LaZona Shots,the distribution arm of Gonzalo Salazar-Simpson’s Madrid-based LaZona collective,has acquired the Spanish distribution rights for the opulent Polish biopic “Chopin, Chopin!” (“Chopin, a Sonata in Paris”), which is being handled for international sales by Parisian firm Playtime.
This biographical film about Frédéric Chopin, directed by Michał Kwieciński and produced with a budget of $17.5 million by Poland’s Akson Studio (“Katyń,” “Warsaw 44”), features Eryk Kulm (“Filip”) portraying the legendary pianist-composer alongside Lambert Wilson (“The Matrix Resurrections”) as King Louis-Philippe.
The narrative unfolds in 19th-century Paris, chronicling Chopin’s arrival at just 21 years old and his rapid rise to fame as a romantic icon before illness shifts his focus back to composition.
High-Caliber Production Values
the film showcases extraordinary craftsmanship with contributions from notable talents such as cinematographer Michał sobociński (“the New Look”), production designer Katarzyna Sobańska (“Cold War”), and screenwriter Bartosz Janiszewski (“Wataha”).
Primarily filmed in France and featuring approximately 80% dialog in French,this project aims to attract affluent audiences and classical music lovers while also appealing to broader demographics through its grandiose visual style.
Since its inception in 2003, LaZona has produced numerous successful Spanish films including Enrique Urbizu’s thriller “No Rest for the Wicked” and Emilio Martínez Lázaro’s comedy “Spanish Affair,” which holds the record as Spain’s highest-grossing film. In 2023, LaZona expanded its operations by launching a new film distribution division called LaZona Shots, led from 2024 by former latido Films executive Óscar Alonso.
“For us, ‘Chopin, Chopin!’ represents our first meaningful European ‘high-quality production’ on our slate—an indication of our intent to grow steadily while also taking bolder risks on films with broader audience potential,” Alonso stated during Valladolid’s Seminci festival where LaZona co-produced “Subsoil,” directed by Fernando Franco that premiered at the festival’s main competition.
Positioning “Chopin, Chopin” as a ”rock star portrait of the Romantic era,” Alonso noted that its release in Spain is planned for early next year. The strategy includes collaborations with opera houses, conservatories, and music schools to extend outreach beyond traditional arthouse circuits.
LaZona Shots has been actively curating an array of arthouse and crossover titles since last year. With “Chopin Chopin,” discussions have already begun with streaming platforms and broadcasters to complement an anticipated theatrical release.
The film has garnered significant attention at prestigious festivals and is set for additional key screenings that highlight its status as a high-profile title within European cinema.
“This is precisely the kind of bold European filmmaking that doesn’t emerge every year,” he remarked. “We are confident it will resonate not only with classical music aficionados but also attract a much larger audience interested in powerful storytelling.”
A Highlight at Seville European Film Festival
The movie will conclude this year’s Seville European Film festival as part of its closing night gala presentation scheduled from November 7-15.
A standout success among LaZona’s indie distributions thus far has been “The Man Who Sold His Skin,” which won both Venice Silver Lion honors and San Sebastian Audience Award accolades. Co-distributed alongside Caramel Films in Spain, Tunisian director Kaouther ben Hania’s work was one of this year’s most acclaimed international titles featured at Valladolid within their Constellations sidebar program.