Warner Bros. Pictures International Acquires Stijn Coninx's New Film “Verder Dan De Maan” For Distribution In The Netherlands And In Belgium

(July 16, 2003 – Burbank, CA) – Warner Bros. Pictures International has signed an agreement with Isabella Films and Sophimages to distribute Belgian director Stijn Coninx's latest movie, “Verder Dan De Maan” (“Sea of Silence”), in the Netherlands and Belgium. Scheduled to be released fall 2003, “Verder Dan De Maan” is set against the backdrop of America’s famous space flight to the moon and in a time of great social change – the ‘60s – and follows the spiritual and emotional development of a 9-year-old girl and that of her father. “Verder Dan De Maan” is directed by Stijn Coninx (“Hector,” “Koko Flanel,” and “Daens”), one of Belgium’s most successful directors. Coninx became internationally known for “Daens,” which won numerous international awards, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Film. Written by Jacqueline Epskamp, the film stars Johanna ter Steege (“Spoorloos”, “Mariken,” “Immortal Beloved,” and “Dear Emma”) and Neeltje de Vree, Anneke Blok, Annet Malherbe, Wim Opbrouck and Huub Stapel (“Amsterdamned”, “Dial 9 for Love,” “Rent a Friend,” “Flodder in Amerika,” and “De Lift”). “Verder Dan De Maan” is produced by Els Vandevorst & Ien van Wierst of Isabella Films. Based in Amsterdam, Isabella Films produced such films as “Fl. 19,99” and “The Crossing,” and co-produced “Dancer in the Dark,” directed by Lars von Trier. Isabella Films has also produced “It's All About Love” (directed by Thomas Vinterberg), “Dogville” (directed by Lars von Trier) and “Father and Son” (directed by Alexandre Sokurov). “Verder Dan De Maan” is co-produced by Sophimages (Belgium), Lichtblick - Film (Germany), Zentropa Productions (Denmark), KRO Television, VRT (Flanders), R.T.B.F. (Wallonia) and ZDF/ARTE (Belgium, France, Germany). Warner Home Video and Warner Bros. International Television Distribution also hold rights to distribute “Verder Dan De Maan” in the Netherlands and Belgium. # # #