BURBANK, Calif. (Reuters) - The Walt Disney Co. (NYSE:DIS - news) has
picked up U.S. distribution rights to the latest film by David Lynch,
director of such cult hits as "Blue Velvet,'' "Wild at Heart'' and
"Eraserhead," Disney announced Friday.
"The Straight Story," starring Richard Farnsworth, Sissy Spacek and
Harry Dean Stanton, will be released by Disney's Buena Vista banner in
the United States at a date yet to be announced.
Walt Disney Pictures will release the film in Scandanavia and Australia.
French distributor Canal Plus, which co-produced the film, has all other
distribution rights.
The movie already is scheduled to make its world premiere at the
upcoming Cannes Film Festival, where it will be screened in competition.
Based on true-life events, "The Straight Story" follows the six-week
journey of 73-year-old Alvin Straight (Farnsworth) as he travels from
Iowa to Wisconsin for a reunion with his estranged and seriously ill
elder brother.
Starting out on his riding mower and with little money, Straight finds
unexpected adventures in his Midwestern sojourn and has a profound
impact on the cast of characters he meets.
Lynch's other film credits include "The Elephant Man," "Dune,"
"Lost Highway" and "Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me." He also directed
the "Twin Peaks" television series.
