Participant Media and AFFRM (African-American Film Festival Releasing Movement) have jointly acquired U.S. theatrical rights to the marriage drama "Middle of Nowhere [5]," the companies said on Friday.
The Sundance entry centers on a woman who is coping with her husband's incarceration. The film has been hailed for offering strong roles to African-American actors, but reviews have been mixed.
In Variety, R [6]ob Nelson wrote [6] that the film is "Solidly acted but aloof and slow as molasses."
Also read: IOTG at Sundance 2012: Ava Duvernay Chats 'Middle of Nowhere' [3]
"Middle of Nowhere" will hit theaters later this year, although no firm release date has been set.
The film was written and directed by the former publicist Ava DuVernay [7], who also founded AFFRM. DuVernay produced the movie along with Howard Barish and Paul Garnes.
The film's stars include relative newcomer Emayatzy Corinealdi and "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" actor David Oyelowo.
The deal was negotiated by Ben Weiss of the Paradigm Motion Picture Group with Nina Shaw and Gordon Bobb of Del, Shaw, Moonves, Tanaka Finkelstein & Lezcano, on behalf of AFFRM. Participant COO Jeff Ivers negotiated on its behalf.