Brainstorm Media, an independent film distribution mainstay, has acquired rights to Ivan Sen’s crime drama “Limbo” ahead of its North American premiere at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival. Following its world premiere in competition at the 2023 Berlin Film Festival, “Limbo” will be jointly distributed as part of a long-standing partnership between Brainstorm Media and Music Box Films. In “Limbo,” filmmaker Ivan Sen returns to his roots with a visceral Australian noir starring Simon Baker as a jaded detective investigating the cold case murder of a local Indigenous girl.

“’Limbo’ is a continuation of the themes I explored in my previous films ‘Mystery Road’ and ‘Goldstone,’” says Sen. “Those films dealt with primarily an Indigenous perspective of the justice system through the eyes of an Indigenous police officer. Limbo explores the deeper impact of a crime on an Indigenous family through the eyes of a white policeman. The source of these ideas has largely come from my personal experience, from family members and friends who have been victims of crime. I have witnessed their struggle not only for justice, but also for fairness and recognition by the Australian justice system.”

Brainstorm Media will handle the digital and home entertainment distribution for “Limbo” following a theatrical release from Music Box Films in March 2024. Brainstorm Media and Music Box Films previously collaborated on “Mama Weed” starring Isabelle Huppert.

“This is a stunning film that deserves to be seen on the big screen,” says Brainstorm Media CEO Michelle Shwarzstein. “We’re thrilled to be partnering again with Music Box, who understand the specialty box office landscape better than anyone.”

“We are excited to continue our successful collaboration with Brainstorm Media. The respective strengths of each of our companies complement each other nicely,” states Music Box Films’ Brian Andreotti. “’Limbo’ is a riveting and visually ravishing film, and we welcome the opportunity to bring our expertise in theatrical distribution to the film’s US release.”

“It’s been brilliant working with the team at Brainstorm,” says Bunya Productions producer David Jowsey, “and the news of the release with Music Box is very exciting for LIMBO coming off the back of our premiere at TIFF.”

Synopsis
Travis, a jaded detective, arrives in the remote outback town of Limbo to investigate the cold case murder of local Indigenous girl Charlotte Hayes 20 years ago. As truths about the murder begin to unfold, the detective gains a new insight into the unsolved case from the victim’s fractured family, the surviving witnesses and the reclusive brother of the chief suspect. A poignant, intimate journey into the complexities of loss and the impact of the justice system on Aboriginal families in Australia.

“Limbo” is set in the South Australian outback opal mining town of Coober Pedy. The black and white photography captures the incredible landscape beautifully and delivers a rich and profound sense of place. The characters who populate this film are hardened souls surviving in a harsh and unforgiving town. But finding each other changes them, reminds each of them of their human compassion and thereby alters their destiny.

“Who or what is in Limbo? The Aboriginal Family. The Detective. Indigenous Culture. The Cars. The Landscape.” – Ivan Sen

Ivan Sen takes on a significant number of the key creative roles in all of his films, including Writer, Director, Producer, DOP, Editor, Colorist and Composer. This means a total immersion in and control over the construction of the film. The same is true of LIMBO, in which Sen returns to his previous body of work, set in the outback and dealing with Indigenous stories, characters and themes. These stories reflect and explore his own Australian Aboriginal heritage.

About Brainstorm Media
Since Brainstorm Media’s inception in 1995, the company has had a forward-thinking approach to a growing digital marketplace, establishing early video-on-demand deals with major tech platforms. With an ethos of adaptability, Brainstorm continues to expand its network of partners and explore unique models of distribution. Its growing all-rights business builds custom marketing and publicity campaigns that include both traditional opportunities as well as targeted tactics to capture audiences where they are. Under the leadership of CEO Michelle Shwarzstein, Brainstorm’s mission is to realize focused and creative distribution strategies for its content partners.

Most recently, Brainstorm Media released home invasion thriller “Dark Windows” after its world premiere at Popcorn Frights Festival this August. Other notable recent releases include William Kaufman’s “The Channel,” Alex Lehmann’s “Acidman” starring Thomas Hayden Church and Dianna Agron, French horror-comedy “Some Like It Rare,” android-horror “Blank,” Australian raunchy comedy “How to Please A Woman,” Billie Piper’s directorial debut “Rare Beasts,” and the hit pro-skater film “North Hollywood.” Later this year Brainstorm will be releasing Irish neo-noir BARBER starring Aidan Gillan, and crime drama “Limbo,” starring Simon Baker. Brainstorm Media’s first theatrical release was Todd Solondz’s “Dark Horse” and the company has since worked with many acclaimed filmmakers and A-list talent. Learn more at Brainstormmedia.com

About Music Box Films
Music Box Films is the prestigious North American distributor of acclaimed international, independent, and documentary feature films. Recent releases include “L’Immensità,” the Venice favorite starring Penelope Cruz; “The Unknown countr,” Morrisa Maltz’s SXSW road trip drama starring Lily Gladstone; and Babak Jalali’s affecting and wryly funny Sundance immigrant drama, “Fremont.” Upcoming releases include Klaus Härö’s timeless Irish drama, “My Salior, My Love,” and François Ozon’s witty, feminist period romp, “The Crime Is Mine.” Since its formation in 2007, Music Box Films has distributed award-winning films and art-house favorites that include Academy Award winner IDA, MERU (from Oscar-winning filmmakers Jimmy Chin and E. Chai Vaserhelyi), Christian Petzold’s “Transit,” the popular Swedish comedy “A Man Called Ove,” and the original “The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.” Music Box Films is independently owned and operated by the Southport Music Box Corporation, which also owns and operates the Music Box Theatre, Chicago’s premier venue for independent and foreign films. For more information, visit www.musicboxfilms.com.