January 22 , 2003

Press Release
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For Immediate Release
Contact: Matthew Hiltzik
Sarah Levinson

MIRAMAX FILMS ACQUIRES
THE STATION AGENT AT SUNDANCE
Film Company to Distribute in all English Speaking Territories and Italy

Miramax Films has acquired all English speaking territories and Italian rights to The Station Agent, one of this year’s most acclaimed and sought after films at the Sundance Film Festival by first time director and screenwriter Tom McCarthy, it was announced today by Agnes Mentre, evp of acquisitions and co-productions. The film is in Dramatic Competition at the film festival.

The Station Agent, which features performances by Peter Dinklage, Patricia Clarkson (Far From Heaven), Bobby Cannavale, Michelle Williams (Dawson's Creek), and Raven Goodwin (Lovely and Amazing), is produced by SenArt Films' Robert May and Kathryn Tucker and Next Wednesday’s Mary Jane Skalski.

The Station Agent is an often humorous yet moving and uplifting story following an unlikely trio, who discover solitude is better spent together.

“This magical film made by an extraordinarily talented first time director is an especially rewarding purchase for us,” says Agnes Mentre. “It is rare that our entire team feels so passionate about a film as they do with ‘Station Agent.’ SenArt Films is a relatively new company, but they clearly have great taste and an instinct for quality projects.”

“We found Miramax to be the most passionate distributor we spoke to about the film, and one that has the resources at their disposal to significantly benefit the actors and filmmakers involved,” said SenArt Films’ Robert May.

The film was brought to Miramax by Mentre, Arianna Bocco, svp of acquisitions, and the rest of the Miramax acquisitions team.

Mentre and Stuart Ford, svp of acquisitions and international operations, negotiated the agreement on behalf of Miramax. Cinetic Media represented the film and John Sloss negotiated on behalf of May, Tucker, and Skalski. McCarthy is represented by the Gersh Agency.

ABOUT SENART FILMS

SenArt Films, founded in 2000, has two of its films in the documentary and dramatic competition programs at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival. They are Stevie, Steve James’ acclaimed nonfiction film which Lions Gate will release in March, and The Station Agent, Tom McCarthy’s drama starring Peter Dinklage, Patricia Clarkson, Bobby Cannavale and Michelle Williams.

Incorporating a passion for quality and commercial viability, SenArt Films is the vision and brain child of Robert May, a former security industry head who is fulfilling a lifelong dream of facilitating great films. SenArt Films, as a company, gets involved at different stages in different films in different capacities: anywhere from developing scripts from the start to coming in halfway through a production to provide completion funds and creative input. Working with May is Kathryn Tucker, a veteran of studio story departments as well as work in front of the camera. Tucker has assisted the new company and its mission, uncovered new talent, found worthy scripts and has facilitated production in a variety of capacities.

In addition to Stevie and The Station Agent, the company is currently in production, along with Radical Media and Sony Pictures Classics, on Errol Morris’ long-awaited documentary about Robert MacNamara.

ABOUT NEXT WEDNESDAY

Mary Jane Skalski has had great success at Sundance in the past. She has produced such films as The Jimmy Show, Gina: An Actress at Age 29 (Grand Jury Prize – Best Short), the non-fiction film Wonderland, and, as associate producer, The Brothers McMullen.

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