Founder Brian O’Shea has acquired international sales rights to acclaimed thriller starring Brit Marling as the leader of a cult and will screen the film on the Croisette.

The film is in US release through Fox Searchlight, which picked up English-speaking territories a little over a year ago following the film’s world premiere at Sundance.

Searchlight plans an expansion in the coming weeks for the story about a young couple in Los Angeles who attempt to infiltrate a cult and expose its leader as a charlatan.

Marling was hailed as one of the discoveries of the festival in Park City for her breakout performances in Sound Of My Voice and Another Earth and co-wrote the script with director Zal Batmanglij. Hans C Ritter produced with Shelley Surpin and Marling. 

“The Exchange is thrilled to have acquired the Sound Of My Voice for Cannes,” O’Shea said. “The film is a thought provoking independent thriller and the dynamic writing team, director, Zal Batmanglij and lead actress, Brit Marling, have created a spellbinding atmosphere that will surely capture an international audience.”

Laura Ivey negotiated the deal for The Exchange with Shelley Surpin and UTA’s David Flynn and on behalf of the filmmakers.