Magnolia Pictures has acquired U.S. theatrical rights to "Night Catches Us" for an undisclosed sum, the studio announced on Monday.
The feature debut of filmmaker Tanya Hamilton, "Night" Anthony Mackie ("The Hurt Locker"), Kerry Washington ("Ray"), Jamie Hector (“The Wire”) and Wendell Pierce (“The Wire,” “Treme”). Set in Philadelphia during the summer of 1976, the movie centers on an ex-Black Panther who returns home and tries to start his life over again.
It also boasts a soundtrack by hip-hop band The Roots.
The movie premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival premiere, where it received warm, though not glowing reviews. It also screened at Film Society at Lincoln Center’s New Directors/New Films.
The deal was negotiated by Magnolia Senior Vice President Tom Quinn with the Film Sales Company’s President Andrew Herwitz.
Magnolia plans a fall release for the film, which will continue to play the festival circuit, including the Maryland Film Festival, Minneapolis/St. Paul International Film Festival, and the Los Angeles Film Festival.
