Juno Films, the boutique distributor and world sales agent, has acquired Worldwide rights (excluding Australia/NZ) to Josie Hess and Isabel Peppard’s feature-length documentary film, Morgana. The announcement comes as the film enjoys a critically acclaimed North American launch during Fantasia Festival in Montreal (screening digitally Aug 20 - Sept 2), with a Rotten Tomatoes score of 100.
After 20 years as a dutiful housewife stuck in a loveless, sexless marriage, Morgana has had enough of her dreary life. Desperately lonely and starved of intimacy, she books a male escort for one last hurrah before ending it all.
Her final night takes an unexpected turn when her relationship with the escort opens up a new world of personal and sexual freedom. Instead of killing herself, Morgana makes an award-winning porn film about their date, moves from suburban Australia to Berlin, and becomes a celebrated feminist porn director and star.
Filmed over five years, chronicling Morgana’s journey from repressed housewife to international “sex-positive at any age” icon, and her struggles with self-acceptance and mental health, the inspiring and uplifting film takes the audience on a wild ride that is both intimate and universal.
The 71-minute feature documentary film had its world premiere in its home country at the Melbourne International Film Festival. It combines intimate interview and verite footage with Morgana Muses, handmade miniature elements, animation, archival footage, and Morgana’s own erotica films.
Morgana is produced by Karina Astrup of House of Gary. It is the first feature length film from directors Hess and Peppard.
The deal was negotiated between Elizabeth Sheldon, Juno’s CEO and co-founder, and Producer Karina Astrup, on behalf of the filmmakers. Release plans will be announced at a later date.
Directors - Isabel Peppard and Josie Hess:
"We set out to make this film because we had never seen a character like Morgana before. A woman reclaiming her sexual identity in a very public and radical way at an age where many women start to feel invisible. So many of the themes spoke strongly to us, the human need for intimacy and touch, the search for community and belonging, the acceptance of body and self, and the redemptive power of creativity and art. We are really grateful to be able to bring Morgana's story to a wider audience through Juno Films. It's incredibly exciting to be part of a team that is willing to champion age-positive, sex-positive representation in cinema."
Juno Films is thrilled to announce the launch of JUNO FILMS @ HOME to all of our theatrical partners. We know that many in our art house community are struggling during these challenging times to keep their doors open and provide critically acclaimed content to your patrons. We are here to make it easy and profitable.
Drop us a note if you would like to learn more.
We sincerely hope everyone remains safe and we look forward to seeing you at the theater when we return.
Lydia Dean Pilcher and Ginny Mohler’s feature Radium Girls has been snapped up by Juno Films, which is taking all North American rights and English-speaking territories. The pic, which made its world premiere at the 2018 Tribeca Film Festival, will open April 3 at the Quad Cinema in New York followed by a national rollout.
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