Warner Bros. Pictures Canada x Mr. Will want to give Readers in Montreal a chance to win passes to an Advance Screening of Luca Guadagnino‘s CHALLENGERS!
Screening takes place Wednesday, April 24, 2024.
SYNOPSIS
From visionary filmmaker Luca Guadagnino, “Challengers” stars Zendaya as Tashi Duncan, a former tennis prodigy-turned-coach and a force of nature who makes no apologies for her game on and off the court. Married to a champion on a losing streak (Mike Faist), Tashi’s strategy for her husband’s redemption takes a surprising turn when he must face off against the washed-up Patrick (Josh O’Connor)—his former best friend and Tashi’s former boyfriend. As their pasts and presents collide, and tensions run high, Tashi must ask herself, what will it cost to win?
Oscar and BAFTA nominee Guadagnino (“Call Me By Your Name,” “I Am Love”) directs from a screenplay by Justin Kuritzkes. The film is produced by Amy Pascal, Guadagnino, Zendaya and Rachel O’Connor, with Bernard Bellew serving as executive producer.
Golden Globe winner Zendaya (the “Dune” films, “Euphoria”) stars alongside Golden Globe and SAG Award winner and BAFTA nominee Josh O’Connor (“The Crown”) and BAFTA nominee Mike Faist (“West Side Story”).
Guadagnino’s creative team includes such frequent collaborators as director of photography Sayonbhu Mukdeeprom, production designer Merissa Lombardo and editor Marco Costa, as well as costume designer Jonathan Anderson. The film’s score is by Oscar, Golden Globe and BAFTA winners Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross (“Soul,” “The Social Network,” “Bones and All”).
Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures Presents a Why Are You Acting? / Frenesy Films / Pascal Pictures Production, Luca Guadagnino’s “Challengers.” The film opens in theatres April 26, 2024 and will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.
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Warner Bros. Pictures Canada release CHALLENGERS April 26, 2024.
(Photo/video credit: Warner Bros. Pictures Canada)
From visionary filmmaker Luca Guadagnino, “Challengers” stars Zendaya as Tashi Duncan, a former tennis prodigy-turned-coach and a force of nature who makes no apologies for her game on and off the court. Married to a champion on a losing streak (Mike Faist), Tashi’s strategy for her husband’s redemption takes a surprising turn when he must face off against the washed-up Patrick (Josh O’Connor)—his former best friend and Tashi’s former boyfriend. As their pasts and presents collide, and tensions run high, Tashi must ask herself, what will it cost to win?
Oscar and BAFTA nominee Guadagnino (“Call Me By Your Name,” “I Am Love”) directs from a screenplay by Justin Kuritzkes. The film is produced by Amy Pascal, Guadagnino, Zendaya and Rachel O’Connor, with Bernard Bellew serving as executive producer. Golden Globe winner Zendaya (the “Dune” films, “Euphoria”) stars alongside Golden Globe and SAG Award winner and BAFTA nominee Josh O’Connor (“The Crown”) and BAFTA nominee Mike Faist (“West Side Story”). Guadagnino’s creative team includes such frequent collaborators as director of photography Sayonbhu Mukdeeprom, production designer Merissa Lombardo and editor Marco Costa, as well as costume designer Jonathan Anderson. The film’s score is by Oscar, Golden Globe and BAFTA winners Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross (“Soul,” “The Social Network,” “Bones and All”). Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures Presents a Why Are You Acting? / Frenesy Films / Pascal Pictures Production, Luca Guadagnino’s “Challengers.”
The film opens in theaters April 26, 2024 and will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.
By Amanda Gilmore
Set in 1980s Tuscany, the latest from Alice Rohrwacher follows a group of tomb raiders who seek old relics of the Etruscans. All in the group are hoping to strike it rich except their gifted leader, Englishman Arthur (Josh O’Connor), who’s on a spiritual quest into these tombs.
As the title suggests, Arthur is quite literally searching for a chimera: something hoped for but near impossible to achieve. Still grieving over his partner Beniamina’s passing, Arthur believes in ancient stories about these tombs. That one may hold an entryway to the afterlife. He tomb raids with this purpose only: to see Beniamina again. Along the way, he does enjoy the camaraderie and the money that comes from the relics he and his vaudeville group find.
O’Connor is nothing short of revelatory. He carries Arthur’s weighted grief and yearning for what might be. La Chimera has a second romantic storyline for Arthur. We watch as the quirky Italia (a superb Carol Duarte), who works for Beniamina’s mother Flora (Isabella Rossellini), falls for the Englishman. We are gripped by the inner conflict O’Connor gives Arthur as he contemplates moving forward in the waking world or continuing his search for the sleeping one.
As a story about grave-robbing, Rohrwacher adds additional layers to this dreamy frolic through Tuscany. We watch as relics are taken by the group and sold to the infamous trafficker Spartaco (Alba Rohrwacher). Near the end, once a fifth-century relic of invaluable worth is found, we are faced with the question of who these items really belong to. Just as Italia questions the ownership of an old abandoned railway station. Do they belong to everyone or no one?
All of these themes are captured through captivating, dreamy imagery by Cinematographer Hélène Louvart which alternates between 35mm, Super 16 and 16mm.
La Chimera screens at TIFF ’23:
Tuesday, September 12 at 12 PM at TIFF Bell Lightbox
Thursday, September 14 at 12:15 PM at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto
From visionary filmmaker Luca Guadagnino, Challengers stars Zendaya as Tashi Duncan, a former tennis prodigy turned coach and a force of nature who makes no apologies for her game on and off the court. Married to a champion on a losing streak (Mike Faist – West Side Story), Tashi’s strategy for her husband’s redemption takes a surprising turn when he must face off against the washed-up Patrick (Josh O’Connor – The Crown) – his former best friend and Tashi’s former boyfriend. As their pasts and presents collide, and tensions run high, Tashi must ask herself, what will it cost to win.
Warner Bros. Pictures Canada release CHALLENGERS September 15, 2023.
(Photo/video credit: Warner Bros. Pictures Canada)
Review by Amanda Gilmore
Director Eva Husson poetically brings Graham Swift’s post-WWI secret romance novel to the screen.
Jane (Odessa Young) is a maid for the wealthy Nivens (Olivia Coleman and Colin Firth). Behind their back, she’s having a secret affair with their neighbour’s son Paul (Josh O’Conner). Their affair has to remain a secret because of their status differences and because Paul is engaged. When Jane gets the day off on Mother’s Day, the two spend the afternoon having one final rendezvous.
Mothering Sunday is a sexy, lyrical Period Drama that’s as much about the ties between people as it is about the power of discovering oneself. This is captured in Alice Birch’s beautiful screenplay that jumps through past, present and future. Additionally, Birch’s time changes create a poetic flow that Husson amplifies on-screen. She and cinematographer Jamie D. Ramsay SASC thrust audiences into Jane’s emotional state. Particularly in one sensual scene where Paul undresses Jane. Rather than show Jane’s entire naked body, Husson brings us into close-up shots that intensify Jane’s emotions. Therefore, making audiences experience those emotions with her.
One of many themes in the Film is about female agency. This is outstandingly displayed when Husson uses a wide tracking shot. She follows Jane around Paul’s mansion while no one is home as she touches books, eats cake and drinks a beer. This all happens in a house that isn’t hers and in a time where women didn’t have agency. In that sequence, Jane has agency. It’s impossible to imagine anyone but Young playing Jane. She is a force of nature, captivating at every turn. She embodies Jane’s compassion, desire and ambition.
Both Young and O’Connor have an undeniable, palpable chemistry that’s integral to telling this forbidden love story. O’Conner gives a powerful performance as Paul. He displays Paul’s desire for Jane and his survivor’s guilt, as the only son to return from WWI. O’Conner shows Paul’s need to comply with his family’s wishes for his future and the pain of giving what he wants away. In minor but memorable roles is Firth and Colman. Each makes their mark as the adults grieving for all the lost men of WWI.
Mothering Sunday screens at TIFF ’21:
Thur, Sep 9 at 9:30 PM at Princess of Wales
Fri, Sep 10 at 7 PM on Digital TIFF Bell Lightbox
Fri, Sep 17 at 3 PM on Digital TIFF Bell Lightbox
We don’t believe #TIFF21 finally is here! While things are indeed a bit different this year, any bit of in-person events is dearly welcomed! While TIFF ’21 starts today, we did spot a few arrivals already gearing-up for their big premieres on TIFF Day One.
So thrilled to chat with The Toronto Sun‘s Jane Stevenson about starspotting etiquette this TIFF with our current climate. Click here more the article.
Also in case you missed our appearance on CP24 previewing what the Festival might look like for stargazers, watch here.
We can confirm Ben Platt, star of Opening Night Gala, DEAR EVAN HANSEN already is in the City, set to walk alongside Director Stephen Chbosky on the Red Carpet at Roy Thomson Hall tomorrow.
It is however, Josh O’Connor whom we are most excited about at the Festival and how amazing is it he was our first star sighting? The British star of Netflix’s THE CROWN and acclaimed Drama GOD’S OWN COUNTRY recently moved to New York and is a star on the rise, just having won a Golden Globe Award this past Awards Season for his work as Prince Charles in The Crown. Donning a pizza shirt, he was amazingly-kind to stop for autographs and selfies with fans, despite a bit of a hold-up after landing due to updated COVID-19 protocols. He premieres WWI Romance MOTHERING SUNDAY at Princess of Wales Theatre tonight. The Film also stars Odessa Young and an Oscar-winning duo in Olivia Colman and Colin Firth.
We got the scoop that Vancouver’s own Joshua Jackson is back at TIFF once again, but he’s here to promote his new Series DR. DEATH, premiering on Showcase in Canada on September 12, 2021. Based on the true story of Dr. Christopher Duntsch‘s who left several patients maimed or dead. Jackson positively is sinister in the titular role and we really want to see how the rest of the Series delves into Duntsch‘s psyche to why he destroyed so many lives. Jackson arrived low-key and was so kind to stop for a Snap. He should be here through next week celebrating the new Series.
It was super-cool seeing Justine Bateman, who we idolized on Family Ties as Mallory Keaton. She makes her Feature directorial debut in VIOLET, starring Olivia Munn (who just announced she’s pregnant with Funnyman John Mulaney), premiering at TIFF Bell Lightbox this afternoon. She seemed preoccupied and wanted privacy, but we’ll be at the Premiere and hope to get a snap there!
This is only the beginning, but unlike other years, we are expecting a busy few days ahead, with the star sightings to tail off likely around Monday with fewer talent making their way to the City this TIFF.
More to come! Check back daily! Bookmark this link for updates as we bring you star sightings and the Reviews from the hottest Films to come out of the Festival!
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Premiering at TIFF ’21, here is your first glance at Eva Husson’s MOTHERING SUNDAY starring Odessa Young, Josh O’Connor, Colin Firth and Olivia Colman.
Synopsis:
On a warm spring day in 1924, house maid and foundling Jane Fairchild (Odessa Young) finds herself alone on Mother’s Day. Her employers, Mr and Mrs Niven (Colin Firth and Olivia Colman), are out and she has the rare chance to spend an afternoon of abandon with her secret lover, Paul (Josh O’Connor), the boy from the manor house nearby who is Jane’s long-term love despite the fact that he’s engaged to be married to another woman, a childhood friend and daughter of his parents’ friends. But events that neither can foresee will change the course of Jane’s life forever.
(Photo/video credit: Lionsgate Films)
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