Seven business days after his return to theatrical distribution, Robert Lantos’ Maximum Films International has inked a two-year deal with Amsterdam- and Hong Kong-based Fortissimo Films. Maximum will distribute Fortissimo films in Canada, while Fortissimo will represent the sale of Maximum’s films in Asia.

‘It’s really fast,’ agrees Maximum Films International managing director Charlotte Mickie. ‘They have an office in Hong Kong and they also sell Asian films… so this gives us immediate access to those markets.’

TIFF’s opening night film Fugitive Pieces, which Lantos produced, tops Maximum International’s six-picture slate, to be handled in all Asian territories (except Australia) by Fortissimo.

Fortissimo will also rep Maximum Films’ My Winnipeg and Before the Rains, as well as Atom Egoyan’s upcoming Adoration, plus Real Time starring Randy Quaid, and Cold Souls starring Paul Giamatti — both of which are in preproduction.

Maximum Film Distribution will acquire the Canuck rights to Fortissimo pictures including TIFF titles such as the gala presentation Blood Brothers, Australia’s Unfinished Sky, Germany’s Love Comes Lately, Israel’s Children of the Sun and Julian Schnabel’s rock opera concert film Lou Reed’s Berlin.

Fortissimo is co-chaired by Michael J. Werner and Wouter Barendrecht.

‘Michael and Wouter are really a pleasure to deal with,’ says Maximum Film Distribution managing director Tony Cianciotta. ‘I have been a fan of theirs for a long time. We share the same passion for independent films.’