Following an insanely successful festival run and a recent screening at Popcorn Frights Film Festival, Jennifer Reeder’s neo-noir, coming-of-age thriller Knives and Skin has been acquired by IFC Midnight for North American distribution.
Arianna Bocco EVP of Acquisitions and Productions of IFC Films said, "Knives and Skin embodies the kind of uncompromising ambition we believe is essential to the growth of the independent film community. We are thrilled to be partnering not only with Newcity, who understands this ethos implicitly, but also Jennifer Reeder, whose powerful and singular vision has cemented her as a director to watch out for."
The film follows the investigation of a young girl’s disappearance in a stylized version of a rural Midwest town that hovers just above reality, led by an inexperienced local sheriff. Unusual coping techniques develop among the traumatized small-town residents with each new secret revealed. The ripple of fear and suspicion destroys some relationships and strengthens others. The backdrop of trauma colors quintessential rituals—classrooms, dances, courtship, football games—in which the teenagers experience an accelerated loss of innocence while their parents are forced to confront adulthood failures.
The press release states, "this mystical teen noir presents coming of age as a lifelong process and examines the profound impact of grief."
"Knives and Skin is exactly the film I set out to make and its entirely from my heart," said Reeder. "I have long been a fan of IFC and I am not taking this partnership for granted. IFC is the perfect home for Knives and Skin and I am deeply excited to share this film with the world."
Knives and Skin stars Kate Arrington (The Irishman), Tony Fitzpatrick (Married to the Mob), Tim Hopper (School of Rock), Raven Whitley (Red Line), and Ty Olwin (Personal Shopper). It was produced by Brian Hieggelke and Jan Hieggelke of Newcity/Chicago Film Project.
IFC Midnight is planning to release the film in December 2019.