Another year, another Woody Allen film. And say what you will about his more recent output, for this writer at least, the yearly Woody Allen movie is a comfort, like an old friend returning for a visit and a pleasant entry on our film calendar.
Sony Pictures Classics has picked up the North American rights to Allen’s next effort, “Midnight In Paris.” The film is a romantic comedy that follows a family traveling to the titular city for business, including a young engaged couple who have their lives transformed throughout the journey. The film celebrates a young man’s great love for Paris, and simultaneously explores the illusion people have that a life different from their own is better. So yeah, your standard Allen film. And as per usual, the cast on this one is extensive with Owen Wilson, Marion Cotillard, Rachel McAdams, Kathy Bates, Michael Sheen, Adrien Brody, Nina Arianda, Corey Stoll, Mimi Kennedy, Kurt Fullerby, Carla Bruni, Léa Seydoux and French comedians Gad Elmaleh and Manu Payet all on board.
No release date has been set just yet but we’d guess that Sony Pictures Classics will follow the same route they used for “You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger“: an out of competition screening at Cannes (where Allen is beloved) followed by a fall release. Sounds good to us.
Sony Pictures Classics is also taking a look at Morgan Spurlock‘s latest documentary, “The Greatest Movie Ever Sold.” Set to debut at Sundance which starts next week, the meta-doc explores branding, advertising and product placement as Spurlock tries to get sponsorship for his film. We presume this leads to a very obvious message about how insidious advertising is. “Everywhere you look it seems like something’s being brought to you by some sponsor or some corporation,” Spurlock told The Hollywood Reporter. “So we said, ‘Why not make a doc that looks at that and have the brands actually pay for it?’” Yeah, edgy.
Talks are serious and ongoing but nothing has been locked in just yet, however most expect the film to be major player in Park City.
