Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Group Picks Up Rights for Liberty Films’ Sci-Fi Thriller Moon Starring Sam Rockwell

CULVER CITY, CA, May 5, 2008 – Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Group (SPWAG) has picked up distribution rights in all English-speaking territories worldwide for Liberty Films’ Moon. The announcement was made by Lara Thompson, SPWAG’s Senior Vice President of Worldwide Acquisitions, and Liberty Films’ CEO/ Executive Producer Stuart Fenegan.

Independent Film Company will handle all other territories.

The science fiction thriller marks the feature debut of commercial director Duncan Jones who is also the film’s co-writer along with Nathan Parker. Moon stars Sam Rockwell (Choke, Matchstick Men) and was produced by Stuart Fenegan, Nicky Moss and Trudie Styler, whose company Xingu Films co-produced the project. The film was shot in the United Kingdom at Shepperton Studios.

In making the announcement, Thompson stated, “Moon is a compelling and smart film that represents the sort of quality product which is key to SPWAG’s business strategy. Our goal is to provide top-notch entertainment to Sony’s various distribution platforms, and Moon accomplishes this on every level.”

Continued Fenegan, “Duncan is an extremely talented director and with Moon, he has created a high concept film that has a very compelling human story at its heart. This project was a great opportunity to harness Duncan’s strength in the use of visual effects without the film relying wholly on them – the story and performance are always the focus. We are delighted that Sony will be involved to insure the broadest distribution possible for this very special film.”

SYNOPSIS

Sam Bell (Rockwell) is nearing the end of a three-year contract with Lunar Industries. His home has been Sarang, a moon base where he has spent his days alone, mining Helium 3, the precious gas which holds the key to reversing the Earth’s energy crisis.

Isolated, determined and steadfast, Sam has followed the rulebook obediently and his time on the moon has been enlightening but uneventful. The solitude has given him time to reflect on the mistakes of his past and work on his temper. He does his job mechanically, and spends most of his available time dreaming of his imminent return to Earth, to his wife, young daughter and an early retirement.

But two weeks shy of his departure from Sarang, Sam starts seeing things, hearing things and feeling strange. When a routine extraction goes horribly wrong, he discovers that Lunar has their own plans for replacing him, and the new recruit is eerily familiar. Before he can return to Earth, Sam has to confront himself and the discovery that the life he has created may not be his own. It’s more than his contract that is set to expire.

About Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Group

Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Group is a Sony Pictures Entertainment company. SPE is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, (SCA), a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution; television production and distribution; digital content creation and distribution; worldwide channel investments; home entertainment acquisition and distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of filmed entertainment in 67 countries. Sony Pictures Entertainment can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.sonypictures.com.

About Liberty Films Production

Liberty Films was formed in 2005 by establish commercials director Duncan Jones and producer Stuart Fenegan to develop and produce Feature Films as well as continue their Commercials production department. At present, Liberty has features in development with three of its seven ad directors. MOON, directed by Jones and starring Sam Rockwell is the first of the company’s slate to be completed.

For more information, please contact:

Fritz Friedman
Sony Pictures
310.244.7799
fritz.friedman@spe.sony.com


Sarah Townsend
Independent Film Company
+44 (0) 7887 644 700
sarah@independentfilmcompany.com