Irish Film EDEN Picked up for Theatrical Distribution in North America
The award-winning Irish drama, EDEN has been picked up for theatrical distribution in North America by Liberation Entertainment and is due to be released in autumn 2008.EDEN first received industry acclaim at the film's international premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival last month, when Eileen Walsh won the Best Actress Award. EDEN will also be featured at the 2008 Edinburgh International Film Festival in Scotland this week. The film was directed by Declan Recks and produced by Samson Films, with funding from Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board (IFB), RTE and the BCI.
"This is a film that grabs hold of you and won't let go," commented Jay Boberg, CEO, Liberation Entertainment. "We were completely taken by the power of the performances and Declan Recks' unique take on the material."
"We were really pleased at the hugely positive reaction to EDEN at the Tribeca Film Festival, where Eileen Walsh was honored with the award for Best Actress," said EDEN producer David Collins. "We look forward to working with Jay and Rob and all the team at Liberation on finding the right audience for this very special film."
"Recks and O'Brien masterfully maneuver the emotional complexities of their characters, parlaying the utmost minutiae into brilliant indications of depth, and giving equal footing to both their beautiful and devastating sides." - David Kwok, Tribeca Film Festival 2008
Other Irish films which have been selling well in major international territories include The Escapist, starring Liam Cunningham, currently on release in Ireland and the UK and Dorothy Mills, starring young Irish actress Jenn Murray in the lead role. North American rights for Dorothy Mills were picked up by The Weinstein Company and Think Film hold the North American rights for The Escapist. Indie Circle has picked up the rights for The Escapist in Italy, France, Belgium and Benelux.
The Escapist, produced by Parallel Films, is being sold by Goalpost Films. Dorothy Mills was produced by Octagon Films with sales being handled by Wild Bunch. Both projects were produced with finance from the IFB.
EDEN is currently screening in the Lighthouse Cinema, Smithfield and The Escapist is currently screening in cinemas nationwide.