‘BLKNWS: Terms & Conditions’ Director Kahlil Joseph Has “Surprise” & “Confusion” Over Participant Pulling Movie From Sundance, Hopes Pic Can Still Premiere

EXCLUSIVE: After defunct socially conscious Participant pulled Kahlil Joseph‘s experimental movie BLKNWS: Terms & Conditions from the Sundance Film Festival, the filmmaker has weighed in over the “unexpectedly harsh letter” he received from the pic financier’s lawyers.

In a note to Deadline, the director, whose credits include Beyonce’s Lemonade, says “We’re still hopeful that the originally submitted film from Participant, which Sundance already has in their possession, can still screen on Friday. You can imagine our surprise and confusion upon receiving such an unexpectedly harsh letter. It has been a challenging adjustment since the transition at Participant last year, as we’ve been navigating these matters without the incredible team of filmmakers we previously worked closely with. I love this film and know it will excite audiences when they finally get to see it.  I don’t think anything like it has ever been made.”

Participant lawyers ordered Sundance to pull the movie after accusing Joseph of a secret cut that was submitted to festivals. A24 was previously attached to distribute the movie last year before Participant’s ship went down in April.

Deadline also recently told you that as far as BLKNWS play at Berlin, that’s up in the air, too.

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