Ewan McGregor-Starring ‘Mother, Couch!’ Lands U.S. Distribution (EXCLUSIVE)

North American indie distributor Film Movement is set to co-release Niclas Larsson’s “Mother, Couch!” starring Ewan McGregor, Ellen Burstyn, Rhys Ifans and Taylor Russell with LA-based studio and distributor Memory in North America.

Based on the book “Mamma | Soffa” by Jerker Virdborg, the fim had its world premiere at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival followed by San Sebastian’s 2023 New Directors, and has since continued its run through the festival circuit, most recently winning Best Nordic Film at this year’s Goteborg Film Festival. Film Movement and Memory are planning a theatrical release later this year, while Charades is representing the international rights to the film at the European Film Market in Berlin this week.

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“Mother, Couch!” is the story of a family mysteriously trapped in an antiquated furniture store after their elderly Matriarch (Burstyn) refuses to get up from one of the display couches, leaving her three estranged children – David (McGregor), Gruffudd (Ifans), and Linda (Boyle) — to figure out why. With the help of the store managers, Marco & Marcus (F. Murray Abraham), and their daughter Bella (Russell) David and his siblings embark on a mind-bending journey which forces them to face some life-altering truths about their family.

“A surreal look at one family’s public meltdown, ‘Mother, Couch!’ is a unique addition to the pantheon of dysfunctional family dramas,” said Michael Rosenberg, President of Film Movement. “Niclas Larsson’s distinctive approach to the film’s plot and deft handling of his all-star cast – including a late-career high for Ellen Burstyn – make him an exciting new presence in the field.”

Added Riel Roch-Decter, co-founder of Memory: “’Mother, Couch!’ announces the arrival of a new cinematic talent in Niclas Larsson. This imaginative journey into family trauma is beautifully acted by an incredible cast and crafted at the highest level by the filmmaking team.”

The deal was negotiated by Rosenberg with UTA Independent Film Group on behalf of the filmmakers. Producers include Ella Bishop and Pau Suris for Suris/Bishop Films, Alex Black for Lyrical Media, and Sara Murphy for Fat City. Executive producers are Jon Rosenberg and Natalie Sellers under their Lyrical Media banner, Ryan Zacarias for Fat City, McGregor, and David Harari. “Mother, Couch!” was made in co-production with Film i Vast and Snowglobe.

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