EXCLUSIVE: Menemsha Films announced today they will be releasing the ensemble comedy film Bad Shabbos in New York City on May 23 with an expansion to LA, NY metro area and additional markets on June 6.
The pic directed by Daniel Robbins (Citizen Weiner) follows David (Jon Bass) and his fiancée Meg (Meghan Leathers) who are about to have their parents meet for the first time over a Shabbat dinner when an accidental death (or murder?) gets in the way. With Meg’s Catholic parents due any moment, this family dinner soon spirals into a hilarious disaster. Sedgwick and Smith, the matriarch and doorman/family friend, respectively, lead a hilarious ensemble that puts a modern stamp on a story that explores interfaith relationships and family dynamics.
Pic stars Kyra Sedgwick, Cliff “Method Man” Smith, Jon Bass, Milana Vayntrub, David Paymer, Meghan Leathers, Theo Taplitz, Ashley Zukerman, Catherine Curtin, and John Bedford Lloyd.
Bad Shabbos won the Audience Award at numerous festivals including Tribeca Festival 2024, and also played the Hamptons International Film Festival.
“The many screenings I have participated in so far have had wall-to-wall laughter and we’re grateful Menemsha believes in the theatrical experience and is bringing it to so many communities” says Robbins.
Menemsha Films Neil Friedman adds “‘Bad Shabbos is a one-of-a-kind motion picture. There is non-stop laughter from audiences from beginning to end. It has been too long since we have had a film this entertaining, and it cannot come at a better time for audiences nationwide.”
Menemsha initially released the film in Delray Beach, Florida, where it ran for 17 weeks. During its run, it consistently outperformed several Oscar Best Picture nominees, drew numerous repeat viewers, and earned over $110K at a single theater. Following its strong showing, the film expanded to Scottsdale, Arizona.
Menemsha Films negotiated the deal for U.S. rights with UTA Independent Film Group on behalf of the filmmakers.
Robbins and Zack Weiner co-wrote, Adam Mitchell produced; Ross Saxon, Irina Dashevsky, Riccardo Maddalosso, Derek Rubin are EPs with Joaquin Acrich co-EP.
