The Weinstein Co. Takes Rights to Happy People Read and Drink Coffee

Weinstein Books and The Weinstein Company (TWC) announced today that they have acquired the film and publishing rights to French writer Agnes Martin-Lugand’s debut novel “Happy People Read and Drink Coffee.” Originally a self-publishing smash success in France, the book outsold “Fifty Shades of Grey” and landed at the top of the French Kindle bestseller list in 2013. Weinstein Books, a joint venture between TWC and the Perseus Books Group, is set to publish the novel in the U.S. in Spring 2016. The film adaptation will be produced by Maeva Gatineau and Sebastien Fechner of Source Films, who brought the material to TWC. Negeen Yazdi, President of International Production, and Julie Oh, VP of Production & Development, will head production from the TWC side. The deal for the project was negotiated by Sarah Sobel, EVP Business &Legal Affairs, for TWC with attorney David Miercourt on behalf of Source Films.

In “Happy People Read and Drink Coffee,” Diane is still mired in grief and her cafe is no longer a sanctuary after losing her husband and daughter in a car accident a year ago. Searching for a way to remain close to her husband, Diane takes a trip to a place he always wanted to visit – Ireland. Once there, Diane discovers a whole new sanctuary in the form of a bitter and mysterious neighbor, and must decide whether she is ready – or able – to love again.

Commented Yazdi: “As lover of French culture, I couldn’t be more excited to be on board with Agnes Martin-Lugand’s fantastic novel. It’s a huge thrill to bring the book stateside and we greatly look forward to working with Maeva, Sebastien and the Source Films team in giving the book’s millions of fans a big screen adaptation.”

Noted Gatineau: “We couldn’t think of a better home than TWC for Agnes’ Happy People. We are thrilled they share our passion for this gem and cannot wait to bring it to the screen.”

French publisher Michel Lafon will releasing Martin-Lugand’s second novel “Entre mes mains le bonheur se faufile” in France on April 26th.

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