The Leisure Seeker
| The Leisure Seeker | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Paolo Virzì |
| Screenplay by | Paolo Virzì Francesca Archibugi Francesco Piccolo Stephen Amidon |
| Produced by | Fabrizio Donvito Marco Cohen Benedetto Habib |
| Starring | Donald Sutherland Helen Mirren |
| Cinematography | Luca Bigazzi |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | Sony Pictures Classics Creative Artists Agency BAC Films |
Release dates |
|
| Countries | Italy United States |
| Language | English |
The Leisure Seeker is a 2017 Italian-American road movie directed by Paolo Virzì. It is also his first full English-language film. The film is based on the 2009 novel of the same name by Michael Zadoorian. It stars Donald Sutherland and Helen Mirren, for the first time acting together since the 1990 film Bethune: The Making of a Hero.[1][2] It was screened in the main competition section of the 74th Venice International Film Festival.[3]
Plot
A runaway couple who embarks on a cross-country journey from Boston to the Florida Keys in their vintage camper to escape from the suffocating care of their doctors and grown children.
Cast
- Donald Sutherland as John
- Helen Mirren as Ella
- Kirsty Mitchell as Jennifer Ward
- Christian McKay as Will
- Robert Pralgo as Phillip
- Janel Moloney as Jane
- Dick Gregory as Dan
Production
Development
The film reunited director Paolo Virzì with producers Fabrizio Donvito, Benedetto Habib, and Marco Cohen from the Indiana Production Company, since their collaboration in Human Capital and Like Crazy which also won many festival awards. The film is also the director's first film totally shot in English.
Sutherland and Mirren had previously collaborated as a married couple in the Phillip Borsos directed China-set saga, Bethune: The Making of a Hero,[4] and this is their first film together after 27 years.
Filming
Principal photography for the film begin in July 2016, where the crew’s cars were damaged on set in Atlanta.[5] A casting call for extras was sent out,[6] and filming also took place in Stone Mountain and Dunwoody, Georgia.
Release
The film, based on the novel by Michael Zadoorian, is being sold at Cannes by BAC Films, which will also handle international sales and distribute the movie in France, while CAA will co-represent North American rights.[7] On August 30, 2017, Focus Features has acquired the UK rights to the film.[8] It is scheduled to be released on January 19, 2018.
References
- ^ "Cannes: Helen Mirren and Donald Sutherland to Topline Paolo Virzì's 'The Leisure Seeker'". Variety. May 12, 2016.
- ^ "Helen Mirren & Donald Sutherland Team For 'The Leisure Seeker' – Cannes". Deadline. May 12, 2016.
- ^ "Venice Competition Includes Films From George Clooney, Guillermo del Toro, Darren Aronofsky". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 27 July 2017.
- ^ "Helen Mirren, Donald Sutherland joins Paolo Virzi's 'The Leisure Seeker'". May 12, 2016.
- ^ "Cars Damaged During 'Leisure Seeker' Shoot In Atlanta: Production Says It Will Pay Deductibles — Update". Deadline. August 28, 2016.
- ^ "Donald Sutherland's "The Leisure Seeker" Looking for Extras". Casting360. August 9, 2016.
- ^ "Bac Nails Sales for Helen Mirren/Donald Sutherland Starrer 'Leisure Seeker' (EXCLUSIVE)". September 9, 2016.
- ^ "Focus Features Boards 'The Leisure Seeker' With Helen Mirren, Donald Sutherland (EXCLUSIVE)". August 30, 2017.
