A24 Acquires U.S. Rights to Ruben Östlund’s “The Entertainment System Is Down”

A24 Acquires Rights to Ruben Östlund’s “The Entertainment System Is Down”

A24, known for its unique and captivating film selections, is making headlines once again with its latest acquisition. The renowned film studio is set to close an eight-figure deal to acquire the U.S. rights to Ruben Östlund’s upcoming film, “The Entertainment System Is Down.”

The deal was finalized between A24 and Paris-based Co-Production Office, which recently launched international sales for the highly anticipated project at the Cannes Film Market.

Starring a star-studded cast including Kirsten Dunst, Keanu Reeves, Daniel Brühl, Nicholas Braun, and Samantha Morton, “The Entertainment System Is Down” unfolds the story of a long-haul flight where the entertainment system suddenly malfunctions. Passengers are left to face the horror of being bored, leading to unexpected and humorous encounters.

During a recent event at Cannes, two-time Palme d’Or winner Ruben Östlund shared more details about the film, revealing that he and his producer, Erik Hemmendorff, went to great lengths to bring authenticity to the project. They actually purchased a real-life Boeing 747 for the film, aiming to create a truly immersive and realistic airplane setting.

Östlund expressed his frustration with past airplane films where characters were confined to a small section of the aircraft, stating, “This time, when we will see the couple arguing, there will be like 300 people in that shot. Then we will use the whole airplane, not just a section, so that we can walk from the cockpit all the way to the back, with a long tracking shot, we will get the feeling of being in this space.”

“The Entertainment System Is Down” will mark Östlund’s second English-language film and seventh feature, following his critically acclaimed works such as “Force Majeure,” “The Square,” and “Triangle of Sadness.”

Fans of Östlund’s distinct storytelling style and A24’s bold cinematic choices can look forward to experiencing “The Entertainment System Is Down,” a film that promises to be a one-of-a-kind viewing experience.