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Tribeca Film Acquires North American Right to "The Comedy"

Picture Courtesy of Tribeca Films

Sundance Drama Starring Tim Heidecker from Adult Swim Comedy Series “Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!”

 

New York, NY – May 14, 2012 – Tribeca Film announced today that it has acquired all North American rights to The Comedy, director Rick Alverson’s provocative character study, which is already one of the most talked about films since it bowed at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival. The film, which Variety called “compulsively fascinating,” and Film Threat noted as “one of the most wildly inappropriate and pitch black comedies I’ve ever seen” also played South by Southwest and is set for BAMcinemaFEST this June, will be released in October 2012. Jagjaguwar, the prominent independent music label known for artists such as Bon Iver and Sharon Van Etten, produced The Comedy in conjunction with Greyshack Films and Larry Fessenden's Glass Eye Pix, along with Mike S. Ryan and Brent Kunkle producing. Rough House Pictures, the Production Company of Danny McBride, David Gordon Green, Jody Hill, and Matt Reilly attached themselves to the film during Sundance.

Tribeca Film plans a select theatrical release day and date with on-demand platforms where it will be available in 40+ million homes through a variety of video-on-demand offerings, as well as iTunes, Amazon Watch Instantly, VUDU, Xbox and Samsung Media Hub.

On the cusp of inheriting his father's estate, Swanson (Tim Heidecker, "Tim & Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!") is a man with unlimited options. An aging hipster in Brooklyn, he spends his days in aimless recreation with like-minded friends (“Tim & Eric” co-star Eric Wareheim, LCD Soundsystem frontman James Murphy and comedian Gregg Turkington a.k.a.“Neil Hamburger”) in games of comic irreverence and mock sincerity. As Swanson grows restless of the safety a sheltered life offers him, he tests the limits of acceptable behavior, pushing the envelope in every way he can. Heidecker’s deadpan delivery cleverly      masks a deep desire for connection and sense in the modern world. The Comedy wears its name on its sleeve, but director Rick Alverson's powerful and provocative character study touches a darkness behind the humor that resonates with viewers long after the story ends. 

“Tim Heidecker’s performance pushes the limits and the result is a film that feels refreshingly new and fearless,” said Geoff Gilmore, Chief Creative Officer of Tribeca Enterprises. “We look forward to the film sparking conversation and debate when it reaches a wider audience through Tribeca Film.”

“My hope is that The Comedy may be seen as both a challenging, cautionary tale and an unapologetic immersion in a culture of irony and recreational cruelty many have come to find liberating,” said Rick Alverson. “We're very happy to be in the competent hands of Tribeca Film and look forward to a partnership that will bring this movie to a wide audience.”

The deal was negotiated for Tribeca Film by acquisitions consultant Randy Manis and Nick Savva, Director of Acquisitions, and on behalf of the filmmakers by Josh Braun and David Koh of Submarine.

Film News: Tribeca Film Acquires North American Rights To "For Ellen"

Official Statement:

Tribeca Film announced today that it has acquired all North American rights to FOR ELLEN, a deeply felt dramatic study of a father’s efforts at reconciliation with his young daughter.

The film, which premiered at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival, is Kim’s follow-up to independent standouts TREELESS MOUNTAIN and IN BETWEEN DAYS.  Bradley Rust Gray and Jen Gatien serve as producers through SoandBrad and DeerJen films.

Tribeca Film plans a fall release in select theatrical markets, beginning September 5th at New York’s Film Forum.   FOR ELLEN  will  also be released via On Demand platforms where it will be available in 40+ million homes on a variety of video-on-demand offerings, as well as iTunes, Amazon Watch Instantly, VUDU, Xbox and Samsung Media Hub.

  

"For Ellen" photo courtesy of Tribeca Enterprises

Aspiring rock star Joby Taylor (Paul Dano- THERE WILL BE BLOOD, LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE) has wanted nothing more than to “make it”, having flirted with fame but never crossed over into true success.  In the midst of a low period in his life, he agrees to sign divorce papers with his estranged wife (Margarita Levieva- “Revenge,” “How To Make It In America”) in order to see money from the sale of their home, only to discover that by signing the papers, he will forfeit all custody of his six-year-old daughter, Ellen (newcomer Shaylena Mandigo).  With a good-natured lawyer (Jon Heder- NAPOLEON DYNAMITE) unable to make headway in reversing the decision, and a girlfriend (Jena Malone- INTO THE WILD) that represents an era of his life that he might be ready to graduate from, Joby negotiates a visit with his daughter to explore whether he is able to walk away from his child, and whether it might be too late for reconciliation.

FOR ELLEN stems from Kim's desire to understand her own father, and an imagined confrontation if he ever returned to her. Using the stark beauty and vast farmlands of an American winter as its backdrop, the film charts Joby’s emotional journey as he realizes what he has lost – and what, if anything, can still be saved.

  

“With a subtle, understated approach, esteemed director So Yong Kim has made a film that is both deeply moving and deeply resonant,” said Geoff Gilmore, Chief Creative Officer of Tribeca Enterprises. “Fueled by a remarkable performance by Paul Dano and delicately directed by Kim, we couldn’t be more excited to share this very special story about a father trying to connect with his young daughter.”

"We look forward to working with Tribeca Film on the release and distribution of FOR ELLEN," said Kim. We are honored to trust our film with such a talented and passionate team." 

The deal was negotiated for Tribeca Film by Nick Savva, Director of Acquisitions, and on behalf of the filmmakers by CAA.