Venezuelan Filmmaker Jonathan Jakubowicz To Direct ‘Cottonwood’ For Eric Paquette’s Meridian Pictures
02.05.2024 - 15:39
/ deadline.com
EXCLUSIVE: Venezuelan Filmmaker Jonathan Jakubowicz, best known for Resistance and Hands of Stone, has signed on to direct the feature Cottonwood for Eric Paquette’s Meridian Pictures.
The film will be produced by Paquette, Aaron Barnett, and The Exchange’s Brian O’Shea, with Claudine Jakubowicz serving as executive producer. The Exchange will be handling worldwide sales and arranging financing.
The story follows a single dad who left his troubled past behind but must confront his dark history when his former mentor, a dangerous gangster, resurfaces. As the mentor’s loyalty to him is tested, he becomes the target of the gangster’s own bloodthirsty son, forcing him to protect his 13-year-old son from a relentless killer.
Jakubowicz was the winner of the German Film Peace Prize 2020 for his film Resistance. His film Secuestro Express was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the British Independent Film Awards, and Hands of Stone premiered at Cannes. His literary saga, Las Aventuras de Juan Planchard, is a Spanish-language bestseller.
“It’s safe to say that I’ve been trying to work with Jonathan ever since I saw Secuestro Express,” said Paquette. “He has a great sense of story, and vision, and creates the perfect environment for actors to do their best work. I’m excited to make this movie with him.”
Meridian recently produced The Silent Hour, starring Joel Kinnaman and Mark Strong, which sold to Paramount’s Republic Pictures. They are in prep on Robert Lorenz’s Papa Alpha 333, and Meridian Television has Ryan Murphy’s Dr. Odyssey premiering in the fall on ABC.
The Exchange is currently in production on Tow, starring Rose Byrne, Octavia Spencer, Ariana DeBose, and Dominic Sessa. They are also representing