Editor

Gravitas Ventures, a Red Arrow Studios company, has acquired North American rights from Arclight Films, to distribute the heartwarming dramatic comedy ‘QUEEN BEES’. ‘QUEEN BEES stars Ellen Burstyn, James Caan, Ann-Margret, Jane Curtin, Christopher Lloyd, Loretta Devine, Elizabeth Mitchell, and French Stewart. The Astute Films production is directed by Michael Lembeck from a screenplay by Donald Martin and story by Harrison Powell. Gravitas Ventures will release ‘QUEEN BEES’ in theaters and at home on demand on June 11, 2021.

While her house undergoes repairs, fiercely independent senior Helen (Academy Award winner Ellen Burstyn) moves into a nearby retirement community ― just temporarily. Once behind the doors of Pine Grove Senior Community, she encounters lusty widows, cutthroat bridge tournaments and a hotbed of bullying “mean girls” the likes of which she hasn’t encountered since high school, all of which leaves her yearning for the solitude of home. But somewhere between flower arranging and water aerobics Helen discovers that it’s never too late to make new friends and perhaps even find a new love.

A heartwarming and humorous look at life’s second act, Queen Bees is inspired by the true story of producer Harrison Powell’s own grandmother’s second chance at love after moving into a retirement community as a widow. “As a witness to the joy that finding love at 80 can bring, we knew it was a film we wanted to make and the amazing cast really brought it to life,” said producer Dominique Telson.

“Queen Bees is a feast for the heart. The astounding performances of Ellen Burstyn, James Caan, and the rest of the star cast make us laugh and feel good. Michael did an extraordinary job in making this a film for all ages united by the universal topic of love. We trust this gem in the hands of our longtime valued friends at Gravitas Ventures and are certain that with them, this diamond will shine and bring joy to domestic audiences,” said Arclight Films’ Chairman Gary Hamilton.

“Michael’s film is the breath of fresh air audiences need right now, a hilarious and life-affirming story with excellent performances from an iconic cast. We look forward to presenting the film to North American audiences,” said Tony Piantedosi, Vice President of Acquisitions at Gravitas Ventures.

Queen Bees, previously known as At Last, is an Astute Films production with Harrison Powell, Dominique Telson, and Fred Bernstein producing. Executive producers are Richard L. Jackson and Claudine Marrotte.  

Gravitas Ventures’ Vice President of Acquisitions Tony Piantedosi negotiated the deal with Lina Marrone of Arclight Films.

ABOUT ASTUTE FILMS

Veteran film production executive Fred Bernstein launched Los Angeles-based, privately-funded motion picture financing and production company Astute Films, LLC with Rick Jackson in 2015. Bernstein, who previously headed production at Columbia Pictures, and the business and operations of Universal Pictures, created Astute Films with Jackson to facilitate the production of quality films that both entertain and matter. Dominique Telson a long time exec at Showtime Networks joined shortly thereafter to run development and production.

Astute Films is currently in post-production on Here Today starring Billy Crystal and Tiffany Haddish and Good Girl Jane which features Andie MacDowell and Patrick Gibson. Recent Astute Films releases include, The Best of Enemies starring Taraji P. Henson and Sam Rockwell, An Interview with God with David Strathairn and Brenton Twaites, and Premature, featuring Zora Howard and Joshua Boone.

About Gravitas Ventures

Gravitas  Ventures,  a  Red  Arrow  Studios  company,  is  a  leading  all  rights  distributor  of independent  feature  films  and  documentaries.  Founded  in  2006,  Gravitas  connects independent filmmakers and producers with distribution opportunities across the globe. Working  with  talented  directors  and  producers,  Gravitas  Ventures  has  distributed thousands of films into over a hundred million homes in North America - over one billion homes worldwide. Recent releases include Our Friend directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite, starring Casey Affleck, Dakota Johnson, and Jason Segel,Vanguard, directed by Stanley Tong and starring Jackie Chan, The Secret: Dare to Dream, directed by Andy Tennant and starring Katie Holmes; End of Sentence starring Logan Lerman and John Hawkes; Looks that Kill; Tread; Loopers: The Caddie’s Long Walk, narrated by Bill Murray; and Colin Hanks’ All Things Must Pass.  For more information, please visit www.gravitasventures.com, and follow @GravitasVOD on Twitter and @gravitasventures on Instagram.

About Red Arrow Studios

Red Arrow Studios is one of the world’s leading creators and distributors of entertainment content, comprised of an acclaimed network of international production companies and labels in seven territories; world-leading digital studio, Studio71, based in six countries; and global film and TV distributors Red Arrow Studios International and Gravitas Ventures. The group’s significant output includes scripted, non-scripted and formatted content and IP, from TV and film to short-form and branded content, made for an array of global networks and platforms. Red Arrow Studios is part of ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE, one of Europe's leading media groups. Redarrowstudios.com

About Arclight Films

For more information about Arclight Films, please visit: www.arclightfilms.com