Fox Searchlight sets 'Shame' release date

Marking what will be Fox Searchlight's last release this year, the studio has dated Steve McQueen's provocative drama "Shame" for limited release on Dec. 2. Fox Searchlight acquired U.S. distribution rights to the film at the Toronto Film Fest, with the understanding that it would release the film this year. "Shame," the 10th title to go through Fox Searchlight in 2011, stars Michael Fassbender as a sex-addicted 30-something, whose life comes to a head when his younger sister, played by Carey Mulligan, comes to live with him. McQueen co-wrote the script with Abi Morgan; See-Saw Films' Iain Canning and Emile Sherman produced. The film is a difficult sell, given its subject matter and an inevitable restrictive rating, though potential awards traction should draw some attention. Before acquiring "Shame," Fox Searchlight moved "The Descendants" from Nov. 23 to Nov. 18, distancing the two films. The distrib released Kenneth Lonergan's "Margaret" last weekend and will bow Sundance pickup "Martha Marcy May Marlene" on Oct. 21. Contact Andrew Stewart at andrew.stewart@variety.com