Netflix is partnering with indie sales outfit Fortissimo Films to offer more than 60 titles via its U.S. service. Starting in September, arthouse pics from directors including Jiang Wen, Clara Law and Mika Kaurismaki will become available. While some of the features may be a bit obscure for U.S. audiences, many are awards winners from the international festival circuit including Jiang’s 2000 film Devils On The Doorstep, a story set during the Japanese occupation of China which won the Grand Jury prize in Cannes that year. The deal also includes the 1999 pic Goddess Of 1967 which brought Rose Byrne a Best Actress prize in Venice. Fortissimo has a library of about 300 features and the deal is its first move into the digital streaming space.


Super Kudos Mchael. Love to see these large deals. So many great films will be so much more accessible – thanks Netfix; I guess I’ll have to subscribe now because I won’t get these films on my Time Warner or Direct TV.
I’m loving Netflix streaming more and more every day. When awesome indie films like THE HUNTER, WARRIOR and ALBERT NOBBS show up so quickly, as well as other foreign films, including much Asian cinema, I wet myself. It’s just awesome. I just can’t believe I didn’t sign on earlier. I love streaming, especially Netflix streaming!!!
Obvious Netflix plants are obvious