Focus Features Picks up Zombie Comedy JUAN OF THE DEAD for U.S. Release

The Cuban zombie comedy Juan of the Dead played at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival and now it has been picked up for a North American release by Focus Features’ new digital distribution arm, Focus World.  The eponymous character is 40-year-old slacker who makes zombie lemonade out of zombie lemons when a zombie outbreak hits Cuba and he’s able to make some scratch by slaying families’ fresh undead.  Some critics have seen it as a political allegory, but director Alejandro Brugues says its commentary on Cuba is how its citizens manage to find a way to deal with poverty.

According to Variety, Focus World plans to release premieres titles across video-on-demand and electronic sell-thru platforms, including cable/satellite providers, iTunes, Xbox 360, Playstation and YouTube.  However, Juan won’t go directly to digital distribution.  The movie will play U.S. festivals, and begin a theatrical run in April from a separate distributor.  I’ve heard it’s a fun, interesting flick, and I look forward to see it in the near future.