TALE OF TORONTO AND LEVIATHAN
Eagle-eyed follower of the blog and on Twitter @TheDeepPink tweeted to me on Saturday the following:
@Gort2 TIFF says NA premiere for LEVIATHAN on its website. So I would guess no Telluride based off that.
Well, I thought, that can't be right...so I looked and it was. Guess what...TIFF.net, as TheDeepPink says, is listed as a North American premiere. It was here:
"So", I asked myself, "How'd you get this wrong and label it as a Canadian premiere and claim it was likely for Telluride?" So I dug a little. Here's what happened. Toronto labeled it a Canadian premiere on July 29th. All the news outlets I took the time to look up listed it as a Canadian premiere: Deadline.com, IndieWire, Film Threat, Filmmaker Magazine, The Playlist, Ioncinema...
So...how'd we ALL get it wrong? Could be because of the official TIFF Press Release which lists "Leviathan" as a Canadian premiere...Look...
I have some feelers out to see if the film's status has changed, if the Press Release was wrong or if the TIFF website is wrong. At the end of the weekend, I have a couple of pretty good sources (I mean really good sources) that say that the TIFF.net website is wrong. Stay tuned. I'm feeling confident that it's a Canadian premiere and will be playing Telluride.
UPDATE ON SOME FILM'S STATUS AS OF TODAY
I thought I'd take a quick look at some films that are still a mystery as far as the Telluride and fall film festival lineups are concerned. For example:
" '71"...directed by Yann Demange and starring Jack O'Connell. It tells the story of a young Brit soldier accidentally abandoned by his unit in war torn Belfast in 1971.
This film was announced as a "New York" premiere last week for the NYFF. It has previously appeared at four international fests: Berlin, Beune, Karlovy Vary and Jerusalem. Is set to open in England Oct. 17 and three weeks later in France. It is being distributed in the U.S. by Roadside Attractions which also has Xavier Dolan's "Mommy" and Tommy Lee Jones' "The Homesman" (see below re: "The Homesman") as potential Telluride films. Because of its status as a New York premiere, I think it is a very likely selection for Telluride. Metacritic score: 88. T-ride chances 70%
"The Homesman"...directed by Tommy Lee Jones and starring Jones and Hilary Swank. Set in the late 1800's a pioneer woman rescues a claim jumper and requires that he aids in escorting three women have become insane from Nebraska to Iowa. "Homesman" played Cannes to a mixed critical reception (69 Metacritics score). IMDb lists it as playing Toronto on Sept. 16th...though I can't find that on the TIFF website. Perhaps tomorrow's TIFF announcement will shed some light there. "The Homesman" is scheduled to open in the U.S. in a limited release on Oct. 3. "Homesman" is distributed in the U.S. by Roadside Attractions and Saban Films. Chances of a Telluride play are about 60%...based largely on the distributors, the Cannes play and a Hollywood Reporter piece from July 31.
"A Most Violent Year"...directed by J.C. Chandor and starring Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain. An immigrant family deals with living in NYC during the summer of 1981.
This film had been high on my list (and others' lists too) of films expected to play Telluride. Currently it has dropped off the "Ten (Plus) Bets list as it is reportedly still editing (as of two weeks ago). I do know that it was reportedly test screened back in June...which may have been what was the catalyst for continued editing. Chandor could still have it ready in time, but it would be a very tricky thing. Hence its disappearance from the "Ten (Plus) Bets".
"A Most Violent Year" will be distributed in the U.S. by A24. A24 previously had "Under the Skin" and "Ginger and Rosa" as selections to previous Telluride festivals. The film is scheduled to open in Canada on Nov. 18 and in December in England. It has no U.S. release date at this time. Metacritic score: None. T-ride chances-10%
"St. Vincent"...directed by Theodore Melfi and starring Bill Murray. Murray plays a scalawag (yes, a scalawag) that takes on baby sitting his new neighbors 11 year old. Hilarity and life lessons ensue. "St. Vincent" is set to pen domestically on Oct. 24. It has not been announced for any fest as yet and its distributor is The Weinstien Company. With Murray, who, seemed to really have fun at TFF two years back with "Hyde Park on Hudson" and TWC repping (and we're fairly sure TWC is already going to be on the ground in T-ride with "The Imitation Game" and no announced fest date...this seemed like a prime Telluride apple for the picking. But Deadline.com reported last week that a deal for it to appear at Toronto as a world premiere gala is virtually sewn up. Probably means it's done as a Telluride hopeful. We'll probably have that confirmed with tomorrow's Toronto announcement. T-ride chances-10%
"Slow West"...directed by John Maclean and starring Michael Fassbender. Fassbender is a mysterious stranger who aids a 17 year old boy in his search across the American west to find the girl he loves. Fassbender also executive produced the film.
Production companies for "Slow West" include See Saw ("The King's Speech", "Shame" and "Tracks") and Film4 ("Starred Up", "Under the Skin", "12 Years a Slave) but it has no distributor as yet for the U.S. The film is listed as having been in post since late last year. "Slow West" has not been announced for any festival at this point. It'll be interesting if this pops up in Toronto's announcement tomorrow. Chances for Telluride-20%.
"Suffragette"...directed by Sarah Gavron and starring Meryl Streep, Helena Bonham Carter and Carey Mulligan. The story of the early feminist movement. The film is listed in post-production since late April. It has announced Australian release date of Dec. 26. "Suffragette" has been announced for no festival as yet. It has no distributor but does have both Film4 (see above for "Slow West") and Pathe ("127 Hours", "The Illusionist") producing. There are rumors that the film's release may be delayed until next year...but as of now IMDb says this year. T-ride chances 20%.
"Kill the Messenger"...directed by Michael Cuesta and starring Jeremy Renner. The true story of a reporter who dug into the CIA's use of drug running for guns in the Nicaraguan civil war in the 1980's. No fest play at this point and a U.S. release date of Oct. 10. The U.S. distributor is Focus Features ("Hyde Park on Hudson", "Into the Wild"). Telluride chances are 15%.
"The Tribe"...directed by Myroslav Sloboshpitsky. The cast is all deaf and the film is told almost exclusively in sign language. It tells the story of a new student trying to fit in a boarding school The film has had a lot of International fest play including Cannes where it was warmly received. Drafthouse Films ("The Act of Killing") is distributing in the U.S. A release in Ukraine is scheduled for Sept. 11. If it had a distributor with more Telluride history, I'd be higher on its chances. As it is, I'm saying it's 30%.
TORONTO TOMORROW
Toronto's announcement tomorrow is said to include a schedule and guest list as well as , according to a Tweet from head man Cameron Bailey..."TIFF Kids, Mavericks, Discovery" and what he calls a "Special Treat"...I'll bet that's the "St. Vincent" announcement.
Nevertheless, there should be some more clues as to what to expect Telluride-way. after we know what TIFF says.
99 HOMES BUT THE HOUSE AIN'T ONE
Eagle-eyed follower of MTFB Ian aka @thin_white_duke dropped me a line last night about a story he had tracked down at thehindu.com. The piece focuses on producer Ashok Amritraj. Amritraj is one of the prodcers of Ramin Bahrani's "99Homes" starring Andrew Garfield, Michael Shannon and Laura Dern. The story confirms "99 Homes" will play Telluride but implies that we won't see Garfield or Shannon in T-ride. I am betting that Ms. Dern is on hand, however.
You can look at the entire story here:
http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/ashok-amritrajs-latest-production-99-homes-makes-it-to-three-prestigious-film-festivals/article6324273.ece
More tomorrow...
Follow me on Twitter @Gort2
UPDATE ON SOME FILM'S STATUS AS OF TODAY
I thought I'd take a quick look at some films that are still a mystery as far as the Telluride and fall film festival lineups are concerned. For example:
Jack O'Connell in " "71" via The Guardian
" '71"...directed by Yann Demange and starring Jack O'Connell. It tells the story of a young Brit soldier accidentally abandoned by his unit in war torn Belfast in 1971.
This film was announced as a "New York" premiere last week for the NYFF. It has previously appeared at four international fests: Berlin, Beune, Karlovy Vary and Jerusalem. Is set to open in England Oct. 17 and three weeks later in France. It is being distributed in the U.S. by Roadside Attractions which also has Xavier Dolan's "Mommy" and Tommy Lee Jones' "The Homesman" (see below re: "The Homesman") as potential Telluride films. Because of its status as a New York premiere, I think it is a very likely selection for Telluride. Metacritic score: 88. T-ride chances 70%
"The Homesman" trailer via YouTube and joblo.com
"The Homesman"...directed by Tommy Lee Jones and starring Jones and Hilary Swank. Set in the late 1800's a pioneer woman rescues a claim jumper and requires that he aids in escorting three women have become insane from Nebraska to Iowa. "Homesman" played Cannes to a mixed critical reception (69 Metacritics score). IMDb lists it as playing Toronto on Sept. 16th...though I can't find that on the TIFF website. Perhaps tomorrow's TIFF announcement will shed some light there. "The Homesman" is scheduled to open in the U.S. in a limited release on Oct. 3. "Homesman" is distributed in the U.S. by Roadside Attractions and Saban Films. Chances of a Telluride play are about 60%...based largely on the distributors, the Cannes play and a Hollywood Reporter piece from July 31.
"A Most Violent Year"
"A Most Violent Year"...directed by J.C. Chandor and starring Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain. An immigrant family deals with living in NYC during the summer of 1981.
This film had been high on my list (and others' lists too) of films expected to play Telluride. Currently it has dropped off the "Ten (Plus) Bets list as it is reportedly still editing (as of two weeks ago). I do know that it was reportedly test screened back in June...which may have been what was the catalyst for continued editing. Chandor could still have it ready in time, but it would be a very tricky thing. Hence its disappearance from the "Ten (Plus) Bets".
"A Most Violent Year" will be distributed in the U.S. by A24. A24 previously had "Under the Skin" and "Ginger and Rosa" as selections to previous Telluride festivals. The film is scheduled to open in Canada on Nov. 18 and in December in England. It has no U.S. release date at this time. Metacritic score: None. T-ride chances-10%
"St. Vincent" trailer via YouTube and Coming Soon
"St. Vincent"...directed by Theodore Melfi and starring Bill Murray. Murray plays a scalawag (yes, a scalawag) that takes on baby sitting his new neighbors 11 year old. Hilarity and life lessons ensue. "St. Vincent" is set to pen domestically on Oct. 24. It has not been announced for any fest as yet and its distributor is The Weinstien Company. With Murray, who, seemed to really have fun at TFF two years back with "Hyde Park on Hudson" and TWC repping (and we're fairly sure TWC is already going to be on the ground in T-ride with "The Imitation Game" and no announced fest date...this seemed like a prime Telluride apple for the picking. But Deadline.com reported last week that a deal for it to appear at Toronto as a world premiere gala is virtually sewn up. Probably means it's done as a Telluride hopeful. We'll probably have that confirmed with tomorrow's Toronto announcement. T-ride chances-10%
"Slow West" via Thompson on Hollywood
"Slow West"...directed by John Maclean and starring Michael Fassbender. Fassbender is a mysterious stranger who aids a 17 year old boy in his search across the American west to find the girl he loves. Fassbender also executive produced the film.
Production companies for "Slow West" include See Saw ("The King's Speech", "Shame" and "Tracks") and Film4 ("Starred Up", "Under the Skin", "12 Years a Slave) but it has no distributor as yet for the U.S. The film is listed as having been in post since late last year. "Slow West" has not been announced for any festival at this point. It'll be interesting if this pops up in Toronto's announcement tomorrow. Chances for Telluride-20%.
"Suffragette" via Rope of Silicon
"Suffragette"...directed by Sarah Gavron and starring Meryl Streep, Helena Bonham Carter and Carey Mulligan. The story of the early feminist movement. The film is listed in post-production since late April. It has announced Australian release date of Dec. 26. "Suffragette" has been announced for no festival as yet. It has no distributor but does have both Film4 (see above for "Slow West") and Pathe ("127 Hours", "The Illusionist") producing. There are rumors that the film's release may be delayed until next year...but as of now IMDb says this year. T-ride chances 20%.
"Kill the Messenger"...directed by Michael Cuesta and starring Jeremy Renner. The true story of a reporter who dug into the CIA's use of drug running for guns in the Nicaraguan civil war in the 1980's. No fest play at this point and a U.S. release date of Oct. 10. The U.S. distributor is Focus Features ("Hyde Park on Hudson", "Into the Wild"). Telluride chances are 15%.
"The Tribe"...directed by Myroslav Sloboshpitsky. The cast is all deaf and the film is told almost exclusively in sign language. It tells the story of a new student trying to fit in a boarding school The film has had a lot of International fest play including Cannes where it was warmly received. Drafthouse Films ("The Act of Killing") is distributing in the U.S. A release in Ukraine is scheduled for Sept. 11. If it had a distributor with more Telluride history, I'd be higher on its chances. As it is, I'm saying it's 30%.
TORONTO TOMORROW
Toronto's announcement tomorrow is said to include a schedule and guest list as well as , according to a Tweet from head man Cameron Bailey..."TIFF Kids, Mavericks, Discovery" and what he calls a "Special Treat"...I'll bet that's the "St. Vincent" announcement.
Nevertheless, there should be some more clues as to what to expect Telluride-way. after we know what TIFF says.
99 HOMES BUT THE HOUSE AIN'T ONE
Garfield and Shannon in "99 Homes"
Eagle-eyed follower of MTFB Ian aka @thin_white_duke dropped me a line last night about a story he had tracked down at thehindu.com. The piece focuses on producer Ashok Amritraj. Amritraj is one of the prodcers of Ramin Bahrani's "99Homes" starring Andrew Garfield, Michael Shannon and Laura Dern. The story confirms "99 Homes" will play Telluride but implies that we won't see Garfield or Shannon in T-ride. I am betting that Ms. Dern is on hand, however.
You can look at the entire story here:
http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/ashok-amritrajs-latest-production-99-homes-makes-it-to-three-prestigious-film-festivals/article6324273.ece
More tomorrow...
Follow me on Twitter @Gort2
