As one of the last remaining hot titles from the Sundance Film Festival, Kelly Reichardt’s female-led drama Certain Women has been taken off the market by IFC Films.
The deal is for U.S. rights to the pic, which stars Michelle Williams, Kristen Stewart and Laura Dern as well as Lily Gladstone, James Le Gros, Jared Harris and René Auberjonois.
Written by Reichardt, the film follows intersecting lives across Montana, including a lawyer (Dern) trying to diffuse a hostage situation led by her disgruntled client, a married couple (Williams, Le Gros) who buy a home only to run into relationship problems, and a ranch hand (Gladstone) who forms a connection with a stranger (Stewart) passing through town. The script was adapted from a collection of short stories by Maile Meloy.
Certain Women was produced by Neil Kopp, Vincent Savino and Anish Savjani of filmscience and was executive produced by Carol director Todd Haynes and Larry Fessenden.
Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions’ Stage 6 Films acquired worldwide rights to the film prior to the start of production and will distribute internationally.
“The entire team at IFC Films have long been fans of Kelly and are thrilled to finally be working with her — she is a master at her craft and one of the most distinct storytellers working in cinema today,” Jonathan Sehring, president of Sundance Selects/IFC Films, said Wednesday in a statement. “Along with her amazing cast of Kristen Stewart, Laura Dern, Lily Gladstone and Michelle Williams, Kelly has created another treasure that confirms her as one of our great American filmmakers. We can’t wait to bring it to the theaters for audiences to see.”
Added Reichardt: “We’re thrilled to be working with IFC Films. Their enthusiasm for the film was amazing, and we very much look forward to collaborating with their team on its release this year.”
Certain Women made its world bow on Jan. 24 in Sundance’s Premieres section.
The deal was negotiated by Sundance Selects/IFC Films’ Arianna Bocco. UTA repped the filmmakers.
