Black Bear Lands U.S. Rights To Dustin Hoffman & Leo Woodall’s Romantic Thriller ‘Tuner’
EXCLUSIVE: Black Bear is acquiring U.S. rights to its second theatrical release, Tuner, which made its world premiere at the Telluride Film Festival to a 95% fresh Rotten Tomatoes critics score.
The romantic thriller reps the narrative debut of Oscar-winning Navalny director Daniel Roher and features a singular performance by The White Lotus alum Leo Woodall, in addition to notable supporting turns by two-time Oscar winner Dustin Hoffman, Havana Rose Liu, Lior Raz, Tovah Feldshuh and Jean Reno.
In Tuner, Woodall stars as Niki, a gifted piano tuner with a unique auditory condition that he soon realizes can be harnessed for cracking safes, turning his life upside down. Liu plays the role of Ruthie, the driven piano composition student who shows Niki another realm of possibilities.
The U.S. distribution deal was negotiated with UTA Independent Film Group and WME Independent. Black Bear represents international rights to the film.
Black Bear financed Tuner and produced alongside English Breakfast and Elevation Pictures, that later of which will release the film in Canada. Black Bear will also distribute in the UK and Ireland.
The movie is the second title to land on Black Bear’s domestic slate after the Sydney Sweeney-starring Toronto Film Festival world premiere Christy. The financier-turned-stateside distributor opted to take that movie during TIFF and will send it out into theaters November 7.
“Coming off his acclaimed work on the Oscar-winning Navalny, Daniel shows with Tuner he’s every bit as accomplished in narrative filmmaking — bold, inventive, and delivering something truly original,” said Benjamin Kramer, President of U.S. Distribution at Black Bear. “Tuner is sharp, surprising, and beautifully told. Leo and Havana cement themselves as the brightest of rising stars, alongside Dustin delivering one of the finest turns of his iconic career. We’re thrilled to bring it to audiences across the country.”
Roher directed Tuner from a screenplay he co-wrote with Robert Ramsey. Producers are JoAnne Sellar (There Will Be Blood), Lila Yacoub (East of Wall) and Black Bear’s Teddy Schwarzman (Christy) and Michael Heimler (Train Dreams). EPs are Courtney L. Cunniff, John Friedberg, Andrew Golov, Mary Anne Waterhouse, Ramsey, Noah Segal, and Christina Piovesan. The film was shot by cinematographer Lowell Meyer (Servant), with editing by Greg O’Bryant (Mr. & Mrs. Smith). Tuner’s soundscape was curated by Oscar-winning sound designer Johnnie Burn (The Zone of Interest), with a score by Will Bates (Dumb Money, Immaculate) and original music by Grammy-winning composer Marius de Vries (La La Land, CODA).
Black Bear’s U.S. distribution arm plans to release a curated slate of up to 12 theatrical features annually. The arm expands Black Bear’s multinational theatrical business, which is already an industry leader in the UK, Ireland and Canada.
