IFC Films announced on Wednesday that it has acquired the U.S. rights to British writer-director Michael Winterbottom’s “The Wedding Guest,” starring Dev Patel.
The thriller follows a mysterious British man (Patel) who leaves London for Pakistan. He arrives at a Punjabi village, where the locals are getting ready for a lavish wedding, arranged by the bride’s rich, respectable family while she was in Britain. The man tells the villagers that he is a friend of the family, but this isn’t true. The man has a lot of secrets.
Radhika Apte and Jim Sarbh also star in the film.
“We are thrilled to be teaming up with [director Michael Winterbottom] again, as this marks our tenth film together over the last decade. After working with him most recently on the comedic series ‘The Trip,’ we’re looking forward to a new journey into the classic noir canon with “The Wedding Guest,” said IFC co-presidents Jonathan Sehring and Lisa Schwartz in a statement. “Michael will always have a home at IFC Films, and with a strong performance by Dev Patel and impressive scenery to match, we are honored to bring yet another masterful piece of storytelling to American audiences.”
“The Wedding Guest” was produced by Melissa Parmenter, Winterbottom, Deepak Nayar, Nik Bower and Patel. The film had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in the special presentations category.
The film was backed by Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions’ Stage 6 Films, Riverstone Pictures and Ingenious Media, with Peter Touche and Andrea Scarso executive producing. “The Wedding Guest” is a Revolution Films and Riverstone Pictures production. IFC Films and Sundance Selects previously worked with Winterbottom on the “The Trip” series starring Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon.
“After many successful releases with IFC Films, we really value our partnership and we are excited to be working together again,” Winterbottom and producer Melissa Parmenter said in a joint statement.
The deal for the film was negotiated by Arianna Bocco, EVP of acquisitions and productions at IFC Films/Sundance Selects and Endeavor/UTA on behalf of the filmmaker. Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions will retain worldwide rights, excluding the U.S.