LD Entertainment Partners With Variance Films On Theatrical Release Of Luke Gilford’s SXSW-Premiering Queer Rancher Pic ‘National Anthem’

Matt Grobar
·3 min read
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EXCLUSIVE: LD Entertainment will partner with Variance Films on the theatrical release for National Anthem, the queer ranching drama marking the feature directorial debut of Luke Gilford, which debuted at last year’s SXSW. Pic starring Charlie Plummer, Eve Lindley, Mason Alexander Park, Rene Rosado and Robyn Lively will be released in the U.S. on July 12.

Immersed in the world of a rural queer ranching community, and set against the exuberant, real-life International Gay Rodeo Association, National Anthem is billed as a celebration of first love and chosen family. The protagonist of the film is Dylan (Plummer), a 21-year-old working in construction in New Mexico who joins a community of queer rodeo performers in search of their own version of the American dream.

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CAA Media Finance is repping worldwide rights, with Decal Releasing handling home entertainment for the film.

Said Variance’s Dylan Marchetti and Kristen Osborne: “Variance’s mission is to help people find joy at the movie theater, and Luke’s incredible vision is a perfect fit. National Anthem is a celebration of so many things that TRULY make America great- love, our beautiful open spaces (shot in glorious 35mm, no less), and finding your family no matter where you may live- because no matter where you live, your family is out there waiting for you. We can’t wait for audiences to glam up and find theirs at theaters everywhere this summer!”

Added LD’s Mickey Liddell and Pete Shilaimon: “We have been impressed with Variance’s commitment to providing a re-imagined look at independent film releases. It is within the theater that audiences come together as a community to have fun and take home a message that resonates. Luke’s film embodies this same spirit, one that is a ballad to young love and finding yourself. We are beyond thrilled to invite audiences, cowboys, and drag queens alike to the rodeo.”

Independent studio LD Entertainment has been a key player in producing and distributing such heralded films as Judy, Jackie, Ben Is Back, The Zookeeper’s Wife, Risen, The Grey, Killer Joe, Albert Nobbs, the Academy Award nominated Biutiful, and the award-winning doc Biggest Little Farm. Notable recent productions include the acclaimed documentary Introducing Selma Blair; Anthropoid, starring Cillian Murphy and Jamie Dornan; and the Kate Mara starrer Megan Leavey, to name just a few.

Since its founding 2008, Variance Films has grown from a one-man operation to a leading independent theatrical distributor. The company rose to an all-new level of esteem last year after powering AMC’s smash independent releases of concert films Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour and Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé. Previously, it’s also found successes with a re-release of S.S. Rajamouli’s Telugu-language epic RRR, which won the Academy Award for Best Original Song last year, as well as Ryûsuke Hamaguchi’s Drive My Car (for Sideshow/Janus Films) and Ira Sachs’ Passages (for MUBI), among other titles.

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