4 March, 2010
By Geoffrey MacnabSource: Screen Daily
The Works has picked up The Messenger with Woody Harrelson
Oscar nominee and Berlinale Silver Bear winner The Messenger has been picked up for UK distribution in an all rights deal by The Works.
The film, Oren Moverman’s debut feature, has won a hatful of awards since its premiere in Sundance last year.
The Messenger is now in the running for two Academy Awards, Best Screenplay by Alessandro Camon and Oren Moverman and Best Supporting Actor for Woody Harrelson.
The deal was sealed by the Works UK Distribution’s director of marketing Laurence Gornall, and president of ContentFilm International Jamie Carmichael.
The Messenger tells the story of Will Montgomery (Ben Foster), a young Army officer recovering from an injury in the line of duty. With only three months left on his commission. Montgomery is reassigned to the Army’s Casualty Notification Service. Woody Harrelson plays the hardened army officer who takes Montgomery under his wing and teaches him the rules and intricacies of delivering the bad news to soldier’s next of kin.
“Woody Harrelson gives a stunning performance in The Messenger and we are delighted to be working with ContentFilm on this deeply moving, powerful, award-winning film,” Gornall commented in a statement.
“The time is right for The Messenger, the world is ready for this amazingly strong and poignant film – and we’re very pleased that The Works has come on board,” Content’s Carmichael said.
The Works will release the film in the UK in the second half of 2010.
