The Orchard has acquired North American rights to Joe Swanberg‘s Digging for Fire. In addition, Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions has closed a deal for international rights for the film,
The film, which made its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, is co-written by Jake Johnson and Swanberg and stars Johnson, Rosemarie DeWitt, Orlando Bloom, Brie Larson, Sam Rockwell, Anna Kendrick and Mike Birbiglia.
The film follows the discovery of a bone and a gun, which sends a husband and wife — each full of doubts about their future and anxiety about the present — on separate adventures over the course of a weekend. At the premiere’s Q&A, Swanberg explained that the movie was about the realization that a marriage should be “two individuals agreeing to be in a relationship, rather than two people melting into one thing.”
Digging for Fire was filmed in Los Angeles on 35mm film, with a sprawling ensemble cast that also includes Sam Elliot, Judith Light, Ron Livingston, Melanie Lynskey, Jenny Slate, Tim Simons and Jane Adams.
Swanberg, Alicia Van Couvering and Johnson produced Digging for Fire.
“After admiring Joe’s films for a long time, it’s a dream for us to have the opportunity to work with him,” The Orchard’s Paul Davidson said. “We think audiences will flock to Digging for Fire for its engaging and comedic look at adult relationships, and we’re excited to work with Joe, Jake and Alicia to make that a reality.”
Added Swanberg: “I came to Sundance to find the company that loved my film the most, and would do the smartest and most aggressive job releasing it. I have found that company in The Orchard and can’t wait to start this new relationship.”
This is Swanberg’s second collaboration with Johnson, following Drinking Buddies.
The deal was negotiated by The Orchard’s Danielle DiGiacomo and attorney André Des Rochers.
At Sundance 2015, The Orchard also picked up North American rights to Patrick Brice‘s The Overnight.
