Bleecker Street Acquires ‘Denial’ Starring Rachel Weisz

Bleecker Street has acquired U.S. distribution rights for an upcoming project called Denial. The buzzy film has already set an impressive pedigree both behind and in front of the camera. Oscar winner Rachel Weisz (The Constant Gardener) will star alongside Tom Wilkinson (Selma) and Timothy Spall (Mr. Turner) with Emmy Award winner Mick Jackson (Temple Grandin) directing from a script by Oscar nominated writer David Hare (The Reader, The Hours).

Denial, sure to be provocative when it debuts, is centered around Deborah E. Lipstadt’s non-fiction book History on Trial: My Day in Court With a Holocaust Denier. The film recounts the legal battle that ensued between Lipstadt (to be played by Weisz) and author David Irving after she accused him of being a Holocaust denier. Irving sued Lipstadt and, in accordance with British law in which burden of proof is put on the accused, Lipstadt and her legal partners essentially had to make a case proving the Holocaust actually occurred. While U.S. distribution is set, Cornerstone Films is currently in process of presenting the project to international buyers at the American Film Market.

“Mick Jackson’s film will recount this incredible, unbelievable story of two people pitted against each other in a battle over truth, history and integrity,” Andrew Karpen, CEO of Bleecker Street commented. “With David Hare’s exhilarating script combined with Rachel Weisz and Tom Wilkinson leading the cast, I’m so proud to be bringing this film to audiences next year.” There’s no word yet as to when production is slated to start, but surely with the pedigree assembled, this might be a coup for fresh distributor.

Denial continues a productive period for Weisz, who has a handful of highbrow titles either in the can or the pipeline. The actress premiered two well-received movies at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival this year- Youth and The Lobster. Youth has already received Oscar buzz and just today earned handful of European Film Award nominations (including a Best Actress mention for Weisz herself). The Lobster has been similarly well-regarded and recently led the field with seven British Independent Film Award nominations, however doesn’t yet have set release date in the United States. Outside of that, the actress has the drama The Light Between Oceans (a film also starring Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander) due in theaters at some point next year, has committed to remake of My Cousin Rachel for director Roger Michell (Notting Hill) and may reunite with The Lobster director Yorgos Lanthimos for the historical drama The Favourite.

We will stayed tuned for latest news on Denial.