Lions Gate Films has confirmed an Oct. 2 Canadian theatrical release for the latest controversial filmed adaptation of Vladimir Nabokov’s novel Lolita.

Starring Jeremy Irons, Melanie Griffith, and newcomer Dominique Swain in the title role, Lolita is directed by Canadian-born Adrian Lyne and produced by u.s. veteran Mario Kassar, president of MK Productions. Examining the relationship between a middle-aged man and a teenage girl, Lolita recently premiered on u.s. cable network Showtime, bowing to public pressure that nixed a u.s. theatrical release.

Lions Gate Films president Jeff Sackman says his company tried to secure North American rights to the film with the intention of a u.s. theatrical release, but the producers only offered Canada.

‘We went after u.s. rights in a big way,’ says Sackman, ‘but they wouldn’t do the deal.’

After being targeted by a campaign from child welfare groups claiming the film promotes pedophilia, most u.s. distributors backed off the project, believing a theatrical release would bring too much negative publicity.

20 screens

Lions Gate will initially release the film on 20 screens across the country. Though not able to piggyback on a coinciding u.s. release, Sackman feels Lolita’s already infamous reputation will help solidify good box-office performance.

‘It’s got a fair bit of awareness,’ says Sackman. ‘I think we’ve got the awareness part figured out,’ he adds dryly.

The Lions Gate president says the company hasn’t been approached by any groups or organizations similar to those that helped prevent a u.s. theatrical release.

But if such groups do emerge, it appears Sackman would welcome them.

‘I wish there was more controversy,’ he says, adding that Lolita’s premiere on Showtime simply deflated the row surrounding the film.

‘I thought that [premiering on u.s. cable] was terrible for the film and the filmmakers. It deserves a proper theatrical release,’ he says.

Meanwhile, whether or not Lolita will be physically distributed by Odeon Films (booked, shipped, etc.) through a service deal it has with Lions Gate, appears in question as Sackman confirms that he’s reevaluating the arrangement.

Back to distrib?

While it’s business as usual for now, it appears that Lions Gate may be contemplating a jump back into being a fully staffed Canadian distribution operation. Currently, Odeon Films services the physical aspects of Lions Gate’s Canadian releases, such as shipping prints and booking theaters, with Lions Gate handling marketing and release strategy.

Lions Gate has recently been interviewing candidates for an internal booker position, but Sackman says no final decision as to whether to continue or terminate the agreement with Odeon has been made.

‘I’m considering changing the setup, but I haven’t decided which way to go,’ says Sackman. ‘We’re meeting people because I want to see who’s around. It’s certainly a possibility based on a number of factors.’

Alliance Communications, which owns rival distributor Alliance Releasing, bought a 75% stake in Cineplex Odeon Films in late May, renaming the distributor Odeon Films.