A veteran with 10 red Cannes’ carpet, U.K. director Ken Loach, famous for being more feted in Europe than on British shores, brings an unusually optimistic film about a malt whisky heist to Cannes for a taste test.
Sundance Selects has acquired all U.S. rights to director Ken Loach’s The Angels’ Share. The movie, about a man who takes over a whisky distillery in Scotland, had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday.
The film stars Paul Brannigan, Siobhan Reilly, John Henshaw, Gary Maitland, William Ruane, Jasmin Riggins and Roger Allam. Written by Paul Laverty, it was produced by Rebecca O’Brien and executive produced by Pascal Caucheteux and Vincent Maraval.
Q&A: Ken Loach on ‘The Angels’ Share’
The acquisition marks the fourth time IFC Films/Sundance Selects has taken on one of Loach’s films, having previously handled his 2006 Palme d’Or-winning The Wind That Shakes the Barley, It’s a Free World and Looking for Eric.
“The Angels’ Share was one of the supreme pleasures of the 2012 Cannes Film Festival,” said Jonathan Sehring, president of Sundance Selects/IFC Films. “It is a deeply felt, irresistible and often very funny story of redemption.”
Sundance Selects/IFC Films also acquired Ben Wheatley‘s Directors’ Fortnight entry Sightseers at the fest.
Q&A: Sundance Selects/IFC Films President Jonathan Sehring on ‘On the Road’ and Festival Survival
The Angels deal was negotiated by Arianna Bocco, senior vp acquisitions and productions for Sundance Selects/IFC Films, with Carole Baraton of Wild Bunch on behalf of the filmmakers.
Sundance Selects is a sister division to IFC Films and IFC Midnight and is owned and operated by AMC Networks.
