Magnet Releasing, the genre label of Magnolia Pictures, has acquired the North American rights to the Korean horror film Chawz.  Directed by Jeong-won Shin, Chawz says "thanks, but no thanks" to your typical movie killers (masked sociopaths, killer sharks, pre-historic piranha, etc.) electing instead to go with a "giant, vicious pig who terrorizes an idyllic countryside."  I was already interested upon learning about Magnet's involvement as they have released some really great films of late (Timecrimes, Let the Right One In, and The House of the Devil come to mind).  That said, when you throw in a hook like "giant, vicious pig" you really leave me with no choice but to see the film.

To check out the full press release from the acquisition, hit the jump.  Also, for future reference, remember to implement the "buddy system" when wandering around idyllic countrysides.

Here's the press release:

Magnet Releasing Takes North American Rights to Killer Pig Flick CHAWZ

New York - September 14, 2010 - The Wagner Cuban Company's Magnet Releasing, genre arm of Magnolia Pictures, announced today that it has acquired North American rights to CHAWZ, a wild and funny Korean monster movie about a giant, vicious pig terrorizing an idyllic countryside. Directed by Jeong-won Shin, CHAWZ is an affectionate tribute to classing monster movies that boasts fantastically gory special effects of the porcine beast attacking innocent tourists looking to pick organic vegetables.

"If JAWS was looking to branch out to dry land, without a doubt he'd want to be CHAWZ," said Magnet SVP Tom Quinn. "Another worthy addition to the Korean monster hall of fame and the Magnet Releasing library."

Youngjoo Suh, CEO of Finecut comments, "I'm delighted to work again with Magnolia who did a brilliant job for the distribution of THE HOST. We very much look forward to our collaboration through CHAWZ."

The North American deal was negotiated by Magnet's Quinn and Peter Van Steemberg with Youngjoo Suh and Luna Kim from Finecut.

About Magnet Releasing

Magnet is the genre arm of Magnolia Pictures, specializing in films from the vanguard of horror, action, comedy and Asian cinema, and is home to such films as Tomas Alfredson's Let the Right One In, Neil Marshall's sword and sandals bloodbath Centurion, John Woo's historical epic Red Cliff, Ty West's terrifying The House of the Devil, Tony Jaa's Ong Bak trilogy, Nicholas Winding Refn's Bronson, the Spanish horror film [Rec]2, and George A. Romero's Survival of the Dead.

Coming soon is Gareth Edwards' highly anticipated sci-fi masterpiece Monsters, coming to theaters in October, and Quentin Dupieux's Rubber, featuring a killer tire on a murder spree. Magnolia Pictures is the theatrical and home entertainment distribution arm of the Wagner/Cuban Companies, a vertically integrated group of media properties co-owned by Todd Wagner and Mark Cuban that also include the Landmark Theatres chain, the production company 2929 Productions, and high-definition cable network HDNet.

chawz_image