The Hollywood Reporter discusses, “Fox Searchlight’s controversial and shocking film, directed by Steve McQueen.”

This article first appeared in the Oct. 28 issue of The Hollywood Reporter:

“When Nancy Utley emerged from a screening of Shame at the recent Telluride Film Festival, she didn’t stop shaking for 10 minutes. The president of Fox Searchlight was that affected by British director Steve McQueen’s raw portrayal of a sex addict, played by Michael Fassbender.

“I thought that we have to be a part of this and make sure this movie gets seen,” recalls Utley.

Steve Gilula, Searchlight’s other president, saw Shame soon after and agreed. Several days later, Searchlight announced it was acquiring U.S. rights to the movie, sending shock waves through the film industry.

Shame is guaranteed to receive an NC-17 rating for its graphic sexual content when it is submitted to the Classification and Rating Administration. And while Searchlight might have one of the best records in the industry in terms of marketing expertise and box-office standing — last year, the company turned Black Swan into an unlikely commercial hit and awards winner — it will have to overcome the incredible stigma that still surrounds the NC-17 rating as it sells the film to awards voters and moviegoers…. Read the full article at The Hollywood Reporter.