Sony Pictures Classics Acquires Robert Redford’s THE COMPANY YOU KEEP Before Venice Debut

Sony Pictures Classics Acquires Robert Redford’s THE COMPANY YOU KEEP Before Venice Debut

by     Posted: August 24th, 2012 at 10:25 am

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Robert Redford‘s The Company You Keep will make its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival—which doesn’t begin until August 29th—but Sony Pictures Classics isn’t wasting any time, and have snatched up the U.S. distribution rights to the film.  In addition to directing, Redford also stars in the film as a civil rights lawyer who must go on the run when he’s outed by a young reporter (Shia LaBeouf) as being a former 1970s Weather Underground militant.  I’m a little surprised at SPC’s eagerness to pick up the movie considering Redford hasn’t directed a good film since 1994′s Quiz Show, but maybe the execs like what they’ve seen.  With a stellar ensemble cast that also includesJulie Christie, Sam Elliott, Brendan Gleeson, Terrence Howard, Richard Jenkins, Anna Kendrick, Brit Marling, Stanley Tucci, Nick Nolte, Chris Cooper, and Susan Sarandon, the movie shouldn’t be a difficult sell to audiences.

Hit the jump for the press release.  The Company You Keep will also play at the Toronto International Film Festival.  There’s no word on a general release date, but it may hit theaters before the end of the year if Sony Pictures Classics thinks it could be an awards contender.

Shia-LaBeouf-The-Company-You-KeepHere’s the press release:

SONY PICTURES CLASSICS KEEPS COMPANY WITH ROBERT REDFORD

NEW YORK (August 24, 2012) - Sony Pictures Classics announced today that they have acquired all US Rights to Robert Redford’s THE COMPANY YOU KEEP.  Redford, who directed and produced the film, also stars alongside a stellar cast including Shia LeBeouf, Julie Christie, Sam Elliott, Brendan Gleeson, Terence Howard, Richard Jenkins, Anna Kendrick, Brit Marling, Stanley Tucci, Nick Nolte, Chris Cooper, and Susan Sarandon. Additional producers include Nicolas Chartier (THE HURT LOCKER), and Bill Holderman (THE CONSPIRATOR).

Redford also assembled a prestigious crew to work on THE COMPANY YOU KEEP, Director of Photography Adriano Goldman (JANE EYRE, SIN NOMBRE), Composer Cliff Martinez (DRIVE, TRAFFIC), Editor Mark Day (HARRY POTTER films) and Production Designer Laurence Bennett (THE ARTIST, CRASH).

A thriller centered on a former Weather Underground activist who goes on the run from a journalist who has discovered his identity, THE COMPANY YOU KEEP, will premiere Out of Competition at the Venice Film Festival and at the Toronto International Film Festival.

THE COMPANY YOU KEEP was financed by Voltage Pictures, who is also the international sales agent on the film.

“Robert Redford’s film is classic storytelling at its best and we are really looking forward to bringing the film to the American audience,” states Sony Pictures Classics.

“I’ve known Tom and Michael for many years.  I have great respect for what they do and how they do it.   So it’s a pleasant connection,” adds Redford.