Freestyle Releasing Picks Up FUNERAL KINGS for Fall 2012 Release

Freestyle Releasing announced today that they have acquired all U.S. rights to FUNERAL KINGS, the charming, critically acclaimed comedy that was written, produced and directed by brothers Kevin McManus and Matthew McManus. The film was executive produced by Andrew van den Houten ('The Woman," "In the Family") and stars Dylan Hartigan ("The Black Donnellys"), Alex Maizus, Jordan Puzzo, and Charles Odei ("The Good Wife"). Michaela McManus ("The Vampire Diaries"), Michael Delaney ("The Other Guys"), and Kevin Corrigan ("Superbad") round out the cast. FUNERAL KINGS debuted as an official selection at this year's SXSW Film Festival and is slated for a fall release.

It's always a good day for a funeral at St. Mark's Middle School in Rhode Island. Andy and Charlie, two altar boys, don't just get to miss class anytime a parishioner kicks the bucket, they cut out early and play hooky as soon as the service is over. Eventually their irreverent personalities will put them in a situation that is too big for them to handle.

The deal for the U.S. rights was negotiated by Freestyle Releasing's Co-President Susan Jackson and Andrew van den Houten, President of Modernciné.

"Kevin and Matthew McManus are talented new filmmakers who bring a fresh humor to the adventures of these ne'er-do-well New England Altar boys. We absolutely love the film and can't wait to bring it to audiences," said Jackson.

"Funeral Kings was an audience and critics hit at SXSW and Fantasia and we are delighted to secure U.S. distribution with Freestyle for this very funny film," said Andrew van den Houten.

Freestyle Releasing is a full-service, theatrical motion picture distribution company that specializes in representing independent companies, major studios, and mini-major studios for the purpose of exhibiting their films in a first class theatrical release. The founders and principals of Freestyle Releasing, Mark Borde and Susan Jackson are highly regarded and experienced motion picture veterans with a combined total of over a century of respected work in the industry.

Modernciné is dedicated to making high-quality films by telling stories that are edgy and groundbreaking. Modernciné has been behind the development, financing and production of over a dozen feature length motion pictures. Among them are the cult classic "Jack Ketchum's The Girl Next Door," "Offspring," "The Woman," "Home Movie," and the Chiller Network presentation, "Ghoul." Modernciné has gained a solid reputation as a company that is willing to tackle the most controversial subjects and as a result attracted the talents of cutting edge filmmakers Lucky McKee, the McManus Brothers, Patrick Wang and Gregory M. Wilson. The company's films have been recognized worldwide by The Sundance Film Festival, SXSW, The Deauville Film Festival, Brussels International Fantastic Film Fest, Sitges, Fantastic Fest, FrightFest, Busan International Film Festival, New York City Horror Film Festival and many others.