Strand Releasing nabs 'Michael'

Strand Releasing has acquired all US rights to Markus Schleinzer's drama "Michael" from Les Films du Losange."Michael," which had its world premiere in the main competition at Cannes, focuses in on the last five months of a 10-year-old boy's life under the control of a man who keeps him locked away in a room in a basement.The film will have its North American premiere Friday at the Toronto International Film Festival. It's the debut feature for Schleinzer, whose previous efforts as a casting director include "Dog Days," "white Ribbon and "LOvely Rita."The film has been sold to more than 14 European territories including Artificial Eye in UK, Wild Bunch Benelux , Fidalgo in Norway, Filmcoopi in Switzerland. Films du Losange will release the film in France on Nov. 2.Strand is planning a February release for "Michael' in the U.S. The deal was done between Strand's Jon Gerrans and Les Films du Losange's Agathe Valentin. Contact Dave McNary at dave.mcnary@variety.com