Two more women-directed films have secured distribution out of Sundance. Kino Lorber snagged North American rights to Fernanda Valadez’s “Identifying Features” and Sony Pictures Classics is partnering with Sony’s Stage 6 Films for the worldwide release of Heidi Ewing’s “I Carry You With Me.” Both films’ storylines deal with the U.S.-Mexico border.
Penned by Valadez and Astrid Rondero, “Identifying Features.” tells the story of Magdalena, a woman who embarks on a journey to find her missing son, a Mexican migrant who goes missing on his way to the U.S. border.
“Although the story is basically a drama that deals with issues that I believe are relevant in Mexico — violence, enforced disappearances, and migration — I tried to give the film the sensation of a thriller,” Valadez told us. “It’s more lyrical than naturalistic. I wanted to capture the feeling of dealing with a dangerous reality that surpasses our understanding, but at the same time, leaning on an emotion that’s easy to relate to: the love of a mother for her son.”
According to Deadline, Kino Lorber is planning to roll out “Identifying Features,” or “Sin Señas Particulares,” in theaters this summer followed by a VOD release on KinoNow.com and home video release.
“We count on Sundance to elevate the worthiest independent films and especially reveal the dramatic power of documentaries,” said Richard Lorber, President and CEO of Kino Lorber. “But here’s a cinematic reminder how an exquisitely wrought narrative drama can go beyond even the best factual films to deliver the highest emotional impact. Fernanda Valadez’s devastatingly poignant work unpacks another dimension of human meaning beyond the numbing headlines. We are eager to bring her compassionate exposé to audiences across North America.”
“Identifying Features” marks Valadez’s feature directorial debut. Her short “400 Bags” was a finalist for a Student Academy Award.
“I Carry You With Me” is Ewing’s feature narrative debut. She is perhaps best known for co-directing 2007 Oscar-nominated doc “Jesus Camp.”
Ewing co-wrote the script for “I Carry You With Me,” or “Te Llevo Conmigo,” which depicts a “decades-spanning romance that begins in Mexico between an aspiring chef and a teacher. Their lives restart in incredible ways as societal pressure propels the couple to make the treacherous journey to New York with dreams, hopes, and memories in tow,” its official synopsis hints.
“I’m simply over the moon to collaborate with Sony Pictures Classics on my narrative debut,” said Ewing, per a press release. “I’ve admired their deft releases of great films like ‘Call Me By Your Name,’ ‘Amour,’ ‘A Fantastic Woman,’ and ‘Pain and Glory’ and know that they will bring this love story to audiences worldwide with great care.”
Producer Mynette Louie added, “I knew early on that Sony Classics would be a great fit for our film, and I’m gratified that our U.S.-Mexico co-production will get a proper theatrical release to showcase the incredible work of our Mexican cast and crew.
Ewing’s documentaries include “One of Us” and “Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You,” both of which she co-directed with Rachel Grady. She’s re-teaming with Grady for an HBO doc following Ronan Farrow’s investigation into the forces undermining the free press in the United States and around the world.
The 2020 edition of Sundance Film Festival is running until February 2. Amazon Studios recently acquired rights to Phyllida Lloyd’s “Herself,” which is screening in the Premieres section.
