The budget was 1.5m.
For an answer to the second question I think the reviews of the film will answer that question. I wonder if its because it because the film is about love and loss and we all have experience of that. It's about feeling bereft, understanding the true value of a love once it's gone. Maybe it struck a chord politically too. The ideology of greed robs us of what is of real value. As Oscar Wilde said, we know the price of everything and the value of nothing.
I think you'd get a better answer about distribution from a producer. As a writer/director my advice is - never try to second guess what distributors want. Make the film you are passionate about, tell the story you need to tell.
Do think about audience, in so far as you have something to say and you want to be understood in all it's complexity.
Hope that helps a bit?!
Best
Clio