The Weinstein Co. has snapped up US rights to John Curran's Tracks, the true-life adventure about Robyn Davidson's 2,700 km trek across the Australian outback in 1977.
Deadline.com's Mike Fleming first reported negotiations were being hammered out between Weinstein and US agency CAA, and The Hollywood Reporter confirmed the deal.
Starring Mia Wasikowska and Adam Driver and produced by Iain Canning and Emile Sherman, the film had its world premiere in competition at the Venice Film Festival, then played at the Telluride fest over the weekend.
"The response to this film out of Venice and Telluride was nothing short of astounding, and is well-deserved," said Harvey Weinstein. "We've had great experiences in the past working with Emile Sherman and Iain Canning, and are thrilled to be on board with such talent as John Curran, Mia Wasikowska and Adam Driver."
Weinstein, which released The Sapphires and the Sherman/Canning-produced The King's Speech in the US, would have been encouraged by the mostly glowing reviews in Variety, the Hollywood Reporter, Thompson on Hollywood and CineVue UK; The Guardian was a rare dissenting voice.
The London Daily Telegraph's Robbie Collin joined the chorus of approval, describing the film as "achingly beautiful… this is a simple and beautiful journey undertaken purely for its own sake, and approached in that spirit, Tracks will lead you to a place of quiet wonder."
Mike ÂFleming's colleague Pete Hammond observed, "After seeing the film I thought this fascinating adventure picture would have no trouble at all finding domestic distribution. If it did we should all get out of this business. It's that good. I don't think Weinstein will want to release in this crowded awards season and their plate is already full. Spring seems right to me."
Weinstein is planning a 2014 launch in the US. Transmission Films will release in Australia in March.