Fest Fave "Guy and Madeline" Lands at Variance

Variance Films has acquired all North American theatrical rights for "Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench," which indieWIRE's annual critics poll listed as one the best undistributed films of 2009. Variance President Dylan Marchetti announced the deal today, along with the acquisition of soccer documentary "After The Cup: Sons of Sakhnin United."

Coming off successful festival screenings at Tribeca, AFI, the Viennale, and Torino (where it won the Special Jury Prize), "Guy and Madeline" was - in additon to iW's poll - named "The Best Undistributed Film of 2009" by writers from Film Comment, Variety, Time Out New York, and New York Daily News. Variance, in conjunction with the filmmakers, will release the film in late summer in theaters across the country. Mangusta Productions, a New York based production company that is committed to establishing a sustainable environment for independent filmmakers, will provide the P&A for the theatrical release. DVD, VOD, and international rights remain available.

A musical written and directed by Damien Chazelle, "Guy and Madeline" tells the story of two separated lovers, a young jazz trumpeter and an introverted woman, who slowly wind their way back into each other's lives through a series of romances and near-romances punctuated by song.

"I cannot express how delightful it is to see a film like 'Guy and Madeline'," said Marchetti in a statement. "One minute it's Godard and Cassavetes at the peak of their powers, the next it's tap dancing and jazz from the best of the 1940's musicals- but then, Damien blends them together so artfully that he makes you forget the influences and realize what a singular, innovative talent is on display here."

"I'm thrilled to be working with Dylan Marchetti and his team at Variance," said writer/director Damien Chazelle in a statement. "They've shown such enthusiasm for the film, and their ideas for getting it out to the world have gotten me very excited."

In addition to "Guy and Madeline," Variance has also acquired Christopher Browne "After The Cup: Sons of Sakhnin United," a documentary that tells the story of the soccer franchise Bnei Sakhnin, the first team from an Arab town to win the Israeli Cup and represent Israel in European competition.

"I was riveted by 'After The Jump' from the jump," said Marchetti in a statement. "This film gives us a rousing underdog sports story and a powerful morality tale, and combines them expertly to provide audiences with everything that they could want in a documentary."