August Is For Catching Up As Arthouses Await Livelier Fall – Specialty Preview
20.08.2022 - 02:19
/ deadline.com
“People are catching up on films,” is how one arthouse executive described the current moment in specialty, which echoes the slowdown in studio wide releases.
August can be slow ahead of a trio of festivals – Venice, Toronto, New York – and a ramp up to awards season. It can also offer an less obstructed runway for specialty films to cross over (Gwyneth Paltrow in Emma). This summer has been slow, but strong word of mouth has boosted select films. Warner Bros.’ Elvis for one, is at $143 million, pushing five times what it made opening weekend. Focus Features’ Mrs. Harris Goes To Paris opened at $2 million but will cross $10 million. RRR is a phenomenon, passing $11M. Greg Laemmle said he’s bringing the blockbuster from India back on August 26. Laemmle is also holding an event screening for Neon documentary Fire Of Love next Wed. and hopes that will keep other runs going.
“We are waiting for a strong fall lineup,” he said, noting Triangle Of Sadness, The Banshees of Inisherin, The Silent Twins, Tár, and The Son among others. “And we’ve got Searchlight Pictures back.” The Disney-owned distributor’s first theatrical film in months, See How They Run, comes out in Sept., Banshees in Oct.)
The broader box office awaits Black Adam, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and Avatar: The Way Of Water. But it’s one ecosystem. “I am a ‘rising tide lifts all boats’ kind of guy. When there are big movies out there, people are talking about movies and going to movies. And when people aren’t, the conversation can shift, and people will continue to beat the drum about the death of exhibition,” Laemmle said.
Specialty openings:
IFC Films presents Jeff Baena’s Spin Me Round in about 20 markets. Written by Baena, Alison Brie. Starring Brie Alessandro