942 The Tree of Life

[The Fanciful Norwegian]

Looks increasingly like Icon (the UK distributor) might not be releasing this at all, much less on May 4:

"The information regarding the May 4th UK release [of The Tree of Life] is incorrect. Icon Film Distribution Ltd. does not have the right to distribute The Tree of Life in the UK, as it is in default of its agreement. The matter is pending before an arbitration tribunal in Los Angeles."

[Nothing]

Hopefully I'm wrong, but the way I'm interpreting this is that Icon are trying to get out of their contract. They pre-bought the film, presumably for quite a large sum on money, based on the Brad Pitt - Sean Penn double, and were then absolutely infuriated when they saw the film, realised how arty it is, and how little screen time Pitt and Penn actually have, and calculated that they were going to lose money on it - presumably quite a lot of money, or they wouldn't be willing to put the reputation of their company on the line as they have done over the past few days. As Fox Searchlight bought the film much later, after the financial crisis in 2008, and after having actually having seen it, they presumably paid far less (at least comparatively) than Icon for the US rights, and this may have rubbed salt into the wound.

So... Icon threaten to release the film on May 4th, getting the film banned from Cannes and screwing up Fox's release plan, unless Summit releases them from their contract (or, alternatively, grits their teeth and lowers the MG). Of course, Summit could withhold the materials, but then they, not Icon, would presumably be in default.

This is very bad news for anyone awaiting The Tree of Life in the UK or Australia, but I wouldn't be at all surprised to see another distributor releasing the film in the autumn.

[Cde.]

I am honestly terrified right now.
The best thing that can happen though is that after Icon lose the rights to the film, another distributor quickly picks it up for release on the international launch day. Icon over here previously had us waiting 5-6 weeks after everyone else to see it.
But who knows, maybe the Icon drama doesn't apply to Australia.

[Nothing]

Utter speculation, but I'm guessing this has been bubbling for a while and that Icon leaked May 4th to Empire to up the ante prior to the Cannes announcement on April 14th. In which case, Summit would have three options:

1/ provide Icon with the materials for a May 4th release - not going to happen, as it would damage their relationships with Fox and Cannes.
2/ cancel the contract with Icon and find another distributor - maybe, but they're going to lose the most money this way and they probably won't get another distributor before Cannes, which is very risky if the film doesn't go down well.
3/ slash the MG, which would be a reward for bad behaviour, and does the world of film finance no favours in general, but seems the most likely outcome (being the least costly), and this would be the reason they're going into arbitration. If which case, this whole hubbub is likely to disappear before the Cannes announcement on the 14th and the UK date will be quietly pushed back by Icon, perhaps in line with the Australian release in July.

Still, relations must be bad if they're willing to drag this into the press, so anything is possible.

Just speculation.

[Cde.]

I doubt it would be hard to find another UK distributor before Cannes. I imagine many would be willing at this point.

[Jeff]

Sounds like Nothing is correct.

What I heard from London sources today is that Icon nabbed the title by paying a high minimum guarantee, and was trying to get out of releasing the film.

[rs98762001]

Hopefully I'm wrong, but the way I'm interpreting this is that Icon are trying to get out of their contract. They pre-bought the film, presumably for quite a large sum on money, based on the Brad Pitt - Sean Penn double, and were then absolutely infuriated when they saw the film, realised how arty it is, and how little screen time Pitt and Penn actually have, and calculated that they were going to lose money on it - presumably quite a lot of money, or they wouldn't be willing to put the reputation of their company on the line as they have done over the past few days. As Fox Searchlight bought the film much later, after the financial crisis in 2008, and after having actually having seen it, they presumably paid far less (at least comparatively) than Icon for the US rights, and this may have rubbed salt into the wound.

This actually makes sense except for one thing. Did the people at Icon not realise who the director was? "Arty" "little screen time for Pitt and Penn" etc, are all things anyone with the slightest familiarity with Malick's work would be able to predict. If they thought they were getting a guaranteed blockbuster and are now trying to worm their way out of their contract, they have no one to blame but themselves.

The thing that sucks is that this sad little attempt at correcting their own fuck-up can only create bad buzz for the film, which in this circumstance is hardly fair. For what it's worth, I know someone at Searchlight who was part of the small group that saw the film prior to picking it up, and he only had positive things to say about it. I know for a fact that they're thrilled to have the privilege and challenge of distributing the movie.

[hearthesilence]

Just a heads up, the Museum of the Moving Image is screening Malick's other four films in mid-May.

[knives]

What about his first?

[Cde.]

If you mean Lanton Mills, only AFI students can view it.

[knives]

That's unfortunate. It would make a killer extra on a future DVD release.

[Nothing]

Mmm...

Did the people at Icon not realise who the director was?

Sure, but the amount they paid in 200(7?) would be wildly more than they would have paid for it in 2010, post-financial crisis. Arthouse sales have tanked in the interim, most of the studios have shut down their specialty devisions, etc. I don't know, but it's even possible that Icon paid more than Fox Searchlight for the film, silly as that sounds. Also, Icon has changed hands since the film was acquired.

Still, if they were men, Icon would honour both the letter and the spirit of their agreement, and just get on with the business of releasing the only good film in their catalogue, even if it kills them. If you're going to go down then go down making a difference - but that's not something one would expect woodlice to understand.

This wouldn't happen in Japan.

[James Mills]

Just a heads up, the Museum of the Moving Image is screening Malick's other four films in mid-May.

Thank you for this, I'll be there.

[eerik]

Updated web page with video clips, etc.

[Kirkinson]

Updated web page with video clips, etc.

Some unbelievably beautiful images there. I'm curious to know how much of Alexandre Desplat's score is actually retained in the final cut, and what it sounds like. Most of what I can discern in these clips so far is pre-existing music, and it's a very interesting mix. In addition to the obvious Bach fugue and what sounds like some Mozart I can't quite place, the music in clip #18, despite how short it is, sounds distinctly like Giya Kancheli (maybe Magnum Ignotum) and there's a bit from Zbigniew Preisner's requiem for Kieslowski in clip #19, which I'm especially excited about as it's a piece I've always wanted to use in a film but couldn't imagine what for.

[bdsweeney]

This is very bad news for anyone awaiting The Tree of Life in the UK or Australia, but I wouldn't be at all surprised to see another distributor releasing the film in the autumn.

While this could all change, the Australian website for Icon states that the release date is 7 June. Here's hoping!

[cantinflas]

While this could all change, the Australian website for Icon states that the release date is 7 June. Here's hoping!

It actually states 7th of July.

[bdsweeney]

While this could all change, the Australian website for Icon states that the release date is 7 June. Here's hoping!

It actually states 7th of July.

Whoops, typo

[MyNameCriterionForum]

I'm really digging the jut-lipped Cro-Magnon look Pitt is cultivating here, heh. I know this flick is about evolution, etc. but did Terry tell him to play the Missing Link or what?

[James Mills]

and there's a bit from Zbigniew Preisner's requiem for Kiewslowski in clip #19, which I'm especially excited about as it's a piece I've always wanted to use in a film but couldn't imagine what for.

Holy hell, I can't believe I've never heard of this... Kieslowski is my favorite director of all time, this song is very meaningful to me. Thank you so much!

[willoneill]

So I went out to the suburbs tonight to see Source Code, and an interesting thing happened. The theatre was mostly teenagers (as is the norm for cheap night), and they were all chatting loudly before the film and through the first two trailers, Pirates 4 and The Beaver, not even really paying attention. But then the trailer for Tree of Life started, and within seconds, the whole theatre went completely silent. Everyone seemed glued to the screen. It ended, there some positive sounding murmuring, and everyone started chatting just as they were before during a trailer for Fast and Furious 5. I have no idea what to make of this, I was just surprised, that's all.

[hearthesilence]

Culture isn't dead yet, thank God.

So I went out to the suburbs tonight to see Source Code, and an interesting thing happened. The theatre was mostly teenagers (as is the norm for cheap night), and they were all chatting loudly before the film and through the first two trailers, Pirates 4 and The Beaver, not even really paying attention. But then the trailer for Tree of Life started, and within seconds, the whole theatre went completely silent. Everyone seemed glued to the screen. It ended, there some positive sounding murmuring, and everyone started chatting just as they were before during a trailer for Fast and Furious 5. I have no idea what to make of this, I was just surprised, that's all.

[menthymenthy]

While this could all change, the Australian website for Icon states that the release date is 7 June. Here's hoping!

It actually states 7th of July.

Now it states 30th of June.

[juzzam]

The must-see Pitt movie you can't watch in Britain
so
pissed
off
right
now

[Nothing]

Hmm, pretty much as predicted... I really hope Summit find a way to drive Icon into bankruptcy over this...