Sony Snags 'Southland'

Zap2It.com | June 29, 2006

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Much-maligned post-apocalyptic tale finds a theatrical home

The latest film from "Donnie Darko" director Richard Kelly has found a theatrical distributor despite a drubbing from critics in Cannes.

Sony Pictures has acquired the theatrical and home entertainment distribution rights to Kelly's "Southland Tales," a post-apocalyptic film that takes place in a ravaged Los Angeles and stars The "Dwayne Johnson" Rock, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Seann William Scott.

"Southland Tales" premiered in a 160-minute cut at Cannes, and while one or two reviewers liked its audacity, most of the early buzz was shockingly harsh. Although reports out of Cannes suggested that the lengthy film was at the exact length Kelly desired, all indications are that the movie will not get a domestic release in that form.

"[Richard] is going to complete his edit and when we see his cut we'll figure out the distribution plan," Sony Home Entertainment President Ben Feingold tells The Hollywood Reporter. "But it will be theatrical."

The film's producer Sean McKittrick assures the industry trade paper that no amount of bashing concerns the filmmakers.

"It is a very difficult film and it's made to push buttons," he explains. "We didn't expect some reviews to be so personal, but we didn't show it to the audience we made it for."