Mubi secures rights to “Pavements,” a unique documentary-musical-biopic
A new acquisition for Mubi
Mubi, the renowned arthouse distributor, streamer, and production company, has recently acquired the rights to “Pavements”, an unconventional documentary-musical-biopic directed by Alex Ross Perry. This film, which delves into the world of the cult ’90s slacker band Pavement, premiered at the Venice Film Festival and has since garnered significant attention.
Expanding territories and exclusive rights
Mubi has secured all rights to ”Pavements” for several key regions, including the U.K., Ireland, Germany, Austria, France, and Canada. Additionally, Mubi has obtained exclusive SVOD rights for the U.S. This strategic acquisition was finalized with Utopia, the company handling global sales. Following the film’s debut in Venice, Utopia also announced plans for a U.S. theatrical release.
A star-studded cast and unique narrative
Directed and written by Alex Ross Perry, known for his work on “Her Smell,” “Pavements” features an impressive ensemble cast. The film stars Joe Keery, Jason Schwartzman, Nat Wolff, Fred Hechinger, Logan Miller, Griffin Newman, Tim Heidecker, Michael Esper, Zoe Lister-Jones, and Kathryn Gallagher. Notably, the band members of Pavement—Stephen Malkmus, Scott “Spiral Stairs” Kannberg, Mark Ibold, Steve West, and Bob Nastanovich—appear as themselves, adding authenticity to the narrative.
A film that defies conventions
Described as a movie that “may or may not be entirely true, may or may not be totally sincere, and may or may not be more about the idea of the band—or any band—than a history of the short-lived, passionately loved, commercially marginal Nineties American alternative group Pavement,” “Pavements” is a film that challenges traditional storytelling. The feature combines elements of a stage musical, rock biopic, gallery exhibition, archival footage, and contemporary observational footage, creating a film as “irreducible, uncharacterizable, and entertaining as the band and its music.”
Expert editing and production
The film was edited by Robert Greene, a nonfiction innovator known for his work on “Procession.” The production team includes Perry, Greene, Peter Kline, Danny Gabai, Craig Butta, Lance Bangs, Alex Needles, Arrow Kruse, Chris Lombardi, Gerard Cosloy, Patrick Amory, and Gabe Spierer. Executive producers are Ian Montone, Rick Yorn, Harper Simon, Dave Ayers, Sara Lord, Merck Mercuriadis, Betsy Hershey, Michael Karbelnikoff, Robert Schwartzman, Cole Harper, Jonny Gordon, David Ruttenberg, Stu Goldstein, Alice Rhodes, and Nick Quested.
Mubi’s growing slate of films
“Pavements” joins a growing slate of films for Mubi, following an active year of festival participation and market expansions. The company recently released “The Substance”, a body-horror film starring Demi Moore that premiered at Cannes and became Mubi’s biggest launch to date. Upcoming titles include Andrea Arnold’s “Bird”, Magnus von Horn’s “The Girl with the Needle”, and Christopher Andrews’ “Bring Them Down”.
A deeper look at ”Pavements”
Technical analysis
“Pavements” stands out for its innovative approach to the documentary-musical-biopic genre. The film’s structure, which blends various forms of media and narrative styles, reflects the eclectic nature of Pavement’s music. The use of archival footage and contemporary observational footage provides a rich, layered perspective on the band’s history and cultural impact.
Industry reflections
The acquisition of “Pavements” by Mubi highlights a growing trend in the film industry towards embracing unconventional storytelling. This move aligns with Mubi’s reputation for curating unique and thought-provoking content. The film’s success at festivals and its subsequent acquisition by a major distributor underscore the industry’s increasing recognition of diverse and innovative narratives.
Trustworthy insights
The information presented about “Pavements” is based on verifiable details from the film’s production and distribution journey. The involvement of well-known industry professionals and the film’s reception at prestigious festivals add credibility to the narrative.
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