Monterey Media picks up “The Citizen” drama

PanARMENIAN.Net - Sam Kadi's debut drama The Citizen with Cary Elwes on the cast roster has been picked up by Monterey Media for all U.S. and Canadian rights in a deal struck with the film's production banner 3K Pictures, The Hollywood Reporter said.

The movie tells the story of an Arab immigrant who wins the American Green Card Lottery, arriving in New York City on Sept. 10, 2001. The resulting day's events shape his life-changing move.

Also starring Agnes Bruckner (The Woods), Khaled Nabawy (Kingdom Of Heaven) and William Atherton (The Last Samurai), the theatrical rollout is set for late summer 2013.

Written by Jazmen Brown, Samir Younis and Kadi, who makes his directorial debut, the film also is produced by Kadi with Chris Wyatt (Napoleon Dynamite) and Alan Noel Vega. Ameer Kabour is executive producing.

Monterey Media’s president Scott Mansfield unveiled the deal negotiated by Chris Sablan from Original Artists on behalf of the filmmakers with Mansfield in Cannes.

Radiant Films International is handling all foreign rights to the film with president and CEO Mimi Steinbauer shopping the film to buyers in Cannes.

Kadi is originally from Syria and lives in the U.S.