Sundance 2008 Film Sales
January 23rd, 2008 by Andre Soares
David M. Halbfinger in the New York Times:
"After a weekend marked by too many downbeat dramas and comedies in name only, the Sundance Film Festival’s flock of film buyers finally began taking in movies they could send to the multiplexes — and it was a religious experience.
"As Monday night bled into Tuesday, Henry Poole Is Here (left), Mark Pellington’s lighthearted tale [written by Alberto Torres] of a terminally ill man (Luke Wilson), his troubled neighbors and a stain on his stucco wall that might resemble the face of Jesus, sold to Overture Films, one of the new movie distributors clamoring for attention and pictures.
…
"That agreement came hours after perhaps the most rousing premiere of the festival, that of Hamlet 2, a bawdy romp starring Steve Coogan as a failed actor turned pathetic high school drama teacher who stages a musical sequel to Hamlet, with a ’sexy Jesus’ in a starring role."
***
According to Halbfinger, the U.S. rights to the dramatic comedy Henry Poole Is Here sold for US$3.5 million, while Focus disbursed $10 million for Hamlet 2 (above). That’s half a million less than what Fox Searchlight reportedly paid for Little Miss Sunshine in 2006.
Keeping things in perspective: Last year, the most expensive acquisition was Grace Is Gone, which was sold to the Weinstein Co. for $4 million. Despite the presence of John Cusack and the fact that Clint Eastwood composed the (replacement) score for the film, the Iraq war on the homefront melodrama has earned less than $50,000 at the North American box office.
The supposedly "politically incorrect" comedy Hamlet 2 was directed by Andrew Fleming, who also co-wrote the film with frequent South Park writer Pam Brady. (I just hope Hamlet 2 isn’t nearly as infantile — and, really, reactionary, mean-spirited, and hypocritical — as South Park.) Besides Steve Coogan, the cast includes Elisabeth Shue, Catherine Keener, Melonie Diaz, and David Arquette.
One of the film’s producers is Eric Eisner, son of former Disney emperor Michael Eisner. Whether or not the Eisner name made a difference, the still-unfinished Hamlet 2 was accepted into Sundance after the festival had announced its line-up in November.
Slamdance 2008: Three Documentaries
Rotterdam Film Festival 2008 Film Line-Up
33rd Metro Manila Film Festival
Nashville Film Festival 2008 - Dates
Oscar 2008: 4 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AND 2 DAYS of Outrage
Leave a Reply
Note: All comments are moderated, and may be edited at the discretion of the moderator. Different views and opinions are welcome, but abusive/bigoted remarks, and both flaming and generic (spam) comments will NOT be approved. Also, please be aware that the Alternative Film Guide has NO contact information for the talent mentioned in this blog or any information pertaining to or access to distributors'/producers' film prints.
