Nicolas Winding Refn's "The Pusher Trilogy," comprised of three feature films: "Pusher," "With Blood on My Hands," and "The Angel of Death," is among theatrical debuts this week. Announcing the acquisition of the trio back in February, Magnolia Pictures' Eamonn Bowles explained, "These three films are superlative, accessible entertainments and a complete revelation for me. The characters and milieu are indelible, and both individually and as a whole, the 'Pusher' movies represent a major film achievement."

The first film in the trilogy was completed in 1996, but the entire trilogy screened together for the first time at the last years Toronto International Film Festival. Set in the Danish underworld, the overlapping stories feature actors who were once actual criminals. Supporting characters in one film appear as lead actors on the next. The series begins with its theatrical debut this weekend in New York, followed by runs in Cleveland, Chicago, Rochester, and Los Angeles in October and November.

Also on tap this weekend is Bent Hamer's "Factotum," which for a short time seemed like it might not make it to movie theaters. After debuting in the Director's Forthnight section at Cannes last year, the film was acquired by Picturehouse. But it was subsequently dropped by the company, apparently due to clearance issues. IFC Films that got involved and made a deal for the movie.

The film, produced by Hamer and Jim Stark and based on the Bukowski novel, is described as the story of a man who "considers himself a writer, and on occasion writes. Mostly he quests for the booze and women that sidetrack and seduce, rather than inspire greatness."

The self-distributed "Head Trauma", by Lance Weiler, kicks off its DIY run this weekend and will continue to other cities in the coming weeks. For more on the film and Weiler's strategy, check out yesterday's indieWIRE article about DIY distribution.

THE LIST FOR THIS WEEK

"10th & Wolf" (August 18), directed by Robert Moresco. Distributor: ThinkFilm. Official website

"Factotum" (August 18), directed by Bent Hamer. Distributor: IFC Films. Official website

"Head Trauma" (August 18), directed by Lance Weiler.Self-distributed. Official website

"The Illusionist" (August 18), directed by Neil Burger. Distributor: Yari Film Group. Official website

"The Pusher Trilogy" (August 18), directed by Nicolas Winding Refn. Distributor: Magnolia Pictures. Official website

"Trust The Man" (August 18), directed by Bart Freundlich. Distributor: Fox Searchlight. Official website