NEW YORK, NY (December 8, 2021) – IFC Films announced today the acquisition of Justin Kurzel’s award winning film NITRAM (TRUE HISTORY OF THE KELLY GANG, SNOWTOWN MURDERS, MACBETH) which premiered in competition at the 2021 Cannes International Film Festival to outstanding critical reception. The film is a portrait of the real-life Australian mass killer involved in the 1996 Port Arthur massacre in Tasmania, Australia which led to fundamental changes of gun control law in Australia. The film won actor Caleb Landry Jones (THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING MISSOURI, GET OUT, HEAVEN KNOWS WHAT) a prize for best actor in his performance as the title role, Nitram. The film also stars Essie Davis (THE BABADOOK, TRUE HISTORY OF THE KELLY GANG), Judy Davis (BARTON FINK, NAKED LUNCH), and Anthony LaPaglia (EMPIRE RECORDS, WITHOUT A TRACE). NITRAM dominated the 2021 Australian Academy Awards last night with 15 nominations, and 8 total wins for Best Film, Best Lead Actor, Best Director, Best Lead Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Editing. IFC Films plans to release the film on March 30th 2022, day and date on AMC+, AMC Networks’ premium streaming bundle, a first for the distributor.
Nitram (Caleb Landry Jones) lives with his mother (Judy Davis) and father (Anthony LaPaglia) in suburban Australia in the Mid 1990s. He lives a life of isolation and frustration at never being able to fit in. That is until he unexpectedly finds a close friend in a reclusive heiress, Helen (Essie Davis). However, when that relationship meets a tragic end, and Nitram’s loneliness and anger grow, he begins a slow descent that leads to disaster.
Arianna Bocco, President of IFC Films, said, “IFC Films is proud to continue to be a home for Justin Kurzel’s fearless directorial vision, and with NITRAM, his exploration of one of the most impactful events in recent Australian history. Justin’s unique perspective of the time, paired with an award-winning performance from Caleb Landry Jones, is guaranteed to shake audiences to their core.”
Director Justin Kurzel added, ““Arianna and IFC Films have been like my American film family having looked after SNOWTOWN and TRUE HISTORY OF THE KELLY GANG. I am thrilled that the relationship continues with NITRAM, I couldn’t think of a better home for the film.”
The deal for the film was negotiated by IFC Films President Arianna Bocco with Wild Bunch International and CAA Media Finance on behalf of the filmmakers. Wild Bunch International is handling international sales.
ABOUT IFC FILMS
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) and digital platforms.
Current releases include Mia Hansen-Løve’s critically acclaimed BERGMAN ISLAND and Paul Verhoeven’s BENEDETTA. 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 IFC Midnight, and is owned and operated by AMC Networks Inc.
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.