Lars von Trier's Nymphomaniac is likely going to be a hard sell to conservative areas and theater chains in America. Sure, the movie has a star studded cast that includes Shia LaBouf, Jamie Bell, Willem Dafoe, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Stellen Skarsgard and Uma Thurman, but it's reportedly incredibly graphic in its depiction of sex to the point where you can probably expect a little bit of controversy. You also have to take into consideration that this is the same filmmaker who brought us films like Antichrist and Dogville, so we can't expect rainbows and puppies. But Magnolia Pictures is biting the bullet and going for it.
Deadline has gotten word from the European Film Market in Berlin that Magnolia has picked up domestic distribution rights for Nymphomaniac. The report says that the deal closed for "around $2 million" following a screening of footage from the movie this past weekend. The studio has history with Von Trier, as they also put out his last movie, Melancholia. That film managed to make $3 million at the box office in the United States during a limited 16 week run. At its peak it was shown in 145 theaters around the country.
Written and directed by Von Trier and the third title in his "Trilogy of Depression" (after Antichrist and Melancholia), Nymphomaniac tells the story of Joe (Gainsbourg) a self-diagnosed nymphomaniac who is attacked and discovered in an alleyway by a stranger (Skarsgard). While she recuperates the sexual experiences that have led her to that point. Magnolia has not yet set a release date for the movie.
