Magnet takes Cannes Sci-fi Thriller "Last Days on Mars"

MAGNET TAKES US RIGHTS TO SCI-FI THRILLER THE LAST DAYS ON MARS FROM FOCUS FEATURES INTERNATIONAL

  

The Ruairi Robinson Directed film Debuted in Director’s Fortnight

at the 2013 Cannes International Film Festival

New York (July 9, 2013) – The Wagner/Cuban Company’s Magnet Releasing, genre arm of Magnolia Pictures, announced today that they have acquired US rights to THE LAST DAYS ON MARS, a sci-fi thriller starring Liev Schreiber (Salt, X-Men Origins: Wolverine), Elias Koteas (Shutter Island, Crash), Romola Garai (One Day, Atonement), Olivia Williams (An Education, The Sixth Sense), and Tom Cullen (Downtown Abbey) from Focus Features International. Produced by Michael Kuhn and Andrea Cornwell, THE LAST DAYS ON MARS is the feature film debut of Ruairi Robinson, an Academy Award-nominated director of several celebrated sci-fi short films and animations. Focus Features International handled worldwide sales on the film, which bowed in this year’s Director’s Fortnight selection at the Cannes International Film Festival, where Kenneth Turan of The Los Angeles Times called it “undeniably gripping.”

On the last day of the first manned mission to Mars, a crew member of Tantalus Base believes he has made an astounding discovery – fossilized evidence of bacterial life. Unwilling to let the relief crew claim all the glory, he disobeys orders to pack up and goes out on an unauthorized expedition to collect further samples. But a routine excavation turns to disaster when the porous ground collapses, and he falls into a deep crevice and near certain death. His devastated colleagues attempt to recover his body. However, when another vanishes they start to suspect that the life-form they have discovered is not yet dead. As the group begins to fall apart it seems their only hope is the imminent arrival of the relief ship Aurora.

“With a terrific ensemble cast and top-notch production values, THE LAST DAYS ON MARS is an exceedingly well-made and frightening science fiction film that will be a real pleasure for fans of the genre,” said Magnolia President Eamonn Bowles. “Ruairi Robinson is a talented director to watch—we’re very excited to be working with him on this film.”

Alison Thompson, Co-President of Focus Features International said: “After a successful Cannes premiere, we’re delighted to have Magnet on board.  They are a perfect fit for the film and we have no doubt they will do an excellent job of ensuring that US audiences embrace this exciting new filmmaker.”

Magnet is eyeing a release through its Ultra VOD program later this year. The film was negotiated by Magnolia/Magnet SVP of Acquisitions Dori Begley and Director of Acquisitions Peter Van Steemburg with Focus Features International.

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About Magnet Releasing

Magnet is the genre arm of Magnolia Pictures, specializing in films from the vanguard of horror, action, comedy and Asian cinema, and the home of genre classics like Tomas Alfredson’s Let the Right One In, Takeshi Miike’s 13 Assassins, Christopher Smith’s Black Death, Ti West’s The House of the Devil, Andre Ovredal’s Trollhunter, Gareth Edward’s Monsters, Neil Marshall’s sword and sandals bloodbath Centurion, and Tony Jaa’s Ong Bak trilogy to name a few. Recent releases include the terrifying anthology V/H/S, Michael Dowse’s hockey comedy Goon, Tim & Eric’s Billion Dollar Movie, Panos Cosmatos’ psychedelic head trip Beyond the Black Rainbow, horror anthology The ABCs of Death, Xan Cassavettes’ stylish vampire film Kiss of the Damned, and Don Coscarelli’s John Dies at the End. Upcoming releases include V/H/S/2, Adrián García Bogliano’s Here Comes the Devil, Israeli thriller Big Bad Wolves, twisted horror-comedy Bad Milo!, and many more.

About Focus Features International

Focus Features and Focus Features International (www.focusfeatures.com) comprise a singular global company. This worldwide studio makes original and daring films that challenge the mainstream to embrace and enjoy voices and visions from around the world that deliver global commercial success.  One of the world’s leading international sales agents, FFI also encompasses international distribution, marketing and publicity.   Focus Features and Focus Features International are part of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks and a suite of leading Internet-based businesses. NBCUniversal is owned by Comcast Corporation.