iW NEWS | “Che” Goes to IFC Films

North American rights to Steven Soderbergh‘s epic “Che” has been acquired by IFC Films. This follows consistent rumors here in Toronto that the film was imminently destined for Magnolia Pictures. “Che” will be released for a one week awards qualifying run in New York and Los Angeles in December, and IFC will then re-open the film in January through IFC In Theaters, its day-and-date distribution platform. The film had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival where Benicio Del Toro won the Best Actor Prize. It is currently screening at the Toronto International Film Festival and will be screening next at the upcoming New York Film Festival. IFC president Jonathan Sehring, V.P. of acquisitions and production Arianna Bocco and senior counsel Betsy Rodgers negotiated the deal with Wild Bunch‘s Vincent Maraval, Agnes Mentre, Laurent Baudens and Pierre Selinger. “Che” is told in two stand alone parts with the first part concentrating on the Cuban revolution and the second part focusing on the revolutionary’s failed uprising in Bolivia in the ‘60s. “Steven’s been involved with IFC as a member of the advisory board of both the IFC Network and the IFC Center since we formed them,” commented Sehring in a statement. “‘Che’ is nothing less than the film event of the year. By giving us the rise and fall of one of the great icons of history, Steven Soderbergh and Benicio Del Toro, who gives an incredible soulful performance, have humanized him and given audiences around the world something that will be discussed for years to come.” [Brian Brooks]

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