PBS to bring Abacus to theaters nationwide from May 19

 

Abacus: Small Enough to Jail by acclaimed director Steve James will be theatrically released beginning May 19 at the IFC Center in New York City before spreading nationwide.

PBS Distribution has acquired the North American distribution rights to Abacus and has planned a robust spring festival campaign leading into the theatrical release of the film, including the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival where Abacus is the Opening Night Film tonight, April 6, at 7:30PM.

See a full list of upcoming festival and theatrical dates at www.abacusmovie.com/events.

"It's a true honor to work with Steve James and the teams at Kartemquin Films, Motto Pictures and Mitten Media to bring Abacus to a larger audience," said Erin Owens, Head of Theatrical Distribution for PBS Distribution. "The Sungs' story is one of resilience and perseverance. Their determination to stand up for an entire immigrant community is both admirable and inspiring."

"We are thrilled to be partnering with PBS Distribution on the theatrical release of Abacus. We have a long history with public television and can think of no better home for this vitally important but, until now, untold story of the 2008 mortgage crisis," said Steve James.

During the month of April, Abacus is slated to play 18 festivals:

  • Cleveland International Film Festival (Steve James honored with Director's Spotlight Award)
    Freep Film Festival
    Wisconsin Film Festival
    Sarasota Film Festival
    Hawaii International Film Festival Spring Showcase
    Full Frame Documentary Film Festival (Opening Night Film)
    Ashland Independent Film Festival
    RiverRun International Film Festival
    Dallas International Film Festival
    Hong Kong International Film Festival (Asian Premiere)
    Nashville Film Festival
    Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival
    Louisiana Film Festival
    San Diego Asian Film Festival Spring Showcase
    It's All True International Documentary Film Festival
    Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival
    Montclair Film Festival
    Independent Film Festival of Boston

Confirmed theatrical engagements are:

  • 5/19: IFC Center - New York (theatrical run)
    6/2: Hot Docs Cinema - Toronto (theatrical run)
    6/2: Nuart - Los Angeles (theatrical run)
    6/9: Landmark - San Francisco (theatrical run)
    6/9: Shattuck - Berkeley (theatrical run)
    6/9: Austin Film Society - presented by Austin Asian American Film Festival - Austin, TX
    6/10: Austin Film Society
    6/11: Austin Film Society
    6/14: Ritz Bourse - Philly (theatrical run)
    6/16: Gene Siskel Film Center - Chicago (theatrical run)
    6/16: Utah Film Center
    6/20: Gateway Film Center - Columbus (theatrical run)
    6/23: E-Street - Washington DC (theatrical run)
    6/23: Nightlight Cinema - Akron

Abacus tells the incredible saga of the Chinese immigrant Sung family, owners of Abacus Federal Savings of Chinatown, New York. Accused of mortgage fraud by Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., Abacus becomes the only US bank to face criminal charges in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. The indictment and subsequent trial forces the Sung family to defend themselves–and their bank's legacy in the Chinatown community–over the course of a five-year legal battle.

To stay up to date on all things Abacus and find out when it's screening near you, you can follow the film on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

 

Julia Martin