Sony Pictures Classics announced today that they have acquired North American rights to Eleanor Coppola’s narrative directorial and screenwriting debut, Paris Can Wait, which made its World Premiere last week during the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival.
Written and directed by Coppola, Paris Can Wait stars Academy Award nominee Diane Lane, Alec Baldwin and Arnaud Viard, is produced by Coppola and Fred Roos, and is executive produced by Michael Zakin, Lisa Hamilton Daly, Tanya Lopez, Rob Sharenow and Molly Thompson. The film is an American Zoetrope and Lifetime Films production in association with Corner Piece Capital and Tohokushinsha Film Corp.
Anne (Diane Lane) is at a crossroads in her life. Long married to a successfully driven but inattentive movie producer (Alec Baldwin), she finds herself taking a car trip from Cannes to Paris with a business associate of her husband (Arnaud Viard). What should be a seven-hour drive turns into a three day journey of discovery involving picturesque sights, fine food and wine, humor, wisdom, and much more in Paris Can Wait.
“Eleanor Coppola’s ‘Paris Can Wait’ is a movie to savor, something very fine. Elegantly directed, exquisitely designed and beautifully acted by Diane Lane and Arnaud Viard, this is that special movie that will bring pleasure to audiences everywhere. It is a privilege to be involved,” said Sony Pictures Classics.
“My long journey making my first fiction feature ended in Toronto to a welcoming audience, and I’m thrilled that Michael, Tom, Dylan and their team at Sony Pictures Classics will release it. They are the ‘gold standard’ in bringing very interesting, high quality films to the big screen over many years. I look forward to working with them to show ‘Paris Can Wait’ to an even wider audience,” said Coppola.
“It is so gratifying to have been part of helping a creative spirit like Eleanor realize her vision. Seeing her make this wonderful film, so true to who she is, has been incredibly rewarding,” said Rob Sharenow EVP and GM A&E and Lifetime. A + E Television retains second TV window rights to the film.
The deal for Paris Can Wait was negotiated by ICM Partners and Barry Hirsch on behalf of the filmmakers, Molly Thompson on behalf of A + E and Lifetime Films, and Sony Pictures Classics. Protagonist Pictures is handling international sales.
