Lorber Films has picked up U.S. rights to Belgium, France, Palestine production, “Salt of the Sea,” by debut director, Annemarie Jacir. Richard Lorber, co-president and CEO of Lorber Films negotiated the pact with Yoann Ubermulhin of Pyramide International.
The film, produced by Danny Glover, will have its U.S. theatrical premiere on August 13th at New York’s Quad Cinemas, followed by engagements in select cities, with DVD and digital distribution to follow in the first quarter of 2011.
The film is described by Lorber as the “politically and emotionally explosive story of Soraya (Suheir Hammad), a Brooklyn-born woman of Palestinian lineage who comes to Israel to search for the land and ancestral home near Jaffa from where her grandparents were ejected 60 years ago. Once she arrives, reality strikes hard and her mission to claim what is hers and fulfill her lifelong dream to ‘return’ to Palestine is obstructed at every turn. Having discovered that her grandfather’s bank account was frozen and seized in 1948, she goes to the new Ramallah branch of the bank to claim the funds. Frustrated and deluded when her demands are rebuffed, she and her new Palestinian boyfriend Emad decide to take control of their own destinies.”
“‘Salt of the Sea’ is an incredibly timely, groundbreaking work and a formidable debut from a new filmmaking talent,” said Lorber in a statement. “That Annemarie Jacir also happens to be female and Palestinian marks this film as part of a bold new chapter in Palestinian cinema. This film touches nerves on every side because of the combined political and emotional impact of the story, and Annmarie’s daring gift for unspooling human drama and primal themes.”
Kino Lorber is the newly formed company that combined Lorber Films, Alive Mind and Kino International and its heads, Richard Lorber and Donald Krim, specializing in independent film distribution.
“Salt of the Sea”:
109 Minutes. English and Arabic with English Subtitles. Belgium, France, Palestine. Directed by Annemarie Jacir. Screenplay by Annemarie Jacir. Produced by Danny Glover.
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