Last Meals, the upcoming death row drama starring Mads Mikkelsen and Boyd Holbrook, has secured multiple international sales after its market debut in Cannes. The film is directed by Oscar nominee Ramin Bahrani (The White Tiger) and based on a Nicholl Fellowship-winning script by Justin Piasecki (Relay).
HanWay Films, which launched global sales at the Cannes market, announced key deals across several territories. These include Synca Creations in Japan, Paradiso Filmed Entertainment in Benelux, Transmission Films in Australia, Vertigo Films in Spain, Shaw Renters in Singapore, The Film Group in Greece, and Acme Film in the Baltics. Active Cinema Group has picked up rights in Ukraine.
Forum Film Ltd has acquired multiple territories, including Israel, Poland, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. Skeye Inflight Entertainment has secured airline distribution rights.
Additional sales were finalized by Sentient Entertainment, which confirmed deals with Square One for Germany and Austria, and Scanbox for Scandinavia.
UTA Independent Film Group and Sentient Entertainment are handling North American sales, while HanWay Films oversees global rights.
The film is expected to begin principal photography in Dublin later this year. Set in a maximum-security prison, Last Meals follows Walter Karat (played by Mikkelsen), a disgraced former White House chef now tasked with preparing meals for inmates on death row. He clashes with Jeffrey Reed (Holbrook), a prisoner who refuses to eat and stages a hunger strike. Their conflict deepens into an emotional connection as Walter begins to believe Reed may be innocent. Motivated by this bond, he sets out to uncover the truth.
The drama explores themes of guilt, redemption, and the death penalty, using food — particularly the rare French delicacy ortolan — as a powerful narrative device.
The film is produced by Emmy and Golden Globe nominee Renée Tab of Sentient Entertainment, along with Christopher Tuffin of Strong Island. Executive producers include Charles Porter (Black Bench Productions), Kelly Price (Blessed From Above), Karan Hoss (Hoss Productions), and Jeeny and Michael Miller (Miller Way). Mikkelsen, Bahrani, Piasecki, and Holbrook also serve as executive producers.
Production services in Ireland will be managed by Brick Lane, with Ari Novak overseeing the shoot.
“Ramin and Mads have put their unique stamp on this story, and the strong response from buyers reflects confidence in the project,” said Gabrielle Stewart, CEO of HanWay Films.
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