The upcoming Zoe Saldaña-starring and Martin Scorsese-exec produced thriller “The Absence of Eden” has been snapped up by Signature Entertainment in a multi-territory deal.
Signature bought U.K. and Irish, Australian and New Zealand and African rights to the feature, being sold by The Exchange.
“The Absence of Eden” — also starring Garrett Hedlund (“Tron,” “Mudbound”) and Adria Arjona (“Hitman,” “Father of the Bride”) —.is directed by first-time feature director Marco Perego from a script he co-wrote with Rick Rapoza (“Cactuses”). The screenplay was recently acquired by the AMPAS Library as part of their permanent core inclusion.
The thriller pivots around the dueling narratives of an ICE Agent (Hedlund) struggling with the moral dilemmas of border security and an undocumented woman (Saldaña) fighting to escape a ruthless cartel.
Producers include Oscar nominee Julie Yorn (“Hell or High Water”), Perego, Robert Kravis (“Lucky Number Slevin”), and Karl Herrmann (“Dinner in America”) under their banner of Pioneer Pictures, and Oscar nominee Alexandra Milchan (“Tár”). Scorsese and Rick Yorn (Max Payne) serve as exec producers, alongside Cisely, Mariel and Zoe Saldana’s Cinestar Pictures, Ingenious Media, Ashland Hill Media Finance, Sycuan Tribal as well as Ruben Islas (“The Card Counter”),Jolene Rodriguez (“Righteous Thieves”) and Stanley Preschutti (“Mob Land”).
The deal was negotiated between Signature Entertainment’s acquisitions manager Begüm Kayacan Parodi and The Exchange’s president of worldwide sales and distribution Nat McCormick.
“Fast and action packed, ‘The Absence of Eden’ focuses on a very current subject matter, with such impactful performances,” said Parodi. “We are delighted to work with The Exchange again and to be releasing the film in multiple territories.”