Honesty the Best Policy: The Orchard Moves in with “Rainbow Time”

Get them to sign on the line that is dotted, and then get them to sign again. After inking a seven pic deal, the Duplass Bros are once again in The Orchard business. Deadline reports that distrib are still in SXSW shopping mode, adding Linas Phillips’ sophomore fiction film to the recently picked up Donald Cried. Grabbing worldwide theatrical and ancillary distribution rights, look for Rainbow Time to get added to more indie film fests beforehand.

Gist: This is about a mentally challenged 40-year-old man named Shonzi (Phillips) who is sent to live with his brother Todd (Timm Sharp). When Shonzi develops a crush on Todd’s new girlfriend Lindsay (Melanie Lynskey), he threatens to reveal past secrets that could ultimately tear the couple apart.

Worth Noting: Phillips’ first film item was Walking to Werner (Linas Phillips pays tribute to Werner Herzog in his pledge to walk from Seattle, Washington to Herzog’s Los Angeles home) and his first fiction film (Bass Ackwards) was included in the inaugural year for Sundance’s NEXT section.

Do We Care?: Part of the Duplass family for almost a decade now, THR calls this one “a provocative but weirdly sensitive and endearing dramedy.” We’re thinking this is a significant improvement over his debut.