Saban Films Takes North American Rights to Sean Penn’s “The Last Face” at TIFF

Saban Films has acquired North American distribution rights to The Last Face, directed by two-time Academy Award® Winner Sean Penn and starring Academy Award Winners Charlize Theron and Javier Bardem, on the opening day of the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival.

Written by Erin Dignam (The Yellow Handkerchief), the drama stars Academy Award® Winners Charlize Theron (Mad Max: Fury Road, Monster) and Javier Bardem (No Country for Old Men, Skyfall), as well as Adèle Exarchopoulos (Blue is the Warmest Color), Jean Reno (The Da Vinci Code, Godzilla), and Primetime Emmy® Nominee Jared Harris (Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, “Mad Men”). The film made its World Premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May.

Set against the devastating backdrop of war-torn Liberia, The Last Face centers on a love affair between Dr. Wren Petersen (Theron), the director of an international aid organization and Dr. Miguel Leon (Bardem), a relief-aid doctor. Together, Wren and Miguel must find a way to keep their relationship alive in the extraordinarily difficult conditions that surround them, while battling their diametrically opposed opinions on how to solve the conflict, and their mutual passion for life.

“This is a thought-provoking film with unrivaled star-power and commanding performances,” said Saban Films’ Bill Bromiley. “The Last Face is full of heart, intense emotion and complexity. Sean’s unmatched talent and passion for this project truly come through.”

River Road Entertainment’s Bill Pohlad produced the film alongside, FilmHaven Entertainments’ Matt Palmieri, and Bill Gerber. Jon Kuyper served as executive producer. Bill Bromiley and Ness Sabannegotiated the deal on behalf of Saban Films. CAA handled North American rights, with Lionsgate handling foreign rights.

Saban Films recently acquired Zack Weldon’s feature debut Come and Find Me starring Emmy Award Winner Aaron Paul and Annabelle Wallis, and Walter Hill’s (Re) Assignment, which will make its World Premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, starring Michelle Rodriguez, Sigourney Weaver, Tony Shalhoub, Anthony LaPaglia. 

Saban’s upcoming slate also includes: Rob Zombie’s 31, Colm McCarthy’s apocalyptic thriller The Girl with All the Gifts making its North American Premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival and starring six-time Academy Award Winner Glenn Close, Gemma Arterton and Paddy Considine; and John Michael McDonagh’s War on Everyone starring Michael Peña, Alexander Skarsgård, Theo James, and Tessa Thompson.

Since the company’s launch in 2014, Saban Films has released The Homesman starring Tommy Lee Jones and Hilary Swank; Tracers starring Taylor Lautner; Philip Martin’s The Forger starring John Travolta; American Heist starring Hayden Christensen and Adrien Brody; Some Kind of Beautiful starring Pierce Brosnan, Salma Hayek and Jessica Alba; Man Up starring Simon Pegg and Lake Bell; MI-5 starring Kit Harington; Alex and Benjamin Brewer’s The Trust starring Nicolas Cage and Elijah Wood; Tom Tykwer’s A Hologram for the King starring Tom Hanks; sci-fi horror film Cell starring John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson; and I Am Wrath with John Travolta.

About Saban Films

Saban Films, an affiliate of Saban Capital Group (“SCG”), is a film acquisition and distribution company which acquires high-quality, feature films to distribute in North America.  Focusing on commercial, talent driven films, the company looks at projects in all stages of production for release across multiple platforms, including a day and date theatrical/VOD release strategy. Based in Los Angeles, Saban Films was established by Haim Saban, SCG Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and is led by Bill Bromiley who serves as president, Shanan Becker, Chief Financial Officer and Ness Saban, Director of Business Development.

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