Cannes 2011: Silent black and white film is first film picked up
Despite the fact that the Cannes Film Festival is barely underway, there's already been a major acquisition. According to Deadline, the Weinstein Company is close to a deal for THE ARTIST which is a black and white silent film which is making its premiere at the festival this Sunday. Further, it appears as though the Weinsteins are looking to release the film later this year in hopes of nabbing some Oscar nominations.
While the details on the film are a bit thin, we do know that it stars Jean Dujardin, Berenice Bejo, John Goodman, James Cromwell, Missi Pyle, and Penelope Ann Miller. The film is set in the late 1920's, near the end of the silent film era, as a silent movie star is near the end of his career with the arrival of "talkies."
I'm curious to see how this film does with the critics at the festival. It seems like a risky film to pick up, considering its silent, as well as black and white. I wouldn't expect the film to do well commercially, which leaves critical acclaim as its saving grace. I'm extremely curious to see this, as it's something entirely different than what we're used to seeing in theaters.
Be sure to check out all of our Cannes 2011 coverage here!
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