Oscilloscope Laboratories Acquires North American Rights to Venice Award-Winner ‘The Kidnapping of Arabella’ (EXCLUSIVE)

Oscilloscope Laboratories has acquired the North American distribution rights to Carolina Cavalli’s “The Kidnapping of Arabella,” which premiered last year at the Venice Film Festival in Horizons.

The film marks Cavalli’s sophomore feature following her debut “Amanda,” which Oscilloscope Laboratories also released theatrically.

“The Kidnapping of Arabella” sees her reunite with actress Benedetta Porcaroli (“Baby,” “The Immaculate”), who once again takes on a leading role. Porcaroli earned the Venice Horizons Award for best actress for her performance as Holly. Also starring Lucrezia Guglielmino and Chris Pine — appearing here in his first Italian-language role — the film is slated for a theatrical release later this summer.

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“The Kidnapping of Arabella” centers on Holly, a drifting young woman who encounters Arabella, an eight-year-old runaway. Interpreting the meeting as a kind of cosmic signal — and believing the child may represent her own younger self — Holly embarks on a spontaneous journey with her. “What unfolds is a search for meaning shaped by coincidence, longing, and the uneasy bond between two kindred outsiders,” according to a statement. “Cavalli continues to explore themes of identity and alienation, building on the sensibility she has established as an auteur filmmaker.”

Cavalli co-wrote “Fremont” (2023) with director Babak Jalali, which premiered at Sundance. She was nominated for the British Independent Film Awards and won the Independent Spirit Award in the John Cassavetes category.

“The Kidnapping of Arabella” was produced by Antonio Celsi and Annamaria Morelli. It is a production of Piperfilm, Elsinore Film and The Apartment, in collaboration with Tenderstories. Executive producers are Malcom Pagani, Moreno Zani and Andrea Scrosati.

Cavalli said, “Being picked by Oscilloscope is the best thing. They love films, theaters, physical media, audiences and filmmakers. I’m so grateful it’s happened for a second time.”

Aaron Katz, VP of acquisitions at Oscilloscope Laboratories, added, “We love Carolina and are beyond excited to partner with her again on her new feature. She has a way of creating characters who are misguided and a bit fucked up, yet infused with charm and humor that makes it impossible not to root for them wholeheartedly. Benedetta and Lucrezia are a power-duo on screen and we can’t wait to take audiences on this wild road trip.”

The deal for the film was negotiated by Katz and Charades on behalf of the filmmakers.