Magnolia Pictures has acquired the U.S. rights to “Late Fame,” the acclaimed new film from “Diane” director Kent Jones. The film had its world premiere at this year’s Venice Film Festival and was later screened at the New York Film Festival.
“Late Fame” stars Oscar nominee Willem Dafoe and “Past Lives” breakout star Greta Lee. Co-starring Edmund Donovan (“Civil War”). Magnolia plans to release the film in 2026. Mr. Jones is a former New York Film Festival director and also produced the documentary “Hitchcock/Truffaut.”
The film was written by Oscar-nominated screenwriter Sammy Birch (May December) and is based on Arthur Schnitzler’s novel of the same name. This is the story of Ed Saxberger (Dafoe), a forgotten New York poet who works in the post office. After an enthusiastic and flattering fan (Donovan) shows up on his doorstep, Sachsberger is invited into the fold of young fans who anoint him as a rediscovered genius. Intoxicated by the attention and the seductive presence of the group’s “tragic heroine” Gloria (Lee), Sachsberger gradually begins to question the authenticity of his newfound poetry circle.
Eamon Bowles and Dori Begley, co-CEOs of Magnolia Pictures, said: “With Late Fame, Kent Jones has solidified his place as a great film artist.” “Willem Dafoe’s memorable performance, ably aided by the rest of the wonderful cast, supports a beautiful and complex story.”
Magnolia has previously released Paul Schrader’s Venetian crime thriller The Master Gardener and Oscar-nominated documentary Collective by Alexander Nanau. Palme d’Or winner at Cannes and Oscar nominees for “Shoplifters” and “The Square.” and Oscar-nominated Raoul Peck’s “I’m Not Your Negro.”
“I’ve always loved Magnolia,” Jones said. “I love their taste, I love their commitment, I love their dedication to their films and to those of us who make them. There’s no better place for Late Fame than Magnolia Pictures.”
The picture was produced by Pamela Koffler, Mason Plotz, Christine Vachon, Danny Roberts, HS Nagy, Jackie Langelier, Taylor Shun, and Ethan Lazar. The film is executive produced by Kyle Owens, Austin Rydell, Billie Lourd, Nia Kuchukov, Peter Richards, Peter Friedland, Sasha Krupchak, Evan Moore, Nidal Karl, Josh Plasse, Brev Moss, Robina Ricchitello, Josh Peters, Lorenza Veronica, Alessandro Del Vigna, Lisa Wolofsky, Sarah Schuster, and Sammy. Birch, Martin Scorsese, Nahanael Kermitz, Elisha Kermitz, Fionnuala Jamison, Vanessa Searle. “Late Fame” is an A Killer Films production in association with Fresh Fish Films, Working Barn Productions, Morning Moon Productions and MK2 Films.
The deal was negotiated by John von Saden, Magnolia’s senior vice president of acquisitions, with UTA Independent Film Group, Cinetic Media and WME Independent negotiating on behalf of the filmmakers.
