(Information from press release)The Sundance Film Festival darling will be released this Fall and was produced by Oscar®-nominated producer Lynette Howell Taylor’s 51 Entertainment and Shivani Rawat’s ShivHans Pictures
Global content leader Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B) announced the acquisition of North American rights to Tara Miele’s (“Batwoman”) critically acclaimed film “WANDER DARKLY” starring Golden Globe® nominated actress Sienna Miller (“American Woman,” “American Sniper”) and Critics’ Choice Award-winning actor Diego Luna (“If Beale Street Could Talk,” “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”).
The drama, which had its world premiere at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival and was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize, will have a multi-platform release this fall from Lionsgate.
In “WANDER DARKLY,” a traumatic accident leaves a couple, Adrienne (Sienna Miller) and Matteo (Diego Luna), in a surreal state of being that takes them on a disorienting journey through the duality of their shared moments.
In “WANDER DARKLY,” a traumatic accident leaves a couple, Adrienne (Sienna Miller) and Matteo (Diego Luna), in a surreal state of being that takes them on a disorienting journey through the duality of their shared moments.
By reliving fond recollections from the beginning of their romance while also navigating the overwhelming truths of their present, they must rediscover the love that truly binds them together.
Writer/director Tara Miele offers a profound new perspective on the delicate nature of relationships with this emotionally moving story about a couple who must reflect on their past in order to face their uncertain future.
Rooted in Miele’s personal experiences, the film was lauded at Sundance for its bold vision and emotional depth.
Rooted in Miele’s personal experiences, the film was lauded at Sundance for its bold vision and emotional depth.
RogerEbert.com says, “...Miele directs her two leads to excellent performances.” The Hollywood Reporter applauds Miller for her “impressive range,” and Variety praises Luna as “terrifically funny.” The Playlist calls WANDER DARKLY “a beautiful romance.”
“I am thrilled that ‘WANDER DARKLY’ has found its home with Lionsgate,” Miele said. “It was a dream to bring this story to life with such an incredible team and the ever-brilliant Sienna Miller and Diego Luna. Seeing audiences’ powerful reactions at Sundance was moving and humbling and we can’t wait to share the film with audiences later this year.”
“The film is a visually stunning thrill ride through the complexities of love and loss between Sienna and Diego, who deliver wonderful and very moving performances,” Lauren Bixby, Vice President of Acquisitions at Lionsgate, said. “Tara weaves mystery and intrigue into a modern-day parable and we could not be more excited to work with her and the rest of the filmmaking team on the release campaign.”“WANDER DARKLY” was produced by 51 Entertainment and ShivHans Pictures.
The producers are Lynette Howell Taylor, Samantha Housman, Shivani Rawat, and Monica Levinson, and executive producers are Mark D. Katchur, and Connor Flanagan.
Sienna Miller is represented by WME, United and Hansen, Jacobson, Teller, Hoberman, Newman, Warren, Richman, Rush & Kaller, and Diego Luna is represented by WME along with Hirsch Wallerstein Hayum Matlof and Fishman.
The deal was negotiated by Endeavor Content on behalf of the filmmaking team along with Lauren Bixby from Lionsgate.
ABOUT TARA MIELE
Tara Miele a Long Island native and California transplant who works as a writer and director in both film and television. Miele’s most recent film, WANDER DARKLY, starring Sienna Miller and Diego Luna, premiered in US Dramatic Competition at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. The film was produced by Lynette Howell’s 51 Entertainment and ShivHans Pictures. Miele is well known for the viral video 'Meet a Muslim' which she created to combat Islamophobia. The video has been featured on Refinery 29, Buzzfeed, Upworthy, and was shared around the world over 45 million times. Miele recently directed the backdoor pilot “Green Arrow and the Canaries,” and has directed episodes of “Arrow,” “Batwoman,” and “Hawaii Five-O,” as well as four micro-budget feature films. She is a graduate of Ryan Murphy's Half Foundation and the CBS Directing Initiative. Looking forward, Miele aims to create more socially conscious work in an effort to build bridges and conversations, and when she isn’t doing that, she is raising two daughters. Both love that their mom went viral.
The deal was negotiated by Endeavor Content on behalf of the filmmaking team along with Lauren Bixby from Lionsgate.
ABOUT TARA MIELE
Tara Miele a Long Island native and California transplant who works as a writer and director in both film and television. Miele’s most recent film, WANDER DARKLY, starring Sienna Miller and Diego Luna, premiered in US Dramatic Competition at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. The film was produced by Lynette Howell’s 51 Entertainment and ShivHans Pictures. Miele is well known for the viral video 'Meet a Muslim' which she created to combat Islamophobia. The video has been featured on Refinery 29, Buzzfeed, Upworthy, and was shared around the world over 45 million times. Miele recently directed the backdoor pilot “Green Arrow and the Canaries,” and has directed episodes of “Arrow,” “Batwoman,” and “Hawaii Five-O,” as well as four micro-budget feature films. She is a graduate of Ryan Murphy's Half Foundation and the CBS Directing Initiative. Looking forward, Miele aims to create more socially conscious work in an effort to build bridges and conversations, and when she isn’t doing that, she is raising two daughters. Both love that their mom went viral.
ABOUT LIONSGATE
Combining the STARZ premium global subscription platform with world-class motion picture and television studio operations, Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B) brings a unique and varied portfolio of entertainment to consumers around the world. Its film, television, subscription and location-based entertainment businesses are backed by a 17,000-title library and the largest collection of film and television franchises in the independent media space. A digital age company driven by its entrepreneurial culture and commitment to innovation, the Lionsgate brand is synonymous with bold, original, relatable entertainment for the audiences it serves worldwide.
ABOUT 51 ENTERTAINMENT
51 Entertainment was founded by Oscar-nominated producer Lynette Howell Taylor. Most recently, Taylor served as Executive Producer on Derek Cianfrance’s HBO limited series “I Know This Much is True;” she also produced the 92nd Academy Awards®. Her film credits include “Captain Fantastic,” “The Accountant,” and “Blue Valentine.” Under the 51 Entertainment banner, Taylor and producer Samantha Housman are developing the Netflix film project, “Lady Business,” alongside Academy Award® winner Brie Larson.
ABOUT SHIVHANS PICTURES
ShivHans Pictures, founded by producer Shivani Rawat, is a production and finance company creating unique and compelling feature films outside the Hollywood studio model. The company strives to streamline the financing process in an effort to fully support the visions of independent filmmakers while collaborating with top-tier talent. Most recently the company premiered Wander Darkly, written and directed by Tara Miele and starring Sienna Miller and Diego Luna, at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. Upcoming ShivHans Pictures projects include Nextlix’s The Trial of Chicago 7, written and directed by Aaron Sorkin, which highlights the true story of the seven men put on trial in 1969 for conspiracy against the U.S. government in their attempts to protest the Vietnam War, available October 2020; The Water Man, which will have its World Premiere at the 2020 Toronto International Film Festival, produced alongside Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Films, featuring the directorial debut of David Oyelowo, who also stars, about a boy who sets out on a quest to save his ill mother by searching for a mythical figure said to have magical healing powers; and The Ice Road starring Liam Neeson and Laurence Fishburne, written and directed by Jonathan Hensleigh, produced and co-financed alongside CODE Entertainment. ShivHans is also partnering with actress Issa Rae’s production company ColorCreative to develop Badmash, a Bollywood-meets-mafia story from writer Sneha Koorse. Previous films from ShivHans Pictures include Danny Collins, the Academy Award®-nominated Trumbo, the Academy Award®-nominated Captain Fantastic, and Beirut, all distributed by Bleecker Street and The Polka King, released by Netflix worldwide. In 2019, ShivHans Pictures expanded into distribution with Bleecker Street releasing films including Hotel Mumbai and Brian Banks, which ShivHans also produced.
For information about ShivHans Pictures and its upcoming slate of films, please visit ShivHans.com and follow the company on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter @ShivHansPics.
Combining the STARZ premium global subscription platform with world-class motion picture and television studio operations, Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B) brings a unique and varied portfolio of entertainment to consumers around the world. Its film, television, subscription and location-based entertainment businesses are backed by a 17,000-title library and the largest collection of film and television franchises in the independent media space. A digital age company driven by its entrepreneurial culture and commitment to innovation, the Lionsgate brand is synonymous with bold, original, relatable entertainment for the audiences it serves worldwide.
ABOUT 51 ENTERTAINMENT
51 Entertainment was founded by Oscar-nominated producer Lynette Howell Taylor. Most recently, Taylor served as Executive Producer on Derek Cianfrance’s HBO limited series “I Know This Much is True;” she also produced the 92nd Academy Awards®. Her film credits include “Captain Fantastic,” “The Accountant,” and “Blue Valentine.” Under the 51 Entertainment banner, Taylor and producer Samantha Housman are developing the Netflix film project, “Lady Business,” alongside Academy Award® winner Brie Larson.
ABOUT SHIVHANS PICTURES
ShivHans Pictures, founded by producer Shivani Rawat, is a production and finance company creating unique and compelling feature films outside the Hollywood studio model. The company strives to streamline the financing process in an effort to fully support the visions of independent filmmakers while collaborating with top-tier talent. Most recently the company premiered Wander Darkly, written and directed by Tara Miele and starring Sienna Miller and Diego Luna, at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. Upcoming ShivHans Pictures projects include Nextlix’s The Trial of Chicago 7, written and directed by Aaron Sorkin, which highlights the true story of the seven men put on trial in 1969 for conspiracy against the U.S. government in their attempts to protest the Vietnam War, available October 2020; The Water Man, which will have its World Premiere at the 2020 Toronto International Film Festival, produced alongside Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Films, featuring the directorial debut of David Oyelowo, who also stars, about a boy who sets out on a quest to save his ill mother by searching for a mythical figure said to have magical healing powers; and The Ice Road starring Liam Neeson and Laurence Fishburne, written and directed by Jonathan Hensleigh, produced and co-financed alongside CODE Entertainment. ShivHans is also partnering with actress Issa Rae’s production company ColorCreative to develop Badmash, a Bollywood-meets-mafia story from writer Sneha Koorse. Previous films from ShivHans Pictures include Danny Collins, the Academy Award®-nominated Trumbo, the Academy Award®-nominated Captain Fantastic, and Beirut, all distributed by Bleecker Street and The Polka King, released by Netflix worldwide. In 2019, ShivHans Pictures expanded into distribution with Bleecker Street releasing films including Hotel Mumbai and Brian Banks, which ShivHans also produced.
For information about ShivHans Pictures and its upcoming slate of films, please visit ShivHans.com and follow the company on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter @ShivHansPics.
