A hat-tip to Dylan Marchetti and his Variance Films posse for making another bold pick-up – going where others typically avoid. The company has been responsible for the releases of a handful of films we’ve covered on this blog – from Spike Lee’s Red Hook Summer in 2012, to Terence Nance’s An Oversimplification Of Her Beauty, John Sayles’ Go For Sisters, and Roger Ross Williams’ God Loves Uganda (the last 3 released in 2013).
Today, Variance Films has announced that it will partner with director Chris Eska to release his powerful Civil War drama The Retrieval – a film we’ve covered quite comprehensively, reviewing it, as well as interviewing the filmmaker, and one of the film’s stars in Tishuan Scott.
The film’s release will begin with a special preview engagement, beginning March 14th in Atlanta at Landmark’s Midtown Art Cinema, followed by an opening in New York City at Film Forum on April 2nd, before expanding to additional theaters beginning April 18th.
Set in 1864, toward the end of the Civil War, The Retrieval, which premiered at the 2013 SXSW Film Festival, follows Nate (played by Tishuan Scott, in an award-winning performance), a fugitive ex-slave who encounters a young boy and his uncle, both sent by a gang of bounty hunters to con Nate into his recapture.
The award-winning searing drama enjoyed a celebrated international film festival run, collecting numerous awards along the way for both cast and crew..
“With The Retrieval, Chris has not only created a window into a little-known corner of history, but a stunning film filled with amazing performances, beautiful images, and a fantastic tone, all surprisingly rare things in independent film,” said Variance’s Dylan Marchetti. “Audiences are going to be blown away by the combination, which I think is on par with the best that big-budget Hollywood has to offer.”
“My cast and crew poured their hearts into this project, and I can’t wait to finally share the film with everyone on the big screen,” said Eska. “It’s exciting to partner with Dylan and Variance because they have a genuine passion for connecting with theatrical audiences, and they understand all the new and changing ways to make it a success.”
The Retrieval was produced by Jacob Esquivel and Jason Wehling, and executive produced by Alan Berg (Arts + Labor), Tom Borders (Sixth Street Films), and Sibyl Avery Jackson.
Ashton Sanders and Keston John also star.
Read Vanessa’s review of the film HERE, her interview with writer/director Chris Eska HERE, and with star Tishuan Scott HERE.
More on the film via its website, www.theretrieval.com, and/or Facebook page www.facebook.com/
I’m sure Variance will be cutting a new trailer for this.
The film will next screen at the 2nd Toronto Black Film Festival, which kicked off today on February 11, and runs through the 16th, featuring an official lineup that includes the very best in black cinema from around the world.
