Magnolia Pictures catches ‘Night’

Magnolia Pictures has acquired U.S. theatrical rights to filmmaker Tanya Hamilton’s debut feature Night Catches Us, starring Anthony Mackie (The Hurt Locker), Kerry Washington (Ray), Jamie Hector (HBO’s The Wire) and Wendell Pierce (HBO’s The Wire and Treme).

Night Catches Us – which contains an original soundtrack by Philadelphia natives The Roots – is a thought-provoking drama, that received both critical and audience acclaim during its 2010 Sundance Film Festival premiere and Film Society at Lincoln Center’s New Directors/New Films.

Set on the steamy streets of Philadelphia during the summer of 1976, Night Catches Us follows Marcus (Mackie), an ex-Black Panther who returns home to confront his past. But when his path crosses Patricia (Washington), who has tried to move on from their shared history, sparks fly.

Magnolia plans a fall release for the film, which will continue to play the festival circuit, including the Maryland Film Festival, Minneapolis/St. Paul International Film Festival, San Francisco International Film Festival, Seattle International Film Festival, and the Los Angeles Film Festival.

“Night Catches Us is a smart, powerful drama with a terrific cast that takes a fresh look at an underexplored and exciting chapter in our cultural history,” said Magnolia President Eamonn Bowles. “We think it’s going to strongly resonate with audiences.”