So much for scaring off potential distributors. SXSW hit and potential genre classic “Attack the Block” has found a home, and it’s a fairly nice one. Screen Gems, Sony‘s smaller genre division, has stepped up to the plate to distribute director Joe Cornish‘s thrilling debut film, an alien invasion thriller where nasty little creatures from outer space land in the slums of England.
Screen Gems head Clint Culpepper says, “Steve Bersch screened this film for me and I fell completely in love with it. The film is, at once, charming, scary, funny, hip, clever and completely hits its mark. I hope this is the beginning of a long relationship with these incredibly talented filmmakers.” We had thought this was going to be a niche product, but Screen Gems has been widely releasing their mid-to-low budgeted genre offerings like “Underworld” and “Resident Evil” to great success, so a launch beyond arthouses is likely. Given their other options which were likely limited theatrical/VOD houses like IFC, Magnolia or Magnet, fans should be excited that this unique Brit flick will get its proper due with a full on theatrical release.
Which thrills us. Aside from the sometimes difficult-to-understand colloquialisms used by the young cast, “Attack the Block” is a blast (our review here), an action thriller with scares and laughs that translate clearly to anyone who’s ever seen an alien invasion film. And true, that genre has grown stale and predictable, but ‘Block’ has a breakneck pace and effervescent charm all its own, and as long as ads can get the film in front of audiences, it’s destined to be one of 2011’s great crowd-pleasers. [via ComingSoon]