Today it was announced that Drafthouse Films and Films We Like have partnered up to acquire the North American rights for the film, to bring it to theaters and VOD sometime next year. Hit the jump to the the trailer and to check out the press release.
AUSTIN, TX – June 6, 2013 – Drafthouse Films, the film distribution arm of the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, and Films We Like announced today the co-acquisition of North American rights to sci-fi epic The Congress from this year’s Cannes Film Festival in the “Directors’ Fortnight” section. From Oscar®-nominated director Ari Folman (Waltz With Bashir), the film stars Robin Wright (“House Of Cards”; The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo) Jon Hamm (AMC’s “Mad Men”), Paul Giamatti (Sideways; John Dies At The End) and Harvey Keitel (Taxi Driver; Bad Lieutenant). A US theatrical and VOD/digital release is planned for 2014 and Films We Like in Toronto will handle Canadian distribution. US fans who enroll in the “Drafthouse Alliance” subscription program can guarantee pre-order of the film here: drafthousefilms.com/alliance.
Based on legendary science fiction writer Stanislaw Lem’s 1971 novel The Futurological Congress, Folman’s adaptation blends live action and psychedelic animation as an aging, out-of-work actress (Wright in an unusual role playing an alternate reality version of herself) accepts her final job: preserving her digital image for a future Hollywood. 20 years later, Wright’s digital double rises to immortal stardom and is invited to take part in “The Congress” as she makes her comeback straight into the world of future fantasy cinema.
