Miramax Films acquires Night Listener

Miramax Films has acquired the North American rights to the Hart Sharp Entertainment and IFC Films co-production, "The Night Listener," it was announced today from the Sundance Film Festival by company president Daniel Battsek.

Directed and co-written by Patrick Stettner ("The Business of Strangers"), "The Night Listener," tackles the narrative of Armistead Maupin's most haunting page-turner, in which popular public radio storyteller Gabriel Noone (Robin Williams) develops an intense phone relationship with a young listener named Pete (Rory Culkin) and the social worker who rescued him from a life of abuse (Toni Collette). But Gabriel soon comes to the startling realization that it is quite possible that neither the boy nor his painful account of his childhood really exist.

"'The Night Listener' is a smart thriller with commercial appeal that is both fascinating and topical and fits perfectly with Miramax's intention to distribute quality films. I am a huge fan of Patrick Stettner and we are thrilled to be work with such a talented filmmaker," said Battsek. "I am looking forward to working with Daniel and everyone at Miramax. Their passion and vision for the project will surely make it an exciting collaboration," commented filmmaker Patrick Stettner. "We are excited to be a part of the new chapter of Miramax Films, who are clearly the right home for our film," said Robert Kessel of Hart Sharp.

The deal was negotiated at the Sundance Film Festival by Michael Luisi (EVP, Business Affairs) and Acquisition Execs Kristin Jones and Peter Lawson on behalf of Miramax and Mike Hogan and Robert Kessel of Hart Sharp and Richard Klubeck of UTA. The film is produced by Robert Kessel, Jeff Sharp, John Hart and Jill Footlick. Executive producers are Armistead Maupin, Mike Hogan, Terry Anderson, Jonathan Sehring and Caroline Kaplan. Based on the novel by Armistead Maupin, the screenplay is written by Armistead Maupin, Terry Anderson and Patrick Stettner.