Toronto 2012: Tribeca Film Pockets 'How to Make Money Selling Drugs' for U.S.

Tribeca Film has acquired U.S. rights to the Matthew Cooke-directed documentary “How to Make Money Selling Drugs,” which had its world premiere Friday at the Toronto International Film Festival. The New York-based distributor plans a day-and-date theatrical and VOD release in 2013.

“Drugs” uses pop culture as a lens through which to investigate the lives of people on both sides of the “war on drugs.” 50 Cent, producer David Simon, Arianna Huffington, Woody Harrelson, Eminem, Rick Ross and Susan Sarandon are among those interviewed for the film, along with Drug Enforcement personnel and the U.S. Drug Czar. Bert Marcus of Bert Marcus Productions and Adrian Grenier, who created the 2010 doc “Teenage Paparazzo,” produced “Drugs.”

“This is a work that resonates with truth, anger and insight by an extremely talented filmmaker,” said Tribeca Enterprises chief creative officer Geoff Gilmore. “From politics to the police and drug dealers to drug users, the scope of Matthew Cooke’s examination of these illicit networks is extraordinary.”

Tribeca Film’s Nick Savva negotiated the deal with ICM Partners and Lawrence Kopeikin on behalf of the filmmakers.

Tribeca Film, which also announced that it bought Ed Burns’ “The Fitzgerald Family Christmas” on the eve of the Toronto fest, has recently released the doc “Side by Side” and “For Ellen.” Forthcoming releases include “Struck By Lightning” and “War Witch.”