The Orchard has acquired the North American rights to “State Like Sleep,” starring Michael Shannon and Katherine Waterston, the distributor announced Thursday.
Meredith Danluck wrote and directed the hypnotic drama, her first narrative feature, and Eddie Vaisman, Julia Lebedev and Angel Lopez produced.
Luke Evans and Michiel Huisman also star, and The Orchard is planning a theatrical release as well as a digital release this winter. It first premiered in April at the Tribeca Film Festival.
“State Like Sleep” follows American photographer Katherine (Waterston), one year after the mysterious death of her Belgian actor husband. She returns to Brussels to pack up the house they once shared, where she uncovers secrets that make her question her husband’s last days. In the underground club scene, she discovers a mysterious woman and a strange group of friends, but she also meets a new man (Shannon), a fellow American.
“‘State Like Sleep’ is a compelling, visually-engaging mystery that takes audiences down a rabbit hole of self-discovery,” said Paul Davidson, EVP, Film and TV at The Orchard. “We’re honored that Meredith has entrusted her directorial debut with The Orchard and are excited to be working with her and the team at Sight Unseen Pictures on the release.”
Previously, Danluck directed a four-screen narrative feature film installation, which played as part of the New Frontier exhibition at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival. She also previously directed two feature documentaries, titled “The Ride” and “Art Hard.” Most recently, she wrote and directed the narrative short film “Cladavista” for Refinery29.
The deal was negotiated by The Orchard’s Danielle DiGiacomo and ICM Partners on behalf of the filmmakers.