The streaming platform MUBI has acquired the right to Matthias & Maxime, a crime drama that premiered at Cannes in 2019. 

MUBI is the latest streaming service to start to acquire films from Cannes or other festivals that were unable to have typical theatre premieres due to coronavirus and social distancing precautions. Other streaming services are trying to acquire as many new films as possible to keep up with the increasing demand during the quarantine. 

The film was written and directed by the artistic, cult favorite Xavier Dolan and tells the story of two best friends, Matthias (Gabriel D’Almeida Freitas) and Maxine (Dolan). During the production of a short film, the two must have an onscreen kiss. This kiss causes confusion and doubt between the two men and blurs the line between friendship and love. 

The film also stars Pier-Luc Funk, Samuel Gauthier, Antoine Pilon, Anne Dorval, Micheline Bernard, Adib Alkhalidey, Marilyn Castonguay and Catherine Brunet.

In addition to directing and writing the film, Dolan also serves as producer for the movie alongside Nancy Grant. 

“I subscribed to The Auteurs/MUBI more than a decade ago when I moved into my first apartment. I discovered incredible work on that platform and it’s an honor to have them show the film. I think my 18 year-old self would be pretty impressed,” said Dolan of his success. 

Dolan’s previous film, The Death and Life of John F. Donovan (2018), was star-studded and expected to bring his directorial style into the American film eye. But the film fell into an abyss approaching release and was denied a US theatrical release after editing problems and mixed reviews leading to over a year of delays. The film eventually landed at Hulu, after much difficulty. Thankfully this release has been much more streamlined and will be available for streaming soon.