Overture Has "Paper Heart"

Charlyne Yi in a scene from "Paper Heart". Image courtesy of Sundance Film Festival

Overture Films has announced that it will be distributing and marketing "Paper Heart," winner of the Waldo Salt Award for best screenplay at this year's Sundance Film Festival. The film, directed by Nicholas Jasenovec and co-written/starring Charlyne Yi alongside Michael Cera, combines elements of documentary and traditional storytelling. The film follows Yi as Overture describes, "she embarks on a quest across America to make a documentary about the one subject she doesn't fully understand: Love." Cera becomes the object of her affection.

"This is so exciting! I'm one step closer to fulfilling my dream of becoming this generation's Shirley Temple," said Yi in a statement.

"Paper Heart" will be debuting in theatres in Los Angeles and New York on August 7, 2009 and expanding on August 14. Overture will handle worldwide distribution of the film including the North American theatrical release. Its affiliated company, Anchor Bay Entertainment, will distribute the film in the home entertainment market in North America, Australia and the United Kingdom.

"By blending a narrative storyline with documentary support, Charlyne and Nick have created something really unique," said Overture CEO Chris McGurk and COO Danny Rosett, in a statement. "We cannot help but be excited to be involved with a film that effectively redefines the classic love story."

In a review for the Sundance Film Festival, indieWIRE critic Steve Ramos wrote of the film: "If the great comedian Bob Newhart had an Asian American love child it would be Charlyne Yi. She’s the drollest comic working today and her deadpan style makes the comic documentary “Paper Heart,” premiering in dramatic competition at the Sundance Film Festival, a fresh, irreverent road comedy."