The Forge is taking domestic rights to Kristen Stewart‘s feature directorial debut The Chronology of Water, which made its world premiere in the spring at the Cannes Film Festival.
The Forge will release The Chronology of Water theatrically in North America this December in an awards-qualifying run, followed by a wider release in early January. The movie made its debut in Cannes in the Un Certain Regard section and currently stands at 93% on Rotten Tomatoes with critics.
Based on Lidia Yuknavitch’s memoir and adapted for the screen by Stewart, the pic is the portrait of a woman who, after an abusive childhood, escapes into competitive swimming, sexual experimentation, toxic relationships and addiction before finding her voice through writing.
The film stars Imogen Poots as Yuknavitch, in what critics have hailed as a revelatory performance. She is joined by Jim Belushi, Thora Birch, Charlie Carrick, Susannah Flood, Kim Gordon, and Tom Sturridge. Producers include Charles Gillibert (CG Cinema International); Yulia Zayceva, Max Poklov, and Svetlana Punte (Forma Pro Films); Michael Pruss, and Rebecca Feuer (Scott Free); Stewart, Maggie McLean, and Dylan Meyer (Nevermind Pictures); and Andy Mingo; in association with Scott Aharoni, Alihan Yalcindag, and Sinan Eczacibasi for Curious Gremlin; Christian Vesper for Fremantle; Yan Vizinberg, Abigail Honor and Chris Cooper for Lorem Ipsum Entertainment; Mélanie Biessy for Scala Films.
“Kristen [Stewart] hasn’t just directed a film, she’s carved out a world with unmistakable vision: one that pulses with pain, desire, and defiance,” says Mark Mathias Sayre, CEO of The Forge. “The Chronology of Water is unlike anything we’ve ever released: visceral, expansive, and anchored by a performance from Imogen Poots that wrecks and rebuilds you. The film is a major achievement on every level, and we’re honored to bring it to North American audiences.”
“After eight long years of gestation, I am overwhelmed by the privilege of having The Chronology of Water be released in theaters with the full support and ambition of like-minded artists like the partners we’ve found at The Forge. Films like ours should be birthed onto the screen and I am grateful we found a team as committed to supporting independent filmmakers as they are,” said Stewart.
The North American deal was brokered by Sayre, partner Steven Michael Swadling and head of acquisitions Decker Sadowski on behalf of The Forge, and WME Independent on behalf of the filmmakers. Les Films du Losange is handling international sales and French distribution.
“It’s a privilege to bring such a visionary directorial debut to North American audiences,” said Sadowski. “The Chronology of Water is a film that leaves you changed: more powerful, more awake, and more free.”