Having just premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival’s Special Presentation section on September 8, American film Kodachrome has already been snapped up by Netflix. Set for a theatrical release, the $4 million dollar deal gives rights in the US, UK, Canada, Benelux, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, India, Italy, Japan, Norway, and Sweden.
Kodachrome, written by Jonathan Tropper and directed by Mark Raso, focuses on a celluloid photographer father (Ed Harris) and his talent scout son (Jason Sudeikis) as they embark on a road trip to reach a Kansas photo lab before it closes its door for good. Elizabeth Olsen plays Harris’ nurse who joins the two on the trip that means much more than just developing film.
The film is based on New York Times article For Kodachrome Fans, Road Ends at Photo Lab in Kansas (2010) by A.G. Sulzberger, a source of nostalgia and photographic mourning. It provides an original twist on the cliched roadtrip, allowing for Kodachrome to avoid Hollywood’s junk pile.
The film itself was received with some reservation, but the individual performances of those in lead have been very much heralded. Ed Harris, of course, is said to deliver a fantastic performance, but comedy king Jason Sudeikis surprises in what The Hollwood Reporter’s Justin Lowe describes as “an outstanding, career-defining dramatic performance“.
Netflix is pulling out all the stops for awards season, determined to emulate the success of its original series with its feature film ventures. With strong performances, perhaps Kodachrome will manage to push Netflix’s success to new heights.
#Peace.Love.Kodachrome
