Mike Fleming

Park City, UT – January 28, 2012– The Wagner/Cuban Company’s Magnolia Pictures announced today they have acquired US rights to COMPLIANCE, a harrowing thriller from writer/director Craig Zobel, that bowed last week at the Sundance Film Festival to controversy and critical acclaim. Magnolia previously collaborated with Zobel on Great World of Sound, which premiered at Sundance in 2007. COMPLIANCE was produced by Sophia Lin, Lisa Muskat, Tyler Davidson, Theo Sena and Zobel. The deal was negotiated for Magnolia by SVP of Acquisitions Dori Begley with John Sloss and Dana O’Keefe of Cinetic Media. Magnolia is planning a theatrical release later this year.

Based on astonishing true events, COMPLIANCE is the story of Sandra (Ann Dowd), an overworked manager at a fast food restaurant, who receives a call from a police officer accusing one of her employees, a teenage girl named Becky (Dreama Walker), of stealing from a customer. Taking the officer at his word, Sandra detains Becky, setting into motion a nightmarish scenario that quickly spirals out of control.

“We are huge fans of Craig, and have been anticipating his follow-up to Great World of Sound for some time now,” said Magnolia President Eamonn Bowles. “COMPLIANCE is a major step forward—an artful, remarkably acted, provocative thriller that will stir up passionate arguments and conversations with audiences. We couldn’t be more pleased to be working with Craig again.”

“I’m super happy to come home to Magnolia for this film,” said Zobel. “They consistently release movies I love, and are a pleasure to work with. They’ve been very supportive of me, and I can’t wait to team up again. I’m psyched! Rock
and roll!”