Cinelicious Pics has acquired all North American rights to Tim Sutton's critically acclaimed DARK NIGHT for an early 2017 theatrical and VOD release. An artfully understated critique of American gun culture, as the title suggests, Sutton's third feature is loosely based around the 2012 massacre in Aurora, Colorado that took place during a multiplex screening of "The Dark Knight."
Sutton's film premiered to strong notices at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival and was later selected as Closing Night Film at this past BAM CinemaFest. Most recently, the film played out of competition at the Venice Film Festival where it took home the Lanterna Magica Award.
Employing a pseudo-documentary technique and a cast of non-professional actors, DARK NIGHT follows the activities of six strangers over the course of one day, from sunrise to midnight, the shooter among them. As was the case with Sutton's previous two films, PAVILLION and MEMPHIS, landscape and setting are integral to his carefully crafted minimalism. Shot in Sarasota, Florida and lensed by veteran French DP Helene Louvart (PINA), the dream-like visuals articulate the nearly wordless characters' sense of alienation and suburban malaise. With an original score by Montreal-based Maica Armata, the films is as deeply suspenseful as it is mournfully melancholic.
"I am so proud of how this film was made and equally proud of the people who made it" said filmmaker Tim Sutton. "Now I get to take pride in how it will meet American audiences because I have no doubt that Cinelicious Pics-a tasteful, intelligent and thoughtful team-will lead Dark Night into theaters with as much passion as we put into making it."
"We're incredibly proud and excited to be working alongside Tim" added Cinelicious Pics's Vice-President of Acquisitions and Distribution, David Marriott. "His is a singular and much-needed voice in American Independent cinema. DARK NIGHT is not only an important addition to the conversation surrounding gun culture in this country, but a visionary work of art in its own right."