Film Stars Nicole Kidman, James Franco, Robert Pattinson and Damian Lewis
NEW YORK, NY (November 1, 2016) – IFC Films announced today from the American Film Market conference that the company has acquired US rights to Werner Herzog’s QUEEN OF THE DESERT. The film, written and directed by Herzog, stars Nicole Kidman, James Franco, Robert Pattinson and Damian Lewis.
The film was produced by Michael Benaroya, Cassian Elwes and Nick Raslan and was executive produced by Jonathan Debin, Cathy Gesualdo, James Lejsek, Ben Sachs, D. Todd Shepherd, Shelley Madison, Harmon Kaslow and John Aglialoro. IFC Films will release QUEEN OF THE DESERT in Spring 2017.
QUEEN OF THE DESERT is the true story of British explorer, cartographer and archaeologist Gertrude Bell (Kidman). Set against the backdrop of the disintegration of the Ottoman Empire, Bell sets off on an epic odyssey as an attaché of the British Empire to chart and define the modern borders of the Middle East.
IFC Films stated: “The entire team at IFC Films is thrilled to be working once more with Werner Herzog who is undoubtedly a modern master of cinema. Having previously worked with him on his award-winning CAVE OF FORGOTTEN DREAMS, Werner continues to bring innovation, elegance and poignancy to each of his films and his latest work is no exception.”
The deal was negotiated by Arianna Bocco, EVP of Acquisitions and Production from Sundance Selects/IFC Films, with Cassian Elwes, Lawrence Kopeikin and CAA 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.
QUEEN OF THE DESERT was financed by Benaroya Pictures.
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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. Recent releases include Kelly Reichardt’s CERTAIN WOMEN starring Laura Dern, Kristen Stewart, Michelle Williams and Lily Gladstone; 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.