Nathan Lane's New Comedy LOUNGE ACT Makes World Premiere at Cannes

Arclight Films is proud to announce that LOUNGE ACT is having its World Market Premiere at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival. Gabriel Byrne (In Treatment, Ghost Ship, The Unusual Suspects), Nathan Lane (THE BIRDCAGE, THE PRODUCERS) and Frances Conroy (AMERICAN HORROR STORY, THE AVIATOR, SIX FEET UNDER) have teamed up bring an uplifting film about the various and hilarious ups and downs of the life of an actor to the big screen.

LOUNGE ACT is directed by actor and director and Broadway veteran Lee Wilkof who originated the roles of Sam Byck in Assassins and Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors, later earning a Tony Award nomination for the 2000 revival of Kiss Me, Kate. Wilkof's film credits include work with some of the industry's most celebrated actors, including Leonardo DiCaprio in THIS BOY'S LIFE, David Arquette in THE GREY ZONE and Edward Norton in LEAVES OF GRASS.

The film has just been completed and will be making its way to theatres later this year. Arclight Films will be presenting footage to distributors in Cannes for the very first time.

"We're honored to be working with the incredibly talented LOUNGE ACT team who are bringing this uniquely humorous and realistic film to life," said Gary Hamilton, Managing Director of Arclight Films. "The award-winning cast, whose combined box office earnings are in the billions of dollars (US) delivers the performances of a lifetime that will have audiences all over the globe laughing out loud and coming back for more."

LOUNGE ACT follows the life of Lester Rosenthal (Byrne) who lives as a struggling actor in New York City, now spending his ample amount of free time at the Actor's Equity Lounge along with all of his other colorful, yet out-of-work friends. Trying to pick himself up out of a series of trying but often humorous challenges, he returns to his home town to act in a regional production of King Lear that may just remind him of the reason why he became an actor in the first place.

The cast of LOUNGE ACT is gleaming with awards. Gabriel Byrne has five awards including his Golden Globe award for his role in In Treatment. Nathan Lane has been awarded nine awards for his acting including two Golden Globe nominations for his work in THE PRODUCERS and THE BIRDCAGE. Frances Conroy has four wins to her name, including two Screen Actors Guild Awards as well as a Golden Globe for her role in Six Feet Under.

"LOUNGE ACT is a soulful, transcendent movie whose universal themes will appeal to a broad audience," said Emmy award-nominated producer Tani Cohen. "Moviegoers will delight in seeing a side of Gabriel Byrne and Nathan Lane that they have never seen before."

Cohen is recognized in the industry for producing powerful and poignant films. Three of her movies have screened in competition at Sundance, including the critically acclaimed INSIDE MONKEY ZETTERLAND starring Patricia Arquette, Sandra Bernhard, Sofia Coppola, Rupert Everett, Matha Plimpton, Ricki Lake, Debi Mazar and Katherine Helmond. Cohen received an Emmy nomination for executive producing the Showtime Original feature film, SNOW IN AUGUST staring Stephen Rea. She also produced, along with CC Goldwater, Sheila Nevins and Nancy Abraham, the HBO Emmy-nominated documentary MR. CONSERVATIVE: GOLDWATER ON GOLDWATER.

LOUNGE ACT is a Day In The Life Films production in association with Cliff Chenfeld Productions. Producer is Tani Cohen. Executive Producers are Cliff Chenfeld, Lee Wilkof and Seth Greenland.

"LOUNGE ACT was such a joy to write and see come alive," said screenwriter and actor Ethan Sandler (THE BOURNE SUPREMACY, MEET THE ROBINSONS), "As an actor myself, I know the struggles with hanging on to ones love of the craft but its all about hanging out, hanging in, and most importantly hanging on."

Arclight Films is handling worldwide sales outside of North America.

Paradigm is handling North American sales.

About Arclight Films
Arclight Films is one of the world's leading international sales companies for theatrical, television and home video. Arclight Films has sold over 300 motion pictures including the Best Picture Oscar® winner CRASH, and Golden Globe® Best Picture Nominee BOBBY.

Arclight Films additionally encompasses subsidiary labels Darclight Films, the edgy genre-driven division of the company whose films include the worldwide horror hit WOLF CREEK, action thriller BAIT 3D and a current slate that includes WOLF CREEK 2, and Easternlight, a specialty arm showcasing Asian cinema with the largest film library of any non Asian-based indie film label. Films sold under the Easternlight banner include the worldwide blockbuster FORBIDDEN KINGDOM starring Jackie Chan and Jet Li, 14 BLADES starring Donnie Yen, legendary auteur Chen Kaige's SACRIFICE.

The latest additions to Easternlight include SNOW GIRL AND THE DARK CRYSTAL starring Li Bingbing, OUTCAST starring Nicholas Cage, SPECIAL ID starring Donnie Yen, BADGES OF FURY starring Jet Li and Cannes Film Festival "Directors Fortnight" official selection and Toronto International Film Festival Gala Selection DANGEROUS LIASIONS starring Zhang Ziyi, Cecilia Cheung and Jang Dong Gun.

Some of the latest additions to the Arclight Films' slate include PREDESTINATION starring Ethan Hawke now in release through Sony Pictures, LAST KNIGHTS starring Clive Owen and Morgan Freeman, RECLAIM starring John Cusack, now in release through Lions Gate, and Australian Blockbuster PAPER PLANES starring Sam Worthington.

Arclight Films maintains a presence at all major motion picture and television festivals and markets with offices in Los Angeles, Sydney, Hong Kong, Beijing and Toronto. For more information on Arclight Films please visit www.arclightfilms.com

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos

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