Paul Schrader’s Cannes Competition Film ‘Oh, Canada’ Sets French Distribution With ARP Selection

Melanie Goodfellow
·2 min read
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Paris-based distributor ARP Selection has acquired French rights for Paul Schrader’s Oh, Canada ahead of its world premiere in Competition at the Cannes Film Festival in May.

Oscar nominee Schrader (Taxi Driver, First Reformed) wrote and directed the film, which reunites him with Richard Gere some 40 years after their collaboration on American Gigolo, with other members of the cast including Uma Thurman, Michael Imperioli and Jacob Elordi.

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Schrader has adapted the drama from late writer Russell Banks’ 2021 novel Foregone, about a renowned documentary maker with secrets from the past. It is Schrader’s second adaptation of a work by Banks, after 1997 mystery thriller Affliction, starring Nick Nolte and Sissy Spacek.

“We’ve been long-time admirers of Paul Schrader’s work and devout readers of Russell Banks’ books,” said ARP Selection head Michèle Halberstadt.

“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.”

Gere stars as famed documentary filmmaker Leonard Fife, 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.

Arclight Films is handling international sales and WME Independent is co-repping domestic rights with Gonzales.

“We are delighted to team up with Paul Schrader again following his acclaimed trilogy including First Reformed. And Cannes is the ideal launch pad to showcase this extraordinary film for our international buyers,” said Arclight Films Chairman Hamilton.

The deal was negotiated between ARP Selection and producer Gonzales on behalf of the film.

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