“Blue Jean” has secured North American distribution on the heels of its world premiere at Venice Film Festival, where it landed the Giornate degli Autori People’s Choice Award. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Magnolia Pictures snagged rights to the drama about a closeted gym teacher, with plans to release it next year.
Set in the North of England in 1988, “Blue Jean” tells the story of Jean (Rosy McEwen, “Vesper”) a lesbian who is “forced to lead a double life thanks to a new law called Section 28, which was brought in by Margaret Thatcher’s government and said it was illegal to ‘promote’ homosexuality in schools and local government,” writer-director Georgia Oakley told us. She said that the film “interrogates one woman’s life and choices in the lead up to the law being brought in” and “documents the domino effect institutionalized homophobia can have on every part of your life.”
“Blue Jean” marks Oakley’s directorial debut.
“Witnessing the audience respond to ‘Blue Jean’ in Venice was such a special moment for our team,” the filmmaker said. “We couldn’t be more excited to join Magnolia Pictures’ roster of new voices and work together to bring the film to North American audiences.”
“All the Beauty and the Bloodshed” claimed Venice’s top prize, the Golden Lion, this year. Laura Poitras’ doc centers on artist Nan Goldin and her attempt to hold the Sackler family accountable for their role in the opioid epidemic.
