Magnolia Pictures Acquires Romulus, My Father

Magnolia Pictures has acquired all U.S. rights to the Arclight Films' drama Romulus, My Father, the critically acclaimed Australian hit that was recently nominated in every category for this year's Australian Film Awards, making it the most nominated film in the awards' history.

Starring Eric Bana (Munich, Hulk, Lucky You), Franka Potente (The Bourne Identity) and Marton Csokas (Lord of the Rings), the film marks the feature directing debut of veteran Australian actor Richard Roxburgh. It was written by screenwriter Nick Drake and produced by Robert Connolly and John Maynard, with Gary Hamilton, Victor Syrmis and Andrew Myer as executive producers.

Based on Raimond Gaita's critically acclaimed memoir, Romulus, My Father is the story of a couple (Bana and Potente) struggling in the face of great adversity to bring up their son. As the boy is forced to navigate a difficult home life between his deeply moral father and capricious mother, the film is ultimately a moving love story that celebrates the unbreakable bond between father and son.

Arclight head Gary Hamilton said: "This film has been acclaimed everywhere it has been seen, including at this year's Toronto festival. We think the film is absolutely right for Magnolia Pictures, and we're very proud and happy that they will release it in the U.S."

Romulus, My Father is also the most recent Magnolia Pictures' release to be offered on the new HDNet Ultra Video On Demand (VOD) platform, which provides viewers with exclusive access to selected movies as early as three weeks prior to their theatrical premiere. In addition to the On Demand access via consumers' cable or satellite provider (as well as selected hotels), HDNet Ultra VOD offers a special free Sneak Preview showing on high-definition television channel HDNet Movies two days prior to the film's premiere in theaters.

"With a star on the level of Eric Bana and its history of awards, Romulus, My Father is an exciting addition to the Ultra VOD program, and it highlights the exceptional quality of the films that have been showcased," said Magnolia President Eamonn Bowles. Magnolia Pictures, HDNet and HDNet Movies are all part of the Wagner/Cuban Companies, a vertically integrated group of media properties co-owned by Todd Wagner and Mark Cuban.

Romulus, My Father received 16 Australian Film Awards nominations including best film, director, screenplay, cinematography, editing, sound, music, production design, costume design, two best actor nods for Bana and Kodi Smit-McPhee, best actress for Potente, two best supporting actor awards for Marton Csokas and Russell Dykstra, best supporting actress for Esme Melville, and best young actor for Smit-McPhee.

The film has been sold in more than 20 territories as well as the United States, including Germany, Scandinavia, Italy, Latin America and Canada.