FilmRise has acquired U.S. distribution rights to Elizabeth Wood’s controversial Sundance drama “White Girl,” the company announced Monday.
Wood’s semi-autobiographical film has drawn comparisons to Larry Clark’s “Kids,” as it presents a seductive and incendiary portrait of drug and sex-fueled youth in New York City while openly confronting issues of racial privilege and gender inequality.
Executive produced by Killer Films’ Christine Vachon (“Kids”), the film will be released in theaters in late summer/early fall.
“Homeland” actress Morgan Saylor stars as Leah, a college sophomore in New York City who falls head-over-heels for her neighborhood drug dealer, Blue (Brian Marc, in his first film role). But when a night of partying goes wrong, Leah must go to wild extremes to get him back.
The film co-stars Justin Bartha (“The Hangover”) and Chris Noth (“Sex and the City”).
Wood’s narrative feature debut was produced by Gabriel Nussbaum for Bank Street Films, co-produced by Matthew Achterberg, and executive produced by Vachon and David Hinojosa of Killer Films and “Catfish” directors Ariel Schulman and Henry Joost of Supermarché.
“We could not be more thrilled to announce our acquisition of this explosive Sundance hit,” said Danny Fisher, CEO of FilmRise. “‘White Girl’ is a startling film that demands to be experienced in theaters.”
“FilmRise is brave and passionate about my film and I couldn’t have a better partner to help me bring this wild story to American audiences,” added Wood.
The deal was negotiated between Fisher and FilmRise’s VP of acquisitions Max Einhorn, along with CAA.