DISTRIBUTORS MONDAY: NETFLIX
We start this Monday (and the next several Mondays) by taking a look at the dozen or so distributors that frequently have films in the Telluride Film festival. Distribution companies are the key connection between a film and where and when it plays. Taking a look at the films that they have available can, sometimes, give us insight as to what might make the Labor Day weekend fest.
And sometimes not. In prep to do this nearly annual assessment of distribution companies I looked back at my track record. It's not that great. So take these guesses with a big, big grain of salt. Nevertheless, the list of possible films from each outlet, at a minimum, gives us a pretty extensive group of titles to consider.
So we begin these looks with Netflix and the reason we begin here is that Netflix has placed more films at T-ride over the last decade than any other distributor including Roma, The Irishman, Marriage Story and The Power of the Dog.
At this point it looks like Netflix has five possibilities, although there are likely more which are fairly obscure at this point. Here's a bit of info on each which are listed in order of what I think the chances are for them to be at TFF #52. (Individuals who have previously attended Telluride are indicated with *).
The Ballad of a Small Player. Director: Edward Berger*. Stars: Colin Farrell, Tilda Swinton*. Release Date: TBD. IMDb description:
When his past and his debts start to catch up with him, a high-stakes gambler laying low in Macau encounters a kindred spirit who might just hold the key to his salvation.
Berger's appearance last year with Conclave and its level of success make me think that "Ballad" has a good shot at TFF #52.
Jay Kelly. Director: Noah Baumbach*. Stars: George Clooney*, Adam Sandler*, Billy Crudup*, Laura Dern*, Emily Mortimer, Patrick Wilson, Greta Gerwig*. Release date: Nov. 14th (though IMDb already says it will play the Venice Film Fest). IMDb description:
Everyone knows Jay Kelly, but he doesn't know himself.
Baumbach at Telluride: Margot at the Wedding, Frances Ha and Marriage Story.
There are so many people involved in Jay Kelly that have been to TFF that you sort of have to believe Jay Kelly is a cinch but plenty of Baumbach's work has not played there including: The Squid and the Whale, Greenburg, While We're Young, Mistress America and White Noise.
Frankenstein. Director: Guillermo Del Toro*. Stars: Oscar Isaac*, Jacob Elordi, Mia Goth and Christoph Waltz. Release date: IMDb lists its internet release as Nov. 2025. No news about a theatrical release. IMDb description:
A brilliant but egotistical scientist brings a creature to life in a monstrous experiment that ultimately leads to the undoing of both the creator and his tragic creation.
Having seen the trailer for this, it's one of my most hoped-for possibilities. However, despite Del Toro's past at TFF (as well as that of his "amigos" Inarritu and Cuaron) I'm just not sure this makes the trip.
Left-Handed Girl. Director: Shih-Ching Tsou, Stars: Janel Tsai. Played Cannes Critics Week section. Release date: TBD. IMDb description:
A single mother and her two daughters relocate to Taipei to open a night market stall, each navigating the challenges of adapting to their new environment while striving to maintain family unity.
Netflix picked this up at Cannes after the film was very well received critically. Additionally Sean Baker, fresh off of winning four Oscars for Anora, is co-writer, producer and editor of the film. That makes me think it could be a TFF choice.
Nouvelle Vague. Director: Richard Linklater. Stars: Guillaume Marbeck, Zoey Deucth, Aubry Dullin. Played Cannes Palme Competition category. Release date: TBD. IMDb description:
Follows the production of Jean-Luc Godards's "Breathless".
Linklater, to the best of my knowledge, has never had a film at TFF. A few posts back I wrote that this could be the year that changes that with this and his other film, Blue Moon, both coming out. Blue Moon does have an announced release date of Oct. 17th.
Chances:
The Ballad of a Small Player 50%
Jay Kelly 40%
Frankenstein 35%
Left-Handed Girl 30%
Nouvelle Vague 20%
Next Monday: Sony Pictures Classics
ANIMAL FARM CLIP
In my previous post I passed along the news that Andy Serkis's Animal Farm is ready to roll. It is headed for the Annecy International Animation Festival which kicked off yesterday. The film also has a clip up now on YouTube. Here it is:
TIDBITS
***Neon has announced that Cannes Grand Prix winner Sentimental Value will be released in the U.S. on November 7th. That would allow a combo of Telluride and/or Toronto and New York.
***World of Reel reports that the Venice Film Fest will screen Jim Jarmusch's Father Mother Sister Brother and Paolo Sorrentino's La Grazia. Venice won't actually announce its lineup for another month and then it won't be until August until they announce their screening schedule which can point to Telluride titles.
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