‘Swiss Army Man’
A number of films screening at this year’s Sundance Film Festival have been picked up for distribution, so I decided to round some of them up and post them below for your perusal.
Swiss Army Man – A24
In what is assuredly the most divisive film of the festival, A24 picked up the North American rights to the Paul Dano/Daniel Radcliffe comedy about a man who goes to an island to kill himself only to find a farting corpse who he uses as a survival tool. A24 plans to release Swiss Army Man in theaters this Summer.
The Hollars – Sony Pictures Classics
Sony Pictures Classics has picked up the John Krasinski‘s second directorial effort, The Hollars, which revolves around a New York City artists who returns to his small town home after his mother falls ill. The film stars Krasinski alongside Margo Martindale, Richard Jenkins, Sharlto Copley, Anna Kendrick, Charlie Day, Josh Groban, Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Randall Park. Sony has not announced a release date as of yet.
Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You – Netflix and Music Box Films
Music Box Films and Netflix have joined forces to acquire the Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady (Jesus Camp) documentary Just Another Version of You, chronicling the life and career of Norman Lear. The film will open in theaters this June followed by a PBS airing in the Fall and available shortly thereafter on Netflix.
Goat – Paramount Home Media
Paramount has picked up the Nick Jonas-starring drama Goat, which tackles the subject of fraternity hazing. The film is directed by Andrew Neel and also stars Ben Schnetzer and is co-written by David Gordon Green and produced by James Franco.
‘Goat’
The Lovers and the Despot – Magnolia Pictures
Magnolia has acquired the worldwide distribution rights to Rob Cannan and Ross Adams‘ documentary The Lovers and the Despot, which tells the unbelievable story of filmmaker Shin Sang-ok and actress Choi Eun-hee, a famous South Korean celebrity couple who were kidnapped by North Korea and forced to become Kim Jong-il’s personal filmmakers. This one sounds incredibly interesting and I can’t wait to check it out.
Gleason – Amazon Studios and Open Road Films
Clay Tweel‘s documentary Gleason has been picked up by Amazon Studios and Open Road Films and plan a theatrical release this Summer. The film follows the life of Steve Gleason, a former defensive back for the New Orleans Saints who was diagnosed with ALS at age 34.
The Intervention – Paramount Home Media
Clea DuVall‘s The Intervention has been acquired by Paramount Home Media for a day-and-date VOD release, with a third party handling the theatrical release. The film stars an ensemble cast featuring Melanie Lynskey, Cobie Smulders, Alia Shawkat, Natasha Lyonne, Jason Ritter and Ben Schwartz, and revolves around four couples heading on a weekend getaway in order to address the failing relationship two of them are having.
That’s all for now, but stay tuned for plenty more new stuff out of Park City as the festival winds to a close.
