US company acquires Russian film distributor Arthouse

US media holding company Lorem Ipsum Corp has acquired Russian film distributor Arthouse.

The New York-based firm previously held half of Arthouse and has just purchased the remaining 50% from co-founder Sam Klebanov, who is set to depart from the company.

Arthouse specialises in the distribution of foreign and independent films, and received particular attention last year when it persevered with the release of British LGBT-themed comedy-drama Pride (2014, dir. Matthew Warchus) in Russia, despite the country’s outlawing of “gay propaganda”.

The next film to be distributed by the company in Russia will be Oscar-nominated lesbian drama Carol (2015, dir. Todd Haynes).

While co-founder Yan Vizinberg will remain Arthouse’s CEO, Arthouse has hired Evgeny Pivovarov, co-founder of Russian distributor All Media, as managing director, while Elena Mironchik, previously of Bazelevs Distribution and Caravella, will join as head of theatrical distribution.

Source: Screen Daily