SUNRISE FILMS ACQUIRES “MR. BLAKE AT YOUR SERVICE” STARRING JOHN MALKOVICH, FANNY ARDANT & ÉMILIE DEQUENNE FOR U.S. DISTRIBUTION

Sunrise Films is thrilled to announce the U.S. acquisition and upcoming theatrical release of Mr. Blake at Your Service, a whimsical and heartfelt French-set comedy-drama starring John Malkovich, iconic French actress Fanny Ardant, and the late Émilie Dequenne. The film will open in U.S. theaters on June 20, 2025.

In a rare French-speaking role, Malkovich plays Andrew Blake, a recently widowed British businessman who accepts a job as a butler in a countryside manor in an effort to stay connected to the memory of his late French wife. As he adjusts to the idiosyncrasies of the estate and its residents, Blake begins an unexpected journey of healing, connection, and rediscovery.

Fanny Ardant stars as Nathalie de Beauvillier, the reserved and eccentric lady of the manor, while Émilie Dequenne delivers one of her final screen performances as Odile, the spirited manor cook. Through their sharp, touching, and often funny moments with Blake, the emotional core of the film comes to life.

Directed by bestselling author Gilles Legardinier and based on his 2012 novel Complètement cramé! from a screenplay written by Legardinier and Cristel Henon, the film also features Eugénie Anselin, Al Ginter, Anne Brionne, and Christel Henon.

Mr. Blake at Your Service premiered in the U.S. at the Newport Beach Film Festival on October 17, 2023, and has since been released theatrically across France, Spain, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Australia, and New Zealand, with additional festival screenings worldwide.

“We are delighted to be bringing the incredibly charming Mr. Blake at Your Service! to audiences in the U.S.,” said Andrew Nerger, Head of U.S. and International Distribution. “It captivated us from the moment we first screened it, and we hope audiences will fall in love with it just as we did when it premieres later this June.”

The film is produced by Christel Henon and Lilian Eche for Bidibul Productions alongside Superprod, with Legardinier serving as co-producer. Cinematography is by Stéphane Le Parc, editing by Editing by Yves Deschamps and Chrystel Alépée, and an original score by Erwann Chandon. Bidibul Productions most recently produced the 2025 Palme d’Or Winner IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT by celebrated Iranian director Jafar Panahi.

ABOUT SUNRISE FILMS

Sunrise Films is a new, internationally focused production, distribution, and sales company launched by Rupert Preston and Nigel Williams.

The company produced high-stakes thriller THE ACCUSED, directed by BOILING POINT and ADOLESCENCE’S Philip Barantini, which debuted on Netflix in the UK, ANZ, and Canada in 2023. Sunrise also produced George Amponsah’s GASSED UP, which released theatrically in the UK through Vertigo Releasing in early 2024 and debuted afterwards on Amazon Prime.

On the distribution side, Sunrise has released a multitude of titles across North America including Luna Carmoon’s BAFTA-nominated debut HOARD featuring rising star Joseph Quinn, action thriller SUNRAY: FALLEN SOLDIER, which was created by and stars former Royal Marines Commandos, Julia Jackman’s coming of age queer rom-com BONUS TRACK, BAFTA-winning drama AFTER LOVE, and César-nominated Iranian crime drama LAW OF TEHRAN. Sunrise next plans to release Freddy Macdonald’s buzzy SXSW debut SEW TORN and coming of age drama LAST SWIM which premiered at the Berlin Film Festival in 2024 to wide acclaim.

Rupert Preston is also the CEO of Vertigo Releasing and he has produced over 25 films including BRONSON, THE SWEENEY, PUSHER, HORRID HENRY: THE MOVIE, and MONSTERS. Nigel Williams is the Chairman of Vertigo Releasing and Protagonist Pictures.