Peter Hedges: Last News

EXCLUSIVE: Juno Films has acquired rights to the experimental drama The Same Storm, from writer-director Peter Hedges (Ben Is Back), for distribution in the U.S., Canada and the UK. The film will open at the Quad Cinema in NYC and the Laemmle Santa Monica on October 14.

Lisa Kennedy In “The Same Storm,” it’s a welcome surprise to see Elaine May appear as one of the faces in writer-director Peter Hedges’ impressively diverse and starry ensemble, who take turns contributing scenes about the challenges of life during lockdown. May portrays spiky Ruth Lipsman Berg, who hops on a teleconference with a new doctor and her home health aide. Daphne Rubin-Vega is Lupe, her concerned caregiver. Raza Jaffrey is the gentle but quite-clear physician trying to ascertain if Ruth has contracted the coronavirus. Ruth was in the scene right before this one — talking with her daughter, a webcam girl — so we’re aware she’s gotten dolled up for the doctor’s call. Like a good Jewish mother, she asked the doc if he’s single. If so, she has a daughter. Forget that in the prior scene, her call to said daughter (Mary-Louise Parker) was less than kind. Their chat quickly takes on the tone of an intervention, with Ruth getting prickly when her charm offensive doesn’t work. After Dr. Patel shows her a photo snapped by Lupe of her purple-hued toes, Irma’s mood turns ugly — and things turn sad.

EXCLUSIVE: Skydance Media has named industry veteran Carin Sage to the newly created role of Executive Vice President of Feature Film for the company. With more than 30 years of agency experience, Sage will be responsible for bringing in new feature projects and overseeing films through all phases from inception to production.