PARIS, April 19 — Singaporean movie Apprentice starring a Malaysian actor has been picked up by Paris-based sales agent Luxbox, which will be handling the prison drama’s sales for the international market.

“Early on, we were already fascinated by the strength of the script, and we were convinced by Boo Junfeng’s gifted mise-en-scene,” said Luxbox CEOs Fiorella Moretti and Hedi Zardi, as quoted by Screen Daily.

“The aura of the project was growing during Apprentice’s incredible tour through several labs and funds that helped and supported the project.”

So far the company has sealed the deals with several markets, including Singapore (Clover Films), Hong Kong and China (Bravos Pictures), Turkey (Bir Films), Mexico (ND Mantarraya) and France (Version Originale Condor) — the movie is planned to be released in France on June 1, 2016.

Directed by Singapore’s Boo Junfeng, the psychological drama tells the story of Aiman, a correctional officer who befriends the prison’s chief executioner, Rahim. When the latter’s assistant suddenly quits, Aiman finds himself as Rahim’s possible successor.

The movie, a co-production between Singapore, Germany, France, Hong Kong and Qatar, was last week announced to be part of the lineup under the Cannes Film Festival’s Un Certain Regard section, marking it Boo’s second movie to be picked for the festival.

The director’s first feature, Sandcastle, was previously part of International Critics’ Week back in 2010.

Executive produced by Eric Khoo (Mee Pok Man, In the Room), the movie stars veteran Malaysian actor Wan Hanafi Su as Rahim and Fir Rahman as Aiman.

Apprentice is set to make its world premiere at the 69th Cannes Film Festival, happening from May 11 to 22, 2016. — CinemaOnline