TORONTO, CANADA (September 14, 2016) – IFC Films announced today from the 2016 Toronto Film Festival that the company has acquired US rights to Philippe Falardeau’s THE BLEEDER. The film, directed by Falardeau (THE GOOD LIE), and written by Jeff Feurzeig and Jerry Stahl, stars Liev Schreiber, Elisabeth Moss, and Naomi Watts. The film was produced by Liev Schreiber; Christa Campbell and Lati Grobman of Campbell Grobman Films; Mike Tollin of Mike Tollin Productions; and Carl Hampe. Avi Lerner’s Millenium Films financed the film. THE BLEEDER had its world premiere at the 2016 Venice Film Festival followed by its North American premiere in Toronto this week. The film will have a theatrical release in spring 2017.
THE BLEEDER is the true story of Chuck Wepner, the man who inspired the billion-dollar film series ROCKY—a liquor salesman from New Jersey who went 15 rounds with the greatest boxer of all time, Muhammad Ali. In his ten years in the ring, Wepner endured two knockouts, eight broken noses, and 313 stitches. But his toughest fights were outside the ring: an epic life of drugs, booze, wild women, incredible highs and extraordinary lows
“THE BLEEDER’s journey could not have found a better conclusion. I’m thrilled that IFC Films acquired our film. I love the group’s philosophy and during the past days, their passion for THE BLEEDER was certainly contagious. I look forward to working with them in the near future,” commented Falardeau.
“I am truly thrilled our film has found a home at IFC Films and Showtime. The team at IFC Films is pretty much leading the way in terms of effective and substantive theatrical releases right now,” said Schreiber. “As for Showtime, they’ve become family in the past 5 years so to have them be a part of this movie just feels right. Such a great outcome.”
Jonathan Sehring, Co-President of Sundance Selects/IFC Films stated: “We all unanimously fell in love with the film. Liev and the cast’s incredible performances in THE BLEEDER are due to their deep commitment to their roles and the expert guiding hand of Academy Award-nominated Falardeau.” Lisa Schwartz, Co-President of Sundance Selects/IFC Films, continued, “IFC Films couldn’t be more thrilled to be working with a filmmaker of this caliber and are incredibly honored to bring this magnificent piece of work to US audiences.”
Showtime will be the Pay TV home for THE BLEEDER. The network is home to the acclaimed series RAY DONOVAN, which also stars Schreiber.
The deal for the film was negotiated with EVP of Acquisitions and Productions Arianna Bocco for IFC, along with UTA Independent on behalf of the filmmakers.
IFC Films is a sister label to Sundance Selects and IFC Midnight, 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. Upcoming releases include Kelly Reichardt’s CERTAIN WOMEN starring Laura Dern, Kristen Stewart, Michelle Williams and Lily Gladstone. Recent releases include Robert Budreau’s BORN TO BE BLUE starring Ethan Hawke and Carmen Ejogo; Matthew Brown’s THE MAN WHO KNEW INFINITY starring Jeremy Irons and Dev Patel; Leslye Headland’s SLEEPING WITH OTHER PEOPLE, starring Jason Sudeikis and Alison Brie; and Oren Moverman’s TIME OUT OF MIND, starring Richard Gere and Ben Vereen. Some of the company’s notable releases over the years have included Richard Linklater’s BOYHOOD starring Ellar Coltrane, Patricia Arquette, Ethan Hawke and Lorelei Linklater, which was nominated for six Academy Awards including Best Picture; Michael Winterbottom’s THE TRIP TO ITALY starring Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon; Joel Zwick’s MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING; Michael Moore’s FAHRENHEIT 9/11; Lena Dunham’s TINY FURNITURE; Noah Baumbach’s FRANCES HA; and Alfonso Cuaron’s Y TU MAMA TAMBIEN. IFC Films is a sister label to Sundance Selects and IFC Midnight, and is owned and operated by AMC Networks Inc.