US distributor Samuel Goldwyn Films chief Peter Goldwyn has thrown his weight at the backlash over India’s selection of its competitor for this year’s best international film race at the Academy Awards, calling the nominee “the last movie show”, which it will launch in North America, a really strong contender. “.
Directed by Ban Nalin (“Samsara”, “Valley of Flowers”), the Gujarati-language film tells the story of a nine-year-old boy who pursues his dreams in cinema. She debuted at the Tribeca Festival in 2021 and has since held festivals in Palms Springs, Seattle, and Mill Valley. The ‘Last Film Show’ will be launched in Gujarat, India on October 14, 2022, giving it the necessary qualifying theatrical show at home.
The selection of the Film Federation of India was announced last week, which immediately sparked a backlash, led by cries that the popular musical “RRR” had been overlooked. Director SS Rajamouli’s action movie hit a blockbuster worldwide, with some arguing that it would provide a more accessible experience for Oscar voters.
Variance Films, the US distributor for “RRR,” is still planning an Oscar campaign to urge Academy voters to consider the film in other categories.
The “Last Film Show” has also attracted its own backlash, with claims online that it is closely aligned with Giuseppe Tornatore’s 1988 Italian classic “Cinema Paradiso.”
Even BN Tiwari, President of the Union of Western Cinema Employees of India, claimed that “The Last Movie Show” was produced abroad and should not be considered an Indian work. The Indian Siddharth Roy Kapoor is credited as a producer. The film is partially funded and represented in international markets by the French Orange Studios.
“We believe ‘Last Film Show’ speaks to the heart and soul of cinema, which will attract not only US moviegoers but Academy members as well,” said Peter Goldwyn, president of SGF. We think the movie is a really strong contender this year, and we’re excited to introduce it to the American audience. We’re also keen to bring our experience to the Academy Awards campaigns for this title release.”
“Orange Studio was the first believer in the beautiful Pan Nalin movie ‘Last Film Show’. We got the movie on screenplay level and joined in to handle global sales of the movie. The movie has been sold to multiple regions and we are looking forward to releasing it in Italy on November 24 and Japan on January 20 (2023). However, the most significant releases will be in India on October 14 and in the United States with our distributor Samuel Goldwyn Films at the end of the year, which coincides with the Oscar campaign,” said Kristina Zimmerman, CEO of Orange Studio (“Father,” “The Artist”). ).
“Our years of experience tell us that ‘Last Film Show’ has a great opportunity to win the hearts of moviegoers around the world and especially Academy Award members. We plan to devote our full attention to running a successful Oscar campaign in coordination with our partners Samuel Goldwyn Films for the ‘Last Film Show,'” she said.
Variance said ‘RRR’ will be presented for Best Picture, Director (SS Rajamouli), Original Screenplay (Rajamouli and V. Vijayendra Prasad), Lead Actor (for both NT Rama Rao Jr and Ram Charan), Supporting Actor (Ajay Devgn), Actress Assistant (Alia Bhatt), Original Song (“Natto Natto”), Original Sheet Music (MMK Keravani), Cinematography, Production Design, Film Editing, Costume Design, Make-up and Hairstyling, Audio and Visual Effects.
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