Sundance Selects’ genre banner IFC Midnight has acquired the US rights to Liam Gavin’s feature debut A Dark Song.
The film follows Sophia, a young woman who insists on renting an old house in the remote countryside so that she can hire an occultist. She needs him to perform an ancient invocation ritual, the Abramelin, to summon up Sophia’s Guardian Angel so her wish can be granted. She wishes to talk to her murdered child, a desire that consumes her.
A Dark Song features Patrick’s Day-star Catherine Walker in the lead, with Sightseers‘ Steve Oram as the occultist hired in to help her. Frank star Mark Huberman and Poison Pen‘s Susan Loughnane offer strong support. It was filmed in locations around Dublin and Wicklow in the summer of 2015. Viva cinematographer Cathal Watters shot the film, with Connor Dennison as production designer. Bowsie Workshop assisted on the practical effects.
Post-production took place at Windmill Lane Pictures with editor Anna Maria O’Flanagan and Patrick’s Day composer Ray Harman. David Collins and Cormac Fox produce for Samson Films, with Tim Dennison producing for UK production company Tall Man Films. Funding comes via the Irish Film Board/Bord Scannán na hÉireann and Ffilm Cymru Wales.
A spokesperson for IFC Midnight said:
Liam Gavin demonstrates a remarkably unique eye in A Dark Song, an unnerving film that we’re confident will both frighten and astound audiences. We are very excited to be working once more with XYZ films and with Liam to release his film in the US.
Matthew Hechinger of Sundance Selects/IFC Films brokered the deal with Nate Bolotin of XYZ Films, with Kaleidoscope Film Distribution having already acquired worldwide rights (ex US) at the American Film Market (AFM). IFC Midnight has a good track record with Irish genre films, having released The Hallow and I Am Not a Serial Killer in the US.
A Dark Song will be feature at the Cork Film Festival on November 15th, having world premiered at Galway Film Fleadh, before it screened at Fantastic Fest, Sitges and BFI London Film Festival.