Distributor 1-2 Special has acquired all American rights to La Gradiva, the debut feature from French filmmaker and cinematographer Marine Atlan, which won best film at this year’s Cannes Critics’ Week.

A theatrical release is planned, with dates to be announced.

The film follows a group of high school students on a class trip to Naples who, amid the ruins of Pompeii, are overtaken by surges of desire, anger, and despair. Atlan co-wrote the script with Anne Brouillet and also served as cinematographer alongside Pierre Mazoyer.

La Gradiva depicts French teens in the throes of art, angst and ecstasy with a rare emotional honesty.  The script was awarded the Fondation GAN Grand Prize in 2024.