April 27, 2010

Oscilloscope picks up 'Howl' for release!

Here's the official press release from Oscilloscope Laboratories:

Oscilloscope Laboratories announced today that it has acquired U.S. distribution rights to 2-time Academy Award® winning director Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman's first dramatic narrative HOWL. Starring James Franco in a career-defining performance as Allen Ginsberg, HOWL is the story of how the young poet's seminal work broke down societal barriers in the face of an infamous public obscenity trial. HOWL was the opening night film at Sundance Film Festival 2010 and also played in competition at 2010 Berlinale. The film was produced by Elizabeth Redleaf and Christine Kunewa Walker of Werc Werk Works, and Epstein and Friedman. Oscilloscope will release HOWL in theaters and VOD on September 24, 2010.

In his famously confessional style, Ginsberg – poet, counter-culture icon, and chronicler of the Beat Generation – recounts the road trips, love affairs, and search for personal liberation that led to HOWL, the most timeless work of his career. HOWL interweaves three stories: the unfolding of the landmark 1957 obscenity trial; an imaginative animated ride through the prophetic masterpiece; and a unique portrait of a man who found new ways to express himself, and in doing so, changed his own life and galvanized a generation.

HOWL features James Franco, David Strathairn, Jon Hamm, Bob Balaban, Alessandro Nivola, Treat Williams, with Mary-Louise Parker and Jeff Daniels.

David Fenkel, co-founder of Oscilloscope says, "At O-Scope we love working with passionate, creative filmmakers who make entertaining and meaningful films, and the team behind HOWL perfectly fit this profile. They put together a great cast, lead by a performance by James Franco that people will be talking about for years."

Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman say: "We're very happy that HOWL has found the perfect home and partners. Oscilloscope is the coolest company around."

Elizabeth Walker, CEO of Werc Werk Works says: "We are very fortunate that Oscilloscope has come on board to bring their passion and dedication to this extraordinary and inspiring movie."

Christine Walker, President of Werc Werk Works says: "Adam Yauch and his team have a terrific track record of nurturing unique films like HOWL and we look forward to working with them and bringing it to the widest audience possible."

-I think they did okay with The Messenger last year, so they're a pretty good distributor to handle a small flick...thoughts?

5 comments:

  1. I wouldn't expect much, considering the reviews out of Sundance were polite, but not spectacular, but I'm a fan of Ginsberg, so I'll see it.

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  2. Word is that Franco is amazing in it. My friends saw the premiere and loved it so I'm very excited for it. Supposed to be very artistic so perhaps while it won't have mainstream success it will have a cult following. I love those filmmakers they did some phenomenal documentaries and I love Franco so it's near the top of my must see list.

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  3. I've heard Franco is good, and that it's fairly arty. I'll definitely see it, but I'm not expecting a classic, just an interesting little flick.

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  4. If Franco is as good as they say, then we should bet on an Academy Award nomination. A lot of people think he's overdue after missing one for Milk.

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  5. Well, depends on who you listen to as "they"...

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