Breaking Glass Pictures today announced the acquisition of Outfest hit THE REVIVAL from first-time director Jennifer Gerber, writer Samuel Brett Williams, and producer Sophie Finkelstein.
Based on Williams’ 2010 hit play, THE REVIVAL is a treacherous love story between a closeted preacher and a handsome drifter who shows up at his church.
When Eli (Rysdahl) begins preaching at his father’s old church, he is desperate to open the minds of the fire-and-brimstone congregation. His plans are quickly derailed when he strikes up a relationship with fascinating drifter Daniel (Booth). Tensions soon come to a head, with simmering resentments and repressed emotions all leading to a revival that will shake this sleepy Arkansas town to its core.
After THE REVIVAL’s stage run in 2010, The Advocate declared “if there is a God, [The Revival] will be made into a movie!” Zachary Booth (KEEP THE LIGHTS ON, DAMAGES) and David Rysdahl (DEAD PIGS, BULL) give electric performances as their undeniable attraction endangers them both in the face of religion. The two were awarded a Special Mention by the jury at NewFest for their “outstanding performances” and The Hollywood Reporter called them “riveting”. Ira Sachs (LITTLE MEN, LOVE IS STRANGE) said “It came to me half way through that it was an Ingmar Bergman movie set in the Ozarks.” He also described the film as “true Southern Gothic”. Following the film’s sold out Outfest Premiere, The Hollywood Reporter wrote “Gerber deftly wrings suspense from source material that mixes, and sometimes swerves between, romance, satire and vigilante thriller.”
The film will have a Los Angeles theatrical release beginning January 19 at Laemmle Music Hall and a DVD/VOD release January 23rd on iTunes, Amazon Instant, Google Play, Vudu, Fandango, and through local cable and satellite providers. DVD Special Features will include director’s commentary, deleted scenes, and an alternate ending.
THE REVIVAL
Genre: Drama/LGBT
Running Time: 84 min.; Rating: NR; Language: English; Audio: Dolby 5.1
SRP: $24.99; UPC: 855184007280
Cast:
David Rysdahl
Zachary Booth
Raymond McAnally
Lucy Faust
Stephen Ellis
Director: Jennifer Gerber
Written by: Samuel Brett Williams
Producer: Sophie Finkelstein
Co-Producer: Stephen Stanley, Chris Laszlo