A few weeks after its debut out in Park City, IFC Films have announced that they have acquired the North American distribution rights to Kristen Stewart’s latest film, Camp X-Ray.
The drama, which screened in competition at Sundance last month, opened to warm responses in early reviews, praising Stewart’s performance in particular, and it’s nice to know that it’s found a home in a distributor as strong and well-rounded as IFC.
A young woman joins the military to be part of something bigger than herself and her small-town roots. Instead, she ends up as a new guard at Guantanamo Bay, where her mission is far from black and white. Surrounded by hostile jihadists and aggressive squadmates, she strikes up an unusual friendship with one of the detainees. As two people on opposite sides of a war, they struggle to find their way through the ethical quagmire of Guantanamo Bay. In the process, they form an unlikely bond that changes them both.
Starring alongside Stewart is Payman Maadi, Lane Garrison, J.J. Soria, and John Carroll Lynch.
Peter Sattler makes his directorial debut with the movie, directing from his own script, with Gina Kwon (The Good Girl) producing.
“Peter Sattler has made a stirring, sensitive and thought-provoking film that features two powerhouse performances by Peyman Moaadi and Kristen Stewart,” said Jonathan Sehring, president of Sundance Selects/IFC Films. “Moaadi proves once again that he is a force to be reckoned with and Stewart undoubtedly gives the best and most moving performance of her already remarkable career.”
IFC also came away from Sundance acquiring the rights to dramatic thriller Cold in July and John Slattery’s directorial debut, God’s Pocket, with IFC Midnight picking up The Babadook.
In recent years, the distributor’s impressive array of credits have included Frances Ha, Ain’t Them Bodies Saints, On the Road, Sightseers, Liberal Arts, Your Sister’s Sister, Weekend, and Pina. They have given a home to some of the finest talents on both sides of the camera, making another solid move in acquiring Camp X-Ray.
No word yet on when they’re intending to release the film, but a late summer or early autumn/fall sounds like a likely possibility.
