IFC and Sundance Channel Team Up For Assayas’s “Carlos”
Ahead of its debut next week at the Cannes Film Festival, Sundance Channel and IFC Films have announced plans for a multi-platform release of Olivier Assayas’s “Carlos.” The five-and-a-half-hour epic – a portrait of the renowned international terrorist known as Carlos the Jackal – will debut first on the Sundance Channel as a three-part mini-series in October (the network’s first original scripted project). Following the Sundance Channel premiere, IFC Films will distribute both the extended, three-part version of the film as well as a theatrical version nationally in theaters, with the theatrical version available nationally on video-on-demand. Sundance Channel and IFC Films are both owned and operated by Rainbow Media.
Directed by French filmmaker Assayas (“Summer Hours”), the film stars Edgar Ramirez in the title role. The film is screening out of competition in the Official Selection at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival and will screen Wednesday, May 19 at 12pm at the Grand Theatre Lumiere.
“Every so often a project like ‘Carlos’ comes along that presents a one-of-a-kind opportunity to do something different that will maximize its potential and its exposure,” said Sarah Barnett, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Sundance Channel, in a statement. “‘Carlos’ is a hugely ambitious and beautifully executed work of drama; we are excited to move into the scripted arena with a project of this caliber.”
“We’re looking forward to working with our sister company Sundance Channel on the multi-platform release of ‘Carlos’. IFC Films pioneered the day and date VOD model, and we pride ourselves on releasing films in unique ways which will expand the audience for each project,” said Jonathan Sehring, President, IFC Entertainment, in a statement. “We’re excited to continue our ongoing relationship with Studio Canal and are happy to be working with Olivier once again. His last film, Summer Hours, was such a success for us and we’re excited to bring his newest work to audiences on multiple platforms.”
