Soccer Drama 'Forza,' With AC Milan Great Alessandro Costacurta, Heads to Tokyo Market With EST N8 (EXCLUSIVE)
Forza, Marco Balsamo's soccer drama shot between Bali and Milan, has been picked up for international sales by EST N8, which will take the film to the Tokyo International Film Festival 's TIFFCOM market (Oct. Before that, it gets its first public screening on Oct.
Balsamo's first feature as director centers on Bima, an 11-year-old from Bali who hopes a career as a pro footballer will give his family a better life. A chance bond with a former AC Milan player in the last stretch of his career changes the outlook for both of them.
Newcomer Ghazi Alhabsyi heads the cast. Balsamo also appears on screen, alongside Tara Sibel Demren, AC Milan icon Alessandro Costacurta and Atiqah Hasiholan, Oka Antara and Tio Pakusadewo, all three winners at the Indonesian Film Festival (FFI).
Balsamo wrote the script and produced with Demren. Riva Studios originated the project, and its producers include Ario Sagantoro of "The Raid" franchise.
Adhya Pictures has the film's Indonesian theatrical release, set for 2027. Both rounds of online tickets for the Jakarta screening, at CGV Grand Indonesia, sold out inside five minutes.
"'Forza' follows a boy from Bali and a former pro footballer who open new doors for each other, and it bridges Indonesia and Italy the way only football can," said Sophie Shi, head of studios at EST N8. "It's a film for audiences around the world, with a story of family and hope that transcends language and culture.
Our mission is to take bold Asian stories to audiences worldwide, and a family film told through the world's most popular sport is built to travel. We're proud to launch 'Forza' to buyers at TIFFCOM.
Shi and Jan Paul Villanueva negotiated the deal for EST N8, with Balsamo and Demren representing Riva Studios. Villanueva, EVP of acquisitions and global distribution, will lead sales with Cathy Ni, head of sales and U.
distribution, and Shams Pasha, global sales and marketing executive. We've spent years bringing 'Forza' to the screen, and Indonesia has been at the heart of it from the beginning," Balsamo said.