The documentary “The President and the Dragon” acquired by Buffalo 8 in Cannes

Buffalo 8

EXCLUSIVE: Buffalo 8 acquired world rights from Cannes for The President and the Dragona Jimmy Carter documentary directed by Sudanese writer, director and producer Waleed Eltayeb and Irish director-director Ian D. Murphy.

The film shows the former US president, a motley crew of public health veterans, former child soldiers and local volunteers traversing political minefields, dangerous terrain and a bloody civil war to hunt an ancient parasite , uniting with the aim of eradicating Guinea. worm disease. Produced by Shaun McGuckian and Eltayeb of Touchline, and co-produced by Andrew Bishop of Brave Road (ESPN show 26.2 To life) and Tim Byron Owen (The match man), the film is a testimony and dedication to all Guinea worm warriors and those working on the front lines to end the suffering caused by this horrific waterborne disease.

A parasitic infection caused by the roundworm Dracunculus medinensis, dracunculiasis primarily affects poor communities in remote areas of Africa that lack clean drinking water. Jimmy Carter played a central role in the fight against the disease through the Carter Center, the nonprofit organization he founded in 1982 alongside his wife, Rosalynn.

“Eradicating dracunculiasis and the suffering it causes is a longtime dream of my grandparents, and they have worked incredibly hard to make it a reality,” said Jason Carter, Chairman of the Board of Trustees. of the Carter Center and eldest grandson of former U.S. President Carter and the late First Lady Rosalynn Carter. “They have seen first-hand how this work improves the lives of millions of people, and The Carter Center will continue to work with its partners until there are no cases.” »

Eltayeb said: “This is an extraordinary tale, with some of the most colorful characters, incidents and settings imaginable. It’s a story of hope and the enduring power of the human spirit, poignant and relevant today more than ever, and I’m thrilled that we’re partnering with Buffalo 8 to share it with the world.

Nikki Stier Justice, Head of Distribution for Buffalo 8, added: “We are incredibly proud to partner with Touchline and the Carter Center to bring this captivating and historically important film to a global audience. »

The President and the Dragon marks Buffalo 8’s second Cannes acquisition that we’ve reported on this week. Previously, the company had seized on black comedy INT. CORRIDOR/NIGHTdirected by and starring Billy Zane.