Kristen Stewart and her production company, Nevermind Pictures, have come on board Brydie O’Connor’s documentary “Barbara Forever” as an executive producer as Strand Releasing acquires all North American rights to the film, which had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival followed by its international premiere at the Berlin Film Festival.
The film, which chronicles the life and career of filmmaker Barbara Hammer, was produced by Space Time Films with Christine Vachon and Killer Films serving as executive producer. Stewart has also joined as an executive producer, alongside Dylan Meyer and Maggie McLean, with their company Nevermind Pictures.
“Their involvement reflects a dedication to Barbara Hammer’s radical legacy of experimental and inherently political filmmaking that defiantly reshapes the way we look at cinema, queerness and ourselves,” said Strand.
Nevermind Pictures said in a joint statement, “Barbara’s work has left an immeasurable imprint on us as artists and as people. She struggled to find the acknowledgement she deserved in life, and we are sick with pride to be able to help shine a spotlight on her now.”
The distribution deal was done between Jon Gerrans of Strand Releasing and Isadora Johnson of Cinetic on behalf of the filmmakers.
“We’re thrilled to be working with Brydie and the team, this is a very special project as Barbara Hammer was a dear colleague of Strand’s as we did her first theatrical release, ‘Nitrate Kisses,’ during our formative years. Barbara was and will always be one of the artists who helped define our company,” said Gerrans.
“Strand has long been a home for the kind of bold, independent, and intimately personal cinema that Barbara helped define,” said O’Connor. “We’re so excited to be partnering with a team that not only sees the vision of the film, but understands how vital it is to bring Barbara Hammer’s artistic legacy to audiences now.”
Strand Releasing and Killer Films have previously collaborated on such acclaimed films as Nigel Finch’s “Stonewall,” Cindy Sherman’s “Office Killer” and Bruce Wagner’s “I’m Losing You.”
“ ‘Barbara Forever’ is a perfect film for Strand Releasing and Killer Films to be reunited on, it weaves together so much history that has occurred during the formation of the New Queer Cinema and our long-term friendship. ‘Barbara Forever’ captures the spirit and soul of Barbara and her legacy,” said Marcus Hu, co-president of Strand Releasing.
Strand plans for a national fall release launching with a theatrical run at Film Forum in New York on Sept. 4, before going wide.
“Barbara Forever” won the Jonathan Oppenheim Editing Award at Sundance and the Teddy Award for Best Documentary at Berlinale, and has gone on to screen at major festivals including Thessaloniki, Full Frame and Hot Docs.
It was produced by Elijah Stevens of Space Time Films, O’Connor and Claire Edelman of Killer Films. The film was co-produced by Kartemquin Films and co-executive produced by Kathryn A. Taylor and Marcela Davison Avilés of TomKat Media.
The film is represented for international sales by MetFilm Sales, who will present the title to buyers at the Marché du film at Cannes.
