A film starring Charlize Theron and Kim Basinger will be available to DirecTV customers nationwide for nearly a month before it debuts in theaters, it was announced today.

It’s the first time that a Hollywood feature-length film will be screened on DirecTV before its theatrical release date, according to the El Segundo-based satellite television company.

“The Burning Plain,” directed by Guillermo Arriaga, the Academy Award- nominated writer of “21 Grams” and “Babel,” debuts in theaters on Sept. 17. DirecTV subscribers can see it — for an additional fee beginning at $9.99 — between Aug. 21 and Sept. 16.

The movie will be available in 1080p HD — same as Blu-ray — or standard-definition to subscribers, said Sarah Lyons, DirecTV’s vice president of marketing.

Source: Daily Breeze