Magnolia Pictures has acquired North American rights to “Person to Person,” a comedy starring Michael Cera and “Broad City’s” Abbi Jacobson that premiered at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival.
Writer/director Dustin Guy Defa’s sophomore feature (following 2011’s “Bad Fever”) follows a day in the lives of an eclectic mix of New Yorkers. These include a record collector hustling for a massive score while his roommate tries to make up for a big mistake; a teenager examining her best friend’s new relationship; and a rookie reporter and her tough boss investigating a murder case involving a clock store owner.
The cast also includes Tavi Gevinson, Isiah Whitlock, Michaela Watkins, Olivia Lucciardi, Ben Rosenfield, Buddy Durress, Bene Coopersmith, George Sample III and Philip Baker Hall.
Defa also edited the film, which was produced by Sara Murphy, Toby Halbrooks, and James M. Johnston and co-produced by Allison Rose Carter and Jonathan Read. “Person to Person” is executive produced by Joe Swanberg, Eddie Linker, Peter Gilbert of Forager Films Michael Sherman and Matthew Perniciaro of Bow and Arrow Entertainment, in association with Sailor Bear and Park Pictures.
The deal was negotiated by Magnolia Co-Executive Vice President Dori Begley and Senior Vice President of Acquisitions John Von Thaden and UTA Independent Film Group on behalf of the filmmakers.
“With ‘Person to Person,’ Dustin has crafted a charming and nostalgic love letter to New York,” Magnolia President Eamonn Bowles said in a statement. “We’re truly excited to bring this original film to audiences around the country.”
“I’ve always admired how Magnolia takes care of the movies they choose to put out, and I could not be more thrilled to be partnering with them to get this movie, that’s so close to my heart, out to its audience,” Defa added in a statement.