Criterion to handle sell through for select films from IFC Films upcoming slate and library



Initial releases to include Arnaud Desplechin’s A CHRISTMAS TALE, Matteo Garrone’s GOMORRAH and Steven Soderbergh’s CHE



New York, NY – September 1, 2009 – In a move designed to preserve contemporary classic cinema for future generations, IFC Films, one of the leading distributors for independent and foreign films, and The Criterion Collection, the premiere video distribution company of the best in world cinema, today announced a partnership that gives Criterion sell through home entertainment distribution rights for select IFC Films titles. Through the deal, Criterion acquires the rights to distribute IFC Films’ titles on DVD in the U.S., and will release sell through special editions of each film. The announcement was made today jointly by IFC Films’ Jonathan Sehring with Criterion’s Peter Becker and Jonathan Turell.



Criterion will distribute select upcoming titles from IFC Films, as well as titles from IFC Films’ esteemed library. Each title will be released in special DVD packaging with original box art, offering the highest technical quality and original supplements and bonus material. Select titles will be released on both DVD and Blu-ray.



Criterion and IFC Films are pleased to immediately announce the exclusive releases of several independent and foreign titles including three critically acclaimed films direct from the 2008 Cannes Film Festival. Arnaud Desplechin’s French drama A CHRISTMAS TALE will be released on November 10. Winner for a Special Prize at Cannes for the 61st anniversary of Catherine Deneuve’s contribution to cinema, A CHRISTMAS TALE stars Denueve & Mathieu Amalric and tells the story of a family with strained relationships. On November 24 Criterion will release GOMORRAH, directed by Matteo Garrone and presented by Martin Scorsese. GOMORRAH, a crime film based on the novel by Roberto Saviano, won the Grand Prix at Cannes and received a 2008 Golden Globe nomination for Best Foreign Film. Also in 2009, Criterion will release Steven Soderbergh’s 2008 epic CHE, starring Benicio del Toro as revolutionary Ernesto “Che” Guevara, a role for which he received the Best Actor Award at Cannes. The film was produced by Laura Bickford and written by Peter Buchman and Benjamin van der Veen. CHE will be released on both DVD and Blu-ray.



Upcoming 2010 releases include Jan Troell’s 2008 Golden Globe-nominated EVERLASTING MOMENTS; Olivier Assayas’ acclaimed 2009 box office hit SUMMER HOURS, starring Juliette Binoche; Steve McQueen’s award-winning film HUNGER starring Michael Fassbender; Japanese master Hirokazu Kore-Eda’s STILL WALKING; and Abdellatif Kechiche’s Venice and César Award-winning THE SECRET OF THE GRAIN.



Criterion will also release special editions of films from IFC Films’ esteemed library including Alfonso Cuaron’s breakout film Y TU MAMA TAMBIEN. A Mexican coming of age story which took world audiences by storm in 2001, Y TU MAMA TAMBIEN stars Gael Garcia Bernal, Diego Luna and Maribel Verdu. Also scheduled for release is a special edition of Christopher Nolan’s FOLLOWING, a 1998 film noir and Nolan’s directorial debut. The precursor to Nolan’s MEMENTO, BATMAN BEGINS and THE DARK KNIGHT, FOLLOWING tells the story of a young man who follows strangers around the streets of London and is drawn into a criminal underworld.



“From the inception of IFC Films, we modeled our acquisition strategy on Criterion’s but with the intent on focusing on the auteurs of today,” said Jonathan Sehring, IFC Films’ President of IFC Entertainment. “It’s a great honor and thrill for us to embark on this partnership with them. They are the golden seal of approval.”
Peter Becker from Criterion commented, “IFC Films has been on an incredible roll, hunting down daring international films and spotting filmmakers whose work will stand the test of time. Criterion has always presented a mix of international classics and director-approved editions of important contemporary films, so this new slate of releases fits our mission perfectly. These films are future classics, and we’re very excited about the opportunity to work with the filmmakers to present them in great editions right from the start.”