Alcon acquires Chilean miner drama ‘The 33’ for fall release

Alcon Entertainment has unearthed “The 33,” acquiring North American and the majority of international distribution rights for the Chilean survival drama, the company announced Tuesday.

Warner Bros. will release the film domestically on Nov. 13 via its output deal with Alcon.

Directed by Patricia Riggen (“Girl in Progress,” “Under the Same Moon”), the English-language film is based on the true story of 33 miners who were trapped nearly half a mile underground when Chile’s San Jose mine collapsed on them in 2010. Enduring sweltering heat, darkness and confinement, the miners captured international attention and were finally rescued after 69 days underground.

“The 33’s” ensemble cast includes Antonio Banderas, Juliette Binoche, Mario Casas, Lou Diamond Phillips, Rodrigo Santoro and Gabriel Byrne.

Producer Mike Medavoy developed the film in cooperation with the miners, their families and rescuers. The script is by Mikko Alanne, Craig Borten and Michael Thomas, based on a screen story by Jose Rivera and the book “Deep Down Dark,” by former Los Angeles Times journalist Hector Tobar.

In a statement, Alcon co-chiefs Broderick Johnson and Andrew Kosove said: “We don’t acquire many films, but we’re particularly excited to bring this incredible true story of perseverance and the strength of the human spirit to audiences around the world.”

On its Nov. 13 date, “The 33” is currently scheduled to open against Paramount’s horror movie “Rings” and Open Road’s comedy-drama “Rock the Kasbah.”

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