Oh, Canada - Variety
By Alex Ritman | April 30, 2024
ARP has acquired French rights to Paul Schrader‘s “Oh, Canada,” starring Richard Gere, Uma Thurman, Michael Imperioli and Jacob Elordi.
News of the deal comes as the feature — which Arclight is repping for international sales — prepares for its world premiere in competition at the Cannes Film Festival next month.
Written and directed by Schrader, “Oh, Canada” is based on the 2021 novel “Foregone” by acclaimed author Russell Banks, who passed away last year. It marks Schrader’s second adaptation of Banks’ work after “Affliction,” and also reunites the filmmaker with his “American Gigolo” star Gere after more than 40 years.
The film centers on the story of famed documentary filmmaker Leonard Fife (Gere), an American leftist who fled to Canada as a young man (Elordi) to avoid the Vietnam War draft. As Fife battles cancer in Montreal during his twilight years, he agrees to one final interview. Intent on revealing his long-guarded secrets and demystifying his mythologized life, Fife’s shocking confession unfolds amidst the presence of his wife and producing partner, Emma (Thurman), his devoted former student Malcolm MacLeod (Imperioli) and a team of filmmakers capturing this profound moment.
David Gonzales (“Master Gardener”) lead produces “Oh, Canada” alongside Tiffany Boyle (“Joyland”), Luisa Law (“The Accidental Getaway Driver”), Scott LaStaiti (“Kandahar”) and Meghan Hanlon. Arclight Films’ Gary Hamilton, Ying Ye, Ryan Hamilton and Brian Beckmann are executive producers alongside Terri Garbarini, Tom Ogden, Andrea Bucko, Kyle Stroud, Elsa Ramo, Oliver Ridge, Andrea Chung, Kathryn M. Moseley, Eyal Rimmon and Damiano Tucci.
“We’ve been longtime admirers of Paul Schrader’s work and devout readers of Russell Banks’ books,” ARP’s Michèle Halberstadt said in a statement. “‘Oh, Canada’ is the reunion of two masters, and also a reunion between Paul Schrader and Richard Gere, so we felt this was an irresistible proposition. The movie is beautifully crafted, as brutally honest as it is heart wrenching. We’re extremely proud to introduce ‘Oh, Canada’ to French audiences.”
Arclight Films is handling international sales on the drama and WME Independent is co-repping domestic rights with Gonzales. The ARP deal was negotiated between ARP and producer Gonzales on behalf of the film.
“We are delighted to team up with Paul Schrader again following his acclaimed trilogy including ‘First Reformed,'” said Arclight Films Chairman Gary Hamilton. “And Cannes is the ideal launch pad to showcase this extraordinary film for our international buyers. With the incredible talent of Paul Schrader and our brilliant cast led by Richard Gere, Jacob Elordi, Uma Thurman and Michael Imperioli, fortune has smiled on us and we are so honored to part of this project.”