How ‘The Activist’ Neo-Noir Thriller Sold to HBO Max

Alief’s queer neo-noir ‘The Activist,’ directed by Romas Zabarauskas, has secured significant distribution deals across North America, the Baltics, and numerous other territories. This milestone arrangement, sealed by the genre-bending Alief sales outfit, positions the film for widespread international exposure ahead of its highly anticipated international premiere at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF)’s Baltic competition.

A Neo-Noir Narrative with a Queer Edge

‘The Activist’ delves into a compelling narrative centered on Andrius, a young man who infiltrates a radical neo-Nazi group. His perilous mission: to uncover the killer of his LGBT+ activist boyfriend. The film artfully blends the stylistic elements of neo-noir with a distinct queer perspective, offering a politically charged drama that explores themes of justice, identity, and retribution.

This film is the latest installment in director Romas Zabarauskas’s trilogy, following ‘The Lawyer’ and ‘The Writer’ (2023). Each film in the series examines queer relationships against a complex political backdrop, demonstrating Zabarauskas’s commitment to exploring nuanced societal issues through an LGBTQ+ lens.

Widespread Distribution Paves Way for Global Reach

The extensive distribution deals brokered by Alief’s president Brett Walker and partner Miguel Govea underscore the film’s global appeal. TLA Releasing has acquired the rights for the U.S. and Canada, expanding its prior collaboration with Zabarauskas, having distributed his earlier works like ‘You Can’t Escape’ and ‘The Lawyer.’

For the Baltics, the rights have been secured by WBD International Content LLC for HBO Max, ensuring significant reach in that region. French-speaking territories will see the film distributed by Optimale.

Further broadening its footprint, OUtv, a prominent LGBTQ+ specialized channel and platform that operates brands such as Cinemien, Pro-Fun, and Tongarino Releasing, has acquired rights for a vast array of territories. These include the U.K., Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Denmark, Finland, Greenland, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Israel, Central and Eastern Europe, German-speaking countries, and Latin America.

Adam Silver of TLA Releasing expressed enthusiasm, stating, “It’s wonderful to be working with Romas again on such an accomplished and important project, and we can’t wait for our audiences to experience this major work in 2026.” Miguel Govea of Alief added, “Romas’s ‘The Activist’ reflects the changing world we are living in, one filled with hope, and our right to push back.”

The Vision Behind ‘The Activist’

Director Romas Zabarauskas has often challenged cinematic conventions, and ‘The Activist’ is no exception. He views the film as a “drama-driven detective with a touch of reverse ‘Cruising,’” referencing the 1980 Al Pacino film in its infiltration plot and its provocative intent.

Zabarauskas emphasized his aim to elevate queer characters, allowing them to shine as “true stars, from heroes to noir-coded villains.” He noted his career has consistently pushed boundaries, both in Lithuania, where some audiences may find his work confronting, and in Western arthouse circles. “My stubbornness to do whatever I want opened other doors,” Zabarauskas remarked, expressing his hope that the film might “offend, across the political spectrum” with its fifth feature.

Festival Circuit and Early Reception

‘The Activist’ has already made an impact, opening at No. 2 at the Lithuanian box office on September 2. Its international premiere is scheduled for November 14 at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, where it will compete in the Baltic competition.

Following its Tallinn debut, the film will have a special out-of-competition screening event at Paris’s LGBTQ+ festival Chéries-Chéries on November 16, further cementing its presence on the international festival circuit.

Cast and Production Insights

The film features a talented ensemble cast, including Robertas Petraitis, known for his role in ‘The Southern Chronicles’ (Lithuania’s Oscar bet for 2026). He is joined by Vaslov Goom, who has appeared in ‘Master of the Air’ and ‘Cry Wolf,’ and Teklè Baroti.

The production credits list Zabarauskas as producer alongside Glenn Elliott and Gabrielè Misevičiūtė, highlighting a collaborative effort in bringing this significant story to the screen.

Conclusion

‘The Activist’ stands as a notable entry in contemporary queer cinema, blending the compelling elements of neo-noir with urgent political and social commentary. With its securing of wide-ranging distribution deals through Alief and its anticipated festival run, Romas Zabarauskas’s latest work is poised to reach a diverse global audience, challenging perceptions and sparking dialogue on important contemporary issues.

FAQ

What is ‘The Activist’ about?

‘The Activist’ is a queer neo-noir film about Andrius, a young man who infiltrates a radical neo-Nazi group to find the killer of his LGBT+ activist boyfriend.

Who directed ‘The Activist’?

The film was directed by Romas Zabarauskas, known for his trilogy exploring queer relationships against political backdrops, which also includes ‘The Lawyer’ and ‘The Writer.’

Which distributors acquired ‘The Activist’?

TLA Releasing acquired rights for North America (U.S. and Canada), WBD International Content LLC for HBO Max secured the Baltics, Optimale for French-speaking rights, and OUtv for a wide array of territories including the U.K., Nordics, Spain, Italy, and Latin America.

When and where will ‘The Activist’ premiere internationally?

The international premiere of ‘The Activist’ is scheduled for November 14 at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF)’s Baltic competition.