In a development well in keeping with this year’s pre-Cannes chaos, Apparition co-topper Bill Pohlad told his staff Monday that company co-founder Bob Berney has quit as COO of the year-old indie.
Berney and Pohlad weren’t immediately available, and a company spokeswoman said she didn’t know anything other than what was reflected in a staff e-mail from Pohlad.
“As some of you may know, Bob Berney has submitted his resignation to me,” Pohlad wrote to employees. “I suspect that this news comes as a surprise to many of you. It certainly did to me. So I can’t claim that we have a plan in place yet in the wake of this announcement. I can, however, assure you that we will be working in the days ahead to explore our options regarding his replacement.”
Pohlad that senior vp Valerie Bruce would serve as interim COO.
Apparition has specialized in limited releases of festival fare and other acquisitions. Its latest pic — the dramatic thriller “The Square” — has rung up $217,656 in a month of limited theatrical distribution.
