Cannes 2012: 'Shadow People' Picked Up by Anchor Bay for North America, the U.K, New Zealand

Matthew Arnold's big screen debut Shadow People, starring Dallas Roberts and Alison Eastwood is to scare up audiences across North America, the U.K. and Australia/New Zealand.

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Billed as a supernatural thriller, Arnold's film is based on true story about a small town radio personality who unravels a conspiracy about encounters with mysterious beings.

Such "shadow people" were the cause of hundreds of unexplained deaths in the 1980s in the U.S.

Anchor Bay Films has acquired all rights for North America, U.K. and Australia/New Zealand to the picture in a multi-territory deal struck with sales agent Arclight Films.

The movie is produced by Michael Ohoven  (Capote) and the deal was announced by Anchor Bay Entertainment president Bill Clark. 

"When I first heard this concept, I couldn't sleep at night,” said Ohoven. "We had found a very real and terrifying phenomenon that affects millions of people worldwide and has even killed some of them. The idea is so terrifying that people don't even want to talk about it."

The multi-territory deal was struck despite it being marketed on the basis that researchers have linked the appearance of the shadowy figures as a phenomenon of the real life disease Sudden Unexplained Nocturnal Death Syndrome.

"Because the disease infects the mind, merely watching this movie or studying the phenomenon could, according to some researchers, expose the viewer to infection," the backers said.

"I found that this phenomenon is very widespread, especially in Asia. I knew I had to expose this concept so people could understand what was happening to them, but ironically, by discussing it, more people begin experiencing it,” said Arnold.

"Shadow People is destined to be a success not only in the U.S. but internationally as well, due to its universal commercial appeal,” said Arclight Films managing director Gary Hamilton. "This supernatural thriller is full of suspense that unfolds in a terrifying and creative way," added Hamilton suggesting "audiences are sure to experience layers of mystery that will shock them to the core."

The movie made its Marche du Film premiere during Cannes.