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Searchlight Pictures ultimately walked off with domestic-distribution rights toMagazine Dreamsfor a reported $10 million.
After winning Sundances U.S. Special Dramatic Jury Award, the film seemed bound for awards glory.
(Jabbari also sued Majors for defamation; the suit was settled.)
But a funny thing happened on the way to the cinematic junk heap.
In October, up-and-coming indie distributor Briarcliff Entertainment snapped up distribution rights toMagazine Dreamsfor an undisclosed sum.
Even within Hollywood, Briarcliff is still somewhat of a little-known media entity.
I think they like being underdogs.
I think they like swimming against the current.
I certainly do not shy away from controversy; I kind of run toward it, the CEO says.
But I dont want to be knownjustas the guy who does the controversial films.
I love all movies.
But it is fair to sayThe Apprenticefirst put Briarcliff on the cultural radar.
Ortenberg, however, saw an opportunity.
If youre anti-Trump, the film reinforces it.
If you are pro-Trump, you watchThe Apprenticeand you think to yourself,Yeah, thats my guy.
This movie is far from some left-wing hatchet job.
It deserved to be seen.
But were extremely happy with Tom Ortenberg of Briarcliff.
Toms experience is exactly right for this movie.
Is Matt Dillon the racist, misogynistic cop?
Or is he the loving son trying to get his dad basic health care?
Los Angeles Media Fund are financiers on this movie.
Do they have to light their money on fire?
Were just going to burn the negative?
Its not my business to speak to what happened a couple of years ago.
But were not focusing on the controversy at all, says Ortenberg.
I think most of the American moviegoing public has moved on.
