Bleecker Street Buys ‘Relay,’ Thriller Starring Riz Ahmed, Lily James and Sam Worthington

As a cinephile with a soft spot for gripping thrillers that challenge my intellect and keep me guessing, I can hardly contain my excitement about “Relay.” The film’s intriguing premise, coupled with the pedigree of its talented cast and crew, has me hooked. David Mackenzie, who delivered the Oscar-nominated masterpiece “Hell or High Water,” is once again at the helm, promising a cinematic experience that will leave audiences breathless.


Bleecker Street has obtained the U.S. distribution rights for the film “Relay”, which made its premiere at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, marking a thrilling twist in its journey.

The upcoming film, titled “Relay,” follows in the footsteps of ’70s era paranoid loner movies such as “The Conversation” and “The Parallax View.” Starring Riz Ahmed, Lily James, and Sam Worthington, it is set to hit theaters next year. In this film, Ahmed portrays a professional who facilitates payoffs between corporations and employees with incriminating information. To protect his identity, he meticulously plans every move, but when he takes on a new client (Lily James), played by Lily James, his guard slips slightly due to the need to ensure her safety. The movie is directed by David MacKenzie, who has previously worked on Oscar-nominated films like “Hell or High Water.

Justin Piasecki wrote the screenplay for the film. Black Bear fully financed “Relay” and produced alongside Thunder Road Pictures and Sigma Films. Producers include Basil Iwanyk for Thunder Road, Gillian Berrie for Sigma, Teddy Schwarzman for Black Bear, and MacKenzie. Executive producers are Black Bear’s Michael Heimler and John Friedberg, and Thunder Road’s Erica Lee and Charlie Morrison.

The agreement for this project was worked out between Kent Sanderson and Avy Eschenasy from Bleecker Street, and the UTA Independent Film Group along with CAA Media Finance, who represented the filmmakers. International distribution rights to the movie have been taken over by Black Bear.

Excitingly, I’ve just learned that Bleecker Street has obtained the North American distribution rights for “The Friend,” directed by Scott McGehee and David Siegel. This captivating film boasts a stellar cast including Naomi Watts and Bill Murray. As a movie enthusiast, I can hardly wait to see it! Adding to my anticipation, Bleecker Street’s future lineup also features “The Return” starring Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche, as well as “Hard Truths,” a collaboration between Mike Leigh and Marianne Jean-Baptiste, who previously worked together in “Secrets & Lies.” I can hardly contain my excitement for these upcoming releases!

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2024-11-18 22:16