Sundance 2013: Phase 4 Nabs 'Milkshake' (Exclusive)

"Milkshake"

Phase 4 Films has acquired the dark comedy Milkshake, which premiered as part of the Sundance Film Festival’s Next program.

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Milkshake: Sundance Review

Starring Tyler Ross (Wise Kids), Shareeka Epps (Half Nelson), Georgia Ford and Eshan Bay, Milkshake marks the feature directorial debut for David Andalman and Mariko Munro.

The film was written and produced by Andalman and Munro and executive produced by Vinay Singh and Jason Sosnoff.



Set in the mid-1990s, the story follows the tragic sex life of Jolie Jolson (Ross), a wannabe thug and great-great-grandson of legendary vaudevillian Al Jolson in suburban Washington, D.C., as he strives to become something he can never be: black.



Phase 4 will release the film in theaters in the summer and on VOD via the company’s Kevin Smith Movie Club across all cable, telco and digital platforms.

Sundance alum Kevin Smith said, "As a guy who shopped at Oak Tree for most of the '90s, the yearnin'-to-be-urban main character brought so vividly to life by Tyler Ross really hit home with me. Shareeka Epps dazzles as the long-suffering sorta-girlfriend, quietly commanding the screen like she did in Half Nelson. Packed with laughs and the benefit of hindsight, this realistic high school indie reminded me of the best entries in that genre -- a sort of Welcome to the Dollhouse for fly guys." 


Added Andalman, “As first-time Sundance filmmakers who were inspired at a young age by Clerks, among other Kevin Smith movies, we feel there couldn't be a better pairing for Milkshake."

Cinetic Media's Linzee Troubh repped the filmmakers

. Katharyn Howe negotiated on behalf of Phase 4.

Email: Tatiana.Siegel@THR.com, Twitter: @TatianaSiegel27