Indican Pictures has obtained the North American rights to Academy award winner Ernest Borgnine’s final film, “The Man Who Shook the Hand of Vicente Fernández,” the studio announced on Wednesday.
Indican will release the film theatrically in Los Angeles in October before rolling the film out in select cities, ahead of a proposed awards campaign for Borgnine’s final performance.
The film debuted in April at the Newport Beach Film Festival, where Borgnine won the fest's Outstanding Achievement in Acting Award.
Elia Petridis directed “The Man Who Shook the Hand of Vicente Fernández” from his own script. The film was produced by Darren Brandl and Dave O'Brien.
Also read: Ernest Borgnine, Oscar Winner for 'Marty,' Dead at 95
Borgnine plays a stubborn man who becomes a hero at his nursing home after leading the Latino staff in a revolt against the home's tyrannical owner.
“Indican Pictures is extremely honored to be releasing Oscar winning actor Ernest Borgnine’s final film performance, which is among his best,” said Randolph Kret, vice president of Indican Pictures.
Borgnine, a Hollywood icon, passed away in July at 95 after appearing in more than 200 film and television productions during his 60-year career.
He won an Academy Award for his portrayal of a lovelorn butcher in 1955's "Marty,” was nominated for three Emmys and won a life achievement award from the Screen Actors Guild in 2010.
The deal was negotiated by Shaun Hill of Indican Pictures and Maren Olson of Traction Media on behalf of the producers.