IFC, Showtime pick up Liev Schreiber drama “The Bleeder”September 15, 2016 - 17:16 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - IFC Films has picked up “The Bleeder”, a drama about Chuck Wepner, a journeyman boxer whose 15-round battle with Muhammad Ali inspired the “Rocky” franchise, Variety reports. Showtime has partnered on the pact and will be the exclusive pay-TV home for the film following its theatrical release in spring 2017. An acquisitions price was not announced. The film stars Liev Schreiber as Wepner, whose heroics in the ring gained him some notoriety, but whose brush with fame also led to low points involving cocaine, booze and women. “The Bleeder” screened at the Venice and Toronto films festivals. Reviews for the picture were positive, with Variety‘s Guy Lodge praising the performances and writing that “The Bleeder” is a “familiar but affecting boxing biopic.” Philippe Falardeau (“The Good Lie”) directs from a script by Jeff Feuerzeig and Jerry Stahl. Avi Lerner’s Millennium Films financed the film. The movie co-stars “Mad Men’s” Elisabeth Moss, Schreiber’s wife. The deal for the film was negotiated with EVP of acquisitions and productions Arianna Bocco for IFC, along with UTA Independent on behalf of the filmmakers. “The Bleeder” was a passion project for Schreiber, who has deep ties to Showtime from his work on “Ray Donovan.” “I am truly thrilled our film has found a home at IFC and Showtime,” he said in a statement. “Jonathan and Arianna are pretty much leading the way in terms of effective and substantive theatrical releases right now. As for Showtime, they’ve become family in the past 5 years so to have them be a part of this movie just feels right. Such a great outcome.” Deadline first reported that a deal had been made. Top stories The creative crew of the Public TV had chosen 13-year-old Malena as a participant of this year's contest. She called on others to also suspend their accounts over the companies’ failure to tackle hate speech. Penderecki was known for his film scores, including for William Friedkin’s “The Exorcist”, Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining”. The festival made the news public on March 19, saying that “several options are considered in order to preserve its running” Partner news | European Parliament to discuss repression in Azerbaijan The European Parliament will discuss repression of civil society in Azerbaijan on April 24 PACE wants concessions from Azerbaijan to accept Baku back A PACE co-rapporteur said that Azerbaijani authorities must make certain concessions so that the country can return to PACE. Cyprus parliament honors Armenian genocide victims Acting House President Zacharias Koulias noted that April 24 marks the “black anniversary” of the Armenian genocide. Armenia PM, France envoy discuss regional matters Issues related to the consistent development of Armenia-France cooperation were discussed. |