Sony Pictures Classics has acquired all U.S. rights and multiple foreign territories to “Maudie,” Aisling Walsh’s biopic of folk artist Maud Lewis.
The film stars Sally Hawkins and Ethan Hawke and is based on the true story of the romance between Everett Lewis (Hawke) and his housekeeper, Maud (Hawkins), who later became a famous artist. The film is written by Sherry White.
“Maudie” is produced by Bob Cooper, Mary Young Leckie, Susan Mullen and Mary Sexton and executive produced by Heather Haldane, Hussain Amarshi, Alan Moloney, Johanna Hogan, Mark Roberts, Sheldon Rabinowitz, Ross Jacobson, Tyler Mitchell and Ed Riche.
Telefilm Canada, the Newfoundland and Labrador Development Corporation, Bell Media’s Harold Greenberg Fund, the Ontario Media Development Corporation and Bord Scannan na hEireann/the Irish Film Board all financed “Maudie,” which was produced in association with Corner Piece Capital, LLC & Citadel Canadian Films Inc.
“Maudie” is a Rink Rat Productions/Screen Door/Parallel Films co-production.
“I am delighted that Sony Pictures Classics have come on board to distribute ‘Maudie,’” said Walsh. “They have an amazing record of bringing indie films to the widest audience possible and I am so excited to be working with them.”
The film recently premiered at Telluride Film Festival and played at this month’s Toronto International Film Festival. In addition to the U.S., Sony will handle distribution in territories such as Italy, Turkey and the United Kingdom.
The deal was negotiated between CAA, Mongrel International and Sony Pictures Classics.