Sundance 2007: Let The Buying Begin
BY CYNDI GREENING, PHOENIX, USA (CINEMA MINIMA) — The festival doesn't begin for a couple more days but that isn't stopping the acquisitions folks from picking up Sundance films. Amir Bar-Lev's MY KID COULD PAINT THAT has exchanged North American TV rights in and equity investment deal with A&E. With A&E on board as a partner, the filmmakers and AE will go to Sundance seeking a theatrical distribution deal. CAA and Submarine brokered the deal.
THINKfilm has already acquired two Sundance documentary films. Sean Fine and Andrea Nix Fine's WAR / DANCE follows three Ugandan youth from their displacement camp in Northern Uganda to the National Dance Competition. The students share the stories of their abductions and the loss of their families as they train for the dance. An uplifting tale in the tradition of BORN INTO BROTHELS, the Fines' film is beautiful to watch. The other film acquired by THINKfilm is a bit more challenging to distribute. Robinson Devor's ZOO is described as a thoughtful and tasteful tale about one's man's zoophiliac love of Arabian horses. One of the best things about THINKfilm, I think, is their willingness to take on challenging films.
While they're great at taking on difficult films, Mark Urman and the folks at THINKfilm also have to have some significant distribution successes if they are to remain in business. A glance at IMDB reveals that they are particularly adept at choosing very popular and highly distributable documentaries. Among their previous acquisitions:
• MURDERBALL
• THE ARISTOCRATS
• SPELLBOUND
• THE TALE OF THE WEEPING CAMEL
• BORN INTO BROTHELS (Academy Award winner)
One more important note! You should be sure to check out the IndieWIRE Sundance Interviews. They blogging at least two interviews per day featuring Sundance filmmakers! They sent email questionnaires to all the participants two weeks prior to the festival to give them a chance to capture thoughts about their films before the festival madness consumed their lives.