Neon Lands ‘How to Blow Up a Pipeline’ After Toronto Debut

Neon has officially acquired the rights to How to blow up a pipeline, a new Heist thriller by Daniel Goldhaber. The film recently premiered as part of the Platforms section of the Toronto International Film Festival, which aims to nurture new actors, directors and film talent. Some sources report that Neon’s purchase of the film rights marks Toronto’s first major acquisition.

Originally based on the book of the same name by Swedish author Andreas Malm, How to blow up a pipeline is described by Variety as “part high-stakes heist, part radical exploration of direct action as climate activism.” The film adaptation of the novel follows a group of young environmentalists who are driven to extreme measures by the rising threat of environmental disasters and hatch a daring plan to blow up an oil pipeline. The cast includes Runaway star Ariela Barer and euphoria Star Lukas Gage alongside Kristine Froseth (Prey)Forrest Goodluck (The Revenant)Jayme Lawson (The Woman King), and Marcus Scribner (black)among other.

How to blow up a pipeline is the latest work from director Daniel Goldhaber, formerly a writer/director for 50 stages of terror (2020), cam (2018), Bad kid (2013) and The summer (2012).

“How to Blow Up a Pipeline” after the Toronto Film Festival

How to blow up a pipeline was one of many upcoming films to debut at the 2022 Toronto Film Festival; notably on its platforms program, unveiled in 2015 to encourage and support emerging films and their creators. However, Neon’s takeover of the film probably comes as a surprise to the film world, as the Toronto film market has moved at an “icy pace” according to Variety; The main deal prior to Neon’s new deal was reportedly to take over Focus Features The Leftovers by Alexander Payne.

Neon is also no stranger to big-name acquisitions, having garnered 18 Academy Awards nominations and winning five of them. Some of her previous films include A portrait of a lady on fire (2019), titanium (2021) and pleasure (2022). Apart from How to blow up a pipelineNeon reportedly has four films debuting in Toronto, including the documentary Laura Poitras All the beauty and the bloodsheda David Bowie biopic called moontime daydream, Ruben Olstlunds triangle of sadness, and Hirokazu Kore-edas Estate agents.

Regarding the new deal with Neon, How to blow up a pipeline Creators Goldhaber, Barer, Jordan Sjol and Daniel Garber released a joint statement telling Deadline:

“When we started working on this film, Neon was a dream distributor. They have done such an incredible job supporting films that are at the forefront of cinema and are always thinking of new, unconventional ways to connect audiences and films. We are so fortunate to have found a partner who is so passionate about this project and we couldn’t be more excited to be working with them How to blow up a pipeline to theaters across America.”

How to blow up a pipeline was written, financed and produced by Lyrical Media and Spacemaker in seven months. Although Neon has reportedly planned a theatrical release for the film, no release date has yet been announced.