The Wagner/Cuban Company's Magnolia Pictures announced today that they have acquired US and Canadian rights to Frontera, starring Ed Harris (Snowpiercer, Pain & Gain, Phantom, Pollock, Apollo 13), Eva Longoria (Desperate Housewives, The Heartbreak Kid, The Sentinel), Michael Peña (American Hustle, End of Watch, The Lincoln Lawyer), Aden Young (Killer Elite) and Amy Madigan (Gone Baby Gone, Field of Dreams). The film was directed by Michael Berry, from a script he co-wrote with Juan Luis Moulinett III, and produced by Ocean Blue Entertainment and executive producer Eric Austin Williams.

Frontera photo 1

In the vein of Traffic and Babel, Frontera is set in the dangerous area between the United States and Mexico. After crossing the border illegally for work, Miguel (Michael Peña), a hard-working father and devoted husband, finds himself wrongfully accused of murdering a former sheriff's (Ed Harris) wife. After learning of his imprisonment, Miguel's pregnant wife (Eva Longoria) tries to come to his aid and lands in the hands of corrupt coyotes who hold her for ransom. Dissatisfied with the police department's investigation, the former sheriff tries to uncover the truth about his wife's death and discovers disturbing evidence that will destroy one family's future, or tear another's apart.

Here's what Magnolia President Eamonn Bowles had to say about the project.

"Frontera is an exciting and relevant drama with a typically stellar performance from Ed Harris and great turns from the entire ensemble."

Negotiations for Frontera were concluded at the Baja International Film Festival in Los Cabos, Mexico, a first for a major American motion picture. Daniel Dreifuss (BIFF's US industry liaison) believes that "placing the industry in such a special setting allows for a unique experience conducive to business. New professional relationships were formed as evidenced by the deals announced and forthcoming partnerships which we hope consolidate BIFF as a viable and needed market."

Alonso Aguilar Castillo, President of the Los Cabos Arts and Culture association, had this to say in a statement.

"Through the announcement of the various US deals that finally crystalized at our second edition, Baja International Film Festival Los Cabos confirms its commitment to work towards becoming the most useful and relevant industry platform where Mexico, US and Canada can meet and collaborate."

The deal was negotiated by Magnolia Director of Acquisitions John Von Thaden with CAA for the filmmakers. Myriad Pictures is handling international sales. Magnolia will release Frontera theatrically in 2014.