Casey Affleck’s Sundance hit “Manchester by the Sea” closes sales

PanARMENIAN.Net - Sierra/Affinity has completed sales of worldwide rights outside of North America to Sundance hit “Manchester by the Sea”, starring Casey Affleck and Michelle Williams with Kenneth Lonergan directing, according to Variety.

Amazon acquired the North America distribution rights to the film, which were represented by WME Global, and will release it with an Oscar campaign in the fall.

Universal acquired the rights in Australia, New Zealand, Benelux, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, China, India, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines and Singapore. Studio Canal bought the U.K. rights.

Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions acquired Latin America, Scandinavia, Iceland, Baltics, Hungary, Poland and Romania. Able Entertainment took South Korea and Golden Scene bought Hong Kong.

Set in the north shore of Massachusetts, “Manchester by the Sea” tells the story of a working class family in which Affleck’s brother (Kyle Chandler) suddenly dies and he is made the legal guardian of his nephew — and forced to deal with a tragic past that separated him from his wife, played by Williams.

The film was produced by Matt Damon, Kimberly Steward, Chris Moore, Lauren Beck and Kevin Walsh, and executive produced by Josh Godfrey, Declan Baldwin, Bill Migliore and John Krasinski.

“Manchester by the Sea” premiered at Sundance on Jan. 23. Variety‘s Justin Chang said in his review that the film is “superbly grounded and acted.”

Amazon bought the U.S. rights after the premiere.