Heath Ledger’s Final Film Definitely In Theaters This Year
Terry Gilliam’s The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus -- Heath Ledger’s final film -- is making its way to theaters in at least the UK, Ireland, and Australia in 2009.
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus’ Facebook Page has the film set for a 24 September 2009 release date. This would appear both accurate and inaccurate, depending on where you live. As a result of the confusion this obviously causes, there have been many articles posted on the subject. In response to one on The Hollywood Reporter blog, the official publicist for the movie, Graham Smith, had this to say:
“With reference to the international distribution of The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus mentioned above, the film will be released in the U.K. and Ireland by Lionsgate later this year and has been sold to leading distributors worldwide. Principal teritories include Central and South America, Scandinavia, Mexico and Spain (all Sony), France (Metropolitan/Kinema), Germany (TMG/Concorde), Japan (Showgate), Italy (Movie Max), Australia (Hoyts), Benelux (NCV), China (Golden Harvest), India/Pakistan (Weg), South Africa (Nu Metro), South Korea (Showtime) and C.I.S. (West Film). Canadian distribution is being handled by Seville and US distribution will be confirmed once we have a completed film to screen.”
There may also be good reason why Smith mentioned the UK first in his announcement. Entertainment Weekly reports that the UK distributor will release the film there in June, which if true will see the UK become the first country in the world in which fans get to see Heath Ledger’s final movie. Either way, Smith’s response is concrete confirmation that the UK and Ireland will see the film in theaters this year.
And, it appears, so too will Australia. Hoyts Distribution in Australia, who for a reported sum of $20M were one of the first companies to acquire rights to the film, have recently updated their official Hoyts Cinemas website to include the 24th of September 2009 as their theatrical release date in Australia. Given how quickly Hoyts moved on acquiring rights, and the fact that Australia is Heath Ledger’s home country, there is no reason to doubt that this update by Hoyts isn’t accurate. As it stands, the film will be released by Hoyts in Australia 24 September 2009.
The biggest question mark over this film now rests almost entirely with its chances of finding a US distributor -- virtually everywhere else now has one. According to the film’s Facebook page, so too does North America. This is one area where the rumors haven’t been addressed by the publicist, however it is noted that Imaginarium is not listed on Lionsgate’s own film distribution project list. I think it is fair to say that whilst Lionsgate UK have committed, their US arm is still holding back.
Finally there is a rumor reported by The Hollywood Insider that Imaginarium will be screened at the Cannes Film Festival (13-24 May). There is no official confirmation to confirm or deny this rumor at this time.
Now, moving along, Risky Biz quoted Heath’s sister Kate Ledger at the Oscars as saying, “We’ve seen a little bit of the footage. I think it’s going to be amazing.” Here’s a video narrated by Director Terry Gilliam that offers the rest of us our little bit of footage too:
March 21st, 2009 at 5:46 pm
“Cannes have announced the 15 films to be shown there in advance and Imaginarium is not in the list.”
It’s absolutely wrong. I challenge you to show that list… We won’t know what films will be shown at Cannes until late April.
March 21st, 2009 at 6:09 pm
My information was related to the 15 projects for the Cannes Atelier, which is not the same as the Cannes Film Projects. I appreciate the correction and have updated the article accordingly.
Since I’ve mentioned it, regarding the 15 Films Chosen for the Atelier:
From: http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/article/56276.html
To assist directors in financing and speeding completion of their projects, the Festival created the Atelier in 2005.
For its fifth edition, the Atelier de la Cinéfondation has chosen 15 projects from 14 countries. The selection has been restricted to highlight both up and coming directors: Ho Wi Ding, Caran Hartsfield or Bertrand Mandico, and established directors: Zhang Yuan, Faouzi Bensaidi, Diego Lerman, Danielle Arbid or Malgoska Szumowska.
Alongside the producer(s) of their films, each director will meet in Cannes from May 15th to May 22nd film industry professionals during the course of meetings that are presently being organized.
The Livre des Projets, in addition to a form to request a meeting with our directors, will be available from April 15th on the Cinéfondation website.
South Africa – The Umbrella Men by John BARKER (2nd feature film)
Argentina – Moral Sciences by Diego LERMAN (3rd feature film)
China – Executioner Garden by ZHANG Yuan (11th feature film)
Egypt – Oblivion by Atef HETATA (2nd feature film)
USA – Bury me standing by Caran HARTSFIELD (1st feature film)
USA – Free in deed by Jake MAHAFFY (3rd feature film)
France – L’Homme qui cache la forêt by Bertrand MANDICO (1st feature film)
Italy – Shun Li and the Poet by Andrea SEGRE (2nd feature film)
Lebanon / France – Chambres d’Hôtel by Danielle ARBID (3rd feature film)
Morocco – Death for sale by Faouzi BENSAIDI (3rd feature film)
Uzbekistan – 40 Days of Silence by Saodat ISMAILOVA (1st feature film)
Poland – Sponsoring by Malgoska SZUMOWSKA (4th feature film)
Portugal – Red Cross by Hugo VIEIRA DA SILVA (2nd feature film)
Taiwan / Philippines – Pinoy Sunday by HO Wi Ding (1st feature film)
Turkey – Our Grand Despair by Seyfi TEOMAN (2nd feature film)