The Wagner/Cuban Company’s Magnolia Pictures announced today that they have acquired North American rights to White Bird in a Blizzard, a suspenseful drama from veteran writer/director Gregg Araki (Kaboom, Mysterious Skin), starring Shailene Woodley, Eva Green, Christopher Meloni, Shiloh Fernandez, Gabourey Sidibe, Thomas Jane and Angela Bassett. White Bird in a Blizzard is based on the acclaimed novel by Laura Kasischke. The film was produced by Pascal Caucheteux, Sebastien K. Lemercier, Alix Madigan-Yorkin, Pavlina Hatoupis and Gregg Araki. White Bird in a Blizzard is a Why Not Productions / Desperate Pictures / Orange Studio / Wild Bunch co-production.
The film is set in 1988. Woodley stars as Kat, a college-bound teenager who is just discovering and relishing her newfound sexuality, when her mother (Green), a beautiful, enigmatic, and haunted woman, disappears. Having lived for so long in a stifled, emotionally repressed household, Kat barely registers her mother’s absence and certainly doesn’t blame her doormat of a father, Brock (Meloni), for the loss. But as time passes, Kat begins to come to grips with how deeply Eve’s disappearance has affected her. Returning home on a break from college, she finds herself confronted with the truth about her mother’s departure, and her own denial about the events surrounding it.
“We are longtime admirers of the singular Gregg Araki, who brings his unique vision to this funny, sexy and haunting film,” said Magnolia President Eamonn Bowles. “Shailene Woodley truly shines with a bold and fearless performance that showcases the depth of her talent.”
“I’m thrilled for this opportunity to collaborate with Magnolia, one of the boldest, smartest companies around. ‘White Bird’ is a true labor of love for me and the most amazing family of actors I’ve ever worked with,” said Araki. “I can’t wait for the world to see the film.”
Magnolia is eyeing a release for later this year.
