Religious drama “Judas’ Gospel,” directed by Italy’s Giulio Base and starring Rupert Everett, Paz Vega, John Savage and Abel Ferrara, has scored its first pre-sale with distributor Plus Films KFT taking Latin American rights.
The film, now in post, recently wrapped shooting in Italy’s scenic Southern Calabria region. It is being shopped to buyers by Italy’s Minerva Pictures on the sidelines of the Toronto Film Festival.
Base is a prolific actor-director whose many film and TV directing credits comprise “The Anarchist Banker” that launched from the Venice official selection in 2019. He is also artistic director of the Turin Film Festival.
“Judas’ Gospel” takes an innovative approach in retelling the tale of Judas Iscariot, known for his biblical betrayal of Jesus when he disclosed his whereabouts for 30 pieces of silver. In the film Judas, who is about to die, reflects on his life and his relationship with Jesus and the disciples.
On the same day, two men die by hanging just a few steps away from each other: Jesus on the cross, and Judas on a tree, according to the provided synopsis. “They are mirror images: one needs the other for his destiny to be fulfilled,” it adds.
“Judas’ Gospel” is produced by Base’s wife Tiziana Rocca, who heads up Agnus Dei Production. Minerva Pictures and Agresywna Banda are also among producers in association with RAI Cinema.
“We are very happy that Plus Films KFT chose to work on this film,” said Minerva’s head of international sales in a statement who noted that the plan is for “Judas’ Gospel” to go out across Latin America theatrically.