DAILY NEWS: Sony Takes Woody Film; 7th Art Acquires "Strings"

by Eugene Hernandez/indieWIRE

>> Sony Classics Grabs New Woody Allen Film

Woody Allen's 29th feature film, "Sweet and Lowdown," has been acquired for
domestic distribution by Sony Pictures Classics (SPC). Written and
directed by Allen, the film stars Sean Penn, Uma Thurman, and Samantha
Morton. The movie will hit theaters later this year. It is described as a
period movie that captures the "adventures of a wild and eccentric jazz
guitar genius (Sean Penn) in the 1930's."

In a prepared statement, SPC Co-President Michael Barker called the deal "a
new high water mark for our company," offering, "We have watched our
mentors work with Woody Allen at United Artists in the seventies, and
Orion in the eighties, and we have continued to admire his recent
brilliant films."

>> 7th Art Acquires "Speaking in Strings"

Paola DiFlorio's "Speaking in Strings," which debuted at the 1999 Sundance
Film Festival, has been acquired for North American distribution by 7th Art
Releasing. The doc portrait of acclaimed violinist Nadja Salerno
Sonnenberg is the Di Florio's directorial debut.

According to a 7th Art announcement, the movie will be released in 10
cities following Salerno Sonnenberg's summer/fall concert tour. The film
is set to open in New York on September 17th, and Los Angeles on October
29th.