This holiday season is one where the offspring of iconic Hollywood families come together, apparently.
“Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point,” which is set to debut in the Director’s Fortnight at Cannes, stars Francesca Scorsese and Sawyer Spielberg, two film stars in their own rite who hail from respective auteurs Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg.
Decade-plus indie staple Michael Cera leads the latest feature directed by Tyler Taormina; Cera also produces the ensemble family dramedy that marks Taormina’s follow-up to his 2019 coming-of-age comedy “Ham on Rye.”
Set during one Christmas Eve, a family gathers for what could be the last holiday in their ancestral home. As the night wears on and generational tensions arise, one of the teenagers sneaks out with her friends to claim the wintry suburb for her own, per the official synopsis. Cera is seen donning a cop uniform in one of the first look images, marking a full circle moment far from his “Superbad” days.
The cast additionally includes “Eighth Grade” breakout star Elsie Fisher, Maria Dizzia, Ben Shenkman, Gregg Turkington, and newcomer Matilda Fleming. The film was shot by Carson Lund, who is also the director of “Eephus,” screening at Fortnight as well. Lund previously served as the director of photography on Taormina’s directorial debut “Ham on Rye.”
Director Taormina’s “Ham on Rye” was considered by IndieWire’s Ryan Lattanzio to be a John Hughes comedy if Hughes ever directed on LSD. Like “Dazed and Confused” meets David Lynch, the San Fernando Valley set high school ensemble film used mostly non-actors for its lead roles. Now, with a cast including Cera, Scorsese, Spielberg, and Fisher, Taormina’s “Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point” is already the antithesis of actors with no experience.
While Cera’s feature will make the rounds at Cannes, yet another ensemble dramedy of his will debut at Tribeca. Cera will co-lead “Minx” alum Michael Angarano’s “Sacramento,” the director’s second feature after 2017’s “Avenues.” The road trip buddy comedy premieres at the 2024 Tribeca Festival in the U.S. Narrative Competition, with Cera, Kristen Stewart, Maya Erskine, and director Angarano starring.
“Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point” premieres during the Director’s Fortnight in Cannes. Check out first look images and exclusive poster below.
