Tribeca Film Aquires American Rights to How to Make Money Selling Drugs

Tribeca Film has announced it acquired the American rights to the upcoming Bert Marcus Productions’ documentary ‘How to Make Money Selling Drugs.’ Through authentic reportage and pop culture references, the film offers an in-depth look at the high-stakes world of drug dealing and drug enforcement. ‘How to Make Money Selling Drugs’ offers a glimpse into the lives of those on both sides of the war on drugs. The film includes diverse perspectives on the controversial subject through interviews with such celebrities as 50 Cent, ‘The Wire’ producer David Simon, Arianna Huffington, Woody Harrelson, Eminem and Susan Sarandon. The documentary also presents a shockingly candid examination of how a street dealer can become a cartel lord with relative ease, and how public policy and government drug enforcement have struggled to effectively deter Americans from dealing drugs. Top‐ranking government officials, from such organizations as the U.S. Drug Czar and the Drug Enforcement Agency, also provided unique and honest viewpoints on the global topic. Filmmaker Matthew Cooke helmed ‘How to Make Money Selling Drugs,’ which marks his film directorial debut. The documentary, which had its world premiere at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival, reunites the team that created the breakout hit ‘Teenage Paparazzo,’ producers Bert Marcus of Bert Marcus Productions and Adrian Grenier Tribeca Film will theatrically release ‘How to Make Money Selling Drugs’ in 2013, and is also planning on a VOD distribution through a variety of video-on-demand offerings. The independent film distribution label will also release the documentary o iTunes, Amazon Watch Instantly, VUDU and Xbox. Of Tribeca Film acquiring the rights to ‘How to Make Money Selling Drugs,’ Cooke said it’s a dream come true. He added the timing couldn’t be better. “Today America consumes a majority of the marijuana and 40% of the world’s cocaine while simultaneously incarcerating more of its citizens than any country in the history of the world. We hope to encourage a national conversation on one of the worst public policy failures of the last 50 years. And do so in a way that’s engaging, entertaining and inspiring,” he said. Marcus, the Chief Executive Officer of Bert Marcus Productions, said his independent film company is thrilled to be working with Tribeca Film. “Given the history of Tribeca Film as an industry pioneer with an esteemed track record of connecting audiences to unique, thought-provoking work, we cannot think of a better home for our documentary that seeks to enlighten and entertain audiences about the complexities of the ‘war on drugs,’” he added.