Music Box Buys Venice Prizewinning Film ‘Familiar Touch’ Directed by Rising Filmmaker Sarah Friedland (EXCLUSIVE)

As an elderly individual who has navigated the labyrinth of life with its share of triumphs and tribulations, I find myself deeply moved by the upcoming release of “Familiar Touch.” The film, with its profound exploration of aging, memory loss, and human connection, resonates on a deeply personal level.

Music Box has obtained the rights for “Familiar Touch,” Sarah Friedland‘s first feature film, within the North American region. This movie bagged an impressive three top awards at Venice, including the prestigious Lion of the Future award.

As a representative of Memento International, I’m proud to share that our film “Familiar Touch” has been honored at this year’s Venice Film Festival. Kathleen Chalfant, our exceptional actress, took home the Best Actress award, while our esteemed director also received recognition with the Best Director accolade in the Horizons section. Now, I’m thrilled to announce that our project has been nominated for the “Someone to Watch” award ahead of the 2025 Independent Spirit Awards.

In the movie titled “Familiar Touch,” we find Ruth as the protagonist, Chalfant, a senior woman grappling with dementia. This transition to assisted living sees her navigating her complex feelings towards herself and her caregivers while she struggles with her fading memory, perception of age, and emerging desires. Co-starring alongside Ruth are Carolyn Michelle, Andy McQueen, and H. Jon Benjamin.

As a cinema enthusiast, I’m thrilled to team up with Music Box – a trailblazer in promoting daring, artist-led, independent films – in sharing our mature-age coming-of-story, “Familiar Touch,” with North American audiences. This moving film resonates deeply with those experiencing the journey of aging, caregivers, and the cared-for; essentially, it’s a tale for everyone, including us all.

Alexandra Byer, Sarah Friedland, and Matthew Thurm were responsible for the production of a movie that had been developed through the Berlinale Talent Scripts Station/Project Lab.

As a movie enthusiast, I’d say, “I found ‘Familiar Touch’ to be a skillfully crafted journey into the complexities of human connection. It masterfully intertwines moments of vulnerability, intimacy, and deep emotion with remarkable finesse.

The organization commended Friedland for being a budding director, whose unique perspective on the intricacies of aging people and their caretakers strikes a chord with genuine authenticity and deep emotion.

The acclaim for Venice underscores the universal desire for connection and touch, which seems particularly relevant in our growingly detached society. We believe this message will strongly strike a chord with North American viewers,” the company stated.

In 2025, Music Box Films plans to debut the movie titled “Familiar Touch,” which has garnered significant attention following its successful festival tour across the United States and various international locations, including Mill Valley, BFI London, AFI fest, Tallinn Black Nights, Red Sea FF, and numerous others.

The agreement was worked out between Brian Andreotti, who leads acquisitions at Music Box Films, and Alexandre Moreau, the head of sales at Memento International, acting as representatives for the filmmaking team.

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2024-12-09 17:17