Inside the Release: How ‘Drive My Car’ Sped Into U.K. and Ireland Cinemas
02.03.2022 - 19:37
/ variety.com
Eve Gabereau Guest ContributorRyusuke Hamaguchi’s Haruki Murakami adaptation “Drive My Car” has been a red hot awards season favorite ever since it debuted at Cannes and won three top prizes there. The film, besides collecting a clutch of awards around the world, is up for four Oscars and three BAFTAs. Eve Gabereau, a stalwart of the U.K./Ireland independent distribution scene, who co-founded and ran leading distribution company Soda Pictures for 15 years and founded Modern Films, shares the film’s journey with Variety.I first saw “Drive My Car” in competition at Cannes in July 2021.
I knew about it beforehand because I have worked closely with the sales agency The Match Factory over the years and follow all their films. I am also a Japanophile and an avid Murakami fan so this seemed a natural fit for Modern Films, even before I saw it. Even so, I was totally blown away by it and overwhelmed with emotion throughout and beyond.
With some negotiation, we came to an agreement on a deal for all rights in the U.K. and Ireland. The premiere was a sunny Sunday matinee at the Palais.
The atmosphere was electric. The cast and key creatives were there: writer-director Ryusuke Hamaguchi, the three actresses Toko Miura, Reika Kirishima and Sonia Yuan, and producer Terahisu Yamamoto. Opening with the usual Carnaval des Animaux “Aquarium” music over floating red and glass steps and ending with an extended standing ovation, it was still light out afterwards and the crew had much work to do after the screening: press, reception, dinner, etc.There was a life-changing road ahead in terms of adoration, admiration and adornment for the film and filmmakers. It placed first in the critics’ top picks of the festival, was hotly tipped for the
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