Magnolia Takes North American Rights From Participant on Steve James‘ ’A Compassionate Spy’ – Global Bulletin

variety.com:

Magnolia Pictures has acquired North American rights from Participant to “A Compassionate Spy,” the new documentary from Steve James (“Hoop Dreams,” “Life Itself”).

The film, which world premiered at the Venice Film Festival ahead of its North American launch at Telluride, is a real-life spy story about Manhattan Project physicist Ted Hall, who provided nuclear secrets to the Soviet Union, told through the perspective of his wife Joan, who protected his secret for decades.

Magnolia will release the film in theaters later this year. “A Compassionate Spy” is presented by Participant and is a Mitten Media and Kartemquin Films production produced by Mark Mitten p.g.a., Dave Lindorff, and Steve James.

Executive producers are Jeff Skoll, Diane Weyermann, Tim Horsburgh and Gordon Quinn. The deal was negotiated by Magnolia executive VP Dori Begley and senior VP of acquisitions John Von Thaden; Participant’s Liesl Copland, executive VP content strategy and sales, Adam Macy, senior counsel, business and legal affairs and Rob Williams, senior VP, content strategy and sales, with Jason Ishikawa at Cinetic on behalf of the filmmakers. *** Berlin-based distributor Salzgeber has boarded worldwide sales rights to humorous drama “Bones and Names,” the feature directorial debut of actor-director Fabian Stumm.