Paul Schrader's The Canyons

IFC picks up The Canyons
IFC acquired North American rights to director Paul Schrader’s The Canyons, starring Lindsay Lohan and adult film star James Deen. A neo-noir set in the underbelly of L.A. about the dangers of sexual obsession, The Canyons boasts the tagline: “It’s not The Hills.”

“This film is a wild ride through the psyche of Bret Easton Ellis courtesy of Paul Schrader. Lindsay Lohan is terrific as Tara and James Deen will be a big surprise for people,” Jonathan Sehring, President of Sundance Selects/IFC Films, said. “We are thrilled that the filmmakers’ adventure in filmmaking 2.0 has brought them to our door.”

Schrader also expressed his excitement for the IFC distribution: “I am delighted our film has found an enthusiastic home at IFC. We envisioned The Canyons as a multi-platform release from the beginning and no company knows that world better than IFC.”

Written by Bret Easton Ellis (screenwriter, American Psycho) and directed by Schrader (screenwriter, Taxi Driver), The Canyons will premiere early summer in conjunction with a special event at the Film Society of Lincoln Center. Head to our blog post for more juicy details.


Martha Shane and Lana Wilson's After Tiller

Oscilloscope acquires Sundance hit After Tiller
Oscilloscope Laboratories announced on Friday the acquisition of North American rights to Martha Shane and Lana Wilson’s directorial debut After Tiller, about the four doctors in America who perform third trimester abortions after the assassination of one of their colleagues Dr. George Tiller.

The film world premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, and directors Shane and Wilson appeared on episode five of the Daily Buzz with Film Society’s Eugene Hernandez.

“Martha and Lana have created a moving and unique exploration of one of the most incendiary topics of our time, and they’ve done so in an informative, thought-provoking, and compassionate way,” shared Oscilloscope’s Dan Berger and David Laub. “We were so impressed with their ability to present such a controversial issue with such respect and complexity, allowing the film to resonate equally for people both for and against the procedure.”

Oscilloscope plans a nationwide theatrical release followed by video-on-demand, digital and home entertainment releases.


Adam Leon's Gimme the Loot

Demme champions ND/NF alum Gimme the Loot
Writer-director Adam Leon’s breakout hit Gimme the Loot, which played at New Directors/New Films 2012, will be released March 22 by Sundance Selects with director Jonathan Demme (Silence of the Lambs) as an executive producer.

Gimme the Loot is “one crazily accomplished American motion picture debut,” declared Demme. And critics mightily agreed just after its debut at South by Southwest in 2012. The film won Someone to Watch at the Independent Spirit Awards and Grand Jury Prize for Best Narrative Feature at SXSW.

Gimme the Loot tells the tale of two Bronx teens (Tysheeb Hickson and Tashiana R. Washington) who aim to pull off a Philippe Petit-esque mission by tagging an iconic New York landmark with their spectacular graffiti skills. 

More Oscar presenters/performers announced
With the 85th Academy Awards just over a week away, head to Indiewire for additional presenters and performers to look forward to on that glitzy Sunday night. The list includes Jessica Chastain, Nicole Kidman, Ben Affleck and Jean Dujardin, to name a few.

In addition to the extended list all of last year’s acting winners, Meryl Streep, Jean Dujardin, Octavia Spencer and Christopher Plummer, and performers Norah Jones and Dame Shirley Bassey were previously confirmed to take the stage. Film Society’s very own honoree for the 40th annual Chaplin Award Gala, Barbra Streisand, will also be performing at the Oscars for the first time since 1977. Keep up with Oscar buzz and other award info at The Season.