Finally, someone bought Paul Schrader’s “Oh, Canada.” It premiered in May at Cannes to mixed reviews and is set to screen next at TIFF and NYFF. A U.S. December release is being set up for the film.
There are 8 Cannes competition titles still seeking U.S. distribution. The most notable ones left to be bought are David Cronenberg’s “The Shrouds,” Ali Abassi’s “The Apprentice,” Michel Hazanavicius’ “The Most Precious of Cargoes,” and Karim Ainouz’s “Motel Destino.”
Cronenberg’s ‘Shrouds’ was also met with mixed reviews — I was crushingly disappointed by the film. It will also be screening at NYFF and TIFF. I’m assuming someone will eventually budge and acquire the film.
Meanwhile, Abassi’s “The Apprentice” seems to still be in distribution limbo. Briarcliffe has shown its interest in buying this ‘80s Trump movie, but they only offered $5M. It doesn’t help that one of its producers, Dan Snyder, is blocking this potential sell, for various reasons.