Cannes Shiva Stoner Comedy ‘One Week and a Day’ U.S. Rights Go to Oscilloscope

First-time director Asaph Polonsky’s comedy won raves in the Critics’ Week section

One week and a Day

Oscilloscope Laboratories has acquired U.S. rights to “One Week and a Day,” a comedy from first-time director Asaph Polonsky, which screened in the Critics’ Week section of the recent Cannes Film Festival.

The movie deals with a couple who are mourning the death of their son — but as the traditional shiva period of mourning ends, the father enlists their son’s stoner friend to help him sample the stash of medical marijuana that his son left behind.

Reviewing “One Week and a Day” in Cannes, TheWrap’s Ben Croll called it “uproariously funny and heart-wrenchingly moving.” He added, “By this point, the bittersweet poigna-comedy is a genre in and of itself (indeed, you can find at least a dozen at every Sundance) but none match this film’s precise balance of silly, sad and strange.”

In a statement announcing the acquisition, Oscilloscope’s Dan Berger said, “‘One Week and a Day’ is that unassuming gem, the black sheep of the Cannes lineup, that just sticks with you and makes you realize that a film doesn’t need to be three hours long and can also feel comfortable making you laugh, and yet it still fits into the slate of the most prestigious film festival in the world. Asaph is an incredible talent and this is just the start of what will surely be a long and accomplished career.”

The deal was brokered by Jan Naszewski from New Europe Film Sales. Oscilloscope plans a theatrical run followed by a release across all ancillary platforms.

Comments