Independent checks into The Motel Life

UK sales outfit Independent has taken international rights to Rome Film Festival competition title The Motel Life, starring Emile Hirsch, Stephen Dorff and Dakota Fanning.

Directed and produced by first-time filmmakers Alan Polsky and Gabe Polsky, and based on the novel by Willy Vlautin, the drama charts the story of two brothers living on the fringes of Reno, Nevada, whose relationship is tested when one of them becomes involved in a fatal hit-and-run accident. Ann Ruark also produced.

The Motel Life, which also features music by Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Townes Van Zandt, The Kills, Radio Moscow, Justin Townes Earle and Marty Stuart, gets its world premiere in Rome on Friday [November 16]. Cinetic Media handles North America.

Polsky and Gabe Polsky previously produced Werner Herzog’s Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans, documentary His Way, about Jerry Weintraub, and 2011 drama Little Birds, starring Juno Temple, Kay Panabaker, Kate Bosworth and Leslie Mann.

Andrew Orr commented: “We are delighted to be working with Alan and Gabe Polsky on this beautiful picture and bringing The Motel Life to the Rome Film Festival. The film contains great performances from Stephen Dorff and Emile Hirsch which we think will blow people away.”

Independent is also selling Roman Coppola’s Rome competition entry A Glimpse Inside The Mind of Charles Swan III staring Charlie Sheen, Bill Murray, Jason Schwartzman, and Patricia Arquette.