Life During Wartime (Solondz, 2010)
#1
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Life During Wartime (Solondz, 2010)
From Variety:
Demi Moore and Emma Thompson are names I never thought I'd see associated with a Todd Solondz film. Paul Reubens maybe...
New indie production and finance shingle Werc Werk Works has stepped in to fully finance and produce writer-director Todd Solondz’s next film, an untitled part-sequel, part-companion piece to his controversial dark comedy "Happiness."
Founded by Elizabeth Redleaf and producer Christine Kunewa Walker ("American Splendor," "Factotum"), the company will initially produce three to four films a year.
Solondz wrote the screenplay, which revolves around a group of struggling individuals. struggling to find a place for themselves in an unpredictable and volatile world. The narrative is told through a series of intersecting love stories.; the past haunts the present and imperils the future: ghosts circle and loom, trouble and console.
The project has been incubating for years, with Emma Thompson, Demi Moore and Paul Reubens rumored to be attached. "Happiness," which featured themes of child molestation and rape, initially received an NC-17 from the MPAA board but was eventually released unrated.
Walker, Mike S. Ryan and Derrick Tseng are producing the untitled film. Exec producers are Redleaf and Ken Bailey.
The film is scheduled to begin principal photography in October in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Casting is currently under way.
Founded by Elizabeth Redleaf and producer Christine Kunewa Walker ("American Splendor," "Factotum"), the company will initially produce three to four films a year.
Solondz wrote the screenplay, which revolves around a group of struggling individuals. struggling to find a place for themselves in an unpredictable and volatile world. The narrative is told through a series of intersecting love stories.; the past haunts the present and imperils the future: ghosts circle and loom, trouble and console.
The project has been incubating for years, with Emma Thompson, Demi Moore and Paul Reubens rumored to be attached. "Happiness," which featured themes of child molestation and rape, initially received an NC-17 from the MPAA board but was eventually released unrated.
Walker, Mike S. Ryan and Derrick Tseng are producing the untitled film. Exec producers are Redleaf and Ken Bailey.
The film is scheduled to begin principal photography in October in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Casting is currently under way.
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Count me in. I loved how uncomfortable Happiness made me feel while watching it, yet I was completely transfixed to the screen. Here's to hoping this will be more of the same.
#6
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Happiness is a brilliant film. I would love to see Solondz do something else to that level of quality. The trick, though, is that he has to actually live up to the first film.
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re: Life During Wartime (Solondz, 2010)
From Screen Daily:
According to that article, Werc Werk Works will also be producing Bela Tarr's next film, The Turin Horse.
Fortissimo Films has confirmed that it has acquired international rights from Werc Werk Works to Todd Solondz's Forgiveness and will commence pre-sales at EFM next month on the loose sequel to the director's 1998 dark comedy Happiness.
Fortissimo has always been connected to the project but the film has undergone several transformations in structure since the initial announcement in 2006.
Elizabeth Redleaf and Christine Kunewa Walker's East Coast production, financing and distribution company Werc Werk Works is fully financing and producing the film, which recently wrapped production in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Allison Janney, Ciaran Hinds, Charlotte Rampling, Shirley Henderson, Michael Kenneth Williams and Paul Reubens are among the cast.
The theme of forgiveness weaves its way through a series or love stories as people struggle to find meaning in a war-torn world riddled with comedy and pathos.
Fortissimo has always been connected to the project but the film has undergone several transformations in structure since the initial announcement in 2006.
Elizabeth Redleaf and Christine Kunewa Walker's East Coast production, financing and distribution company Werc Werk Works is fully financing and producing the film, which recently wrapped production in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Allison Janney, Ciaran Hinds, Charlotte Rampling, Shirley Henderson, Michael Kenneth Williams and Paul Reubens are among the cast.
The theme of forgiveness weaves its way through a series or love stories as people struggle to find meaning in a war-torn world riddled with comedy and pathos.
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re: Life During Wartime (Solondz, 2010)
I loved Welcome to the Dollhouse, Happiness and Storytelling, for some reason I still haven't watched Palindromes.
So, I hope to see this.
So, I hope to see this.
#10
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re: Life During Wartime (Solondz, 2010)
i think he really tapped into more of his own with 'Palindromes'. he most certainly out-did himself, and brought a surreal eye to the painfully realistic nature of his films' themes of sexual awkwardness. 'Welcome to the Dollhouse' was just another indie flick with spirit... 'Happiness' freaked me out, then i got over it fast... 'Storytelling' made me feel like shit... 'Palindromes' blew me away and still lingers in my head. it's such an unforgiving movie experience - i really cannot wait to see what Todd Solondz has in store now.
#11
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re: Life During Wartime (Solondz, 2010)
Now called Life During Wartime, and it won best screenplay at The Venice Film Festival.
Variety review:
Variety review:
In revisiting his darkly comic 1998 ensembler "Happiness," Todd Solondz may have made his best film with "Life During Wartime." The distinctive, boundary-pushing writer-director has had the eccentric inspiration to resurrect the same central characters a decade later, but using entirely different actors. Winning result, which reels off one riveting scene after another, stands as both a unique sort-of sequel and a film that requires no prior reference points; it's entirely satisfying either way, though even richer if you recall the antecedent. The resolutely niche filmmaker has never had a real breakout success and the confrontational nature of his latest won't change that fact, but his loyal following will be buoyed by this strong effort.
#13
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
re: Life During Wartime (Solondz, 2010)
It premiered at festivals last September and was supposed to be released in a few weeks in April. It's now been pushed to August.
I'm hoping that means it's really good.
Here is the international trailer (great cast BTW)
http://www.traileraddict.com/trailer...tional-trailer
I'm hoping that means it's really good.
Here is the international trailer (great cast BTW)
http://www.traileraddict.com/trailer...tional-trailer
Last edited by Throwing Copper; 03-23-10 at 11:55 PM.
#14
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re: Life During Wartime (Solondz, 2010)
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#16
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re: Life During Wartime (Solondz, 2010)
Just watched "Happiness" again the other day. That is just one hell of a film.
As for the new one, I saw an interview with Solondz and it's not really a sequel. He said some characters are based on previous ones but he changes race and possibly sex on some of them.
Can't wait to see this.
As for the new one, I saw an interview with Solondz and it's not really a sequel. He said some characters are based on previous ones but he changes race and possibly sex on some of them.
Can't wait to see this.
#20
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: Life During Wartime (Solondz, 2010)
OK, so this does have the same characters from Happiness, just played by different actors.
Should be cool.
Should be cool.
#21
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: Life During Wartime (Solondz, 2010)
IFC has the rights to this film, so it would be nice if they do their ON DEMAND cable thing at the same time the film is in theaters.
I have a feeling a lot of us outside of NY & LA wouldn't have much of a chance to catch this on the big screen.
I have a feeling a lot of us outside of NY & LA wouldn't have much of a chance to catch this on the big screen.
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Re: Life During Wartime (Solondz, 2010)
I'm very excited, I've loved Solondz since I saw Welcome to the Dollhouse in the theater when I was in high school.
#23
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: Life During Wartime (Solondz, 2010)
bump
Comes out July 23 - not too far away.
Just watched a clip and what I guess would be the theatrical trailer over at iTunes/Quicktime.
Can't wait to see this. I'll probably be driving quite a distance because it is Not Rated.
Comes out July 23 - not too far away.
Just watched a clip and what I guess would be the theatrical trailer over at iTunes/Quicktime.
Can't wait to see this. I'll probably be driving quite a distance because it is Not Rated.
#24
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Re: Life During Wartime (Solondz, 2010)
Finally caught this. I was laughing from the opening scene onwards, just like other Solondz movies. Fans of Happiness should enjoy.