Greenwich Entertainment Nabs Israeli Film ‘The Milky Way’ for North America (EXCLUSIVE)

“The Milky Way,” Maya Kenig‘s movie which won a prize at the Jerusalem Film Festival, has been acquired by Greenwich Entertainment for North American distribution. The Israeli film marks the screen debut of musician Hila Ruach who stars opposite seasoned actor Hadas Yaron (“We Were the Lucky Ones,” “Shtisel”).

“The Milky Way” premiered last year at Tallinn Black Nights where it won the Critics’ Pick Special Jury Mention. It tells the story of Tala, a 33-year old struggling bohemian musician and recent single mother who takes a job at “The Milky Way” – a breast milk dairy aimed at wealthy families.

“Maya Kenig found in the commodification of breast milk a perfect metaphor for a wildly inventive social class comedy but whose light touch and sparkling cast never allows the tone to turn sour,” said Greenwich’s co-president Edward Arentz, who negotiated the deal with Samuel Blanc from The Party on behalf of the filmmakers.  

Producer Maya Fischer, who producer the film at Green Productions, said she looked forward to bringing “this touching story about breastfeeding and motherhood to North American audiences.”

Fischer produced the film with Gal Greenspan, Roi Kurland and Alona Refua at Green Productions, alongside Roni Shamis-Cohen and Inès Daien Dasi and Yaël Fogiel at Les Films du Poisson in France. Shani Sror co-producing.

Kenig, who is also a well-known editor, previously directed “Off White Lies” which played the Berlinale’s Generation14plus  and revolves around a relationship between a father and his daughter, set against the backdrop of the 2006 war between Israel and Lebanon.

Paris-based The Party Film Sales is handling international sales on “The Milky Way.” The critically acclaimed movie has also played at the Israel Film Center Festival in Manhattan.