Kino Lorber Acquires ‘Atonement,’ an Iraq War Drama with Hiam Abbass and Kenneth Branagh

Kino Lorber has acquired the North American distribution rights to Reed Van Dyk’s Iraq War drama Atonement, according to Deadline. The film, which stars Hiam Abbass, Boyd Holbrook, and Kenneth Branagh, is set for a theatrical release this fall.

The acquisition, negotiated by Kino Lorber VP of Acquisitions Karoliina Dwyer, follows the film’s debut in the Quinzaine competition at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. Based on a New Yorker article by Dexter Filkins, the film is inspired by true events from the early days of the Iraq War. It follows a U.S. Marine who, years after a devastating firefight, seeks reconciliation with an Iraqi family with the aid of a journalist.

What is the film about?

Atonement is an intimate war film that moves beyond combat to explore themes of guilt and forgiveness. The story begins with a Marine's split-second decision during a firefight that tragically impacts an Iraqi family. Years later, he returns, aided by a New Yorker journalist, to seek atonement from the woman and her family who survived.

In a statement, Lisa Schwartz, Chief Distribution & Revenue Officer at Kino Lorber, praised the film. “I’ve never seen a war film like Atonement,” she said. “From its visceral, heart-stopping opening scenes to its unexpected and poignant conclusion, Reed Van Dyk’s exceptional debut feature stayed with me for days after I first saw it at Cannes. Held together by an exquisite, shattering performance by Hiam Abbass, the film moves beyond traditional war narratives to ask the harder question of what it takes to truly forgive.”

Who is behind the film?

Atonement marks the feature directorial debut of Reed Van Dyk, who also wrote the screenplay. Speaking with Deadline at Cannes, Van Dyk explained his connection to the source material. “I was just a New Yorker reader and found myself crying through this non-fiction piece,” he said. “I don’t know that I was able to articulate then what was so touching to me about it. But I did feel this pull to make it.”

The film is a production of Star Thrower Entertainment, Redline Entertainment, and Talon Entertainment.

Kino Lorber will release Atonement in North American theaters this fall.