NEW YORK, NY (March, 29 2019) — IFC Films announced today that it is acquiring North American rights to SWORD OF TRUST, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Lynn Shelton (HUMPDAY, YOUR SISTER’S SISTER, LAGGIES), co-written by Lynn Shelton and Mike O’Brien (A.P. BIO, SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE), and starring Marc Maron (WTF WITH MARC MARON, GLOW), Jillian Bell (ROUGH NIGHT, BRITTANY RUNS A MARATHON), Michaela Watkins (WANDERLUST, IN A WORLD), and Jon Bass (MOLLY’S GAME, LOVING). The film is produced by Ted Speaker and Lynn Shelton, executive produced by Peter Gilbert, Eddie Linker, and Joe Swanberg at Forager Films. IFC Films previously collaborated with Shelton on her sophomore feature YOUR SISTER’S SISTER starring Emily Blunt, Mark Duplass, and Rosemarie DeWitt, winning a Gotham Independent Film Award for Best Ensemble Performance, and premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. SWORD OF TRUST had its World Premiere at the 2019 SXSW Film Festival, where Marc Maron’s performance was championed by critics and audiences alike, and will be released theatrically in summer 2019.
SWORD OF TRUST unfolds as Cynthia (Jillian Bell) and Mary (Michaela Watkins) show up to collect Cynthia’s inheritance from her deceased grandfather, the only item she’s received is an antique sword that he believed to be proof that the South won the Civil War. The two attempt to unload the object to a curmudgeonly pawnshop owner Mel (Marc Maron) and his man-child sidekick Nathaniel (Jon Bass). When Mel and Nathaniel discover there’s a black market for the relic, the two pairs reluctantly join forces to sell this rarefied ‘prover item’ to the highest bidder. The adventure that ensues takes the four of them on a wild journey into the depths of conspiracy theory and Southern disillusionment.
Arianna Bocco EVP of Acquisitions and Productions of IFC Films said, “The partnership between Lynn Shelton and Marc Maron couldn’t be more in tune. Lynn’s background in improvisation with Marc’s trademark wit is the perfect storm for a brilliant performance and a film that bursts with comedic energy.”
Lisa Schwartz, Co-President of IFC Films added, “We are thrilled to continue our relationship with Lynn after the success of YOUR SISTER’S SISTER. Her sharp wit and observant sense of humor is unparalleled, and we are excited to partner with her and the entire filmmaking team on the release.”
Lynn Shelton added, “I’m so excited to be partnering with IFC Films on the unsheathing of Sword of Trust. The film was a true labor of love and I can’t wait for audiences across the country to see it. And it’s an added treat to be working once again with my friends at IFC Films to get it out into the world!”
The deal for the film was negotiated by Arianna Bocco and UTA on behalf of the filmmakers.
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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.