UPDATE:

Bleecker Street has announced it will release DENIAL on Friday, September 30, 2016.

DENIAL, based on the acclaimed book History on Trial: My Day in Court with a Holocaust Denier , recounts Deborah E. Lipstadt’s (Academy Award-winner Rachel Weisz) legal battle for historical truth against David Irving (Timothy Spall), who accused her of libel when she declared him a Holocaust denier. The film also stars Academy Award nominee Tom Wilkinson and was directed by Emmy Winner Mick Jackson (“Temple Grandin") and adapted for the screen by Academy Award nominee David Hare (THE READER). Producers are Gary Foster and Russ Krasnoff. Participant Media’s Jeff Skoll and Jonathan King, BBC Films’ Christine Langan and Joe Oppenheimer, Bleecker Street’s Andrew Karpen, and Shoebox Films Guy Heeley are Executive Producers.

Previously announced:

Bleecker Street announced it has acquired North American rights to Mick Jackson’s film, DENIAL, based on the Deborah E. Lipstadt’s acclaimed book History on Trial: My Day in Court with a Holocaust Denier. Academy Award® winner Rachel Weisz (THE DEEP BLUE SEA, THE CONSTANT GARDENER) will star alongside two-time Academy Award® nominee Tom Wilkinson (MICHAEL CLAYTON, SELMA) and Cannes Award winning Timothy Spall (MR. TURNER, HARRY POTTER).

Adapted for the screen by BAFTA and Academy Award® nominated writer David Hare (THE READER, THE HOURS), the book recounts Lipstadt’s legal battle for historical truth against David Irving, who accused her of libel when she declared him a Holocaust denier. In the English legal system, the burden of proof is on the accused; therefore it was up to Lipstadt and her legal team to prove the essential truth that the Holocaust happened.

The film will be directed by Emmy Award® winner Mick Jackson (“Temple Grandin,” THE BODYGUARD) and produced by Gary Foster and Russ Krasnoff under Krasnoff/Foster Entertainment (THE SOLOIST) alongside Shoebox Films. Participant Media developed the project with BBC Films, and they are co-financing as well. Cornerstone Films is handling international sales and distribution.

“Mick Jackson’s film will recount this incredible, unbelievable story of two people pitted against each other in a battle over truth, history and integrity,” said Andrew Karpen, CEO of Bleecker Street. “With David Hare’s exhilarating script combined with Rachel Weisz and Tom Wilkinson leading the cast, I’m so proud to be bringing this film to audiences next year.”

Producers Gary Foster and Russ Krasnoff said, “We have found the perfect partner to bring this important and exceptional story to American audiences with Andrew and Bleecker Street. It’s an awesome responsibility to join Deborah in the defense of truth and history which continues to shape our world. It could only be achieved with a top class cast and we feel fortunate to have Rachel, Tom and Tim headlining this stellar cast with their talent and passion.”

“Deborah Lipstadt teaches history, but her own story is about what is happening right now all around us. DENIAL shows how one person can make a difference in the world by standing up for what is right,” said Jonathan King, EVP Narrative Film, Participant Media.

The deal was negotiated for Bleecker Street CEO Andrew Karpen and Avy Eschenasy, with Jonathan King and Gabe Brakin for Participant Media.