S&R Films Takes ‘109 Billion Followers’ Featuring J.K. and Olivia Simmons to Cannes Market
EXCLUSIVE: Scatena & Rosner (S&R) Films has secured worldwide rights to 109 Billion Followers, a drama by Ela Thier featuring J.K. Simmons and his daughter, Olivia Simmons.
S&R plans to debut the film at the Cannes Market this week. The cast also includes Nina Arianda, Jake Ryan, and Julianna Layne. J.K. Simmons, known for his role in Whiplash, stars as a man claiming to be the Grim Reaper, while Olivia Simmons, from You Can’t Run Forever, plays Emma, a lonely film student who documents his story.
According to the film’s synopsis, "While she keeps everyone at arm’s length—including her devoted and openhearted cameraman (Jake Ryan) and her estranged mother (Nina Arianda)—the Reaper leads her on a magical journey to meet herself as a teen, as a young girl, and as an infant. Emma comes to life by recovering her ability to love—while she still can."
Gato Scatena, Managing Director of S&R Films, negotiated the deal with Nicholas Tabarrok on behalf of the filmmakers.
“Every once in a while, a film sneaks up on you emotionally in a way you don’t expect,” Scatena remarked. “This is one of those films. Anchored by deeply human and unforgettable performances, the film manages to be funny, heartbreaking, surreal, and ultimately life-affirming without ever feeling manipulative. It’s the kind of emotionally intelligent and completely novel dramedy that reminds you why independent cinema still matters. I was genuinely moved by it.”
109 Billion Followers is co-produced by Thier Productions and Darius Films. Ela Thier not only wrote and directed the film but also produced it alongside Tabarrok. The director of photography is Milton Kam, and production design is handled by Lauren Helms, with casting managed by Mia Cusumano and Meghan Rafferty.
