Image Entertainment, Inc. a leading independent licensee and distributor of entertainment programming in North America, announced today that it has acquired all North American rights to "Dare," starring Emmy Rossum ("The Phantom of the Opera"), Zach Gilford ("Friday Night Lights"), Ashley Springer ("Teeth"), Ana Gasteyer ("Mean Girls"), and Rooney Mara ("Nightmare on Elm Street"), along with Sandra Bernhard, Cady Huffman and Alan Cumming. Image will release the film in theaters this Fall, starting with New York and Los Angeles on November 13, 2009.
"Dare" was written and co-produced by David Brind and directed by Adam Salky. The film was produced by Mary Jane Skalski ("Mysterious Skin," "The Station Agent," "The Visitor") and Jason Orans ("Flannel Pajamas," "Goodbye Solo"). The film features a score by Spring Awakening composer Duncan Sheik.
"Dare" follows three teenagers through the last semester of high school: Alexa (Emmy Rossum), the overachieving good girl; Ben (Ashley Springer), the melancholy outsider; and Johnny (Zach Gilford), the rich kid who has everything. The unlikely trio falls into each other's lives, making a last-ditch effort to shake things up before they actually have to start living as adults.
"Audiences will identify with this 21st-century update of the John Hughes oeuvre, as it perfectly captures this generation with nothing to rebel against except their self-imposed inhibitions," said Garrett M. Lee, Image's Senior Vice President, Theatrical. "This film continues our plans to build a portfolio of unique and entertaining films from great filmmakers," added Lee.
Image Entertainment's J. Beck negotiated the rights to the film, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in the U.S. Dramatic Competition this year, with Sarah Lash at Cinetic Media. The film is a co-production between Next Wednesday and Gigantic Pictures. Image Entertainment will also release the film for the home entertainment market including digital and broadcast.
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