Dark Sky Films has acquired all North American distribution rights to Blood Shine, the latest film from filmmaking duo Emily Bennett and Justin Brooks. Described as a “remarkable blend of arthouse sensibilities and visceral folk horror,” the film is scheduled for release later this year after success at film festivals including the Sitges Film Festival and the Brooklyn Horror Film Festival.
Dark Sky’s sales division, MPI Media Group, is representing additional international territories at this year’s European Film Market in Berlin.
In “Blood Shine,” Bennett (“Shelby Oaks”) plays Clara, a devout zealot who worships the Light through a solitary sacred ritual in upstate New York. David Cole (Insidious: The Red Door) plays Brighton West, a troubled horror filmmaker who retreats upstate to finish a script, where he meets Clara and becomes drawn into her increasingly radical spiritual practices. Convinced that her sadistic ritual will turn him into a god, Clara draws Blyton into a hallucinatory descent into faith, the flesh, and the sublime. The cast also includes Brendan Sexton III (Russian Doll), Larry Fessenden (MaXXXine) and Toby Poser (Hellbender).
The distribution deal was negotiated by Greg Newman, executive vice president of Dark Sky Films, and Aaron B. Koontz of Paper Street Pictures.
“‘Blood Shine’ is a film that balances an arthouse sensibility with a deeply visceral horror, and Dark Sky Films understood that right away,” said Bennett and Brooks. “We are extremely excited to partner with them and bring this bloody folk horror film to audiences around the world.”
Brooks served as cinematographer on the film, and Brian Spears (Smile 2, American Horror Story) provided the film’s visceral gore effects. Producers include Alexander Shepsman, Garrett Fennelly, Zeus Kontoiannis via Zeus Pictures, and Aaron B. Koontz via Paper Street Pictures. Ashleigh Snead and Cameron Burns serve as co-producers through Paper Street. Executive producers are Michael McFadden, G. Riley Mills, and Matt Sullivan. Bennett is represented by Nick McCabe of Anonymous Content.
Greg Newman, Executive Vice President of Dark Sky Films, added, “We are thrilled to bring Blood Shine to North American audiences.” “Emily Bennett and Justin Brooks have created a bold, visually stunning film that pushes the boundaries of folk horror and is truly effective.”
