By Karina Longworth
The other night, someone with knowledge of these things approached me at a party and said, “Have you heard that Magnolia’s bought Che? I’ve never heard a more premature rumor in my life.” Any suspicion in my mind that this party chat was mere misdirection has just been proved unfounded with IFC’s announcement that they’ve bought Steven Soderbergh’s epic for U.S. release. In not specifying that IFC will release the two halves of the film separately, the press release implies that Che’s “two stand-alone parts” will be shown in theaters back-to-back. But this is the only specific language regarding their distribution plan:
Che will be released for one week awards qualifying run in New York and Los Angeles in December. The company will then re-open the film in January through IFC In Theaters, its day-and-date distribution platform which makes independent films available to a national audience in theaters and on-demand, simultaneously. It will also be included in the company’s exclusive video rental deal with Blockbuster Video.
I’ve pasted the full release after the jump. More when we get it.
UPDATE: Anne Thompson clarifies the “one movie, or two?” issue: “IFC will open the full four-hour movie with an intermission for one-week Oscar-qualifying runs in New York and Los Angeles before opening CheThe Argentine) in 15 to 25 key markets in January; Part Two (The Guerilla) will follow the Oscar nominations announcement.” Part One (
IFC FILMS ACQUIRES NORTH AMERICAN RIGHTS TO
STEVEN SODERBERGH’S CHE
Toronto, Ontario – September 10, 2008 – IFC Films has acquired all North American rights to Steven Soderbergh’s epic “Che” starring Benicio Del Toro, produced by Laura Bickford and Benicio Del Toro and written by Peter Buchman. The film had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival where Benicio Del Toro won the Best Actor Prize. It is currently screening at the Toronto International Film Festival and will be screening next at the New York Film Festival.
“Che” will be released for one week awards qualifying run in New York and Los Angeles in December. The company will then re-open the film in January through IFC In Theaters, its day-and-date distribution platform which makes independent films available to a national audience in theaters and on-demand, simultaneously. It will also be included in the company’s exclusive video rental deal with Blockbuster Video.
Jonathan Sehring, President of IFC Films commented, “Steven’s been involved with IFC as a member of the advisory board of both the IFC Network and the IFC Center since we formed them. We also financed “Gray’s Anatomy, ” and we have always considered him one of the most visionary American directors at work. “Che” is nothing less than the film event of the year. By giving us the rise and fall of one of the great icons of history, Steven Soderbergh and Benicio Del Toro, who gives an incredible soulful performance, have humanized him and given audiences around the world something that will be discussed for years to come. We are uniquely positioned through our day-and-date program and our Blockbuster deal to get this film to the widest possible audience, and we are thrilled.”
Keith Leopard, Director of Content for Blockbuster, said, “We are extremely excited to partner with IFC Films and present this stunning and thought provoking film to our customers.”
The deal was negotiated by IFC President Jonathan Sehring, VP of Acquisitions and Production Arianna Bocco and Senior Counsel Betsy Rodgers with Wild Bunch’s Vincent Maraval, Agnes Mentre, Laurent Baudens and Pierre Selinger.
“This project is so important to us and we wanted to partner with someone sharing our same idea of distribution,” said Maraval. “This is a unique distribution challenge and we needed someone with creative passion and marketing skill to work with. IFC Films came with the same ambition and energy that we had during the whole process of that exceptional adventure. We are pleased and relieved to give them our dearest baby to take care of.”
Producer Laura Bickford said, “IFC Films is a great place for “Che” and we are thrilled at their enthusiasm for the film and the unique model they offer us.”
“Che” is comprised of two stand alone parts that are the result of 7 years of intense research: “The Argentine” and “Guerrilla.” In “The Argentine,” Ernesto Che Guevara, an Argentine doctor, is one of 80 rebels under Fidel Castro on a mission to overthrow the corrupt government of Fulgencio Batista. Che is quickly embraced by his comrades and the Cuban people through his grasp of guerilla warfare and as a fighter. The film tracks his rise in the Cuban revolution from doctor to commander to revolutionary hero.
In “Guerrilla”, Che is at the height of his powers after the Cuban Revolution and has reemerged in Bolivia. Che has organized a group of Cubans and Bolivians to start the great Latin American revolution which will ultimately bring him to his death. Through this story, we come to understand how Che remains a symbol of idealism and heroism that lives in the hearts of people around the world.
IFC Films has been a major presence at the Toronto Film Festival with 7 films screening at the festival including Arnaud Desplechin’s A CHRISTMAS TALE, Ole Christian Madsen’s “Flame and Citron”, Matteo Garrone’s “Gomorrah,” Kim Jee-Woon’s “The Good, The Bad, The Weird”, Steve McQueen’s “Hunger”, Barry Jenkins’ “Medicine for Melancholy” and Olivier Assayas’ “Summer Hours”. The company just announced the acquisition of Jan Troell’s “Everlasting Moments” which was one of the standout hits of the Telluride Film Festival and is currently also screening in Toronto.
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"The play's the thing wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king."
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