Sundance Title ‘Strawberry Mansion’ Acquired by Alief (EXCLUSIVE)
Alief has acquired international rights to the high-concept fantasy “Strawberry Mansion,” which world premiered at this year’s Sundance, where it was acquired by Music Box Films for North America, and by Periscoop Films for Benelux. Alief will be introducing the film to international buyers during June’s virtual Cannes market, and in person during July’s Marche Du Film.
“Strawberry Mansion” is written and directed by Kentucker Audley and Albert Birney. It stars Kentucker Audley, Reed Birney, Penny Fuller, Grace Glowicki and Linas Phillips.
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The film is set in the not-too-distant future, where an all-seeing surveillance state conducts “dream audits” to collect taxes on the unconscious lives of the populace. Mild-mannered government agent James Preble (played by Audley) travels to a remote farmhouse to audit the dreams of Arabella “Bella” Isadora (Fuller), an eccentric, aging artist. Entering Bella’s vast VHS archive, which contains a lifetime of dreams, Preble stumbles on a secret that offers him a chance at love—and hope for escape.
Brett Walker, Alief’s managing director, said: “We fell in love with ‘Strawberry Mansion’s’ colorful and bubbly retro future vision.” Miguel Govea, Alief’s head of production and distribution, added: “It has a big appeal for audiences looking for an escapist feel-good movie with a sweet rewarding ending.”
“Strawberry Mansion” is a Guavatron LLC production, in association with Ley Line Entertainment, Kaleidoscope Entertainment, Salem Street Entertainment, UnLtd Prods. and Cartuna. It is produced by Emma Hannaway, Matisse Rifai, Sarah Winshall, (“We Are All Going to the World’s Fair”) and Taylor Ava Shung (“Nomadland”).
Alief’s Pre-Cannes Screenings slate of genre films include Argentinian mystery “Nocturna” by Gonzalo Calzada,” Venezuelan-Italian road movie “Opposite Direction” by Alejandro Bellame, Lithuanian rock fantasy “Songs for a Fox” by Kristijonas Vildziunas, and CAT Films’ screenings of Spanish dramatic comedy “The Pop Song” by Raul Portero.
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