TORONTO, CANADA — September 13, 2012 — IFC Films announced today from the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival that the company is acquiring all North American rights to director Mira Nair's THE RELUCTANT FUNDAMENTALIST starring Liev Schreiber, Kate Hudson, Kiefer Sutherland, and Riz Ahmed in the title roles.
Based on the best-selling novel of the same title by Mohsin Hamid, THE RELUCTANT FUNDAMENTALIST tells the story of a young Pakistani man (Ahmed) whose pursuit of corporate success on Wall Street leads him on a strange path back to the world he had left behind. Toronto festival programmers wrote: "a boldly dramatic adaptation of a remarkable, timely novel, Mira Nair's THE RELUCTANT FUNDAMENTALIST promises to be one of the most talked about films of the year. Mixing romance and tragedy with the classic arc of ambition thwarted, Nair brings Mohsin Hamid's award-winning 2007 book to the screen with both passion and insight. She also delivers a cracking thriller."
The Reluctant Fundamentalist made its world premiere at Opening Night of the Venice Film Festival before its North American premiere in Toronto. It was adapted by Bill Wheeler, with the Screen Story by Mohsin Hamid and Ami Boghani. Produced by Lydia Dean Pilcher under her Cine Mosaic banner, this is the latest Doha Film Institute financed film and is a Mirabai Films and Cine Mosaic production.
The rich visual style is supported by the cinematography of Declan Quinn, production designer Michael Carlin, Costume Designer Arjun Bhasin and Editor Shimit Amin. The music includes the eclectic world of Pakistani funk, a fusion score by iconoclastic Michael Andrews and a stunning new original song composed by Peter Gabriel.
Jonathan Sehring, President of Sundance Selects/IFC Films, said: "THE RELUCTANT FUNDAMENTALIST is the rare intelligent thriller that grapples with the issues of our times while remaining incredibly entertaining. It features a terrific cast including Liev Schrieber, Kate Hudson and Kiefer Sutherland and a star-making performance by Riz Ahmed. It is particularly thrilling to be reunited with the wonderful Mira Nair."
Paul Miller, Head of Film Financing at DFI commented: "We are proud to have supported Mira's latest work that has been so warmly received by audiences in Venice and Toronto. The film's unique mix of commercial thriller and cross-cultural themes of identity and understanding will help it connect with global audiences. We are pleased to have found its North American home with IFC."
The deal for the film was negotiated by Arianna Bocco, Senior Vice President of Acquisitions ' Productions for Sundance Selects/IFC Films and Hal Sadoff for DFI and Bart Walker of Cinetic Media on behalf of the filmmakers. It reunites IFC films with Nair, whose hit film MONSOON WEDDING was financed by the company.
Nair was born in Bhubaneswar, Orissa, India. Her feature films include SALAAM BOMBAY!, which won the Golden Camera and the Audience Award at Cannes. Her recent feature films include MONSOON WEDDING, VANITY FAIR, and THE NAMESAKE.
IFC Films is a sister label to IFC Midnight and Sundance Selects, and is owned and operated by
AMC Networks Inc.
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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 quality talent-driven 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. Some of the company's successes over the years have included My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Y Tu Mama Tambien, Touching the Void, 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days, Gomorrah, Che, Summer Hours, Antichrist, In the Loop, Antichrist, Wordplay, Cairo Time, Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work, Tiny Furniture and Carlos. Over the years, IFC Films has worked with established and breakout auteurs, including Steven Soderbergh, Gus Van Sant, Spike Lee, Richard Linklater, Miranda July, Lars Von Trier, Gaspar Noe, Todd Solondz, Cristian Mungiu, Susanne Bier, Olivier Assayas, Jim McKay, Larry Fessenden, Gregg Araki, Jacques Rivette, Claude Chabrol, as well as more recent breakouts such as Andrea Arnold, Mia Hansen Love, Corneliu Porombiou, Joe Swanberg, Barry Jenkins, Lena Dunham, Aaron Katz, Daryl Wein and Abdellatif Kechiche. Recent releases include PEACE, LOVE, AND MISUNDERSTANDING starring Jane Fonda and Catherine Keener; and YOUR SISTER'S SISTER starring Emily Blunt and Mark Duplass. Upcoming releases include Walter Salles’ Cannes competition film ON THE ROAD starring Kristen Stewart, Sam Riley and Garrett Hedlund (which will be released jointly with Sundance Selects) and Josh Radnor's LIBERAL ARTS starring Elizabeth Olsen and Radnor. IFC Films is a sister label to Sundance Selects and IFC Midnight, and is owned and operated by AMC Networks Inc.
About DFI
Doha Film Institute (DFI) is an independent cultural organisation established in 2010 to incorporate Qatar's film initiatives under one banner; organically supporting the growth of the local film community by enhancing industry knowledge, cultivating film appreciation and contributing to the development of sustainable creative industries in Qatar. DFI's year-round platforms include funding and production of local, regional and international films, educational programmes, film screenings, and the annual Doha Tribeca Film Festival (DTFF).
With culture, community, education and entertainment at its foundation, DFI serves as an all-encompassing film hub in Doha, as well as a resource for the region and the rest of the world. DFI is committed to supporting Qatar's 2030 vision for the development of a knowledge based economy. DFI has established a number of strategic cultural partnerships with leading local and international organisations including Tribeca Enterprises, World Cinema Foundation, Maisha Film Lab, Katara Cultural Village and Giffoni Film Festival.
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