CARLOS, Sundance Channel’s First Scripted Project, to Premiere on Network in October
IFC Films Plans Subsequent October Theatrical and VOD Release
Cannes, France (May 13, 2010) – Sundance Channel (www.sundancechannel.com) and IFC Films (www.ifcfilms.com) announced plans today for a multi-platform release of the highly-anticipated film, CARLOS. The five-and-a-half-hour film is the definitive portrait of the renowned international terrorist known as Carlos the Jackal, who masterminded a wave of terror attacks in Europe and the Middle East in the ’70s and ’80s. Produced by Studio Canal in association with Sundance Channel, the film is Sundance Channel’s first original scripted project and is scheduled to premiere on the network as a three-part mini-series in October. Following the Sundance Channel premiere, IFC Films, one of the leading American distributors of independent and foreign films, will distribute both the extended, three-part version of the film as well as a theatrical version nationally in theaters, with the theatrical version available nationally on video-on-demand. Sundance Channel and IFC Films are owned and operated by Rainbow Media.
Directed by Olivier Assayas (Summer Hours), the film stars Edgar Ramirez (CHE) in the title role. CARLOS was selected for the Official Selection at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival and will screen Wednesday, May 19 at noon at the GRANDTHEATRE LUMIERE.
"Every so often a project like CARLOS comes along that presents a one-of-a-kind opportunity to do something different that will maximize its potential and its exposure," said Sarah Barnett, executive vice president and general manager, Sundance Channel. "CARLOS is a hugely ambitious and beautifully executed work of drama; we are excited to move into the scripted arena with a project of this caliber."
"We’re looking forward to working with our sister company Sundance Channel on the multi-platform release of CARLOS. IFC Films pioneered the day and date VOD model, and we pride ourselves on releasing films in unique ways which will expand the audience for each project," said Jonathan Sehring, President, IFC Entertainment. "We’re excited to continue our ongoing relationship with Studio Canal and are happy to be working with Olivier once again after our great success with the award winning Summer Hours."
His name is Ilich Ramirez Sanchez, but everybody calls him Carlos. For two decades, he was the most wanted terrorist on earth. Manipulated by Arab secret services, protected by the Eastern bloc, in various disguises and under many pseudonyms, he headed a worldwide organization responsible for spectacular killings, hijackings and bombings.
Directed by acclaimed French filmmaker Olivier Assayas (Summer Hours), CARLOS examines the life of this infamous criminal, who was alternately seen as a hero, playboy and revolutionary or a villainous assassin. Starring Edgar Ramirez (CHE, Domino) in the lead role, CARLOS includes a sweeping cast of international talent from France, Germany, Japan and the Middle East and was shot in various countries including Austria, France, Germany, Hungary, Lebanon and Morocco.
Assayas’ box-office success Summer Hours won Best Foreign Film from the National Society of Film Critics, New York Film Critics Circle, Los Angeles Film Critics Assocation and the Boston Society of Film Critics.
About Sundance Channel
Under the creative direction of Robert Redford, Sundance Channel is the television destination for independent-minded viewers seeking something different. Bold, imaginative and uncompromising, Sundance Channel offers audiences a diverse and engaging selection of films, documentaries and original programs. Launched in 1996, Sundance Channel is a subsidiary of Rainbow Media Holdings LLC. Sundance Channel operates independently of the non-profit Sundance Institute and the Sundance Film Festival, but shares the overall Sundance mission of encouraging artistic freedom of expression. Sundance Channel’s website address is www.sundancechannel.com.
About IFC Entertainment
A leader in the independent film industry, IFC Entertainment consists of multiple brands that are devoted to bringing the best of specialty films to the largest possible audience: IFC Films, Festival Direct, IFC Productions, and the IFC Center. IFC Films is a leading distributor of independent film. Its unique day and date distribution model, ’IFC In Theaters,’ makes independent films available to a national audience by releasing them simultaneously in theaters as well as on cable’s On Demand platform and through Pay-Per-View, reaching 50 million homes. ’IFC Festival Direct’ features a wide selection of titles acquired from major international film festivals and offers them exclusively through Video on Demand. IFC Productions is a feature film production company that provides financing for select independent film projects. IFC Center is a three screen, state-of-the-art cinema with luxurious seating and HD digital and 35mm projection that shows art-house films in the heart of New York’s Greenwich Village. IFC Entertainment’s companies are subsidiaries of Rainbow Media Holdings LLC.
About Rainbow Media Holdings LLC
Rainbow Media Holdings LLC is a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC). Rainbow Media owns and operates some of the world’s most popular and award-winning entertainment brands, including AMC, IFC, Sundance Channel, WE tv, Wedding Central and IFC Entertainment (IFC Center, IFC Festival Direct, IFC Films, IFC In Theaters and IFC Productions). Additional information about Rainbow Media’s multiplatform brands is available at www.rainbow-media.com.