April 11, 2013 - 16:47 AMT
Strand acquires “I Used to Be Darker” Sundance film

Strand Releasing has acquired all U.S. rights to Matt Porterfield's I Used to Be Darker. The film, which had its world premiere at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, will be released theatrically in the fall, The Hollywood Reporter said.

Written by Porterfield and Amy Belk, Darker stars Deragh Campbell as a Northern Irish runaway who seeks out his aunt and uncle, played by Kim Taylor and Ned Oldham, who live in Baltimore and whose marriage is in the process of ending. The film also stars Hannah Gross as the couple’s college-age daughter. It features music by Taylor, Oldham, Jack Carneal, Dope Body, Dustin Wong, The Entrance Band, Jana Hunter and Bill Callahan, among others.

Porterfield, who lives in Baltimore and teaches at Johns Hopkins University, has directed two previous films, 2006’s Hamilton and 2011’s Putty Hill.

"We’re thrilled to be working on this film. I felt an immediate connection to this film and the truthful way it handles and addresses the complications of a divorce. It reminded me of Alan Parker’s Shoot the Moon and Alan Rudolph’s Welcome to LA, yet is wholly original and completely Matt’s voice,” Marcus Hu, Strand co-president, said.