TLA Releasing has acquired all UK non-theatrical entertainment distribution rights to THE DYING GAUL (USA, 2005), an engagingly disturbing thriller about an aspiring screenwriter who becomes entangled with a powerful Hollywood executive and his seemingly innocent wife. The film will be released in the UK on DVD from 9 April 2007.
THE DYING GAUL tells the story of Jeffrey (Campbell Scott, The Exorcism of Emily Rose, Longtime Companion) a Hollywood film executive who is trying to convince impoverished screenwriter Robert (Peter Sarsgaard, Shattered Glass, Flightplan) to sell his autobiographical screenplay for big money under one condition: major changes need to be made in the script in order for it to become a blockbuster. Taking Robert under his wing, Jeffrey introduces him to his family and his lovely wife Elaine (Patricia Clarkson, The Station Agent, All the King’s Men). Everything looks perfect…at first. But as the naïve screenwriter quickly immerses himself into the couple’s family life, sexual tension begins to build and Robert soon finds himself being manipulated not only by Elaine but the sexually flexible Jeffrey.
THE DYING GAUL marks the directorial debut of acclaimed playwright and writer Craig Lucas, whose additional screenwriting credits include Longtime Companion, Prelude to a Kiss and The Secret Lives of Dentists. The film made its world premiere at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival and sparked intense audience discussion when the shocking finale was revealed.
Stefania Vitali, of New Films International, said: “We are definitely excited to have TLA Releasing handle the
UK DVD release of a well acted and psychologically complex film such as The Dying Gaul, and we are sure
that the promotional campaign and the results TLA will achieve will more than do justice to Craig Lucas’ film.”
