Fortissimo Films has acquired worldwide rights toJames Crump's documentary feature Black White + Gray: A Portrait Of Sam Wagstaff & Robert Mapplethorpe.

The film, which premieredat Tribeca and opened theatrically in New York to critical acclaim,chronicles the unlikely friendship between art collector and curator Wagstaff and controversial photographer Mapplethorpe.

Their story brings in iconic figures such as Andy Warhol, PattiSmith andTruman Capote.

The deal was negotiated by Fortissimo Films co-chairmen Michael J. Werner and Wouter Barendrecht; Winnie Lau, Fortissimo's senior vice president of Sales & Acquisitions; and Stanley Buchthal of LM Media and David Koh of Arthouse Films.

The film was executive produced by Stanley Buchthal, Maja Hoffman, and David Koh.

Madman Entertainment recently acquired rights for Australia and New Zealand, Sundance Channel acquired rights for US television.

Arthouse Films will handle domestic theatrical and home video/DVD distribution in collaboration with Red Envelope Entertainment.

This documentary represents a continuing relationship with Fortissimo currently handling international sales on LM Media's Berlin directed by Julian Schnabel.

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