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Ever since it debuted at the Cannes Film Festival, it has been a question what was next for Kristen Stewart‘s directorial debut, The Chronology of Water. With strong reviews for her and star Imogen Poots, a potential awards run was bandied about, assuming it could find a distributor. Well, The Forge has come aboard and is planning just that. More below.
Here is the press release:
Following the film’s critically acclaimed Cannes debut, prestige distributor The Forge has acquired North America rights to THE CHRONOLOGY OF WATER, Kristen Stewart’s highly anticipated feature directorial debut. The film was one of the most praised films at this year’s Un Certain Regard selection with critics and audiences falling head over heels for Stewart’s bold and unapologetic vision. The Forge will release the film theatrically in North American this December in an awards-qualifying run, followed by a wider release in early January. A major awards season push is planned, with THE CHRONOLOGY OF WATERserving as The Forge’s centerpiece campaign.
Based on Lidia Yuknavitch’s memoir and adapted for the screen by Stewart, THE CHRONOLOGY OF WATER is the portrait of a woman who, after an abusive childhood, escapes into competitive swimming, sexual experimentation, toxic relationships, and addiction before finding her voice through writing.
The film stars Imogen Poots as Yuknavitch, in what critics have hailed as a revelatory performance. She is joined by Jim Belushi, Thora Birch, Charlie Carrick, Susannah Flood, Kim Gordon, and Tom Sturridge. Producers include Charles Gillibert (CG Cinema International); Yulia Zayceva, Max Poklov, and Svetlana Punte (Forma Pro Films); Michael Pruss, and Rebecca Feuer (Scott Free); Stewart, Maggie McLean, and Dylan Meyer (Nevermind Pictures); and Andy Mingo in association with Scott Aharoni, Alihan Yalcindag, and Sinan Eczacibasi for Curious Gremlin; Christian Vesper for Fremantle; Yan Vizinberg, Abigail Honor and Chris Cooper for Lorem Ipsum Entertainment; Mélanie Biessy for Scala Films.
“Kristen [Stewart] hasn’t just directed a film, she’s carved out a world with unmistakable vision: one that pulses with pain, desire, and defiance,” says Mark Mathias Sayre, CEO of The Forge. “THE CHRONOLOGY OF WATER is unlike anything we’ve ever released: visceral, expansive, and anchored by a performance from Imogen Poots that wrecks and rebuilds you. The film is a major achievement on every level, and we’re honored to bring it to North American audiences.”
“After eight long years of gestation, I am overwhelmed by the privilege of having THE CHRONOLOGY OF WATER be released in theaters with the full support and ambition of like-minded artists like the partners we’ve found at The Forge. Films like ours should be birthed onto the screen and I am grateful we found a team as committed to supporting independent filmmakers as they are” said Stewart.
THE CHRONOLOGY OF WATER holds a 93% score on Rotten Tomatoes and continues to build awards momentum. Variety called it “the beauty of what movies can do.” IndieWire declared, “Some movies are shot. This one was directed.” And Deadline noted, “If it is a biopic, it’s not like any you’ve seen before.”
Critics have also singled out Imogen Poots’ performance for its power and vulnerability. Robbie Collin (The Telegraph) praised the performance as her “career-best work: utterly fearless and ferociously real,” while Peter Howell (Toronto Star) wrote that she is “riveting… raw and layered with meaning.”
The North American deal was brokered by Mark Mathias Sayre (CEO), Steven Michael Swadling (Partner), and Decker Sadowski (Head of Acquisitions) on behalf of The Forge, and WME Independent on behalf of the filmmakers. Les Films du Losange is handling international sales and French distribution.
“It’s a privilege to bring such a visionary directorial debut to North American audiences,” concludes Sadowski. “THE CHRONOLOGY OF WATER is a film that leaves you changed: more powerful, more awake, and more free.”
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