Дебютный фильм Коуди Ферн «Closing Night» с Наоми Уоттс и Сарой Полсон пройдет на TIFF

Cody Fern’s directorial debut Closing Night, starring Naomi Watts, Odessa A’zion and Sarah Paulson, will have its world premiere in the Special Presentations program at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival. Formerly Mother Courage, the Australian-Canadian co-production centres on Sandra Vale (Paulson), a celebrated actress whose life begins to unravel on the eve of her greatest performance. When her estranged sister April (Watts) arrives in New York after 30 years apart, old wounds resurface almost as quickly as old habits. Dianne Wiest plays vitriolic family matriarch Diane, Toby Wallace plays April’s son Theo, and A’zion plays Lucy, a wilful rebel on the edge of a life-altering decision. Toni Collette was originally part of the cast but is no longer involved with the project. Fern, known for American Horror Story and The Great Darkened Days, wrote the screenplay with fellow actor Devon Bostick. The film shot in Montreal, with post-production taking place in NSW. Matilda Comers and Will Howarth of Fictious produce alongside Nancy Grant and Rosalie Chicoine Perreault. Timothy White, Tanya Lapointe, Amanda Freedman, Lucile Vainstein, Raphael Quenard and Patrick DesRosiers executive produce, with Yves Bélanger serving as cinematographer and Dany Cooper as editor. Screen Australia and Telefilm Canada supported the film through the countries’ co-production treaty. mk2 Films is handling international sales, with Icon holding Australian rights, Elevation Pictures distributing in Canada, and Ad Vitam in France. TIFF international programmer Jason Ryle described the film as a “sharp, emotionally astute story about family bonds and buried truths,” noting that beneath its wickedly entertaining family drama, Closing Night evolves into a compassionate reflection on love, sacrifice and whether even the deepest fractures can be mended once everything is laid bare. Closing Night was one of 11 features announced for next month’s event today, bringing the total for the 51st edition to 293 titles. Blackfella Films’ documentary series 2.6 Seconds: Death in the Outback, Jennifer Peedom’s narrative feature debut Tenzing, Australian-UK co-production Prima Facie, Alex Liu’s God Bless You, Mr Kopu, Jenna Cato Bass’s South African-Australian eco-thriller Future Tense, Nick Kozakis’s action horror Kick On, and Jess Barclay Lawton’s documentary short When the Ground Paused are among the selections for this year’s event, which will run September 10-20.