Kristen Stewart’s Passion Project has found a home.
Following its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, Forge has won North American rights to Stewart’s video directorial directorial debut, “The Chronology of Water.”
The film premiered in the United Nations-Specific Respect section of Cannes. There, it appeared as one of the festival’s most acclaimed titles, along with critics who praised Stewart’s bold vision. Forge will release the film to theatres in December, win awards and have a wide range of developments in January. The company positions the project as the center of its awards season campaign.
The Chronology of Water, adapted to Stewart from Lydia Yunavich’s memoir, tells the story of a woman who survived an abusive childhood, leading her experiences into competitive swimming, sexual exploration, toxic relationships, and addiction, and ultimately discovers her voice as a writer.
Imogen starred as Yunavich in a revelation performance, and in addition to the ensemble cast, he also includes Jim Belushi, Sora Burch, Charlie Carrick, Susanna Flood, Kim Gordon and Tom Sturridge.
The film is produced by Charles Gillibert of CG Cinema International. Yulia Zayceva, Max Poklov, and Svetlana Punte of Forma Pro Films. Michael Plath and Scott Free Rebecca Feuer. “Nevermind Pictures” by Stewart, Maggie McLean and Dylan Meyer. Andy Mingo is working with Scott Aharoni, Arihan Yarsingdag and Sinan Zashibashi for the curious Gremlins. Additional producers include Christian Vesper for Fremantle. Yan Vizinberg, Abigail Honor, and Chris Cooper for Lorem Ipsum Entertainment. Mélanie Biessy from Scala Films.
“Kristen (Stewart) not only directed the film, but he carves the world with an unmistakable vision: it pulsates with pain, desire and rebellion,” says Forge CEO Mark Matthias Seyer. “The ‘Water Chronology’ is different from what we’ve released so far. It is visceral and vast, and is fixed to performance from the Imogen poop.
After spending eight years developing the project, Stewart says he is grateful that the film will be released theatrically with full award support.
The “Water Chronology” currently holds a score of 93% for rotten tomatoes. Variety praised it as “the beauty of what a film can do.”
The North American deal has been negotiated by Sayre, Steven Michael Swadling and Decker Sadowski of the Forge, with WME Independer representing the filmmakers. Les Films du Losange handles international sales and French distribution.