An adoption-focused drama feature starring Jake Lacy and Nazanin Boniadi is generating buzz as it makes its way to theaters. Persimmon has acquired North American distribution rights to writer-director Nicola Rinciari's indie film "A Mosquito in the Ear," according to exclusive information from The Hollywood Reporter. Ruhi Pal rounds out the cast for the movie, which will hit select theaters this spring after its premiere last month at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, where it won the Panavision Spirit Award for Independent Cinema.
"A Mosquito in the Ear" centers on Andrew (Lacy) and Daniela (Boniadi), who venture to India to bring home their newly adopted 4-year-old daughter Sarvari (Pal). However, tensions arise when the girl refuses to join them on the return journey.
Rinciari directed the film from his own script, which adapts Andrea Ferraris' fact-based graphic novel of the same name. Emily Dillard, Darren Dean, Ali K. Rizvi, Frank Hall Green, Stephen Stanley, and Jomon Thomas serve as producers. Laurens Postma and Sunitha Ram of Lasutra Pictures oversaw production in India.
"We're thrilled to partner with Persimmon to bring 'A Mosquito in the Ear' to North American audiences," says director Nicola Rinciari. "The film explores the complicated emotional terrain of identity and the ways cross-cultural encounters shape our most intimate relationships. I'm excited for audiences to experience this family's journey on the big screen."
Adds Persimmon acquisitions manager Mackenzie Maguire, "Persimmon is overjoyed to be the North America partner on 'A Mosquito in the Ear.' Nazanin Boniadi, Jake Lacy, and Ruhi Pal have incredible chemistry as they play out their roles in this complicated family dynamic. This film will have you crying, laughing, and on the edge of your seat."
UTA Independent Film Group negotiated the deal on behalf of the filmmakers, while Maguire represented Persimmon. Fandango's Raffaella Di Giulio handles international sales, which launched at this year's EFM.
"A Mosquito in the Ear" will screen at upcoming festivals such as the Bari International Film Festival, Annapolis Film Festival, and Miami Film Festival. Lacy is known for his Emmy-nominated role on "The White Lotus" and starred in last year's series "All Her Fault." Boniadi starred in the first season of "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power" and has a role in the feature "The Saviors," which premiered this month at SXSW.
