HOLLYWOOD—Indie film label IFC Films announced today that it has secured North American distribution rights for director Paul Schrader's neo-noir thriller The Canyons, starring AVN Male Performer of the Year and Crossover Star of the Year James Deen in his breakout mainstream role opposite Lindsay Lohan.
A press release from IFC Films said The Canyons will premiere early this summer with a day-and-date release both in theaters and on digital platforms. The movie has sought distribution for several months, perhaps hampered by rejections from the SXSW and Sundance film festivals.
"This film is a wild ride through the pysche of [screenwriter] Bret Easton Ellis courtesy of Paul Schrader," IFC president Jonathan Sering said. "Lindsay Lohan is terrific as Tara and James Deen will be a big surprise for people. We are thrilled that the filmmakers' adventures in filmmaking 2.0 has brought them to our door."
Sering's last comment referred to Schrader and producer Braxton Pope's unconvential methods of bringing the project to fruition, including crowdfunding and online casting. Schrader has described the movie as "cinema for the post-theatrical era."
Pertaining to IFC's acquisition of the movie, Schrader stated, "I am delighted our film has found an enthusiastic home at IFC. We envisioned The Canyons as a multi-platform release from the beginning and no company knows that world better than IFC."
