Media 8 Entertainment reported that New Line Cinema will acquire US rights to Media 8 Entertainment's comedy The Upside of Anger. Written and directed by Mike Binder (HBO's "The Mind of the Married Man"), the film features an acclaimed ensemble cast led by three-time Academy Award nominee Joan Allen and Academy Award winner Kevin Costner, alongside up-and coming young stars Evan Rachel Wood (Golden Globe nominee for Thirteen), Erika Christensen (Traffic), Keri Russell (Felicity), and Alicia Witt (Two Weeks Notice). The film was produced by Alex Gartner, Jack Binder and Sammy Lee, and was a co-production between MDP Filmproduktions GmbH and VIP Medienfonds. Stewart Hall, Andreas Grosch and Andreas Schmid served as executive producers.
“The Upside of Anger hits the perfect note of dramatic performances with hilarious moments, delivered by an incredibly talented cast,” stated Mittweg. “This film is a wonderful addition to our slate and we are looking forward to working with the filmmakers on the marketing and distribution,” further added Mittweg.
“When you set out to make a special movie like Upside, you hope for the perfect combination of cast, filmmaker, production company and distributor,” noted producer Alex Gartner. “With the addition of New Line, our goal has been achieved.”
“We are delighted to be in business with New Line,” stated Sammy Lee, Media 8 Entertainment's Vice Chairman of the Board. “They are the ideal partner because they are passionate about the film, and are committed to releasing it to the widest possible audience.”
The Upside of Anger tells the story of Terry (Joan Allen), who finds out one day that her husband has left her without so much as a goodbye, and life with her four daughters is suddenly turned upside down. Family friend Denny (Kevin Costner) finds his way into the family's life and so begins a comedic and dysfunctional relationship among them all.
Media 8 Entertainment's recent releases and upcoming productions include the highly acclaimed, Academy Award-nominated Monster starring Charlize Theron, which is in current theatrical release in the US through Newmarket Films; The United States of Leland starring two-time Academy Award winner Kevin Spacey, Ryan Gosling, and Don Cheadle, which will be theatrically released in the US by Paramount Classics in April; Havoc, directed by two-time Oscar winner Barbara Kopple and starring Anne Hathaway and Bijou Phillips; and 11:14, starring Academy Award winner Hilary Swank, Rachael Leigh Cook, Patrick Swayze and Barbara Hershey. |
