Lenny Abrahamson’s newest movie has a confirmed release in North America.
After premiering at Sundance and receiving rave reviews, Lenny Abrahamson’s ‘Frank’ has been picked up by Magnolia Pictures, which will be distributing the film in North America.
‘Frank’ is an Element Pictures/Runaway Fridge production for Film4, BFI, Protagonist Pictures and the Irish Film Board. ‘Frank’ was produced by Ed Guiney, David Barron and Stevie Lee, with executive producers Tessa Ross, Katherine Butler, Andrew Lowe and Nigel Williams.
The deal was negotiated for Magnolia by senior VP of acquisitions Dori Begley and director of acquisitions John Von Thaden, with WME and Protagonist Pictures on behalf of the filmmakers. Protagonist is handling worldwide sales.
Belfast-born Magnolia founder and President Eamonn Bowles said, “All of us at Magnolia were completely taken with ‘Frank. It reaffirms the considerable talents of Lenny Abrahamson, who has delivered a beautiful, poignant and hilarious film that speaks on many levels about being an artist. That Michael Fassbender can be so affecting while encased in a papier-mache head proves that he is one of the greatest actors working today.” Bowles was “a fan” of Abrahamson’s debut feature ‘Adam & Paul’.
Ed Guiney is producer of the film. He was also delighted with the news and said, “Magnolia is an incredibly innovative and exciting company and we have long wanted to work with them. They are the perfect partners for ‘Frank’ and we could not be happier that we have landed with them and we are very excited about their plans for the US.”
Speaking from Park City, director Lenny Abrahamson said: “I’m delighted that ‘Frank’ has found a home in the US with Magnolia. I know that the team there has a genuine passion for ‘Frank’. Along with their skill and experience this makes them the right partners to bring the film to its audience there.”
Magnolia Pictures is an American film distributor that specialises in both foreign and independent. It previously distributed Lars von Trier’s ‘Melancholia’, Terence Malick’s ‘To the wonder’ and Swedish horror ‘Let the Right One in.’
Magnolia is looking to release ‘Frank’ in the USA this summer. ‘Frank’ will be released by Element Distribution in Ireland in May.
