Jour de Fete snags rights to 'Relax'

Distrib plans March release for Castellaneta pic

By ANDREW HINDES

PARK CITY, Utah -- Just as throngs of acquisitions execs battled icy roads to arrive in Park City, a domestic distributor has stepped up to acquire one of the most talked-about titles at last year's Sundance fest.

Specialized distributor Jour de Fete Films has picked up North American rights to writer/director P.J. Castellaneta's "Relax ... It's Just Sex."

The company plans to platform the pic in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco in early March, expanding into other markets later in the spring.

"Relax's" large ensemble cast includes Jennifer Tilly, Mitchell Anderson, Lori Petty, Cynda Williams and Billy Wirth. Seymour Cassel and Susan Tyrell have supporting roles.

The pic was produced by Steven J. Wolfe of Sneak Preview Entertainment and Megan O'Neill and Harold Warren of Forefront Films. In addition to its Sundance preem, the pic was the opening night film for the annual Los Angeles Outfest and closed the 1998 San Francisco Lesbian and Gay Film Festival.

Specializing in gay films

Jour de Fete, which specializes in gay-themed product, was formed last year by Dan Castle and former Strand Releasing co-topper Mike Thomas. Their releases to date have included "Leather Jacket Love Story," "Skin and Bone" and "Broadway Damage."

Thomas is also a partner in Rialto Pictures, which focuses on re-releasing classic specialized fare. Last year, the company engineered the successful arthouse reissue of Federico Fellini's "Nights of Cabiria."