TWC Picks Up Sean Penn Starrer THIS MUST BE THE PLACE by Award-Winning Filmmaker Paolo Sorrentino

NEW YORK, Sept. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Weinstein Company (TWC) announced today that it has acquired from the producers Lucky Red, Indigo Film and Medusa Film all rights to THIS MUST BE THE PLACE for North America. The Italian/French/Irish co-production from award-winning director Paolo Sorrentino (IL DIVO, THE CONSEQUENCES OF LOVE) premiered at this year's Cannes Film Festival, as part of the official selection.

THIS MUST BE THE PLACE, starring Sean Penn and written by Sorrentino and Umberto Contarello, tells the story of an aging rock star on a journey of self-discovery. The film is produced by Nicola Giuliano and Francesca Cima for Indigo Film, Andrea Occhipinti for Lucky Red and Medusa Film in co-production with ARP in France and Element Pictures in Ireland in association with Pathe International, Italian leading banking group Banca Intesa and the support of Eurimages and the Irish Film Board.

"I'm thrilled to be working with Harvey. He has a very deep appreciation of the film and a clear vision for its release, and he loves to come to Rome," said Sorrentino.

Said TWC COO David Glasser, "We couldn't be happier to be working with such a talented team of filmmakers.  THIS MUST BE THE PLACE is cinematic artistry at its finest and we are very glad it's found its home with TWC."

TWC Co-Chairman Harvey Weinstein commented, "Sorrentino is a true auteur. We were gripped by his film and are excited to share it with American audiences. Sean proves once again that he is one of the finest actors of our time."

The deal was negotiated for TWC by COO, David Glasser and Senior Vice President of Acquisitions & Business Affairs, Michal Podell Steinberg; and for the filmmakers by Rich Klubeck and Jim Meenaghan at United Talent Agency and attorney Iddo Arad, from Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz.

ABOUT THE WEINSTEIN COMPANY

The Weinstein Company (TWC) is a multimedia production and distribution company launched in October 2005 by Bob and Harvey Weinstein, the brothers who founded Miramax Films in 1979. TWC also encompasses Dimension Films, the genre label founded in 1993 by Bob Weinstein, which has released such popular franchises as SCREAM, SPY KIDS and SCARY MOVIE. Together TWC and Dimension Films have released a broad range of mainstream, genre and specialty films that have been commercial and critical successes, including Tom Hooper's THE KING'S SPEECH, winner of four 2011 Academy Awards®, including Best Picture.

Since 2005, TWC and Dimension Films have released such films as GRINDHOUSE; I'M NOT THERE; THE GREAT DEBATERS; VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA; THE READER; THE ROAD; HALLOWEEN; THE PAT TILLMAN STORY; PIRANHA 3D; INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS; A SINGLE MAN; BLUE VALENTINE, THE COMPANY MEN; MIRAL; SCRE4M; and SPY KIDS 4: ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD IN 4D. Currently in release are I DON'T KNOW HOW SHE DOES IT, OUR IDIOT BROTHER and APOLLO 18. Upcoming releases include DIRTY GIRL, MY WEEK WITH MARILYN and THE ARTIST. Recently wrapped is COGAN'S TRADE.

TWC is also active in television production, with credits including the Emmy® Award-winning hit reality series "Project Runway," the new VH1 reality series "Mob Wives," and the critically acclaimed HBO comedy/crime series "The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency." The company is producing three "Project Runway" spinoffs, "Project Runway All Stars," "Project Runway: Masters" and "Project Runway: Accessories," which are expected to debut in 2011. The company currently has 17 series in different stages of development, including: "Marco Polo," a scripted historical series about the great explorer; "The Nanny Diaries," based on the hit book; and "The Mad Ones," adapted from the Mafia novel of the same name.

SOURCE The Weinstein Company