Katy Chevigny's The Easy Kind Secures Oscar-Qualifying Release with Persimmon Pictures
Katy Chevigny's narrative feature debut "The Easy Kind" has been acquired by Persimmon Pictures and will launch with an Oscar-qualifying theatrical run at the IFC Center beginning June 3, ahead of a wider rollout and August digital release.
The film stars renegade country singer Elizabeth Cook as a fictionalized version of herself, portraying an artist navigating midlife while contending with an industry that has never fully embraced her. Cook also contributes an original song, "The Easy Kind," which will be campaigned for best original song at next year's Academy Awards.
Following its premiere at the Telluride Film Festival, the film was acquired by Persimmon in a deal negotiated by Mackenzie Maguire on behalf of the distributor and Ryan Kampe for Visit Films. Select screenings during its New York run will include Q&As with special guests.
Chevigny, an Emmy-winning documentarian, drew inspiration from Cook after seeing her perform during a Nashville residency in 2016. As the official synopsis states, the film will see Cook "breaking new ground musically - even if the powers that be can't see how to monetize her hard-scrabble talent. As she frees herself from the trappings that have held her back - money troubles, family tragedies, and ex-lovers - she forges a path for herself to be able to make music on her own terms."
The supporting cast includes Susie Essman, David Letterman, Karen Allen, Charles Esten, Melissa Jackson and Catherine Curtin.
"The Easy Kind" marks Chevigny's first narrative feature after a prolific documentary career that includes Emmy-winning work on "Home" for A24 and Apple TV+.
