November 16, 2006
New York, NY - Academy Award winner Anjelica Huston has pacted to direct Give Us a Kiss, which Focus Features is developing. Paul L. Sandberg is producing the project through his Ostensible Productions. Angus MacLachlan has adapted the screenplay from best-selling author Daniel Woodrell’s novel of the same name. Focus CEO James Schamus made the announcement today.
Ms. Huston will also executive-produce the film through her Gray Angel Productions, with Gray Angel’s Jaclyn Bashoff co-producing.
Mr. MacLachlan was an Independent Spirit Award nominee this year for his original screenplay, Junebug, the film of which was directed by Phil Morrison. Mr. Woodrell’s other novels include Woe to Live On, which was adapted by Mr. Schamus into the film Ride with the Devil, directed by Ang Lee; and this year’s Winter’s Bone.
Give Us a Kiss will mark Ms. Huston’s third feature as director. Her previous ones include Bastard Out of Carolina, for which she earned a DGA Award nomination, and Agnes Browne. Mr. Sandberg’s producing credits includethe blockbuster The Bourne Supremacy and next summer’s sequel The Bourne Ultimatum, both directed by Paul Greengrass and starring Matt Damon. Focus executive vice president, production Jonathan King is supervising development of Give Us a Kiss for president of production John Lyons.
The story is a comedic drama laced with thriller and action elements, following the heady trajectory of a burnt-out writer who forsakes academia for his Ozarks roots. Back home and reconnecting with his brother and other relations, he gets enmeshed in a blood feud with a rival family.
Mr. Schamus commented, “Daniel Woodrell is simply one of the greatest voices in American fiction today. As Junebug proved, Angus has true empathy for distinctive American stories, and the family dynamics in Give Us a Kiss are very much in the tradition of the films that Anjelica has directed. This is the kind of convergence of talents that we cultivate here at Focus.”
Ms. Huston said, “Woodrell’s Give Us a Kiss is country noir at its best – a dark, sexy story of heritage and heart, with the proper amount of wicked humor. Angus’ adaptation is sharp and spot-on. Paul Sandberg is the ideal producer, and Focus is the ideal home, for our project.”
Mr. Sandberg added, “Anjelica is the perfect director to realize Woodrell’s sensual and ominous vision of modern American family life." |
