Carlos to be released in two versions

We’ll be given the choice between two different versions of Oliver Assayas’ film Carlos this Fall — as a 6-hour mini-series on the Sundance Channel in October, or later this year in a theatrical cut released by IFC on the big screen.

Sundance Channel and IFC Films announced plans today for a multi-platform release of the highly anticipated film, CARLOS. The five-and-a-half-hour epic is the definitive portrait of the renowned international terrorist known as Carlos the Jackal, who masterminded a wave of terror attacks in Europe and the Middle East in the ‘70s and ‘80s. Produced by Studio Canal in association with Sundance Channel, the film is Sundance Channel’s first original scripted project and is scheduled to premiere on the network as a three-part mini-series in October. Following the Sundance Channel premiere, IFC Films, one of the leading American distributors of independent and foreign films, will distribute both the extended, three-part version of the film as well as a theatrical version nationally in theaters, with the theatrical version available nationally on video-on-demand. Sundance Channel and IFC Films are owned and operated by Rainbow Media.

Directed by acclaimed French filmmaker Olivier Assayas (SUMMER HOURS), the film stars Edgar Ramirez (CHE) in the title role. CARLOS was chosen for the Official Selection at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival and will screen Wednesday, May 19 at 12pm at the Grand Théâtre Lumière.

“Every so often a project like CARLOS comes along that presents a one-of-a-kind opportunity to do something different that will maximize its potential and its exposure,” said Sarah Barnett, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Sundance Channel. “CARLOS is a thrilling adventure, the type of provocative, adventurous fare our viewers crave. We’re excited to partner with our colleagues at IFC Films to make this exceptional film available through an unprecedented multi-platform offering.”

“We’re looking forward to working with our sister company Sundance Channel on the multi-platform release of CARLOS. IFC Films pioneered the day and date VOD model, and we pride ourselves on releasing films in unique ways which will expand the audience for each project,” said Jonathan Sehring, President, IFC Entertainment. “We’re excited to continue our ongoing relationship with Studio Canal and are happy to be working with Olivier once again. His last film, Summer Hours, was such a success for us and we’re excited to bring his newest work to audiences on multiple platforms.”

His name is Ilich Ramirez Sanchez, but everybody calls him Carlos. For two decades, he was the most wanted terrorist on earth. Manipulated by Arab secret services, protected by the Eastern Bloc, in various disguises and under many pseudonyms, he headed a worldwide organization responsible for spectacular killings, hijackings and bombings.

CARLOS examines the life of this infamous criminal, who was alternately seen as a hero, playboy and revolutionary or a villainous assassin. Starring Venezuelan actor Edgar Ramirez (CHE, DOMINO) in the lead role, CARLOS includes a sweeping cast of international talent from France, Germany, Japan and the Middle East, and was shot in various countries including Austria, France, Germany, Hungary, Lebanon and Morocco.

Assayas’ 2009 box-office success SUMMER HOURS won the award for Best Foreign Film from the National Society of Film Critics, New York Film Critics Circle, Los Angeles Film Critics Association and the Boston Society of Film Critics.