NEW YORK -- IFC Entertainment has acquired all U.S. distribution rights to Ken Loach's "The Wind That Shakes the Barley," this year's Festival de Cannes winner, for its IFC First Take program. As part of that program, the film, which stars Cillian Murphy, will be released simultaneously in theaters and via video-on-demand on cable television in the spring.

It marks the first time a winner of one of the most prestigious awards in the world, the Palme d'Or, will be distributed via the controversial new "day-and-date" model.

"This film could have gone either way" as either a traditional IFC Films theatrical release or as part of the innovative First Take slate, IFC vp marketing Ryan Werner said. "But it's a great symbol of the kind of prestigious film we want for the program. It shows people that we're not just putting any film in First Take. We also wanted it to reach the widest possible audience."

He added that though the film has done well overseas, Loach's films haven't traditionally attracted significant business at the U.S. boxoffice, which was another factor in the decision to take the day-and-date route.

Several major theater chains have refused to distribute day-and-date releases, fearing the loss of the window between theatrical and home video will diminish their take at the boxoffice.

IFC has even encountered difficulty with indie-oriented chain Landmark Theatres -- which refused to book First Take's "I Am a Sex Addict" in one of its theaters in Berkeley, Calif., earlier this year -- even though Landmark is owned by 2929 Entertainment, which has also begun day-and-date releasing experiments of its own.

In that case, 2929 owner Mark Cuban objected to the booking because the cable broadcaster Comcast, which carries First Take, does not carry 2929's HDNet channels, which 2929 uses for its own day-and-date releases.

With Landmark refusing to book IFC's First Take offerings, Clearview Cinemas, which like IFC is owned by Cablevision, refused to book 2929's HDNet Films offerings, released through HDNet's Magnolia Pictures.

But that situation may soon be resolved with Cuban and IFC Entertainment president Jonathan Sehring both saying they're working on an agreement that would have both Clearview and Landmark play each other's day-and-date films. Cuban added that other theater chains also are in the discussions and that he hopes a resolution will be announced in a few weeks.

"Barley" is a 1920s period drama following an Irish doctor (Murphy) who abandons his practice to join his brother (Padraic Delaney) in a fight against the British squads known as the Black and Tans sent to Ireland to prevent its independence.

An Oscar-qualifying one-week release for the film is being discussed.

Paul Laverty wrote the screenplay for the film, which was produced by Rebecca O'Brien with executive producers Ulrich Felsberg, Andrew Lowe, Nigel Thomas and Paul Trijbits. "Barley" will have its North American premiere next month at the Toronto International Film Festival.

The deal was negotiated by IFC's Sehring and Elizabeth Nastro with Pathe Pictures International's Mike Runagall.