EXCLUSIVE: Metrograph Pictures has acquired the US rights to it The Black Sea, the offbeat comedy from Crystal Moselle and Derrick B. Harden that premiered at this year’s SXSW Film Festival. Metrograph will release the film in theaters later this year.
Inspired by Harden’s trips to Bulgaria and improvised by Harden and his Bulgarian cast, The Black Sea chronicles the journey of a charismatic dreamer from Brooklyn who accidentally ends up as the only black person in a small town on the Black Sea in Eastern Europe. While at first he just wants to go home, he finds himself increasingly drawn to the unorthodox characters and unexpected connections he finds.
UTA negotiated the deal on behalf of the filmmakers. The film was produced by Izabella Tzenkova, Kotva Films and GiveThanks. Executive producers include Andrea Leibof, Cameron Brody, Dana Høegh, Jonas Carpignano, Josh Peters, Robina Riccitiello, Ted Hope and Ted Wright. The film was shot by cinematographer Jackson Hunt, edited by Anastas Petkov and features original music by Derrick B. Harden and composed by Charles Moselle.
The picture is the latest narrative film from Moselle, who previously won the US Documentary Film Jury Grand Prize for her groundbreaking documentary The Wolf Pack. Her second film, Skate kitchenThe Movie, starring Jaden Smith, was a cult hit and received two Gotham Award nominations. Moselle created, directed and produced a TV series based on it Skate kitchenjustified Betty, for HBO MAX. Harden was there too Betty. The Black Sea is his feature film debut.
“The Black Sea is such a joyful discovery of a film,” David Laub, head of Metrograph Pictures, told us this morning. “The film is a completely fresh, relevant and moving interpretation of the story of the fish out of water. He brims with infectious charm and energy as he presents and reflects important cultural ideas and concerns. We are thrilled to be working with Crystal, whose work we have long admired, and Derrick, whose unique spirit seems to permeate every frame of the film, to make this a very special release.”
Moselle and Harden added: “The coming together of Metrograph Pictures and The Black Sea is exactly what we envisioned for the release of our film. Their team truly supports independent cinema and keeps original thought alive. We seem to share the same desire to set new standards when releasing a film. We look forward to working together to create an unexpected and inspired release for a film that is deeply personal to us.”