AMC+ AND RLJE FILMS ANNOUNCE THE ACQUISITION OF THE KEIRA KNIGHTLEY-LED SILENT NIGHT AHEAD OF FILM’S WORLD PREMIERE AT TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
FROM WRITER & DIRECTOR CAMILLE GRIFFIN, SILENT NIGHT TO BE RELEASED IN THEATERS AND STREAM EXCLUSIVELY ON AMC+ IN NORTH AMERICA THIS DECEMBER
All-Star Cast includes Matthew Goode, Roman Griffin Davis, Annabelle Wallis, Lily-Rose Depp, Ṣọpé Dìrísù, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Lucy Punch, Rufus Jones, and Trudie Styler
NEW YORK – September 9, 2021 – AMC Networks’ premium streaming bundle AMC+ and RLJE Films, a business unit of AMC Networks, announced today the acquisition of and a day-and-date release for the darkly comedic drama Silent Night ahead of the film’s world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. Marking writer Camille Griffin’s directorial debut, Silent Night is set to be released in theaters and stream exclusively on AMC+ in North America this December. The film, focusing on a group of friends that comes together for an eventful Christmas dinner, stars Keira Knightley, Matthew Goode, Roman Griffin Davis, Annabelle Wallis, Lily-Rose Depp, Ṣọpé Dìrísù, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Lucy Punch, Rufus Jones and Trudie Styler among others.
From producers Matthew Vaughn (Kingsman franchise), Trudie Styler (Moon) and Celine Rattray (The Kids Are Alright), Silent Night follows a group of old friends who – in true British fashion and while the rest of the world faces impending doom – reunite to celebrate Christmas in the comfort of an idyllic country home. Burdened with the inconvenience of mankind’s imminent destruction, they adopt a stiff upper lip, crack open another bottle of prosecco and continue with their festivities. But no amount of stoicism can replace the courage needed for their last night on Earth.
“With a focus on growing original and exclusive content for AMC+, we’re excited to partner with RLJE Films to bring Silent Night to a broad audience across both streaming and theatrical as we continue to meet viewers wherever they are and optimize exposure for great content,” said Courtney Thomasma, general manager for AMC+. “Camille Griffin and this all-star cast have created a film that’s emotional, funny and thought-provoking – exploring universal themes of friendship and love, class and privilege – and we are thrilled to add it to our robust lineup of high-quality, character-driven dramas and films this year.”
“Silent Night is completely original and a true achievement for Camille Griffin in her feature writing/directorial debut,” said Mark Ward, Chief Acquisitions Officer for RLJE Films. “The film could not be more timely in asking audiences, in a comedic yet honest way, what sacrifices they would be willing to make for the good of their family and humanity at large.”
“Silent Night treads its own unique path and finding the right distributor was akin to finding a school for our naughty child. I wanted to know our film would be in safe, loving hands and I know it will be with AMC+ and RJLE Films,” said Griffin. “I am hugely grateful to TIFF that my first feature will premiere at their festival.”
Silent Night is executive produced by Claudia Vaughn, Peter Morton, Stephen Marks, Carlos Peres, Adam Bohling, David Reid, Hélène Théodoly, Audra LaBrosse and Pietro Greppi with co-producer Greg McManus. The deal was negotiated by Ward on behalf of RLJE Films and AMC+ with Endeavor Content on behalf of the filmmakers. Endeavor Content is handling international sales at TIFF.
Other distributors for Silent Night include: Altitude (UK), Metropolitan (France), Leone (Italy), Capelight Pictures (Germany), Sena (Iceland), Salim Ramia (Middle East), Bir Film (Turkey), Paradise (CIS), Nonstop Entertainment (Scandinavia), Empire (South Africa), Ascot Elite (Switzerland), Spentzos (Greece), Falcon (Indonesia), Presidio (Japan), Cai Chang (Taiwan), BF Distribution/Paris Filmes (LatAm).
About AMC+
AMC+ is the company’s new premium streaming bundle featuring an extensive lineup of popular and critically acclaimed original programming from AMC, BBC America, IFC, and SundanceTV and full access to targeted streaming services Shudder, Sundance Now and IFC Films Unlimited, which feature content such as A Discovery of Witches, Creepshow, Riviera and Boyhood. The service features a continually refreshed library of commercial-free content, including fan favorites Mad Men, Rectify, Orphan Black, Portlandia, Hell on Wheels, NOS4A2 and series from The Walking Dead Universe, among many others. The service also offers a growing slate of original and exclusive series including Gangs of London, The North Water, The Beast Must Die, The Salisbury Poisonings, Cold Courage, Spy City, Too Close, and forthcoming drama Kin. AMC+ recently launched in Canada on Apple TV Channels and Amazon Prime Video Channels and is currently available in the U.S. through AMCPlus.com, the AMC+ app, and a number of digital and cable partners.
ABOUT RLJE FILMS
RLJE Films’ recent and upcoming features include the critically acclaimed horror film The Dark And The Wicked from director Bryan Bertino; David Oyelowo’s directorial debut The Water Man; the intense No Man of God starring Elijah Wood and Luke Kirby from director Amber Sealey; and Sion Sono’s 2021 Sundance Film Festival premiere Prisoners of the Ghostland starring Nicolas Cage and Sofia Boutella.
ABOUT AMC NETWORKS
AMC Networks is a global entertainment company known for its popular and critically-acclaimed content. Its portfolio of brands includes AMC, BBC AMERICA (operated through a joint venture with BBC Studios), IFC, SundanceTV, WE tv, IFC Films, and a number of fast-growing streaming services, including the AMC+ premium streaming bundle, Acorn TV, Shudder, Sundance Now and ALLBLK. AMC Studios, the Company’s in-house studio, production and distribution operation, is behind award-winning owned series and franchises, including The Walking Dead, the highest-rated series in cable history. The Company also operates AMC Networks International, its international programming business, and 25/7 Media, its production services business.
ABOUT ENDEAVOR CONTENT
Endeavor Content is a global leader in the production and distribution of premium film and television content. The studio’s film titles include Book Club for Paramount Pictures, Blue Miracle for Netflix, Just Mercy for Warner Bros and Joe Bell with Roadside Attractions, as well as upcoming titles including Ambulance for Universal Pictures and My Best Friend’s Exorcism for Amazon. The studio produces premium TV series such as See and Truth Be Told on Apple TV+ and Nine Perfect Strangers and the upcoming Life & Beth for Hulu, Severance for Apple TV+ and Tokyo Vice for HBO Max. Endeavor Content also handles global distribution for hit series including Killing Eve, Normal People and The Night Manager. Endeavor Content is a division of Endeavor (NYSE: EDR), a global entertainment, sports and content company.
MAVEN SCREEN MEDIA
Maven Screen Media, co-founded by partners Celine Rattray (Oscar-nominated filmmaker, producer of Golden Globe winner The Kids Are Alright) and Trudie Styler (BAFTA-nominated producer for films including Still Alice, Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels and Moon) is a transatlantic development, production and financing company that focuses on innovative storytelling with premiere talent, primarily showcasing female talent both in front of and behind the camera. Together, they work to produce high quality independent films while taking advantage of cultural resources in New York and London and working with top tier filmmakers. Maven produced the 2019 Academy award winning short, Skin, launching the career of Guy Nattiv. The company recently produced A Mouthful of Air starring Oscar nominee Amanda Seyfried, due to open this fall through Sony internationally, and Malgrorzata Szumomska’s Infinite Storm, which is in post-production and will be released by Bleecker Street. Maven and Camille Griffin are developing Conception with Searchlight.