Sundance: Magnolia nabs 'Compliance'

Magnolia Pictures has acquired U.S. rights to writer-director Craig Zobel's psychological thriller "Compliance." Magnolia is planning a theatrical release for the film later this year.Zobel produced "Compliance" with Sophia Lin, Lisa Muskat, Tyler Davidson and Theo Sena.Based on true events, story follows an overworked manager (Ann Dowd) at a fast food restaurant who receives a call from a police officer accusing one of her teenage employees (Dreama Walker) of stealing from a customer. Taking the officer at his word, the alleged thief is detained, setting into a motion a nightmarish scenario that quickly spirals out of control.Magnolia previously teamed with Zobel on 2007's Sundance entry "Great World of Sound." "We are huge fans of Craig, and have been anticipating his follow-up to 'Great World of Sound' for some time now," said Magnolia prexy Eamonn Bowles. "Compliance is a major step forward -- an artful, remarkably acted, provocative thriller that will stir up passionate arguments and conversations with audiences. We couldn't be more pleased to be working with Craig again.""I'm super happy to come home to Magnolia for this film," said Zobel. "They consistently release movies I love, and are a pleasure to work with. They've been very supportive of me, and I can't wait to team up again. I'm psyched! Rock and roll!"Magnolia's SVP of acquisitions, Dori Begley, negotiated the deal with John Sloss and Dana O'Keefe of Cinetic Media.Magnolia recently bought Ry Russo-Young's "Nobody Walks" and will release the horror anthology "V/H/S" through its genre arm Magnet Releasing. Contact Jeff Sneider at jeff.sneider@variety.com