EXCLUSIVE: Mubi has acquired worldwide rights to Martine Syms’ feature The African Desperatewhich is set to open theatrically in New York on September 16, with a wider release to follow.
The film had its world premiere at this year’s Rotterdam International Film Festival and its North American premiere as the closing film of the night at New Directors/New Films in New York. CAA Media Finance brokered the deal on behalf of the filmmakers.
Pic follows artist Palace Bryant (Diamond Stingily) through a very difficult day in 2017 that begins with her MFA graduation from a white liberal arts college in upstate New York and ends at a Chicago Blue Line station. Palace navigates the pitfalls of self-actualization and the fallacies of the art world.
Syms will present the film internationally as part of a solo event tour in September and October in the US and Europe. After the theatrical release and events, the film will be available for worldwide viewing on Mubi.
The film is produced by Syms, Rocket Caleshu and Vic Brooks of EMPAC. Sadie Coles and Bridget Donahue are executive producers along with Ways & Means’ Lana Kim and Jett Steiger.
The director said, “Mubi was my top choice while working The African Desperate. I am very happy to work with them to bring my film to the world. I’ve been a fan and subscriber since day one. It’s a dream collaboration. The African Desperate it is a self-funded project. I had a vision and took risks to make it a reality. I want to make epic, thoughtful, imaginative films that speak to MY reality. Mubi’s interest in the project proves that this kind of filmmaking is needed right now. They intervened to bridge the worlds of art and cinema and bring The African Desperate to a wide audience”.
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