Downtown Owl (film)
Downtown Owl is a 2023 American drama film directed by Lily Rabe and Hamish Linklater, in their directorial debuts, from a screenplay by Linklater. It is based on the 2008 novel of the same name by Chuck Klosterman. The film is produced by Rabe, Bettina Barrow, Linklater (in his debut production), and Rebecca Green under Kill Claudio Productions, Three Point Capital and Esme Grace Media, in association with Stage 6 Films. It stars Rabe, Ed Harris, Vanessa Hudgens, August Blanco Rosenstein, Jack Dylan Grazer, Finn Wittrock, and Henry Golding.
Downtown Owl | |
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Directed by | |
Screenplay by | Hamish Linklater |
Based on | Downtown Owl by Chuck Klosterman |
Produced by |
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Starring |
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Cinematography | Bart Cortright |
Edited by | Nena Erb |
Music by | T Bone Burnett |
Production companies |
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Distributed by | Sony Pictures Releasing |
Release date |
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Running time | 91 minutes[1] |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Downtown Owl premiered on June 8, 2023, at the 2023 Tribeca Festival.[2]
Premise
Set in 1983, in the fictional town of Owl, North Dakota, the story centers around three intangibly connected residents—Horace, an old man who spends his afternoons reminiscing better times from the past at the local coffee shop, Mitch, a depressed high school backup quarterback, and Julia, an English teacher at the local high school who recently moved to Owl—whose lives, along with those of the town’s other residents, are upended by a whiteout blizzard.
Cast
- Lily Rabe as Julia Rabia
- Ed Harris as Horace Jones
- August Blanco Rosenstein as Mitch Hrlicka
- Vanessa Hudgens as Naomi
- Jack Dylan Grazer as Eli
- Finn Wittrock as Coach Laidlaw
- Henry Golding as Vance Druid
- Ariana Jaffer as Rebecca
- Arden Michalec as Tina
Production
In October 2012, it was announced Adam Scott and Naomi Scott had optioned rights to Downtown Owl by Chuck Klosterman for a planned film adaption to produce under their Gettin Rad Productions banner.[3]
In April 2022, it was announced Lily Rabe, Ed Harris, Vanessa Hudgens, Finn Wittrock, and Jack Dylan Grazer had joined the cast of the film, with Rabe directing and producing alongside Hamish Linklater who wrote the screenplay, and her producing partner Bettina Barrow under their banner, Kill Claudio Productions with Sony Pictures' Stage 6 Films overseeing production and Sony Pictures Releasing set to distribute.[4][5][6] The film was a part of the Sundance Institute's Feature Film Program and Creative Producing Initiative under the organization's Creative Producing Summit and Talent Forum.[5][7] It was also announced that T Bone Burnett had signed on to compose the film score, and Rebecca Green and Michael Melamedoff were co-producing under Three Point Capital and Esme Grace Media.[4][8][9] The following day, it was revealed that Henry Golding had joined the cast of the film.[10][11]
Principal photography took place throughout April 2022, in Minnesota.[12] Filming took place in Saint Paul,[13] Independence,[14] and Elko New Market.[15][16][17]
References
- "Downtowl Owl". Tribeca Festival. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
- Goldsmith, Jill (2023-04-18). "Tribeca Festival's 2023 Film Lineup Includes 'Maggie Moore(s)' With Tina Fey & Jon Hamm, 'First Time Female Director', Marvel's 'Stan Lee' Doc, More". Deadline. Retrieved 2023-04-18.
- Rose, Lacey (October 15, 2012). "Adam Scott and Wife Launch Production Co., Option Chuck Klosterman Novel, Add Adult Swim Specials (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
- DeVore, Britta (2022-04-13). "Lily Rabe to Direct and Star in 'Downtown Owl' Alongside Vanessa Hudgens and Finn Wittrock". Collider. Retrieved 2022-06-26.
- Kroll, Justin (April 13, 2022). "Lily Rabe, Ed Harris, Vanessa Hudgens and Finn Wittrock To Star In Sony's Adaptation Of Chuck Klosterman's 'Downtown Owl'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
- "Lily Rabe To Direct, Star in 'Downtown Owl' Film". Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved 2022-06-26.
- Grobar, Justin (April 14, 2022). "Henry Golding Boards Sony's Drama 'Downtown Owl' From Directors Lily Rabe & Hamish Linklater". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
- "T Bone Burnett to Compose Music for Lily Rabe's & Hamish Linklater's 'Downtown Owl' | Film Music Reporter". Retrieved 2022-05-21.
- "Downtown Owl sets cast and directors for an rural 80s 'white-out' drama". Film Stories. April 14, 2022. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
- "Henry Golding Joins Ed Harris & More in New Drama Movie Downtown Owl". ScreenRant. 2022-04-15. Retrieved 2022-06-26.
- Galuppo, Mia (2022-04-14). "Henry Golding Joins Sony's Chuck Klosterman Adaptation 'Downtown Owl' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2022-06-26.
- "Film Production Tax Credit Draws Indie Film With Star-Studded Cast To St. Paul". CBS News. April 26, 2022. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
- "Film crew in St. Paul shooting adaptation of Chuck Klosterman's 'Downtown Owl'". Twin Cities. 2022-04-23. Retrieved 2022-06-28.
- Raihala, Ross (April 23, 2022). "Film crew in St. Paul shooting adaptation of Chuck Klosterman's 'Downtown Owl'". St. Paul Pioneer Press. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
- Reilly, Mark (April 27, 2022). "Film crews in Minnesota shooting 'Downtown Owl,' based on Chuck Klosterman novel". Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
- Vanessa Hudgens [@vanessahudgens] (April 23, 2022). "Transported to the 80's. By @lilyrabe and @therealhamishlinklater filming Downtown Owl 🥰🥳🎥" – via Instagram.
- Hewitt, Chris (April 27, 2022). "Oscar nominee Ed Harris and cast finishing up Minnesota-shot movie 'Downtown Owl'". Star Tribune. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
External links
- Downtown Owl at IMDb