"Drive My Car" director Ryusuke Hamaguchi's new film "All of a Sudden" has been sold to many countries around the world ahead of its global premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. Cinéfrance International has successfully secured the international rights for the French drama starring Virginie Efira and Tao Okamoto. The Japanese distributor Bitters End is managing the film's sales in Asia.

The film's rights have been distributed across a wide geography, from North America to various countries in Europe. It has been acquired by Neon in North America, Diaphana Distribution in France, Plaion Pictures in Germany and Austria, and September Film in the Benelux countries. Sales agreements have also been finalized in countries such as Italy, Portugal, Spain, Greece, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, and Iceland. The film, which will be acquired by Mars Productions in Turkey, will also be distributed in various markets in Israel, the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia. Cinefrance International is still negotiating for Switzerland, Latin America, and Austria/New Zealand.

Filmed in Paris, "All of a Sudden" features Virginie Efira as Marie-Lou Fontaine, the director of a retirement home in the suburbs of Paris. Despite her team's resistance, she decides to implement the humanistic approach known as "Humanitude." Her encounter with terminally ill Japanese actor-writer Mari Morisaki (Tao Okamoto) transforms her life. Efira has learned Japanese for this role.

The film is inspired by a real correspondence between a terminally ill philosopher and a medical anthropologist. In a previous interview, Hamaguchi explained that "Humanitude" is a human-centered care method developed in France and imported to Japan. At the heart of this philosophy lies the integrity and human dimension of every individual.

Hamaguchi made his international debut in 2022 with "Drive My Car." The film received four Academy Award nominations, including Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay, and was nominated for Best International Feature Film, winning the award — a first in Japan's history. Hamaguchi later directed "Evil Does Not Exist," which premiered at the Venice Film Festival, winning the Silver Lion and the Fipresci Prize. He also directed the experimental silent film titled "Gift" during this period.