“Everybody Digs Bill Evans,” the jazz biopic that obtained a rapturous reception within the Berlinale and would go on to win the Silver Bear for director Grant Gee, has been picked up for the U.S.
Cohen Media Group has purchased the characteristic, described by “evocative portrait of one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century.”
“Everybody Digs Bill Evans” facilities on a pivotal second in 1961, when the sudden demise of bassist and artistic associate Scott LaFaro leaves jazz pianist Invoice Evans unable to play, forcing him to confront grief, habit and the delicate stability between artistry and self-destruction.
The solid consists of Anders Danielsen Lie as Evans, alongside Bill Pullman, Academy Award nominee and Tony-winner Laurie Metcalf, Barry Ward, Valene Kane and Katie McGrath.
The acquisition was negotiated by Robert Aaronson, government vp of Cohen Media Group, and CAA Media Finance on behalf of the producers and Mister Smith Leisure, which additionally handles worldwide gross sales, at this 12 months’s Marché du Movie in Cannes.
“Grant Gee’s film is a deeply felt and beautifully composed exploration of artistic genius and personal vulnerability,” mentioned Gee. “The performance from Anders Danielsen Lie is extraordinary and ‘Everybody Digs Bill Evans’ captures the emotional complexity behind Evans’ music. We’re honored to bring this powerful film to audiences in the U.S.”
Producers Janine Marmot and Alan Maher added: “We are thrilled to be working with Cohen Media on the American release of Grant Gee’s beautiful film. We are so excited to be bringing this portrait of an American music icon with our incredible international cast to a wide audience.”
In its assessment, Selection described the movie as “an aching jazz biopic played with a delicate pianissimo touch.”
Tailored from Owen Martell’s novel “Intermission,” the screenplay is by Mark O’Halloran (“Viva,” “Conversations With Friends”). Gee’s physique of labor consists of “Joy Division” and “Meeting People Is Easy.” Producers are Janine Marmot (“Is There Anybody Out There?”) for Scorching Property Movies and Alan Maher (“Lola”) for Cowtown Photos. Govt producers are Albert Berger and Ron Yerxa for Bona Fide Prods., Greg Martin for Fís Éireann/Display screen Eire, John Wallace, Kevin McGrath, Susan Simnett, Amy Gardner, Dana Høegh and David McLoughlin.
The movie was financed by Fís Éireann/Display screen Eire, the U.Okay. International Display screen Fund — financed by the U.Okay. Authorities’s Division for Tradition, Media and Sport and administered by the BFI — in addition to Over the Fence Movies, Finite Movie, Shoni Prods. and OnSight.
