlich Deutsch” (German at Last). “The Peacock” is Lutz’s debut as a feature film director.

The film will be part of PTI’s Berlinale/EFM slate alongside the recently announced John Malkovich vehicle “Seneca – On the Creation of Earthquakes.”

Its EFM lineup also includes “A Whole Life” by Hans Steinbichler (“The Diary of Anne Frank,” Sky TV series “Das Boot”), based on the best-selling novel by Robert Seethaler. The novel has been translated into over 40 languages, and the feature film was produced by Austria’s Epo-Film in co-production with Germany’s Tobis Film. Currently in post-production, PTI will present a first promo at EFM. The film is expected to be released in German-speaking countries in late summer/autumn 2023.

Dieter Berner (“Egon Schiele: Death and the Maiden”)’s best-selling historical biopic “Alma & Oskar,” starring Emily Cox (“The Last Kingdom”), will have its first market screening, which explores the tumultuous relationship between the two. . Viennese society grande dame Alma Mahler and expressionist artist and monstrous Oskar Kokoska.

PTI also recently acquired the worldwide sales rights to “The Chapel” from Belgian director and writer Dominique Derudder, whose satirical comedy “Everybody’s Famous!” Received an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film.

Another recent acquisition is the Göteborg world premiere of Chris Rieber’s “First Snow of Summer.” Reminiscent of the urban fairy tale love story “Amélie” and “Delicatessen”. It stars Verena Altenberger (“The Best of All Worlds,” “Me, Us”), Thomas Prine (“Great Freedom,” “Why Not You”), and Margaret Thistle (“Paradise: Love,” “The Golden Glove ” )

Following its Tallinn Black Night Festival world premiere, “The Chambermaid” is another market premiere in PTI’s EFM lineup.