Press Releases

NEW YORK (October 2, 2012) - Sony Pictures Classics announced today that they have acquired all North American rights to Rama Burshtein's directorial debut, FILL THE VOID. Written and directed by Burshtein, FILL THE VOID played in Venice and Toronto to enthusiastic audiences and will make its US debut at the New York Film Festival. The winner of 7 Ophir Awards including Best Picture, FILL THE VOID is produced by Assaf Amir, who previously worked with Sony Classics on BROKEN WINGS.

FILL THE VOID tells the story of a young Orthodox Hassidic girl, Shira, and her family as they are struck by tragedy when her older sister dies in childbirth, just when Shira is about to be married. When her sister's husband is pressured to remarry and her mother makes a shocking proposal, Shira is forced to choose between her heart's wish and her family duty.

"We're very happy to have Sony Classics represent our film in North America. Rama and I feel that this collaboration with Sony Classics is a big boost to our hope of exposing this special story of an Orthodox family in Tel Aviv to the American public," says Producer Assaf Amir and Director Rama Burshtein.

Sony Pictures Classics adds, "FILL THE VOID is insightful, human and touching on many levels. In crafting this fresh, personal story, Rama Burshtein has succeeded in creating a universal story that will connect in a big way with American audiences. We are also extremely happy to be working with Rama and to be back with our friends Assaf Amir from Norma Productions and Michael Weber from The Match Factory."

SPC negotiated the deal with THE MATCH FACTORY's Michael Weber.

ABOUT SONY PICTURES CLASSICSMichael Barker and Tom Bernard serve as co-presidents of Sony Pictures Classics—an autonomous division of Sony Pictures Entertainment they founded with Marcie Bloom in January 1992, which distributes, produces, and acquires independent films from around the world.

Barker and Bernard have released prestigious films that have won 29 Academy Awards® (25 of those at Sony Pictures Classics) and have garnered 127 Academy Award® nominations (101 at Sony Pictures Classics) including Best Picture nominations for MIDNIGHT IN PARIS, AN EDUCATION, CAPOTE, HOWARDS END, and CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON.

ABOUT SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENTSony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution; television production and distribution; home entertainment acquisition and distribution; a global channel network; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of entertainment in more than 142 countries. For additional information, go to http://www.sonypictures.com/.

Press Contact: Bebe Lerner (323) 822-4800Sheri Goldberg (646) 723-3800