RLJE Films, a business unit of AMC Networks, and Shudder, AMC Networks’ premium streaming service for horror, thriller and the supernatural, have acquired the North American rights to the fantasy-horror film THE SPINE OF NIGHT after its successful world premiere at this year’s SXSW Film Festival.
Produced with hand-rotoscoped animation, THE SPINE OF NIGHT is inspired by the classic works of artists like Ralph Bakshi and Frank Franzetta, and the fantasy genre as it was in the 1970s: boundary pushing, politically progressive and utterly fearless. RLJE Films plans to release the THE SPINE OF NIGHT in theaters later this year. Shudder, which also has UK, Australia and New Zealand rights, will premiere the film on its platform in 2022.
“THE SPINE OF NIGHT is like the insane love child of Heavy Metal and Mandy,” said Mark Ward, Chief Acquisitions Officer at RLJE Films. “The audience response out of SXSW proves this is an instant classic that will be playing on midnight movie screens for years to come.”
“THE SPINE OF NIGHT absolutely shreds,” said Craig Engler, GM of Shudder. “It’s a fantasy horror epic that rides lightning directly into the hearts of genre and cult film fans.”
Written and directed by Philip Gelatt (They Remain), Morgan Galen King (directorial debut), the film stars Richard E. Grant (Star Wars: Episode IX, upcoming Marvel series “Loki”), Lucy Lawless (“Xena: Warrior Princess”, “Ash vs Evil Dead”), Patton Oswalt (Ratatouille, “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”), Betty Gabriel (Get Out, “Westworld”) and Joe Manganiello (Zack Snyder’s Justice League, Archenemy).
In THE SPINE OF NIGHT, an ultra-violent fantasy epic, ancient dark magic falls into sinister hands and unleashes ages of suffering onto mankind. A group of heroes from different eras and cultures must band together in order to defeat it at all costs.
THE SPINE OF NIGHT was produced by Gelatt, Will Battersby (A Good Marriage) and Jean Rattle (Break-Up Date). Ward and Jess De Leo on behalf of RLJE Films and Emily Gotto on behalf of Shudder negotiated the deal with Hugues Barbier, Justin Timms and Joe Yanick of Yellow Veil Pictures on behalf of the filmmakers.
ABOUT RLJE FILMS
RLJE Films’ recent features include the critically acclaimed horror film The Dark and The Wicked from Director Bryan Bertino; Adam Egypt Mortimer’s Archenemy starring Joe Manganiello; and the instant cult-classic horror/comedy Psycho Goreman. Upcoming releases include the SXSW world premiere film, Jakob’s Wife, from director Travis Stevens and starring Barbara Crampton and Larry Fessenden; and David Oyelowo’s directorial debut, The Water Man, starring Oyelowo, Rosario Dawson, Lonnie Chavis and Alfred Molina. us.rljentertainment.com.
ABOUT SHUDDER
AMC Networks’ Shudder is a premium streaming video service, super-serving members with the best selection in genre entertainment, covering horror, thrillers and the supernatural. Shudder’s expanding library of film, TV series, and originals is available on most streaming devices in the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Germany, Australia and New Zealand. To experience Shudder commitment-free for 7 days, visit www.shudder.com.
ABOUT AMC NETWORKS
AMC Networks is a global entertainment company known for its popular and critically-acclaimed content. Its portfolio of brands includes AMC, BBC AMERICA (operated through a joint venture with BBC Studios), IFC, SundanceTV, WE tv, IFC Films, and a number of fast-growing streaming services, including the AMC+ premium streaming bundle, Acorn TV, Shudder, Sundance Now and ALLBLK (formerly branded “UMC”). AMC Studios, the Company’s in-house studio, production and distribution operation, is behind award-winning owned series and franchises, including The Walking Dead, the highest-rated series in cable history. The Company also operates AMC Networks International, its international programming business, and Levity Entertainment Group, its production services and comedy venues business.
ABOUT YELLOW VEIL PICTURES
Formed in 2018 by Hugues Barbier, Justin Timms, and Joe Yanick, Yellow Veil Pictures is a New York City and Los Angeles-based worldwide film sales company. Focusing exclusively on boundary pushing genre cinema, Yellow Veil seeks to highlight emerging filmmakers who exist on the cusp of commercial, arthouse cinema, while maintaining a unique focus on festival strategy and production and packaging.
Launching out the 2018 Frontières market at the Fantasia International Film Festival, with Tilman Singer’s debut LUZ. Yellow Veil have since worked on debuts from Josh Lobo (I TRAPPED THE DEVIL), A.T. White (STARFISH), Matthew Pope (BLOOD ON HER NAME), Jack Henry Robbins (VHYES), Devereux Milburn (HONEYDEW) as well as boarding films by Larry Fessenden (DEPRAVED), Rob Grant (HARPOON),Joel Potrykus (RELAXER) and George A. Romero’s lost film THE AMUSEMENT PARK . In addition, Yellow Veil act as the festival agent for Shudder’s LA LLORONA, BLOOD QUANTUM, HORROR NOIRE, HOST, and THE RANGER.
