Amazon Studios is back in action in Park City and acquired North American rights on Sunday night (26) to Phyllida Lloyd’s widely admired Sundance drama Herself.
Cornerstone handles worldwide rights to the feature, which has earned particular acclaim since its world premiere on Friday for lead actor Clare Dunne’s portrayal of an abused Irish woman who escapes with her children, and builds a new house for them. Malcolm Campbell co-wrote with Dunne.
Element and Merman developed and produced the film, supported by Screen Ireland, BBC Films and the BFI. It screened again on Saturday and Sunday, and plays this week on Wednesday (29) and Thursday (30).
The deal comes after it emerged that Searchlight Pictures acquired worldwide rights to Rebecca Hall horror The Night House.
Amazon Studios was the big buyer at Sundance 2019 and despite heavy scrutiny over its theatrical releases last year, on the eve of the festival company head Jennifer Salke reaffirmed her commitment to buying films and supporting them with theatrical releases when the circumstances dictated. Amazon Studios plans a theatrical release for Herself later this year.
Picturehouse Entertainment will distribute Herself in the UK, and Element Distribution in Ireland. Cornerstone Films previously licensed Italy to BIM, Spain to Youplanet Caramel, and Japan to Longride (Japan).
Rory Gilmartin, Sharon Horgan, and Ed Guiney produced Herself. Executive producers are Andrew Lowe, Clelia Mountford, Rose Garnett, Alison Thompson, and Mary Burke. Lloyd previously directed Mamma Mia! and The Iron Lady for the screen.