Lionsgate Buys Sarah Polley's Away from Her

In a surprising acquisition in Toronto, Lionsgate, which usually goes for genre fare, has picked up U.S. distribution rights to Sarah Polley's well-received feature directing debut, Away from Her. Julie Christie's performance in the film as an aging Alzheimer's victim has built some Oscar buzz here, but the distributor will aim for a Crash-style spring 2007 release and long-term Oscar campaign. Away from Her is the screenplay adaptation of author Alice Munro's short story, The Bear Came Over the Mountain. HanWay Films is handling the international sales and distribution for the film, which has so far been sold to 26 other territories.