This review was originally posted during TIFF 2023
Plot: After attending a high school reunion, a woman (Jessica Chastain) is followed home by a man (Peter Sarsgaard) with whom she has a history. Initially upset and thinking he’s a stalker, she learns that he has dementia and that if they have a history together, he can’t remember it.
Review: Michel Franco is a director whose work has grown steadily in stature over the last few years. I became aware of him after watching his class warfare drama New Order in 2020 and then his dark 2021 Tim Roth drama, Sundown. Both of those films were grim, and one might assume Memory, which deals with early onset dementia, sexual assault, and alcoholism, might be the same. While heavy, Franco’s made a profoundly empathetic and unlikely love story brilliantly acted by stars Jessica Chastain and Peter Sarsgaard.
Chastain’s Sylvia is a...
Plot: After attending a high school reunion, a woman (Jessica Chastain) is followed home by a man (Peter Sarsgaard) with whom she has a history. Initially upset and thinking he’s a stalker, she learns that he has dementia and that if they have a history together, he can’t remember it.
Review: Michel Franco is a director whose work has grown steadily in stature over the last few years. I became aware of him after watching his class warfare drama New Order in 2020 and then his dark 2021 Tim Roth drama, Sundown. Both of those films were grim, and one might assume Memory, which deals with early onset dementia, sexual assault, and alcoholism, might be the same. While heavy, Franco’s made a profoundly empathetic and unlikely love story brilliantly acted by stars Jessica Chastain and Peter Sarsgaard.
Chastain’s Sylvia is a...
- 1/16/2024
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
The prospect of working with Jessica Chastain under the direction of Michel Franco was enough to pique Peter Sarsgaard’s interest in Memory, but what really sealed the deal was how Franco had written his character, Saul. Since Franco rarely defines the character on the page, Sarsgaard was given the freedom to create a personal portrait of a man just beginning to struggle with a debilitating illness. Here, he explains how was influenced by a family member with early onset dementia, and why he chose to focus on the joy and humor in the character’s life, rather than the disease.
Deadline: How did you get involved with making Memory?
Peter Sarsgaard: The usual way. My agents called me and said that there was this project they thought I’d be interested in, which is how they preface anything that they think I should do. I heard who was...
Deadline: How did you get involved with making Memory?
Peter Sarsgaard: The usual way. My agents called me and said that there was this project they thought I’d be interested in, which is how they preface anything that they think I should do. I heard who was...
- 1/14/2024
- by Ryan Fleming
- Deadline Film + TV
Distribution
Bohemia Media will release “Memory” across U.K. and Ireland cinemas from Feb. 9, 2024. Written and directed by Michel Franco “Memory” stars Jessica Chastain and Peter Sarsgaard. It premiered at the 2023 Venice Film Festival where Sarsgaard won best actor.
“Memory” follows Sylvia (Chastain), a social worker who leads a simple and structured life revolving around her daughter, her job and her AA meetings. This is disrupted when Saul (Sarsgaard) follows her home from their high school reunion. Their encounter profoundly impacts both of them as they open the door to the past.
The cast also includes Merritt Wever, Brooke Timber, Elsie Fisher, Josh Charles and Jessica Harper.
The film is produced by Franco, Eréndira Núñez Larios, Alex Orlovsky and Duncan Montgomery. It is a Teorema Production in collaboration with High Frequency Entertainment, in association with Screen Capital/Screen One, Mubi and Case Study Films. It commences its U.S. theatrical release on Dec.
Bohemia Media will release “Memory” across U.K. and Ireland cinemas from Feb. 9, 2024. Written and directed by Michel Franco “Memory” stars Jessica Chastain and Peter Sarsgaard. It premiered at the 2023 Venice Film Festival where Sarsgaard won best actor.
“Memory” follows Sylvia (Chastain), a social worker who leads a simple and structured life revolving around her daughter, her job and her AA meetings. This is disrupted when Saul (Sarsgaard) follows her home from their high school reunion. Their encounter profoundly impacts both of them as they open the door to the past.
The cast also includes Merritt Wever, Brooke Timber, Elsie Fisher, Josh Charles and Jessica Harper.
The film is produced by Franco, Eréndira Núñez Larios, Alex Orlovsky and Duncan Montgomery. It is a Teorema Production in collaboration with High Frequency Entertainment, in association with Screen Capital/Screen One, Mubi and Case Study Films. It commences its U.S. theatrical release on Dec.
- 12/21/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Jake Gyllenhaal is celebrating his brother-in-law’s new movie!
The 42-year-old actor hosted a star-studded screening of Peter Sarsgaard and Jessica Chastain‘s new movie Memory, directed by Michel Franco, on Thursday evening (December 14) held at the NeueHouse Cinema in New York City.
Jake‘s girlfriend Jeanne Cadieu and his sister, Peter‘s wife, Maggie Gyllenhaal were also in attendance.
Keep reading to find out more…
Here’s the movie’s synopsis: “Sylvia (Chastain) is a social worker who leads a simple and structured life. This is blown open when Saul (Sarsgaard) follows her home from their high school reunion. Their surprise encounter will profoundly impact both of them as they open the door to the past.”
Memory will be released in select theaters on December 22, 2023 before a wide release on January 5, 2024. Watch the trailer here!
Keep scrolling to see the stars in attendance…
Peter Sarsgaard, Jeanne Cadieu, Maggie Gyllenhaal,...
The 42-year-old actor hosted a star-studded screening of Peter Sarsgaard and Jessica Chastain‘s new movie Memory, directed by Michel Franco, on Thursday evening (December 14) held at the NeueHouse Cinema in New York City.
Jake‘s girlfriend Jeanne Cadieu and his sister, Peter‘s wife, Maggie Gyllenhaal were also in attendance.
Keep reading to find out more…
Here’s the movie’s synopsis: “Sylvia (Chastain) is a social worker who leads a simple and structured life. This is blown open when Saul (Sarsgaard) follows her home from their high school reunion. Their surprise encounter will profoundly impact both of them as they open the door to the past.”
Memory will be released in select theaters on December 22, 2023 before a wide release on January 5, 2024. Watch the trailer here!
Keep scrolling to see the stars in attendance…
Peter Sarsgaard, Jeanne Cadieu, Maggie Gyllenhaal,...
- 12/15/2023
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
Ketchup Entertainment has launched the first trailer for Michel Franco’s drama ‘Memory’.
Jessica Chastain plays Sylvia, a social worker who leads a simple and structured life. This is blown open when Saul (Peter Sarsgaard) follows her home from their high school reunion.
Saul has recently lost his memory and their surprise encounter will profoundly impact both of them as they open the door to the past.
Elsie Fisher, Merritt Wever, Jessica Harper, Brooke Timber, and Josh Charles co-star. Franco, Eréndira Núñez Larios, Alex Orlovsky, and Duncan Montgomery produce.
Also in trailers – Trailer lands for Apple TV+ docu-series ‘John Lennon: Murder Without A Trial’
The movie is to be released on December 22 in New York and Los Angeles prior to a nationwide rollout on January 5 from Ketchup Entertainment.
The post Jessica Chastain & Peter Sarsgaard star in trailer for ‘Memory’ appeared first on HeyUGuys.
Jessica Chastain plays Sylvia, a social worker who leads a simple and structured life. This is blown open when Saul (Peter Sarsgaard) follows her home from their high school reunion.
Saul has recently lost his memory and their surprise encounter will profoundly impact both of them as they open the door to the past.
Elsie Fisher, Merritt Wever, Jessica Harper, Brooke Timber, and Josh Charles co-star. Franco, Eréndira Núñez Larios, Alex Orlovsky, and Duncan Montgomery produce.
Also in trailers – Trailer lands for Apple TV+ docu-series ‘John Lennon: Murder Without A Trial’
The movie is to be released on December 22 in New York and Los Angeles prior to a nationwide rollout on January 5 from Ketchup Entertainment.
The post Jessica Chastain & Peter Sarsgaard star in trailer for ‘Memory’ appeared first on HeyUGuys.
- 11/29/2023
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
"Memory" is a new dramatic feature, written and directed by Michel Franco, starring Jessica Chastain, Peter Sarsgaard, Merritt Wever, Brooke Timber, Elsie Fisher, Josh Charles and Jessica Harper, relasing December 22, 2023 in theaters:
".... 'Sylvia' (Chastain) is a social worker who leads a simple and structured life. This is blown open when 'Saul' follows her home from their high school reunion. Their surprise encounter will profoundly impact both of them as they open the door to the past..."
Click the images to enlarge...
".... 'Sylvia' (Chastain) is a social worker who leads a simple and structured life. This is blown open when 'Saul' follows her home from their high school reunion. Their surprise encounter will profoundly impact both of them as they open the door to the past..."
Click the images to enlarge...
- 11/29/2023
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
The emotional first trailer for Jessica Chastain and Peter Sargaard‘s new movie has been released.
Jessica, 46, and Peter, 52, star in the new movie Memory written and directed by Michel Franco.
Here’s the synopsis: “Sylvia (Chastain) is a social worker who leads a simple and structured life. This is blown open when Saul (Sarsgaard) follows her home from their high school reunion. Their surprise encounter will profoundly impact both of them as they open the door to the past.”
Keep reading to find out more…
The movie also stars Merritt Wever, Elsie Fisher, Brooke Timber, Jessica Harper, and Josh Charles.
Jessica and Peter have been busy promoting the movie for the past few months. At the 2023 Venice Film Festival in September, Peter won the Best Actor award for his role!
Memory will be released in select theaters on December 22, 2023 before a wide release on January 5, 2024.
Jessica, 46, and Peter, 52, star in the new movie Memory written and directed by Michel Franco.
Here’s the synopsis: “Sylvia (Chastain) is a social worker who leads a simple and structured life. This is blown open when Saul (Sarsgaard) follows her home from their high school reunion. Their surprise encounter will profoundly impact both of them as they open the door to the past.”
Keep reading to find out more…
The movie also stars Merritt Wever, Elsie Fisher, Brooke Timber, Jessica Harper, and Josh Charles.
Jessica and Peter have been busy promoting the movie for the past few months. At the 2023 Venice Film Festival in September, Peter won the Best Actor award for his role!
Memory will be released in select theaters on December 22, 2023 before a wide release on January 5, 2024.
- 11/29/2023
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
Jessica Chastain is a caretaker with demons in Michel Franco’s “Memory,” the most touching and sensitive film in the career of the director of apocalyptic nightmares like “New Order” and the school bullying revenge drama “After Lucia.”
Chastain stars as Sylvia, a decade-sober alcoholic and social worker now taking care of Saul, a former high-school classmate played by Peter Sarsgaard, under strange circumstances. Sarsgaard won the Volpi Cup (the equivalent of Best Actor) at the Venice Film Festival for his performance as a man rattled by dementia, who follows Sylvia home from a class reunion. They’re across boroughs in New York City, but form an unlikely spark around their traumas, past and present. Sylvia lives with her daughter, played by Brooke Timber, and not far from a nosy but caring sister, played by Merritt Wever, but is chained to awful memories revolving around her mother, played by “Suspiria” icon Jessica Harper.
Chastain stars as Sylvia, a decade-sober alcoholic and social worker now taking care of Saul, a former high-school classmate played by Peter Sarsgaard, under strange circumstances. Sarsgaard won the Volpi Cup (the equivalent of Best Actor) at the Venice Film Festival for his performance as a man rattled by dementia, who follows Sylvia home from a class reunion. They’re across boroughs in New York City, but form an unlikely spark around their traumas, past and present. Sylvia lives with her daughter, played by Brooke Timber, and not far from a nosy but caring sister, played by Merritt Wever, but is chained to awful memories revolving around her mother, played by “Suspiria” icon Jessica Harper.
- 11/28/2023
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
"Why did you follow me home from the party?" Ketchup Entertainment (yes their real name) has unveiled the official trailer for an intimate drama titled Memory, the latest film (this one is in English set in NYC) by acclaimed Mexican filmmaker Michel Franco. This premiered at the 2023 Venice Film Festival as one of the final debuts, and it ended up winning Best Actor there. It also played at the AFI, London, San Sebastián, Chicago, and Zurich Film Festivals. Jessica Chastain stars as Sylvia is a social worker who leads a simple and structured life. Everything changes when Saul follows her home from their high school reunion. Their surprise encounter will profoundly impact both of them as they open the door to the past. Peter Sarsgaard co-stars, joined by Merritt Wever, Elsie Fisher, Brooke Timber, with Jessica Harper, and Josh Charles. Reviews are mostly positive, saying "Chastain & Sarsgaard are extraordinary as...
- 11/28/2023
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Every year there’s at least one film that premieres at the fall festival circuit without distribution and then does a last-minute jump into the impending awards season. 2023’s major entry in this category is Michel Franco’s drama Memory, starring Jessica Chastain and Peter Sarsgaard, which premiered at Venice and TIFF. It was subsequently picked up by Ketchup Entertainment, who previously released the Ben Affleck-led Hypnotic this past summer, and ahead of a December 22 release, the first trailer has arrived.
David Katz said in his review, “Memory hands Chastain and Peter Sarsgaard (deserved winner of the Venice competition’s acting prize) gifts of roles, in a love story whose exact contours it’s tempting to keep concealed. Franco definitely operates with the element of surprise, having tricked viewers sitting down to (for instance) Sundown of his attractive leads Tim Roth and Charlotte Gainsbourg’s exact relationship. Chastain plays Sylvia,...
David Katz said in his review, “Memory hands Chastain and Peter Sarsgaard (deserved winner of the Venice competition’s acting prize) gifts of roles, in a love story whose exact contours it’s tempting to keep concealed. Franco definitely operates with the element of surprise, having tricked viewers sitting down to (for instance) Sundown of his attractive leads Tim Roth and Charlotte Gainsbourg’s exact relationship. Chastain plays Sylvia,...
- 11/28/2023
- by Leonard Pearce
- The Film Stage
Jessica Chastain plays a social worker and single mother whose structured life is thrown into chaos when a young man dealing with dementia, played by Peter Sarsgaard, follows her home from their high school reunion in the trailer for Memory, which dropped Tuesday.
Michel Franco’s austere family drama about trauma and connection has Chastain playing Sylvia. Her regimented days at first revolve around her daughter, her job and her AA meetings, but are disrupted when the surprise encounter with Saul (Sarsgaard) opens a door to past memories and childhood experiences that surface like raw nerves.
“Why did you follow me home from the party? Or do you only remember when it’s convenient,” an irritated Sylvia asks Saul at one point in the trailer, only to be frustratingly told he doesn’t remember. Saul’s dazed embarrassment as he suffers from dementia and emotional vulnerability while Sylvia cares for...
Michel Franco’s austere family drama about trauma and connection has Chastain playing Sylvia. Her regimented days at first revolve around her daughter, her job and her AA meetings, but are disrupted when the surprise encounter with Saul (Sarsgaard) opens a door to past memories and childhood experiences that surface like raw nerves.
“Why did you follow me home from the party? Or do you only remember when it’s convenient,” an irritated Sylvia asks Saul at one point in the trailer, only to be frustratingly told he doesn’t remember. Saul’s dazed embarrassment as he suffers from dementia and emotional vulnerability while Sylvia cares for...
- 11/28/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Because the fall festivals had fewer actors and writers on hand due to the strikes, more independent movies came into the season looking for buyers. And even with AMPTP buyers getting cold feet on some with interim agreements, many titles have already found homes, making it one of the busiest fall festival seasons across Venice, Toronto, and Telluride in recent memory.
Below is the running list of movies that have found buyers.
Movies Acquired After the Festivals
“Ezra”
Section: TIFF Gala Presentations
Distributor: Bleecker Street
Date Acquired: Nov. 6
Bleecker Street’s second TIFF acquisition is “Ezra,” the family dramedy from director Tony Goldwyn that stars Bobby Cannavale, Rose Byrne, and Robert De Niro. The distributor is planning a 2024 theatrical release.
“Ezra” follows a once successful late-night comedy writer turned less-successful stand-up comic also struggling through the failure of his career and marriage. After moving in with his father, Stan (De Niro...
Below is the running list of movies that have found buyers.
Movies Acquired After the Festivals
“Ezra”
Section: TIFF Gala Presentations
Distributor: Bleecker Street
Date Acquired: Nov. 6
Bleecker Street’s second TIFF acquisition is “Ezra,” the family dramedy from director Tony Goldwyn that stars Bobby Cannavale, Rose Byrne, and Robert De Niro. The distributor is planning a 2024 theatrical release.
“Ezra” follows a once successful late-night comedy writer turned less-successful stand-up comic also struggling through the failure of his career and marriage. After moving in with his father, Stan (De Niro...
- 11/6/2023
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Ketchup Entertainment announced today that they have acquired North American rights to the critically-acclaimed and award-winning Memory, written and directed by the internationally acclaimed filmmaker Michel Franco. The film stars Academy Award ® winner Jessica Chastain, Peter Sarsgaard, Brooke Timber, Merritt Wever, Elsie Fisher, Jessica Harper and Josh Charles. It premiered in Competition at the 80th Venice Film Festival earning an eight-minute standing ovation, with Sarsgaard going on to receive the Volpi Cup for Best Actor from the Jury. It also screened to great acclaim at the Toronto International Film Festival. The film is screening at AFI this Saturday, October 28th with Franco and Sarsgaard in attendance and will open theatrically this December.
Memory follows Sylvia (Jessica Chastain) a social worker who leads a simple and structured life until Saul (Peter Sarsgaard) follows her home from their high school reunion. Their surprise encounter will profoundly impact both of them as they...
Memory follows Sylvia (Jessica Chastain) a social worker who leads a simple and structured life until Saul (Peter Sarsgaard) follows her home from their high school reunion. Their surprise encounter will profoundly impact both of them as they...
- 10/30/2023
- by Kristyn Clarke
- Age of the Nerd
Just as it was beginning to look like the dance card for this season’s Oscar race was full, the release date for a highly acclaimed film that was not expected to drop until 2024 has been set for December 2023.
The Hollywood Reporter has learned that the North American distribution rights of Michel Franco‘s Memory, which stars Peter Sarsgaard and Oscar winner Jessica Chastain, have been acquired by Ketchup Entertainment, which will release it shortly before the end of the year.
Memory tells the story of Sylvia (Chastain), a social worker who leads a simple and structured life until Saul (Sarsgaard) follows her home from their high school reunion. Their surprise encounter profoundly impacts both of them and opens the door to memories, challenges and revelations that will leave a lasting impact.
The hope and belief of the film’s makers and new distributor is that Academy members will respond...
The Hollywood Reporter has learned that the North American distribution rights of Michel Franco‘s Memory, which stars Peter Sarsgaard and Oscar winner Jessica Chastain, have been acquired by Ketchup Entertainment, which will release it shortly before the end of the year.
Memory tells the story of Sylvia (Chastain), a social worker who leads a simple and structured life until Saul (Sarsgaard) follows her home from their high school reunion. Their surprise encounter profoundly impacts both of them and opens the door to memories, challenges and revelations that will leave a lasting impact.
The hope and belief of the film’s makers and new distributor is that Academy members will respond...
- 10/28/2023
- by Scott Feinberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Jessica Chastain and Peter Sarsgaard excel in Michel Franco’s absorbing story about the unnerving reunion of a care worker and a friend from her past
Mexican film-maker Michel Franco, famed for his icily contrived, pitilessly controlled dramas, often shown in static tableau scenes, has made another of his complex, painful and densely achieved movies; at Venice it won its leading man, Peter Sarsgaard, the Volpi cup for best actor. It is about abuse, violence, recovery and the redemptive power of sexual intimacy, but also about just what its title proclaims: memory, and how this accumulates over a lifetime to form an identity. Yet memory is unreliable building material; memory is the uncertain support underneath us, but solid as a crushing burden above us, a destructive gravitational force that could annihilate us entirely. And apart from anything else, memory is not necessarily the truth, so attempts to deny it are not necessarily dishonest or delusional.
Mexican film-maker Michel Franco, famed for his icily contrived, pitilessly controlled dramas, often shown in static tableau scenes, has made another of his complex, painful and densely achieved movies; at Venice it won its leading man, Peter Sarsgaard, the Volpi cup for best actor. It is about abuse, violence, recovery and the redemptive power of sexual intimacy, but also about just what its title proclaims: memory, and how this accumulates over a lifetime to form an identity. Yet memory is unreliable building material; memory is the uncertain support underneath us, but solid as a crushing burden above us, a destructive gravitational force that could annihilate us entirely. And apart from anything else, memory is not necessarily the truth, so attempts to deny it are not necessarily dishonest or delusional.
- 10/6/2023
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
The world premiere of the Sam Esmail-directed Netflix feature “Leave the World Behind” starring Oscar winners Julia Roberts and Mahershala Ali along with four-time Academy Award nominee Ethan Hawke will open the 37th AFI Fest on October 25, while the world premiere of the Amazon Studios documentary “Maxine’s Baby: The Tyler Perry Story” while play as a centerpiece film at the festival on October 27. Additionally, “Maestro,” the Leonard Bernstein biopic from Netflix that’s directed by and starring Bradley Cooper and co-starring Carey Mulligan, will close the fest on October 29. All will be screened at the Tcl Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.
AFI Fest runs October 25-29 and will include a curated selection of red carpet premieres, special screenings, world cinema, documentaries and shorts.
Here is the full lineup:
“Leave the World Behind” – In this apocalyptic thriller, Amanda (Julia Roberts) and her husband Clay (Ethan Hawke) rent a luxurious home for the weekend with their kids,...
AFI Fest runs October 25-29 and will include a curated selection of red carpet premieres, special screenings, world cinema, documentaries and shorts.
Here is the full lineup:
“Leave the World Behind” – In this apocalyptic thriller, Amanda (Julia Roberts) and her husband Clay (Ethan Hawke) rent a luxurious home for the weekend with their kids,...
- 9/28/2023
- by Ray Richmond
- Gold Derby
I’ve always defended Michel Franco, not that he requires further support from numerous areas of the industry. But he’s been something of a critical punching bag and dartboard target since his rise to relative acclaim, his festival placements and jury awards not translating to similarly good ink, or unignorable theatrical exposure. An important factor is the hangover from Haneke’s reign as the most influential Euro-festival auteur and attendant backlash that arose towards his punitive sensibility, especially those that imitated it. Franco, who first developed his career in the Mexican arthouse world, does indeed initiate a certain type of pain, but also much empathy.
Akin to Östlund, and especially Lanthimos, Franco has begun naturally integrating himself into a transnational mode, skipping between production scales and national tongues at ease. And Jessica Chastain, having now shot a second feature with him (under a SAG-AFTRA waiver), is threatening to become his Emma Stone.
Akin to Östlund, and especially Lanthimos, Franco has begun naturally integrating himself into a transnational mode, skipping between production scales and national tongues at ease. And Jessica Chastain, having now shot a second feature with him (under a SAG-AFTRA waiver), is threatening to become his Emma Stone.
- 9/15/2023
- by David Katz
- The Film Stage
Jessica Chastain stars in Michel Franco’s Memory and some people had been putting thoughts in his head that this collaboration would not happen after she won at the Oscars.
“Because I have been doing bigger things sometimes and have gotten a lot of attention as of late, [there’s been the idea] that I would not be interested in being on a set without a trailer,” Chastain said during an interview at TIFF (via IndieWire). “We had the Oscars, and I won for Tammy Faye, and then right after that, I showed up on set to do Memory. Michel said that a lot of people told him, ‘Oh Jessica is going to leave your film because she just won an Oscar.’”
Chastain stars as Sylvia in the film written and directed by Franco about a recovering alcoholic with childhood trauma. To play the role, the star goes appears on-screen without makeup, went without a...
“Because I have been doing bigger things sometimes and have gotten a lot of attention as of late, [there’s been the idea] that I would not be interested in being on a set without a trailer,” Chastain said during an interview at TIFF (via IndieWire). “We had the Oscars, and I won for Tammy Faye, and then right after that, I showed up on set to do Memory. Michel said that a lot of people told him, ‘Oh Jessica is going to leave your film because she just won an Oscar.’”
Chastain stars as Sylvia in the film written and directed by Franco about a recovering alcoholic with childhood trauma. To play the role, the star goes appears on-screen without makeup, went without a...
- 9/13/2023
- by Armando Tinoco
- Deadline Film + TV
With three competition titles across the last four editions, no contemporary filmmaker has been more present on the Venice Lido than director Michel Franco.
The Mexican auteur returned to the Venice competition last night with his latest title, Memory, a taut New York City-set drama with scorching performances from Jessica Chastain and Peter Sarsgaard.
In the pic, Chastain plays Sylvia, a social worker who leads a simple and structured life: her daughter, her job, and her AA meetings. But all is blown open when Saul (Sarsgaard) follows her home from their high school reunion. Their surprise encounter will profoundly impact both of them as they open the door to the past.
“I immediately knew I wanted to be a part of it,” Chastain said of her response after reading Franco’s screenplay.
Brooke Timber, Merritt Wever, Elsie Fisher, Jessica Harper, and Josh Charles also star in the pic, which is...
The Mexican auteur returned to the Venice competition last night with his latest title, Memory, a taut New York City-set drama with scorching performances from Jessica Chastain and Peter Sarsgaard.
In the pic, Chastain plays Sylvia, a social worker who leads a simple and structured life: her daughter, her job, and her AA meetings. But all is blown open when Saul (Sarsgaard) follows her home from their high school reunion. Their surprise encounter will profoundly impact both of them as they open the door to the past.
“I immediately knew I wanted to be a part of it,” Chastain said of her response after reading Franco’s screenplay.
Brooke Timber, Merritt Wever, Elsie Fisher, Jessica Harper, and Josh Charles also star in the pic, which is...
- 9/9/2023
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
After just being officially confirmed for a SAG-AFTRA Interim Agreement the day before, the cast of Memory hit the Venice Film Festival red carpet Friday night. Michel Franco’s movie, starring Jessica Chastain and Peter Sarsgaard, was greeted with a seven-minute ovation during its world premiere inside the Sala Grande.
Seven minute applause at the ‘Memory’ premiere at Venice #Venezia80 pic.twitter.com/asdxr7KIM0
— Deadline Hollywood (@Deadline) September 8, 2023
In the drama, which is playing in the Competition lineup here, Chastain plays Sylvia, a social worker who leads a simple and structured life: her daughter, her job, her AA meetings. This is blown open when Saul (Sarsgaard) follows her home from their high school reunion. Their surprise encounter will profoundly impact both of them as they open the door to the past.
Brooke Timber, Merritt Wever, Elsie Fisher, Jessica Harper and Josh Charles also star in the pic, which...
Seven minute applause at the ‘Memory’ premiere at Venice #Venezia80 pic.twitter.com/asdxr7KIM0
— Deadline Hollywood (@Deadline) September 8, 2023
In the drama, which is playing in the Competition lineup here, Chastain plays Sylvia, a social worker who leads a simple and structured life: her daughter, her job, her AA meetings. This is blown open when Saul (Sarsgaard) follows her home from their high school reunion. Their surprise encounter will profoundly impact both of them as they open the door to the past.
Brooke Timber, Merritt Wever, Elsie Fisher, Jessica Harper and Josh Charles also star in the pic, which...
- 9/8/2023
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
The title of Michel Franco’s laser-like drama about trauma and connection, Memory, embraces past experiences inescapably real or distorted, repressed or lost forever, reachable only intermittently through haze or insistently demanding to be reckoned with. While hope is a quality not readily associated with the Mexican auteur’s work, it keeps surfacing here to extend a lifeline, even as we wait for the other shoe to drop. In that regard, Franco’s latest represents a slight departure, without surrendering the director’s signature austerity and intensity. He’s helped considerably by Jessica Chastain and Peter Sarsgaard, two riveting leads who hold nothing back.
Shot by Franco’s regular Dp Yves Cape with a no-fuss, unblinking gaze, the film has a textured feel for its Brooklyn locations, giving clear definition to the characters’ world. It also benefits from an unusually solid supporting cast, including Merritt Wever and Josh Charles; Jessica Harper...
Shot by Franco’s regular Dp Yves Cape with a no-fuss, unblinking gaze, the film has a textured feel for its Brooklyn locations, giving clear definition to the characters’ world. It also benefits from an unusually solid supporting cast, including Merritt Wever and Josh Charles; Jessica Harper...
- 9/8/2023
- by David Rooney
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“Memory” feels like the “Silver Linings Playbook” of Michel Franco’s career: an unexpectedly accessible romance between two damaged human beings, from an independent director who’s been known to put characters through some of life’s most punishing indignities. For those familiar with Franco’s work, the previous film it most resembles is “Chronic,” though the tough-love auteur spares us the bummer ending this time around. In that movie, he followed a hospice nurse through his rounds, then abruptly cut to black when the guy was sideswiped by a car. Womp-womp. When a director does that early in his career, audiences are right to be wary.
Franco is more merciful to his characters in “Memory.” Before meeting one another at a high school reunion, recovering alcoholic Sylvia (Jessica Chastain) and widower Saul (Peter Sarsgaard) have endured more than their share of suffering. She remembers being sexually abused as a girl,...
Franco is more merciful to his characters in “Memory.” Before meeting one another at a high school reunion, recovering alcoholic Sylvia (Jessica Chastain) and widower Saul (Peter Sarsgaard) have endured more than their share of suffering. She remembers being sexually abused as a girl,...
- 9/8/2023
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
Editor’s note: This review was originally published at the 2023 Venice Film Festival. Ketchup Entertainment releases the film in select theaters on Friday, December 22, with expansion to follow on Friday, January 5.
Michel Franco’s “Memory” is in the tradition of movies about broken people coming together, with all the heartbreak and melodrama required.
But “Memory” bucks the tradition of the cold films previously made by the director of the apocalyptic 99-percent-uprising thriller “New Order” and high-school bullying drama “After Lucia.” They’re films that seem calm at the outset, but you wait for the other blood-dipped shoe to drop. That shoe never quite hits the ground in the peculiar and sensitive “Memory,” which stars Jessica Chastain as a 13-years-sober alcoholic who reconnects with a former school classmate, Saul (played by Peter Sarsgaard), at a reunion she doesn’t want to be at anyway.
Saul, as we eventually learn, has a...
Michel Franco’s “Memory” is in the tradition of movies about broken people coming together, with all the heartbreak and melodrama required.
But “Memory” bucks the tradition of the cold films previously made by the director of the apocalyptic 99-percent-uprising thriller “New Order” and high-school bullying drama “After Lucia.” They’re films that seem calm at the outset, but you wait for the other blood-dipped shoe to drop. That shoe never quite hits the ground in the peculiar and sensitive “Memory,” which stars Jessica Chastain as a 13-years-sober alcoholic who reconnects with a former school classmate, Saul (played by Peter Sarsgaard), at a reunion she doesn’t want to be at anyway.
Saul, as we eventually learn, has a...
- 9/8/2023
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
Exclusive: It’s not a given that talent will attend premieres if their movie gets an interim agreement but we can confirm that Oscar winner Jessica Chastain and Emmy nominee Peter Sarsgaard will be on hand to spice up the premieres of new movie Memory both tomorrow in Venice and next week in Toronto.
Both actors are due to tread the red carpets and do press for the movie, which today was officially confirmed for an interim agreement. The movie was one of the last big Toronto and/or Venice movies to be officially confirmed for an interim agreement.
Michel Franco’s film gets its world premiere in Venice tomorrow and its North American premiere in Toronto on September 12th. The movie is among projects which could secure a North American deal out of the festivals.
Chastain will play Sylvia, a social worker who leads a simple and structured life: her daughter,...
Both actors are due to tread the red carpets and do press for the movie, which today was officially confirmed for an interim agreement. The movie was one of the last big Toronto and/or Venice movies to be officially confirmed for an interim agreement.
Michel Franco’s film gets its world premiere in Venice tomorrow and its North American premiere in Toronto on September 12th. The movie is among projects which could secure a North American deal out of the festivals.
Chastain will play Sylvia, a social worker who leads a simple and structured life: her daughter,...
- 9/7/2023
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Who said nothing good comes of high school reunions?
Michel Franco’s upcoming feature “Memory” follows Saul (Peter Sarsgaard) after he reconnects with former classmate Silvia (Jessica Chastain) at their reunion. After Saul stalks Silvia back to her home, the duo are forced to confront their shared past. The film will make its world premiere at 2023 Venice in competition, and has its North American debut at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival.
Per TIFF’s synopsis, “Silvia works at a public home in New York City for adults struggling with mental health conditions. She leads a simple and structured life: her daughter, her job, her AA meetings. She meets Saul in the worst circumstances, after he has creepily followed her home from their high school reunion party and she finds him dripping wet and freezing outside her door the next morning. Their surprise encounter will profoundly impact both of them as...
Michel Franco’s upcoming feature “Memory” follows Saul (Peter Sarsgaard) after he reconnects with former classmate Silvia (Jessica Chastain) at their reunion. After Saul stalks Silvia back to her home, the duo are forced to confront their shared past. The film will make its world premiere at 2023 Venice in competition, and has its North American debut at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival.
Per TIFF’s synopsis, “Silvia works at a public home in New York City for adults struggling with mental health conditions. She leads a simple and structured life: her daughter, her job, her AA meetings. She meets Saul in the worst circumstances, after he has creepily followed her home from their high school reunion party and she finds him dripping wet and freezing outside her door the next morning. Their surprise encounter will profoundly impact both of them as...
- 8/18/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Exclusive: WWE Superstar Liv Morgan will make her film debut in Yale Entertainment’s darkly comic thriller, The Kill Room. She joins an ensemble that also includes Uma Thurman, Samuel L. Jackson, Joe Manganiello, Maya Hawke, Debi Mazar, Larry Pine, Dree Hemingway and Leah McSweeney, as previously announced.
The film centers on hitman Reggie (Manganiello), his boss (Jackson), an art dealer (Thurman) and their money laundering scheme that accidentally turns the hitman into an overnight Avant-Garde sensation, forcing the dealer to play the art world against the underworld. Morgan will play an art purist who bemoans the vapidness of art dealers.
Nicol Paone is directing from Jonathan Jacobson’s script. Jordan Yale Levine, Jordan Beckerman, and Jon Keeyes are producing under their Yale Productions banner alongside Anne Clements of Idiot Savant Pictures, Paone, Thurman, Dannielle Thomas and Jason Weinberg from Untitled Entertainment, William Rosenfeld of Such Content, and Bill Kenwright of Bk Studios.
The film centers on hitman Reggie (Manganiello), his boss (Jackson), an art dealer (Thurman) and their money laundering scheme that accidentally turns the hitman into an overnight Avant-Garde sensation, forcing the dealer to play the art world against the underworld. Morgan will play an art purist who bemoans the vapidness of art dealers.
Nicol Paone is directing from Jonathan Jacobson’s script. Jordan Yale Levine, Jordan Beckerman, and Jon Keeyes are producing under their Yale Productions banner alongside Anne Clements of Idiot Savant Pictures, Paone, Thurman, Dannielle Thomas and Jason Weinberg from Untitled Entertainment, William Rosenfeld of Such Content, and Bill Kenwright of Bk Studios.
- 6/2/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
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.