Presenting Partner
Signature Partners
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TRIBECA FILM ACQUIRES U.S. RIGHTS TO COLLABORATOR
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Summer Release Planned for Comedic Drama Starring Martin Donovan and David Morse
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Donovan's Directorial Debut to Reach Nationwide Audiences After Well-Received Festival Run
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New York, NY – February 27, 2011 – Tribeca Film announced today that it has acquired U.S. distribution rights to Martin Donovan's directorial debut Collaborator, a comedic drama starring Donovan, David Morse, and Olivia Williams. Tribeca Film plans a summer release across multiple platforms for the film, which had its world premiere at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, where the film received the FIPRESCI International Critics' Prize and Morse was awarded the Best Actor prize. The film also has screened to acclaim on the festival circuit at the Hamptons, Philadelphia, Flyway and Mill Valley film festivals. Entertainment One will handle select US home video distribution rights for the film.
Robert Longfellow (Martin Donovan, Insomnia, “Boss”, “Weeds”) is a famous playwright who has seen better days. His recent Broadway play landed with a thud and his marriage is being tested by the reemergence of an old flame (Olivia Williams, The Ghost Writer, Rushmore). But all of that pales in comparison to what happens when he crosses paths with a childhood neighbor, Gus (David Morse, The Green Mile, Dancer in the Dark, “Treme”). A right-wing, ex-con who still lives with his mother, Gus is Robert’s polar opposite in every way. The unlikely reunion quickly spirals out of control as Robert finds himself held hostage at gunpoint in his childhood home. The drama unfolds as social status, celebrity and the imminent threat of violence converge, building to a climax that will leave both men forever changed.
With an acclaimed acting career spanning over 20 years, including starring roles in a number of iconic Hal Hartley films beginning with Trust in 1990, Collaborator marks Martin Donovan’s first time behind the camera as a writer and director, and he makes the most of it in this riveting and insightful debut.
The film is produced by Julien Favre, Ted Hope, Luca Matrundola and Pascal Vaguelsy. Donovan wrote the screenplay.
“There is an undeniable intensity and intelligence propelling Collaborator, which is a trademark of Martin Donovan’s work,” said Geoff Gilmore, Chief Creative Officer of Tribeca Enterprises. “The energy builds scene by scene on the strength of terrific acting by the great ensemble cast led by Martin and David Morse. We are delighted to be introducing this accomplished work to wider audiences through Tribeca Film.”
“The film is a tragi-comedy about America’s obsession with celebrity, violence and the class/cultural divide tossed into the pressure cooker of a hostage drama. David Morse and Olivia Williams embraced the humor and intensity of the piece and filled out the roles of Gus and Emma better than I could have ever dreamed,” said Donovan. “I’m thrilled to have Tribeca Film bringing Collaborator to American audiences. They’re on the cutting edge of 21st century film distribution and have both the resources and sensibility to make sure it is seen by as wide an audience as possible.”
The deal was negotiated for Tribeca Film by Nick Savva, Director of Acquisitions, with producer Ted Hope and Charlotte Mickie, Entertainment One’s EVP Films International.
About Tribeca Film:
Tribeca Film is a comprehensive distribution label dedicated to acquiring and marketing independent films across multiple platforms, including video-on-demand, theatrical, digital, home video and television. It is an initiative from Tribeca Enterprises designed to provide new platforms for how film can be experienced, while supporting filmmakers and introducing audiences to films they might not otherwise see. American Express continues its support of Tribeca and the independent film community by serving as the Founding Partner of Tribeca Film.
About Entertainment One:
Entertainment One Ltd. (LSE:ETO) is a leading international entertainment company that specializes in the acquisition, production and distribution of film and television content. The company’s comprehensive network extends around the globe including Canada, the U.S., the UK, Ireland, Benelux, France, Germany, Scandinavia, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Through established Entertainment and Distribution divisions, the company provides extensive expertise in film distribution, television and music production, family programming and merchandising and licensing. Its current rights library is exploited across all media formats and includes more than 20,000 film and television titles, 2,500 hours of television programming and 45,000 music tracks.
About Double Hope Films:
Ted Hope Co-founded Double Hope Films, after founding both Good Machine and This is that. Double Hope's STARTLET premieres in competition in SXSW. His production of Todd Solondz's DARK HORSE premiered in competition at the Venice Film Festival and will be released in the US this summer. He was most recently represented by MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE in the theaters. He blogs regularly at HopeForFilm.com and has produced close to 70 films. His next production is Ti West's THE SIDE EFFECT starring Liv Tyler.
About DViant Films:
Julien Favre, Luca Matrundola and Pascal Vaguelsy founded DViant Films an independent production company based in Los Angeles and Toronto. DViant's first feature, Diao Yinan's NIGHT TRAIN premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2007. In 2011, DViant produced Olivia Silver's Sundance Lab project ARCADIA starring John Hawkes, which just won the Crystal Bear at the Berlin Film Festival 2012, and Alonso Mayo's STORY OF LUKE starring Lou Pucci and Seth Green, currently in post production.
PRESS CONTACTS:
Tammie Rosen – Tribeca Enterprises, 212.941.2003, trosen@tribecaenterprises.com
Dade Hayes – Rubenstein Communications, 212.843.8022, dhayes@rubenstein.com
Jackie Rubin - Entertainment One, 416.979.7256, jrubin@entonegroup.com
