EXCLUSIVE: Michael Shannon and Veronica Ferres-starring eco-thriller plays in TIFF Special Presentations.

Salt And Fire

LA based distributor XLrator Media has swooped on US rights to Werner Herzog’s Salt And Fire ahead of its North American premiere in Toronto International Film Festival’s (Aug 8-18) Special Presentations strand.

Michael Shannon, Veronica Ferres and Gael Garcia Bernal star in the eco-thriller produced by Nina Maag, Herzog, Michael Benaroya and Pablo Cruz. Benaroya financed the film and his International Film Trust handles international sales.

Salt And Fire premiered at the Shanghai International Film Festival in June and is inspired by a story by Tom Bissell about a corporate CEO and a group of scientists who rally together to prevent a looming environmental catastrophe. The film shot in Bolivia at the Uyuni salt flats and in Germany. Benaroya committed to the project shortly after working with Herzog on Queen Of The Desert.

XLrator Media’s Barry Gordon and Lea Flome brokered the Salt And Fire deal with CAA and the distributor plans a spring 2017 theatrical release.

“In a career spanning six decades, Werner Herzog has dazzled and challenged audiences with his unique cinematic vision,” said Gordon. “We’re honoured to bring audiences his thought-provoking and very timely environmental thriller.”