Home / Arts and Entertainment / Indie Drama 'The Rivals of Amziah King' Captivates Audiences, Awaits Distribution
Indie Drama 'The Rivals of Amziah King' Captivates Audiences, Awaits Distribution
15 Aug
Summary
- Matthew McConaughey crime drama 'The Rivals of Amziah King' received standing ovation, 97% on Rotten Tomatoes
- Director Andrew Peterson drew attention of Hollywood heavyweights like Steven Spielberg
- 'The Rivals of Amziah King' has a bluegrass undertone, with McConaughey playing a beekeeper and bluegrass band frontman
In the ever-evolving landscape of independent film distribution, the critically acclaimed Matthew McConaughey crime drama 'The Rivals of Amziah King' has found itself in a precarious position. The film, which premiered at this year's SXSW festival, received a standing ovation and an impressive 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, but has yet to secure a distribution deal.
The challenges facing 'The Rivals of Amziah King' are emblematic of the current state of the indie acquisition business, where the disconnect between production costs and sales prices has left several promising films unsold or struggling to find a path to distribution. Nonetheless, the film's director, Andrew Peterson, has managed to draw the attention of Hollywood heavyweights like Steven Spielberg, who have taken note of his unique filmmaking sensibility.
Similar to the way Ryan Coogler's 'Sinners' used blues and gospel, 'The Rivals of Amziah King' has a sublime undertone of bluegrass. McConaughey plays a beekeeper and side bluegrass band frontman in rural Oklahoma, whose honey business begins to thrive again when his foster daughter (newcomer Angelina LookingGlass) comes back into his life. However, the idyllic scenario is disrupted when the hives are stolen, setting the stage for a gripping narrative.
