Shadow To "Bring What I Love"

A scene from Chai Vasarhelyi's doc "I Bring What I Love: Youssou Ndour." Image courtesy of Shadow Distribution.

Shadow Distribution has acquired North American distribution rights to Chai Vasarhelyi's doc "I Bring What I Love: Youssou Ndour."

The film follows Youssou Ndour - the highest selling African musical artist of all time - as he releases a deeply personal and religious album called "Egypt" in the hope of promoting a tolerant face of Islam. Almost instantly, his fellow Senegalese reject the album, and denounce his actions as blasphemous.

The film screened at the Toronto International Film Festival and Telluride Film Festival and has won multiple awards worldwide.

"Shadow has consistently demonstrated they are one of the finest independent theatrical distributors," said director Chai Vasarhelyi in a statement. "Their track record, over the past 18 years, is impeccable and I am thrilled to be working with them on the release of 'I Bring What I Love: Youssou Ndour.' Their enthusiasm for the film and their belief in the film's broad potential make them a perfect partner."

'We're thrilled to be able to bring this exciting, beautiful and important film to North American audiences," said Shadow president Ken Eisen in a statement. "Youssou's music has been an inspiration to so many people, and the remarkable story that Chai's film so vitally chronicles extends that inspiration to new realms."

The film will be released on June 12, 2009 in New York City at IFC Center, and in Los Angeles on July 3, 2009. It will expand to an additional 25 cities throughout the summer.