Protagonist Picks takes world sales on Joel Veach's crime debut American Muscle
Protagonist Picks has taken world sales on American Muscle, the crime feature that marks Joel Veach's debut as a director, as reported by Deadline on 1 October.
The appointment puts the label in charge of selling the film to distributors territory by territory. That is the job of a sales agent: to find buyers in different countries and close the deals that carry a film beyond festivals. No release dates have been disclosed.
The film stars David W. Thompson, Brendan Sexton III, Liana Wright-Mark, Gbenga Akinnagbe, Jorge Garcia and Lauren Glazier. It was produced by RSL Films and Ghost Gang Productions. The shoot took place entirely in Santa Clarita, California, a city north of Los Angeles long used for film and television production.
The story centres on a debt-ridden mechanic trying to escape a violent past. According to the synopsis on the Protagonist Pictures sales page, he hatches a risky plan to clear a large gambling debt. Two collectors demand immediate payment just as his estranged sister returns home.
American Muscle has already played three festivals in the United States: Cinequest, the Big Apple Film Festival and Burbank. It was also nominated for Best Debut at Raindance in Britain. That kind of festival run is a familiar path for a first feature seeking attention from buyers.
Veach came to directing after writing and short-form work. He wrote the psychological thriller Old Man, starring Stephen Lang. He also directed the short film Guys With Guns, which premiered at Raindance.
Protagonist Picks works alongside Protagonist Pictures. The label handles curated features, documentaries and episodic programmes in addition to the parent company's slate of first-run features and library titles.
For fans, this means waiting for the next announcement. A world sales launch starts the business end of a film's journey, with distribution deals to follow country by country.
