Menemsha Acquires North American Rights to Comedy ‘Ethan Bloom’

Menemsha Films has acquired North American rights to “Ethan Bloom,” an interfaith coming-of-age comedy from Herschel Faber, the director of “Cavemen.”

The distributor will launch the movie on the pageant circuit this spring, adopted by its theatrical release in North American cinemas.

The solid consists of Joshua Malina (“The West Wing,” “Scandal”), Rachelle Lefevre (“The Twilight Saga”), Carlos Ponce, who’s also a singer and songwriter, and Mindy Sterling (the “Austin Powers” trilogy). The movie is led by rising stars Caroline Valencia, best generally known as younger Selena Gomez in the hit Hulu collection “Only Murders in the Building,” and Hank Greenspan, who appeared in the CBS sitcom “The Neighborhood” for eight seasons.

The movie facilities on 13-year-old Ethan Bloom (Greenspan), who needs to be getting ready for his bar mitzvah – however against the needs of his widowed Jewish dad (Malina), he’s satisfied his religious calling is with the Catholic church, the place he secretly finds solace under the steering of Father Diaz (Ponce).

Through the knowledge of an unconventional rabbi (Lefevre), the love of his sophisticated household, and his first romance with a cowboy-boot-wearing lady who can put him in a headlock, Ethan must confront his lies and grief to uncover that religion isn’t about selecting sides—it’s about honoring all the messy, stunning items of who we’re.

Neil Friedman of Menemsha Films said, “The film ‘Ethan Bloom’ is a one-of-a-kind coming-of-age story featuring two wonderful young actors. The adult cast including Joshua Malina, Rachelle Lefevre and Carlos Ponce are equally compelling, making this film a unique look at faith, love and family we’ve yet to see on screen until now.”

Faber added, “’Ethan Bloom’ is about every kid who’s ever felt caught between different worlds—whether that means faith, culture, or family expectations—and writer Maylen Dominguez and I set out to tell a story that could make people laugh, cry, and see themselves. I’m thrilled that Menemsha Films understands this story’s heart and its breakout potential to reach audiences everywhere.”

Faber beforehand wrote, directed and produced “Cavemen,” a feature-length romantic comedy starring Skylar Astin (“Pitch Perfect”), Camilla Belle, Chad Michael Murray and Jason Patric, which was launched theatrically by Well Go USA. As a screenwriter, Faber wrote “Mac and Devin Go to High School,” starring Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa, and has positioned in the semi-finals of the Nicholl Fellowship and Austin Film Festival.

Dominguez beforehand gained the Zaki Gordon Award for screenwriting and an NBC/Universal award for TV writing.

The deal was negotiated by Friedman on behalf of Menemsha Films, and Faber and Dominguez on behalf of Fascination Media and Plato’s Daughter Productions. The movie was produced by Faber and Dominguez.