Sexually Charged Indie Comedy ‘Paying for It’ Lands U.S. Distribution With Film Movement (EXCLUSIVE)

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Independent film distributor, Film Movement, has secured the U.S. distribution rights for “Paying for It,” a quirky comedy about a shy cartoonist who begins dating sex workers, which received favorable reviews at its premiere in Toronto.

Set in the late 90s, “Paying for It” is a live-action interpretation of Canadian alternative cartoonist Chester Brown’s popular graphic novel. In this semi-autobiographical film, when Chester’s girlfriend decides to pursue other romantic possibilities, Brown chooses to engage in relationships with sex workers and uncovers a unique form of closeness.

In my critique, I’d say: “I recently watched ‘Paying for It,’ a film masterfully directed by Sook-Yin Lee, a multitalented artist and once romantic partner of Chester Brown during the events portrayed in this movie.

The movie is helmed by executive producers John Cameron Mitchell (“Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” “Shortbus”) and Dan Beirne. In the lead roles are Dan Beirne (“Twentieth Century,” “Priscilla”), rising star Emily Lê (“Riceboy Sleeps”), and well-known activist, writer, and performer Andrea Werhun (“Modern Whore, Thriving: A Dissociative Reverie”).

Or, in a more conversational tone:

This film is being made by John Cameron Mitchell and Dan Beirne, who are executive producers. The cast includes Dan Beirne, an up-and-coming actor Emily Lê, and Andrea Werhun, a renowned activist, author, and performer.

In 2024, “Paying for It” premiered as part of Toronto’s Platform selection and was recognized by TIFF programmers as one of the ten best Canadian films of that year.

In a statement, Michael Rosenberg, Film Movement’s president, praised Sook-Yin Lee for her unique, humorous delivery in the film “Paying for It.” He noted that the movie delves into the complexities and paradoxes of intimate love and sex. Furthermore, he mentioned that Sook-Yin Lee is Chester Brown’s real-life ex, which adds an extra dimension to the film. Rosenberg concluded by suggesting that this combination results in a movie that audiences will find both unusual, amusing, and emotionally stirring.

The agreement for the U.S. was finalized by Rosenberg and Arnaud Godart from Loco Films based in Paris, who are managing global distribution for the film titled “Paying for It.

Film Movement intends to launch “Paying for It” in U.S. cinemas in 2025, with its premiere also scheduled for major digital platforms and home entertainment outlets thereafter.

Movie titled ‘Paying for It’ is brought to you by Matt Code of Wildling Pictures, along with Sonya Di Rienzo and Aeschylus Poulos of Hawkeye Pictures. The production team also includes Natalie Urquhart and Lee. This film was made possible with the help of Telefilm Canada, Ontario Creates, and in association with Bell Media’s Crave and CBC Films.

Obtaining this title strengthens Film Movement’s expanding collection, featuring works such as “Happy Holidays” by the Oscar-nominated Palestinian filmmaker Scandar Copti; “Julie Keeps Quiet,” a tennis drama by Leonardo Van Dijl that premiered in Cannes’ Critic’s Week and represented Belgium in the Oscars for best international film; and “An Unfinished Film,” directed by Lou Ye, which recently bagged top honors at the Golden Horse Film Festival in Taiwan.

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2025-02-11 13:48