IFC Films has acquired U.S. rights to Carlo Mirabella-Davis’ feminist horror film SWALLOW. The film had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival 2019 where it earned glowing reviews, made an audience member faint, and won the “Best Actress” Award for its lead, Haley Bennett. Elizabeth Marvel, David Rasche, Laith Nakli, and Denis O’Hare round out the cast. SWALLOW was produced by Mollye Asher and Mynette Louie alongside Carole Baraton of Charades and Frédéric Fiore of Logical Pictures. Bennett executive produced along with Joe Wright, Constantin Briest, Yohann Comte, Pierre Mazars, Eric Tavitian, and Sam Bisbee. IFC Films will be releasing SWALLOW theatrically in 2020.
In SWALLOW, Bennett plays a newly pregnant woman whose idyllic existence takes an alarming turn when she develops a compulsion to eat dangerous objects. As her husband (Austin Stowell) and his family tighten their control over her life, she is forced to confront the dark secret behind her uncontrollable obsession. Mirabella-Davis’ bold debut feature plays like a warped fairy tale, posing provocative questions about the expectations imposed on women, women’s control over their own bodies and the psychologically damaging effects of patriarchal culture.
Arianna Bocco EVP of Acquisitions and Productions of IFC Films said, “SWALLOW is one of the most provocative and timely films we have seen yet this year with a star turning performance from Haley Bennett. We’re thrilled to introduce Carlo Mirabella-Davis to US audiences with this stunning first-time feature debut.”
“I’m incredibly thrilled to be working with IFC Films on my first feature! I’ve long admired all the brilliant, groundbreaking films they’ve brought to the world.” said Mirabella-Davis. “It’s been amazing sharing SWALLOW with festival audiences, and we can’t wait for a wider audience to see it.”
The deal for the film was negotiated by Arianna Bocco and Aijah Keith of IFC Films with CAA Media Finance and UTA Independent Film Group on behalf of the filmmakers.
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ABOUT IFC FILMS
Established in 2000 and based in New York City, IFC Films is a leading U.S. distributor of independent film. Its unique distribution model makes independent films available to a national audience by releasing them in theaters as well as on cable’s Video On Demand (VOD) platform, reaching nearly 50 million homes. Upcoming releases include DONNYBROOK directed by Tim Sutton, NON-FICTION directed by Olivier Assayas and THE WEDDING GUEST directed by Michael Winterbottom. Some of the company’s successes over the years have included BOYHOOD, THE DEATH OF STALIN, FRANCES HA, MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING, Y TU MAMA TAMBIEN, THE BABADOOK, TOUCHING THE VOID, 4 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AND 2 DAYS, CHE, SUMMER HOURS, ANTICHRIST, IN THE LOOP, JOAN RIVERS: A PIECE OF WORK, TINY FURNITURE, and CARLOS. IFC Films has worked with established and breakout filmmakers, including Steven Soderbergh, Gus Van Sant, Spike Lee, Richard Linklater, Miranda July, Lars Von Trier, Gaspar Noé, Todd Solondz, Cristian Mungiu, Susanne Bier, Olivier Assayas, Jim McKay, Larry Fessenden, Paul Dano, Gregg Araki, Jacques Rivette, Claude Chabrol, Abdellatif Kechiche, Kore-eda Hirokazu, Abbas Kiarostami, Alfonso Cuaron, Noah Baumbach, Lena Dunham, Ethan Hawke and many more. IFC Films is a sister label to Sundance Selects and IFC Midnight, and is owned and operated by AMC Networks Inc.