New York Erotic Tale ‘Drunken Noodles’ Sells to Taiwan, France and Germany for M-Appeal (EXCLUSIVE)

Berlin-based sales agency M-Appeal has sold New York erotic tale “Drunken Noodles,” which premiered in the Cannes ACID sidebar and is competing for the Queer Palm, to Taiwan, France and Germany.

Taiwan’s Hooray Films acquired the film by Argentine director Lucio Castro (“End of the Century,” “After This Death”), which explores “the relationship between art and everyday, life-altering connections.”

“I loved Castro’s ‘End of the Century’ and I am glad that he steps further for ‘Drunken Noodles’ aesthetically and narratively. I am proud to introduce this gem to Taiwanese audiences,” said Han T. Sun, founder and CEO of Hooray Films.

Salzgeber has acquired the rights for Germany, and Outplay Films will release the film in France.

“The filmmaker crafts each shot like embroidery — meticulous, refined, like a work of art patiently stitched. The film captivates us with its softness and its constant emphasis on desire, drifting between reality and dreamlike fantasy,” added Thibaut Fougères, general manager of Outplay.

The film was bought by Strand Releasing for North America, it was previously announced. U.K. distribution is currently in negotiation.

“Drunken Noodles” follows Adnan, a young art student, who arrives in New York City to apartment-sit for the summer. He begins interning at a gallery where an unconventional older artist he once encountered is being exhibited. As moments from his past and present begin to intertwine, a series of encounters — both artistic and erotic — open cracks in his everyday reality.

The film was inspired by Sal Salandra, a real-life artist in his late 70s, who creates “thread paintings” depicting sexual scenes.

The film is shot by Barton Cortright (“The Feeling That the Time for Doing Something Has Passed,” Cannes Directors’ Fortnight, 2024), and stars Laith Khalifeh in the main role. Ezriel Kornel, Matthew Risch and Joél Isaac also star.

The film is produced by Castro and Cortright under their Alsina 427 banner, with co-producers Joanne Lee and Julia Bloch, and executive producer Pierce Varous of Nice Dissolve.

Castro’s most recent feature, “After This Death,” starring Mía Maestro, Lee Pace, Rupert Friend and Gwendoline Christie, premiered earlier this year in the Berlin Film Festival’s Special Gala section. His critically acclaimed debut, “End of the Century,” premiered at New Directors New Films in 2019.