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
New York, NY – February 27, 2012 – 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.
