Craig Zobel’s based-on-true-events thriller Compliance polarized Sundance attendees this year and was snatched up by Magnolia for the U.S. Memento Films International, which will offer up the film this month at the Cannes market, also bought eventual Oscar Foreign-Language Film winner A Separation last year. Here’s the full release of today’s deal:

Paris-based Memento Films International has acquired international rights for Craig Zobel’s COMPLIANCE, perhaps the most controversial feature of Sundance’s 2012 edition.

Inciting visceral reactions during and fierce debate after the screening, Zobel’s thriller, which is inspired by true events, follows the horrific unfolding and aftermath of a prank phone call at a fast food restaurant.

Starring Ann Dowd and Dreama Walker, the film was produced by SophiaLin, Tyler Davidson, Lisa Muskat, and Theo Sena. David Gordon Green, james Belfer and Carina Alves served as Executive Producers.

I feel that this film reflects not on just one specific circumstance, but a larger aspect of our nature as humans,” Zobel commented. “I’m more than excited to partner with Memento—who has handled so many of my favorite films in the last few years—to give this film international exposure, so it can resonate as widely as possible.”

“We found COMPLIANCE to not only be provocative and psychologically complex, but also the best film of Sundance’s program in 2012,” Tanja Meissner MFI’s head of sales and acquisitions, said. “This is a film that demands multiple conversations after viewing, as evidenced by the varied and vivid audience response. We could not be more excited to introduce the film to world markets, where it will only continue pronounced debate.”

Meissner, Emilie Georges and Nicholas Shumaker negotiated the deal for MFI with the Producers and Cinetic Media. Cinetic represented the Canadian deal with e-One and the US deal with Magnolia, who also released Zobel’s first film, GREAT WORLD OF SOUND. Deals have closed with NonStop for Scandanavia and Pretty Pictures for France.

The film will be presented to buyers in the Cannes Market as an international premiere. The film also stirred incredible interest at Sundance among festival programmers, where it immediately received invites at the top festivals around the world.