May
19
Cannes Watch: Synecdoche, New York Screens Early
Sidney Kimmel Entertainment and UTA's decision to screen their Charlie Kaufman movie, Synecdoche, New York, early at the fest was a throw of the dice. First, the movie is one of the few hot tickets for sale in the U.S. at Cannes, but was given what is considered a "lucky" Friday slot at the fest, which has delivered for such films as Roman Polanski's The Pianist and Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction in the past. But it's far too late, apparently, for the top-execs at the U.S distrib companies with which SKE is hoping to close a sale during the fest.
So SKE and UTA decided to invite all the top buyers to an early Saturday market screening, well before all the critics and press would pass judgement. If there was ever a movie perfect for Cannes it is this one, which is, according to those who have read the script and seen it, ambitious, arty and brilliant, if not entirely accessible. This is the kind of movie a fest like Cannes is supposed to help. Cannes gave the film a valentine, a present. And by screening the movie ahead of time, the sellers betrayed their anxiety about making a quick sale. If they had the goods, the sellers would hang tough and force the buyers to just stick around and wait. (The buyers were thrilled they got an early look.) SKE and UTA were afraid to lose the decision-makers, and didn't want to screen the movie simultaneously back in the states.
What's the hurry? SKE wants to get its money back and a bidding war is the best way to achieve that.
Once upon a time--or am I dreaming?--the goal used to be to find the ideal distrib, passionately willing to put their expertise on the line to give a film the best possible chance of reaching audiences.
That's not what these expensive movies looking to recoup at fests are looking for. And they should be.
Subscribe to this blog's feed
Anne, I partially agree with what you're saying. However, the indie market is much tighter these days and movies are more expensive than ever (to sell and market). So, given that, I can understand SKE and UTA's decision.
Posted by: AH | May 19, 2008 at 07:37 AM