Sony Pictures Classics has picked up the worldwide rights to Randall Park’s directorial debut film, “Shortcomings.”
The movie, which premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival in January, is based on Adrian Tomine’s 2007 graphic novel of the same name.
In a statement on Tuesday announcing the acquisition, Sony Pictures Classics praised “Shortcomings” for its relevance.
Its modern ideas about racial and sexual politics, its caustic humor, and authentic voice will resonate with today’s moviegoing audience. It will be our privilege to work with Randall and our friends at Topic Studios, Tango, Imminent Collision, Picture Films, and Roadside to bring this story to audiences everywhere.
“Shortcomings” follows the story of struggling filmmaker Ben (Justin H. Min), who begins to reconsider what he wants in life after his girlfriend, Miko (Ally Maki), moves to New York for an internship.
Sherry Cola plays Alice, Ben’s queer best friend with a serial dating habit.
Commenting on the deal with Sony Pictures Classics, Park, 48, said he was honored to be a “part of their rich legacy of independent filmmaking.”
“Thank you to Michael [Barker] and Tom [Bernard] for embracing our story about flawed, complex human beings, who happen to be Asian American, just trying their best. Please do not change your logo anytime soon,” he added.
Hieu Ho, Park and Michael Golamco served as the film’s producers under their production company Imminent Collision.
Tomine, an Eisner-winning cartoonist and a frequent contributor to The New Yorker, penned the script and served as an executive producer.
Other cast members include Tavi Gevinson, Debby Ryan, Sonoya Mizuno, Timothy Simons and Jacob Batalon of the “Spider-Man” films.
