‘Chaplin, Spirit of the Tramp’ Boarded by Film Constellation

Film Constellation has taken international sales rights to “Chaplin, Spirit of the Tramp,” a feature documentary directed by Charlie Chaplin‘s granddaughter Carmen Chaplin, and set to world premiere at the San Sebastian Film Festival.

The documentary delivers an intimate portrait of the iconic English-born Hollywood filmmaker and comedian from within his family, and explores his Romani roots, which inspired the creation of his beloved character the Tramp. The doc boasts interviews, film extracts, home movies and contributions from renowned contemporary Roma artists including Tony Gatlif, Stochelo Rosenberg, Lita Cabellut and Farruquito, among others. 

Carmen Chaplin’s directorial feature debut benefits from unprecedented access to the Chaplin estate, thanks to the participation of the Chaplin Office, the Chaplin family and MK2 films. The director spoke to many relatives, including Michael J. Chaplin, Geraldine Chaplin, Victoria Chaplin, Jane Chaplin and Christopher Chaplin.

“The story of my grandfather, Charlie Chaplin, has been told many times, but I felt compelled to approach it from a personal angle through the eyes of my father,” said Carmen Chaplin. “By unearthing the history of our bloodline and digging into our family archives, we offer a novel narrative about family and legacy, and a celebration of the Roma Traveller tradition which offers audiences new insight into Chaplin as a man and as an artist.”

A Spanish-U.K.-Dutch co-production, “Chaplin, Spirit of a Tramp” is produced by Wave of Humanity, Basque Films and Atlantika Films, in association with Kwanon Films and Roy Export, and co-produced by Submarine Sublime and Constellation Prods. 

Carmen Chaplin co-wrote the film with Ashim Bhalla, Isaki Lacuesta and Amaya Remírez García, with editing by Julia Juaniz (“Finding Steve McQueen”), cinematography by Kenneth Oribe (“Fronteras”) and original score by Nathaniel Méchaly (“Taken” trilogy).

Film Constellation, headed by Fabien Westerhoff with offices in London and Paris, has a busy fall season ahead with the world premiere of Durga Chew-Bose’s “Bonjour Tristesse,” starring Chloë Sevigny, Claes Bang and Lily McInerny, which is set to open the Discovery section at Toronto, as well as comedy romance “Turn on Me” by Michael Tyburski, starring Bel Powley and Nick Robinson, set to play in the New Directors competition at San Sebastian.

The company launched in-house production arm Constellation Prods. a couple of years ago and is involved in many of these movies as co-financier. On “Bonjour Tristesse,” which is an English-language adaptation of Francoise Sagan’s bestseller, the company is also an executive producer.