Danny Boyle's Ink will open the 83rd Venice International Film Festival on September 2. Netflix has acquired domestic and Latin American distribution rights to the film. It is the first major sale ahead of the world premiere, which screens in competition at the Sala Grande at Palazzo del Cinema on the Lido.
Set in 1969, Ink follows media mogul Rupert Murdoch and tabloid editor Larry Lamb as they transform The Sun into Britain's best-selling newspaper, displacing The Mirror. Jack O'Connell plays Lamb. Guy Pearce plays Murdoch. Claire Foy plays Jules Davies. The screenplay is by James Graham, adapted from his Tony-nominated stage play, originally directed by Rupert Goold.
The film is produced by StudioCanal, Media Res, and House Productions, with StudioCanal providing full financing. Producers are Danny Boyle, Tessa Ross, Michael Ellenberg, and Tracey Seaward. Cinematography is by Alwin H. Küchler. Music is by Daniel Pemberton. Editing by Fin Oates. Production and costume design by Gareth Pugh and Carson McColl. Netflix's deal for the U.S. and Latin America was negotiated by WME Independent and StudioCanal. StudioCanal retains theatrical distribution across the U.K., France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Benelux, Australia, and New Zealand.
Boyle called the Venice selection "a huge honour," according to the festival's official announcement. Slumdog Millionaire won Best Picture at the 81st Academy Awards in 2009. With Ink, the director returns to the prestige festival circuit.
The 83rd Venice Film Festival runs September 2 through September 12.