Sasquatch Sunset directors Nathan and David Zellner always wondered what these hairy giants do when they’re not walking – the only Bigfoot footage available has been a minute of a supposed Sasquatch wandering in the northern California woods. They decided to flesh that out in unique dialogue-free comedic imagining of the creatures’ daily life – eating, fighting, etc. Stars Jesse Eisenberg, Riley Keough, Christophe Zajac-Denek and Nathan Zellner are unrecognizable as the hairy tribe of four that entranced Sundance (see Deadline review). Bleecker Street is opening the film, written by David Zellner, executive produced by Ari Aster, in 9 theaters in New York, LA, San Francisco and Austin, ahead of a big jump to about 800 screens next week.
IFC Films opens Nicolas Cage-starring Arcadian on 1,100 screens. Premiered at SXSW, see Deadline review. Eying a low single-digits start. The Benjamin Brewer directed movie follows a father and his...
IFC Films opens Nicolas Cage-starring Arcadian on 1,100 screens. Premiered at SXSW, see Deadline review. Eying a low single-digits start. The Benjamin Brewer directed movie follows a father and his...
- 4/12/2024
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Two parallel but inevitably intersecting stories make up Italian-born director Marco Perego’s debut feature “The Absence of Eden,” a strikingly shot and superbly acted immigration drama. But for all its commendable on-screen elements, it’s the screenplay that Perego co-wrote with Rick Rapoza that falls short, traversing overly familiar and rather sordid tropes related to a divisive political issue. While the actors — led by Zoe Saldaña, who is also married to the director — give powerful portrayals that challenge the country’s anti-immigrant climate, but there’s little in the way of thematic novelty here.
New Ice Agent Shipp (Garrett Hedlund), whose estranged father often leaves voice messages he never hears, has just moved to an unnamed border town. Though Shipp’s decision to join this line of work doesn’t stem from a strong ideological stance, his partner and friend Dobbins (Chris Coy) tries to instill in him a dehumanizing “us against them” mentality.
New Ice Agent Shipp (Garrett Hedlund), whose estranged father often leaves voice messages he never hears, has just moved to an unnamed border town. Though Shipp’s decision to join this line of work doesn’t stem from a strong ideological stance, his partner and friend Dobbins (Chris Coy) tries to instill in him a dehumanizing “us against them” mentality.
- 4/12/2024
- by Carlos Aguilar
- Variety Film + TV
Immigration has often been a topic that sparks strong emotions around the globe, and it is an especially hot topic this election season, particularly when you have a U.S. presidential candidate characterizing undocumented immigrants not as “human” but rather as “animals” and using phrases such as “they are poisoning the blood of our country” at campaign rallies. Now seems to be a perfect time for a powerful new film, The Absence of Eden, to perhaps help lower the temperature and show the human side of those trying to cross the border into a new and hopefully better life.
None other than Martin Scorsese has lent his name to this film by signing on as an executive producer, and it represents the first feature for artist and producer Marco Perego who also happens to be the husband of the film’s star Zoe Saldaña. Perego says it was all inspired...
None other than Martin Scorsese has lent his name to this film by signing on as an executive producer, and it represents the first feature for artist and producer Marco Perego who also happens to be the husband of the film’s star Zoe Saldaña. Perego says it was all inspired...
- 4/11/2024
- by Pete Hammond
- Deadline Film + TV
Fine performances and powerful visuals only partially compensate for the inevitable air of familiarity that accompanies Marco Perego’s debut feature. Although the filmmaker provides his real-life spouse Zoe Saldaña with one of her best roles in a long while — it’s nice to see her get a respite from the numerous sci-fi and fantasy blockbuster franchises (Star Trek, Avatar, Guardians of the Galaxy) to which she’s attached, not to mention free of alien make-up — The Absence of Eden spins a by-now sadly familiar story of the human suffering engendered by the border crisis.
Saldaña plays Esmee, a Mexican private dancer who is forced to flee her country after she shoots and kills a client who attempts to assault her while she’s performing a lap dance. After discovering that he was a member of a cartel, she says a tearful goodbye to her abuela and enlists the services...
Saldaña plays Esmee, a Mexican private dancer who is forced to flee her country after she shoots and kills a client who attempts to assault her while she’s performing a lap dance. After discovering that he was a member of a cartel, she says a tearful goodbye to her abuela and enlists the services...
- 4/11/2024
- by Frank Scheck
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Roadside Attractions and Vertical have acquired U.S. to the Zoe Saldaña thriller The Absence of Eden from first-time feature filmmaker Marco Perego. An April 12 theatrical release has been set.
Pic follows an undocumented immigrant who finds herself working with a morally conflicted Ice agent to try to save the life of an innocent young girl. Garrett Hedlund and Adria Arjona co-star. Perego and Rick Rapoza wrote the script.
The Absence of Eden takes place at the border between the United States and Mexico – a hellish landscape inhabited by coyotes, armed officers, desperate immigrants, and refugees. When Esmee (Saldana), a young woman working as a private dancer in Mexico, is forced to commit a violent act of self-defense that results in the death of a cartel member, she flees her homeland for sanctuary in the United States. Guided by a ruthless...
Pic follows an undocumented immigrant who finds herself working with a morally conflicted Ice agent to try to save the life of an innocent young girl. Garrett Hedlund and Adria Arjona co-star. Perego and Rick Rapoza wrote the script.
The Absence of Eden takes place at the border between the United States and Mexico – a hellish landscape inhabited by coyotes, armed officers, desperate immigrants, and refugees. When Esmee (Saldana), a young woman working as a private dancer in Mexico, is forced to commit a violent act of self-defense that results in the death of a cartel member, she flees her homeland for sanctuary in the United States. Guided by a ruthless...
- 2/29/2024
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Italian artist Marco Perego’s debut feature The Absence of Eden has set a picturesque world premiere at the upcoming edition of Italy’s 69th Taormina Film Festival, running from June 23 to July 1.
The festival will unveil the film in a screening at its landmark Ancient Greek amphitheatre with co-stars Zoe Saldaña, Garrett Hedlund and Adria Arjona in attendance.
Hedlund plays an Ice Agent struggling with the moral dilemmas of his job who unites with an undocumented woman fighting to escape a ruthless cartel, played by Guardians of the Galaxy star and Perego’s wife Saldaña, to save the life of an innocent girl.
Perego, who co-wrote the original screenplay with Rick Rapoza, previously produced the short film Me + Her and also directed the short film Burn To Shine, alongside his career as an artist.
“I am so excited to be screening The Absence of Eden in the Teatro Antico,...
The festival will unveil the film in a screening at its landmark Ancient Greek amphitheatre with co-stars Zoe Saldaña, Garrett Hedlund and Adria Arjona in attendance.
Hedlund plays an Ice Agent struggling with the moral dilemmas of his job who unites with an undocumented woman fighting to escape a ruthless cartel, played by Guardians of the Galaxy star and Perego’s wife Saldaña, to save the life of an innocent girl.
Perego, who co-wrote the original screenplay with Rick Rapoza, previously produced the short film Me + Her and also directed the short film Burn To Shine, alongside his career as an artist.
“I am so excited to be screening The Absence of Eden in the Teatro Antico,...
- 6/20/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
If we had to look at all the line-ups of the fest for the past two decades we’d find at least one “border” drama per edition. Perhaps this item fits that bill. Partners in love become creative partners in life in Marco Perego Saldana‘s directorial debut, Keyhole Garden. Production took place in New Mexico back in August of 2019 with Zoe Saldana toplining and being supported by Garrett Hedlund and Tom Waits.
Gist: Written by Perego-Saldana and Rick Rapoza, this traces the sprawling romance of a man and woman whose love for each other struggles to overcome the divisiveness of life on America’s southern border.…...
Gist: Written by Perego-Saldana and Rick Rapoza, this traces the sprawling romance of a man and woman whose love for each other struggles to overcome the divisiveness of life on America’s southern border.…...
- 11/18/2020
- by Eric Lavallée
- IONCINEMA.com
Zoe Saldana is set to star in her husband’s directorial debut, in the romance Keyhole Garden. Marco Perego-Saldana is directing from an original screenplay he co-wrote Rick Rapoza. Variety reports the following synopsis for the film:
“Keyhole Garden” traces the sprawling romance of a man and woman whose love for each other struggles to overcome the divisiveness of life on America’s southern border. The film is a timely exploration of the humanity of immigration and the fragility of life through three interwoven narratives: a young boy trying to save his undocumented friend from deportation; an immigration agent unknowingly dooming a former lover; and a cartel trafficker carrying out his last mission.
This sounds like it could a be touching, timely, and poignant film. Saldana is a fantastic actress, so as long as the writing is good, this movie should do well. Filming is set to begin in August,...
“Keyhole Garden” traces the sprawling romance of a man and woman whose love for each other struggles to overcome the divisiveness of life on America’s southern border. The film is a timely exploration of the humanity of immigration and the fragility of life through three interwoven narratives: a young boy trying to save his undocumented friend from deportation; an immigration agent unknowingly dooming a former lover; and a cartel trafficker carrying out his last mission.
This sounds like it could a be touching, timely, and poignant film. Saldana is a fantastic actress, so as long as the writing is good, this movie should do well. Filming is set to begin in August,...
- 5/22/2019
- by Jessica Fisher
- GeekTyrant
Zoe Saldana is attached to artist Marco Perego-Saldana’s romance “Keyhole Garden,” the Exchange CEO Brian O’Shea announced in Cannes.
The Exchange is introducing the project to international buyers at the Marché du Film this week. CAA is handling U.S. sales.
Saldana is appearing as Gamora in worldwide blockbuster “Avengers: Endgame” and is set to reprise her role as Neytiri in the “Avatar” sequels. Perego-Saldana, who is married to Zoe Saldana, is making his feature debut.
Filming is set to begin this August, with an original screenplay written by Rick Rapoza and Perego-Saldana. “Keyhole Garden” is produced by Julie Horn, Alexandra Milchan (“Wolf of Wall Street”), Perego-Saldana with Robert Kravis (“Lucky Number Slevin”) and Karl Herrmann (“Dinner in America”) under their banner Pioneer Pictures. Rick Yorn is serving as executive producer. Award-winning editor Lee Haugen (“Dope”) is also attached.
“Keyhole Garden” traces the sprawling romance of a man...
The Exchange is introducing the project to international buyers at the Marché du Film this week. CAA is handling U.S. sales.
Saldana is appearing as Gamora in worldwide blockbuster “Avengers: Endgame” and is set to reprise her role as Neytiri in the “Avatar” sequels. Perego-Saldana, who is married to Zoe Saldana, is making his feature debut.
Filming is set to begin this August, with an original screenplay written by Rick Rapoza and Perego-Saldana. “Keyhole Garden” is produced by Julie Horn, Alexandra Milchan (“Wolf of Wall Street”), Perego-Saldana with Robert Kravis (“Lucky Number Slevin”) and Karl Herrmann (“Dinner in America”) under their banner Pioneer Pictures. Rick Yorn is serving as executive producer. Award-winning editor Lee Haugen (“Dope”) is also attached.
“Keyhole Garden” traces the sprawling romance of a man...
- 5/17/2019
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
Whatever Makes You Happy
"Arrow" star Stephen Amell is in talks to join actresses Susan Sarandon and Allison Janney in Cindy Chupack's directorial debut "Whatever Makes You Happy" at Mandalay Pictures. Filming begins in New York City in June.
Based on William Sutcliffe's novel, the story follows a trio of suburban mothers who have been friends since their sons were in grade school. Two decades later, the mothers, feeling marginalized and forgotten, impulsively decide to pay an unannounced visit to their sons in New York City. [Source: Variety]
Who Gets the Dog
Alicia Silverstone will star in Steven C. Miller's romantic comedy "Who Gets the Dog?" for Epic Pictures Group. The story centers on a divorcing couple who are fighting over custody of their beloved dog. Matt J.L. Wheeler & Rick Rapoza penned the script and filming begins December 3rd in Chicago. [Source: Variety]
Is That a Gun In Your Pocket?...
"Arrow" star Stephen Amell is in talks to join actresses Susan Sarandon and Allison Janney in Cindy Chupack's directorial debut "Whatever Makes You Happy" at Mandalay Pictures. Filming begins in New York City in June.
Based on William Sutcliffe's novel, the story follows a trio of suburban mothers who have been friends since their sons were in grade school. Two decades later, the mothers, feeling marginalized and forgotten, impulsively decide to pay an unannounced visit to their sons in New York City. [Source: Variety]
Who Gets the Dog
Alicia Silverstone will star in Steven C. Miller's romantic comedy "Who Gets the Dog?" for Epic Pictures Group. The story centers on a divorcing couple who are fighting over custody of their beloved dog. Matt J.L. Wheeler & Rick Rapoza penned the script and filming begins December 3rd in Chicago. [Source: Variety]
Is That a Gun In Your Pocket?...
- 11/7/2014
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
• Who Gets the Dog? has found its lead in Alicia Silverstone. Steven C. Miller will direct from a script by Matt J.L. Wheeler and Rick Rapoza. The romantic comedy follows a divorcing couple that fights for custody of their pet. [Variety] • Sharon Stone has been cast as the lead in Darknet. Jacques Malaterre will direct the psychological thriller, which also stars Billy Zane, Gina Gershon, and Caterina Murino. Set in post-Hurricane Katrina New Orleans, the film takes a deep dive into the world of organ trafficking. It centers on Stone’s character whose husband is murdered when he nearly uncovers...
- 11/7/2014
- by C. Molly Smith
- EW - Inside Movies
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.