FILMNATION ENTERTAINMENT ACQUIRES WORLDWIDE RIGHTS (EX UK TV) AND WILL CO-FINANCE WITH BBC FILMS RITESH BATRA’S THE SENSE OF AN ENDING

JIM BROADBENT TO STAR IN THE ORIGIN PICTURES’ PRODUCTION

INTERNATIONAL SALES TO COMMENCE AT THE UPCOMING CANNES MARKET

NEW YORK, NY (May 11, 2015) – FilmNation Entertainment announced that it has acquired the worldwide rights (excluding UK TV), and will co-finance with BBC Films, Ritesh Batra’s latest feature THE SENSE OF AN ENDING. FilmNation will introduce the film, currently in pre-production, to international buyers at the upcoming 2015 Cannes Film Market. Batra’s previous film, the critically acclaimed hit, THE LUNCHBOX, was BAFTA nominated and won the Rail d’Or prize at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival.

THE SENSE OF AN ENDING, adapted by award-winning playwright Nick Payne (CONSTELLATIONS) from Julian Barnes’ Man Booker Prize winning bestseller, will star Academy® award-winning actor Jim Broadbent (IRIS, THE IRON LADY). The film is being produced by Origin Pictures’ David Thompson (WOMAN IN GOLD, MANDELA, X+Y) and Ed Rubin.

The story follows Tony Webster (Jim Broadbent) who, when presented with a mysterious legacy, finds himself contending with a past he had never thought much about. As he delves back into his personal history, Tony is forced to reassess his relationships with those closest to him and revise his understanding of his own nature.

Commented Origin Pictures’ David Thompson and Ed Rubin: “We are absolutely thrilled to be making THE SENSE OF AN ENDING as Origin’s next production, in partnership with BBC Films and FilmNation. We couldn’t be happier with the exciting combination of Julian’s wonderful book, Nick’s deft screenplay, Ritesh at the helm and Jim Broadbent in the lead. The film is set to be something very special.”

“It’s been a thrill to watch Nick’s first screenplay take shape and to match his brilliantly engaging adaptation of Julian’s intriguing novel with such an exciting filmmaker as Ritesh. We’re over the moon to have the wonderful Jim Broadbent take centre stage in this exciting contemporary story and to partner again with Glen at FilmNation and our friends David and Ed at Origin,” said BBC Films’ Christine Langan.

FilmNation CEO Glen Basner commented: “We are delighted to be partnering with Christine at BBC Films and with David and Ed at Origin on Ritesh’s next feature. His previous film, THE LUNCHBOX, charmed and delighted worldwide audiences and we expect the same reaction to this wonderful script, especially with the supremely talented and charismatic Mr. Broadbent in the lead.”

ABOUT FILMNATION ENTERTAINMENT

FilmNation Entertainment is a leading distributor, financier and producer of independent films and is a destination for many of the world's most renowned filmmakers including Steven Soderbergh, Terrence Malick, Pedro Almodóvar, Woody Allen, Jonathan Glazer, Sofia Coppola, Jeff Nichols, J.C. Chandor, Rian Johnson, Anton Corbijn, Morten Tyldum, Lenny Abrahamson, Denis Villeneuve, and John Lee Hancock amongst many others. Since being founded in 2008 by veteran film executive Glen Basner, FilmNation has established itself as a home for specialty filmmaking with global appeal by focusing on a highly selective group of filmmakers and projects that emphasize both creative integrity and commercial potential. FilmNation is consistently ranked as one of the highest-grossing independent international film distributors, has become a prolific and respected producer, and its titles are amongst the most critically lauded in the film industry.

FilmNation is currently in pre-production on Denis Villeneuve’s STORY OF YOUR LIFE to star Amy Adams and John Lee Hancock’s THE FOUNDER to star Michael Keaton. The company is in development on THE GOOD HOUSE to star Meryl Streep and Robert De Niro; among others.

FilmNation’s impressive sales line-up showcases the work of many of today’s most exciting, established and up-and-coming filmmakers. Recent releases include: Academy Award winning THE IMITATION GAME starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Keira Knightley and J.C. Chandor’s A MOST VIOLENT YEAR starring Jessica Chastain and Oscar Isaac; among others.

Upcoming releases include: Bill Condon’s MR. HOLMES starring Ian McKellen and Terrence Malick’s KNIGHT OF CUPS starring Christian Bale and Natalie Portman.

Currently in post-production are: GENIUS starring Colin Firth, Jude Law and Nicole Kidman; and ONCE director John Carney's SING STREET; among others.

ABOUT BBC FILMS

BBC Films is at the forefront of independent filmmaking in the UK, developing and co- producing around twelve films a year. Headed up by Christine Langan, BBC Films was awarded the Michael Balcon BAFTA for Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema in 2015.

Recent releases include Thomas Vinterberg’s Far from the Madding Crowd, Alan Rickman’s A Little Chaos, Carol Morley’s The Falling, Simon Curtis’ Woman in Gold, Saul Dibb’s Suite Française, and Morgan Matthews’ X + Y.

Upcoming releases include Ben Palmer’s romantic comedy Man Up starring Simon Pegg and Lake Bell; Bill Condon’s drama Mr. Holmes starring Ian McKellen; Rufus Norris’ London Road; Richard Bracewell’s family comedy Bill; Nicholas Hytner’s comedy drama The Lady in the Van starring Maggie Smith; and John Crowley’s romantic drama Brooklyn starring Saoirse Ronan.

BBC Films’ eclectic back catalogue includes Pride, Saving Mr. Banks, Philomena, Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa, My Week with Marilyn, We Need To Talk About Kevin, Jane Eyre, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, Made in Dagenham, An Education, In the Loop, Fish Tank, My Summer of Love, Truly Madly Deeply, and Billy Elliot. bbc.co.uk/bbcfilms

Twitter @BBCFilms

ABOUT ORIGIN PICTURES

Origin Pictures is an independent production company making bold and ambitious drama for both film and television. The company was launched in 2008 by David Thompson, who previously ran BBC Films for over a decade. Thompson has produced / executive produced over 100 films including Billy Elliot, Iris, Notes On A Scandal, Revolutionary Road, My summer of Love, Eastern Promises, Red Road, Bright Star, and An Education and has been the recipient of multiple awards, including three BAFTAs, two Golden Globes, and three Emmys.

For cinema, Origin has produced the award-winning The First Grader starring Naomie Harris; period ghost story The Awakening starring Dominic West and Rebecca Hall; Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom starring Idris Elba; comedy What We Did On Our Holiday from Outnumbered creators Guy Jenkin and Andy Hamilton and starring Billy Connolly, Rosamund Pike and David Tennant; X+Y starring Asa Butterfield and Sally Hawkins; and currently in cinemas is Woman In Gold starring Helen Mirren, Ryan Reynolds and Daniel Bruhl. For television, productions include BAFTA-award nominated mini-series The Crimson Petal & The White starring Romola Garai, Chris O'Dowd and Gillian Anderson; political thriller Hidden starring Philip Glenister; adaptations of PD James' best-selling Death Comes to Pemberley starring Matthew Rhys, and Daphne Du Maurier's classic Jamaica Inn, both for BBC1. Recently completed is a new version of Laurie Lee's Cider With Rosie starring Samantha Morton and due on BBC1 later in the year.

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Press Contact: Alyson Dewar, +1-323-936-8394, [email protected]