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Tag: Christine Vachon

  • Producer for Todd Haynes’ Gay Romance Film Addresses Joaquin Phoenix Exit: “A Nightmare”

    Producer for Todd Haynes’ Gay Romance Film Addresses Joaquin Phoenix Exit: “A Nightmare”

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    Christine Vachon, a producer behind Todd Haynes‘ gay romance movie from which Joaquin Phoenix abruptly left last week, said on social media this weekend that the situation has been “a nightmare.”

    Reports surfaced on Friday that Phoenix exited the drama feature just five days before filming was set to begin in Guadalajara, Mexico. The role will not be recast. The actor’s reason for the exit was unclear, and felt further confusing to those around the project as Phoenix has brought the project to Haynes.

    Vachon, of Killer Films, shared an article about the situation to Facebook over the weekend, and wrote: “A version of this did happen. It has been a nightmare.”

    Vachon also addressed criticism that Phoenix, who is straight, had been set to take a starring role in Haynes film about a gay character. “If you are tempted to finger wag or admonish us that ‘that’s what you get for casting a straight actor’ — DON’T,” she wrote. “This was HIS project that he brought to US – and Killer’s record on working with LGBTQ actors/crew/directors speaks for itself. (and for those of you who HAVE — know that you are making a terrible situation even worse).”

    Vachon has since deleted the post.

    Haynes’ movie was set to focus on an intense gay romance in the 1930s and co-star Danny Ramirez, whose credits include Top Gun: Maverick and the forthcoming Captain America: Brave New World. In addition to Vachon, Pam Koffler was set to produce. A source told The Hollywood Reporter that the team was “devastated” by Phoenix’s exit, and that the amount of money spent on the film was in the low seven figures.

    Phoenix will next be seen in Todd Phillips’ Joker: Folie à Deux on Oct. 4.

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    Zoe G Phillips

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  • Steven Soderbergh, Richard Linklater and Jesse Eisenberg Join Sundance’s Beyond Film Lineup

    Steven Soderbergh, Richard Linklater and Jesse Eisenberg Join Sundance’s Beyond Film Lineup

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    The schedule for the milestone 40th Sundance Film Festival continues to fall into focus. The beloved Utah event — scheduled for Jan. 19-26 in Park City — has unveiled the lineup for Beyond Film programming and revealed that the documentary The Greatest Night in Pop, a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the iconic song “We Are the World,” will be part of this year’s program.

    The roster of Beyond Film speakers includes notables with films in this year’s festival like Steven Soderbergh (Presence), Jesse Eisenberg (A Real Pain), Chiwetel Ejiofor (Rob Peace), Sue Bird (Sue Bird: In The Clutch), Dee Rees (Pariah), Lucy Lawless (Never Look Away), André Holland (Exhibiting Forgiveness), Debra Granik (Conbody vs Everybody), Jay Ellis (Freaky Tales) and Nzingha Stewart (Me/We).

    The slate also includes a conversation within New Frontier, which champions artists practicing at the crossroads of film, art, performance and new media. Titled “New Frontier: Let’s Rebrand Artificial Intelligence!,” the chat has booked Rashaad Newsome and New Frontier alumni like Navid Khonsari, Ari Melenciano and Sandra Rodriguez.

    Another highlight is the return of Sundance alumni like Miguel Arteta (Beatriz at Dinner), Richard Linklater (Hit Man), Dawn Porter (Luther: Never Too Much) Christine Vachon (A Different Man), all of whom will participate in “Power of Story: Four Decades of Taking Chances,” a conversation about their careers in independent film, the legacy of storytelling and the importance of taking risks.

    Director Bao Nguyen will unveil Greatest Night in Pop about the seminal 1985 track that features 46 icons including Lionel Richie, Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen, Cyndi Lauper, Diana Ross and Stevie Wonder. Following the screening, there will be an extended conversation with Nguyen, producer Julia Nottingham and producer and star Lionel Richie.

    In addition to Power of Story, Cinema Café presented by Audible and The Big Conversation, the lineup includes a New Frontier conversation about artificial intelligence and a roster of events to celebrate the 40th edition. With the exception of Power of Story, all Beyond Film events are free and open to the public.

    “We’re thrilled to be adding to our program a special screening of The Greatest Night in Pop, taking us behind the scenes of how ‘We Are the World’ came together, followed by a conversation with Lionel Richie, filmmaker Bao Nguyen and producer Julia Nottingham,” offered Kim Yutani, Sundance Film Festival director of programming. “Our robust film lineup will be rounded out by a wide range of conversations touching upon themes in the programming and featuring some of today’s most inspiring creators and leaders.”

    Ania Trzebiatowska, Beyond Film program curator, added: “Especially this year, as we celebrate our 40th edition, these events enable audiences to go beyond the screens — whether you’re watching in theaters here in person, or online from home — to meaningfully connect with artists and their stories.”

    The full lineup and detailed information about the program can be found here.

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    Chris Gardner

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