American Film Market Dailies

Anton announced that it is launching worldwide sales on the music documentary, LAURENT GARNIER: OFF THE RECORD to buyers at the upcoming 2019 American Film Market.  

The documentary offers an unprecedented look into the life of one of the godfathers of house music, Laurent Garnier, from his emergence on the music scene in the 80's to the present day. Following Garnier behind the scenes of his 2018/2019 global tour, the film captures the euphoria of a DJ's life, the backstage adrenaline as well as the doubts and questions from a pioneer who has helped foster the last great musical revolution of the 20th century.

The documentary, currently in post-production, is directed by Gabin Rivoire (VIOLENCE WITH BENEFITS), with whom Garnier collaborates annually on the Yeah! Festival.  Featuristic Films’ Julien Loeffler (THE SONATA, ILKLEY, HI-LO JOE, THE ROYAL EXCHANGE) produced the project with associate producers James Kermack and Fabrice Smadja.

Anton’s Charlotte van Weede and Juliette Fourniez will handle US and international sales.

Producer Julien Loeffler stated: “We are honoured and excited to be collaborating with Sebastien Raybaud and his brilliant team at Anton on LAURENT GARNIER: OFF THE RECORD. We believe this partnership will give the film a fantastic international aura and the opportunity to attract a wide audience.

Anton’s Sebastien Raybaud commented: “The impact that electronic music has had on millions of people throughout the world is remarkable. Laurent Garnier has been one of its biggest ambassadors. His story is inspiring in so many respects; we are very proud to bring this incredible film to the market."

Now a global phenomenon, Garnier was one of the pioneering DJs of the electronic music scene. Starting his career as a footman at the French Embassy in London, his passion for music and love affair with techno and house music led him to become the resident DJ at Hacienda in 1987, the mythical Manchester club founded by Tony Wilson. Revolutionizing the Paris nightlife in the 80’s, Laurent organized Wake Up parties at the Rex Club and co-founded the F Communication label, sowing the seeds of French electro and launching artists such as St Germain and Mr. Oizo. Twelve years after his debut, in 1998, he received France’s first Victoire de la Musique award (for outstanding achievement in the music industry) for an Electronic Music Album.

Garnier has also evolved into a well-respected music producer. His first big hits (Acid Eiffel and Wake Up), both soundtracks to the explosion of electronic music in France, have paved the way for a series of albums that are both elaborate and multi-layered.

Constantly evolving as an artist, he also composed for the cinema, television and theatre, weaving electro into the classical music performed at Salle Pleyel and composing a ballet for the world renown Preljocaj Ballet Company, in collaboration with the dancers of the Bolshoi. He has worked with artists as diverse as rapper Abd Al Malik and the garage/pop band The Liminanas.

After 30 years in the industry, Garnier received France’s highest honor becoming a ‘Knight of the Legion of Honor’ for his contribution to French culture.  A true music enthusiastic, he continues his pioneering work through his radio broadcasts, and remains a global ambassador at the forefront of techno music.

Gabin Rivoire directed his first documentary, VIOLENCE WITH BENEFITS, in 2012 about the misadventures of a rock band, Narrow Terence, which played throughout the band’s tour. In 2014 he created short documentary about the visual artist Cyril Carret, which questions the notion of his creative inspiration through the exhibit “Cellule.” From 2013, Rivoire has been the official director of Festival Yeah!, the multi-genre music festival in France.

About Featuristic Films:

Featuristic is a London-based entertainment company that develops, produces and finances film, television and theatre. Co-founded by producers Julien Loeffler and Fabrice Smadja and writer/director James Kermack in 2016, Featuristic creates bold, innovative and commercially driven content for the international market. Their current film slate includes: THE SONATA directed by Andrew Desmond and starring Freya Tingley, Simon Abkarian, Rutger Hauer and James Faulkner; ILKLEY directed by Harry Michell
starring Derek Jacobi, Roger Allam, Anna Maxwell Martin, Harry Melling, and Tom Brooke; and KNUCKLEDUST directed by James Kermack
.

About Anton:

Founded by Sebastien Raybaud in 2011, Anton is a global content provider of commercial, high quality product across multiple platforms. The company has co- financed international hit features such as the Paddington franchise; Non-Stop; Shaun The Sheep; and the upcoming animated feature Fireheart, from the producers of Ballerina. Recent television co-financing projects include the International Emmy nominated BBC series, “McMafia;” “Les Misérable;” “Gentleman Jack;” “North Water;” and the highly anticipated BBC/HBO adaptation of Philip Pullman’s "His Dark Materials," starring James McAvoy and Ruth Wilson, directed by Tom Hooper. Anton also has a co-financing/co-production partnership with Federation Entertainment spanning a slate of 15 productions and a co-financing agreement with Newen. Anton’s newly launched film production arm includes titles such as Greenland, starring Gerard Butler; The Night House, starring Rebecca Hall; Naked Singularity, starring John Boyega;