This year’s Cannes Film Festival had three familiar actors — Scarlett Johansson, Kristen Stewart, and Harris Dickinson — making the pivot behind the camera. As far as I’m concerned, the only good one was Dickinson’s “Urchin.”
Stewart’s debut, the buzziest of the three, was met with polite response on the ground — some admired the ambition, others questioned the execution. You wouldn’t necessarily know that by just looking at its 93% Rotten Tomatoes score.
Some predicted Neon, A24, or even MUBI might snatch up the rights to K-Stew’s directorial effort, but I sure didn’t. There was just no way they’d take the bait, basking in hype the way others did.
Finally, The Forge (!!!) has acquired North American rights to Kristen Stewart’s directorial debut. This is for U.S. distribution, with plans for an awards-qualifying December theatrical release. Godspeed.
If you haven’t heard of The Forge, you’re not alone. Their slate of films includes “Freedom’s Path,” a Civil War epic starring Gerran Howell; “Fioretta,” a documentary about lawyer-philanthropist Randy Schoenberg; and “Buck Alamo (Or A Phantasmagorical Ballad),” a surreal musical outlaw drama.
‘Chronology of Water’ is based on Lidia Yuknavitch’s cult-favorite memoir, which has been simmering in the Hollywood underground for nearly a decade. With auteurist ambitions in tow, Stewart co-wrote the screenplay herself — “with Yuknavitch’s blessing” — and eventually secured a home for the film under Ridley Scott’s indie-focused Scott Free banner.
Imogen Poots — ever the underrated actress — soon after signed on to portray Lidia, giving the project its long-awaited heartbeat. As usual, she’s good in the film, but K-Stew has much to learn about pacing and shot selection.
Regardless, one less problem for this film, which now has distribution and will be coming out during the thick of awards season.