Cinema Guild Acquires North American Distribution for Ted Fendt's 'Foreign Travel'
Indie distributor Cinema Guild has secured North American rights to Ted Fendt's film "Foreign Travel," which will premiere at the New York Film Festival. The movie, which debuted at Berlin's Forum section, follows a group of friends connected by their passion for Italian writer Anna Maria Ortese's books. It was shot over a year in Berlin and Potsdam and centers on a young woman named Leonia.
The acquisition brings Fendt's fourth feature to North American audiences following its initial showcase at Berlin's Forum. The narrative centers on Leonia, whose journey back from Naples sparks a deep engagement with Ortese's literature, specifically "The Port of Toledo" and "Iguana."
Cinema Guild's Edward McCarry praised the film as an evolution of Fendt's decade-long filmmaking practice. The deal also aims to expose viewers to Fendt's broader body of work, highlighting his dual role as a director and literary translator based in Germany.
This distribution deal could expand the reach of contemplative, literary-driven cinema beyond niche festival circuits. Fans of international art-house films may gain easier access to Fendt's work, while the focus on Ortese's writings might spark renewed interest in her novels among English-speaking audiences. The acquisition also signals that specialized distributors remain willing to champion slow-burn, character-focused narratives, potentially encouraging similar projects to find theatrical and digital homes.