Mubi's acquisition positions the streaming platform as the definitive home for Zvyagintsev's artistic vision, bringing a Cannes-caliber filmmaker to their subscribers across multiple territories.
Industry insiders see this as Mubi making a statement—they're not just streaming films, they're collecting prestige. Zvyagintsev's festival pedigree makes this a strategic catch for their Cannes pipeline.
Zvyagintsev is a two-time Oscar-nominated Russian filmmaker for 'Loveless' and 'Leviathan'. His previous films include 'The Return' which won the Golden Lion at Venice in 2003, while 'Loveless' won the Jury Prize at Cannes and 'Leviathan' won best screenplay at Cannes.
Mubi just leveled up their prestige game. Securing Zvyagintsev's 'Minotaur' isn't just a acquisition—it's a declaration that they're playing in the big leagues with the serious filmmakers.
Mubi has secured the North American, U.K., Irish, German, Austrian, Swiss and Latin American rights to "Minotaur," the anticipated next film from Oscar-nominated Russian filmmaker Andrey Zvyagintsev, Variety has learned exclusively.
The film, represented internationally by MK2 Films, is strongly tipped for a world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival—a fitting stage for a director whose last two features both premiered in competition at the French Riviera event. "Minotaur" marks Zvyagintsev's follow-up to 2017's "Loveless," which earned him his second Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Language Film.
Co-written by Zvyagintsev and Semen Liashenko, "Minotaur" is described as a political fable that blends crime thriller and classical elements. The story explores the emotional and moral collapse of a businessman grappling with personal and political crises—a themes that echoes the stark, unflinching social commentary that has defined Zvyagintsev's career.
The production brings together an international coalition: MK Prods. (the production arm of MK2 Films), Charles Gillibert's CG Cinéma, and Zvyagintsev himself, in association with Leaf Entertainment. Co-producers include Razor Film in Germany and Forma Pro Films in Latvia, with Razor handling distribution in Germany and Austria, and Films du Losange releasing in France. Arte France Cinéma is also providing support.
Zvyagintsev's track record speaks for itself. "Loveless" won the Jury Prize at Cannes in 2017, while "Leviathan" (2014) took home the award for Best Screenplay. His debut feature, "The Return" (2003), won the Golden Lion at Venice—a stunning debut that announced him as a major voice in international cinema.
Mubi's Cannes-bound pipeline also includes Paweł Pawlikowski's "Fatherland," Felix Van Groeningen's "Let Love In," Jane Schoenbrun's "Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma" and Andrew Haigh's "A Long Winter."
