Made in Cyprus ‘Jiu Jitsu’ to launch in US

Jiu Jitsu, a sci-fi movie with Nicolas Cage shot in Cyprus under the new Cyprus cash rebate programme, will be the first film to be distributed by a brand new label set up to push a small number of independent titles in North America.

According to foreign media, Jiu Jitsu is set to be released in the United States on November 20 by a new label, The Avenue Entertainment.

The Avenue is being launched by Highland Film Group, an independent film financing company, which is branching into the US film industry by launching its American theatrical distribution arm. Its first-ever release will be Jiu Jitsu a week before the Thanksgiving Holidays.

Funding for distribution banner for The Avenue titles will be provided by Cygnus Film Group, which has reportedly entered into a financing agreement with Nicosia-based R.U. Robot Ltd, managed by Petr Jákl and Martin J. Barab.

Barab, who heads a production company in Nicosia, co-produced the movie with Greek American director Dimitri Logothetis and Cypriot Chris Economides, shooting the movie exclusively in Cyprus, starring Nicolas Cage, Alain Moussi, Tony Jaa and Frank Grillo.

According to CNA, Logothetis “expressed his pride and happiness” over Jiu Jitsu being the first movie to be distributed under the umbrella of a newly established deal between The Avenue Entertainment and Paramount Home Entertainment, which will handle Blu-ray, DVD, VOD, and Digital distribution.

"This is in itself a cause for celebration," said Logothetis, after noting that independent films seldom get picked up for distribution by a major studio.

Jiu Jitsu, an action-packed martial arts movie shot in Cyprus in summer 2018, was the first film to use tax-payer money in a government cash rebate scheme aimed at promoting the making of films on the Mediterranean island.

The movie plot involves an ancient order of expert Jiu Jitsu fighters facing fearsome alien invaders in a battle for Earth every six years.

"The distribution of the film through Paramount Home Entertainment not only exemplifies the quality of our independent film, but gives Cyprus the opportunity to promote itself as a unique film destination”, said Logothetis, who is currently in the final preproduction stages for Man of War, a second Hollywood movie to be shot in Cyprus.