Sony Pictures Classics has acquired all rights worldwide to “Between the Temples,” a comedy with Jason Schwartzman and Carol Kane that earned strong reviews when it debuted at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. Directed by Nathan Silver, the film follows a forty-something cantor who is at a personal and professional crossroads. That’s when his grade-school music teacher re-enters his life as an adult bat mitzvah student, prompting the pair to form an unusual connection.
In a positive notice, PvNew‘s Guy Lodge wrote, “Buoyed by the unlikely chemistry between its two stars, this alternately raucous and tender ‘Harold and Maude’ riff is the warmest work to date from microbudget auteur Nathan Silver.”
“Between the Temples” will have its international debut at the upcoming Berlin International Film Festival in the Panorama section. Schwartzman’s credits include “Rushmore,” “Asteroid City” and “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.” Kane is the Oscar-nominated star of “Hester Street” and has also appeared on “Taxi” and “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.” The ensemble also includes Dolly de Leon (“Triangle of Sadness”), Caroline Aaron (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”), Robert Smigel (“Leo”), Madeline Weinstein (“Beach Rats”) and Matthew Shear (“Mistress America”).
The film is produced by Tim Headington, Theresa Steele Page, and Nate Kamiya on behalf of Ley Line Entertainment; Adam Kersh of Fusion Entertainment; and Taylor Hess.
“We are so thrilled to be partnering with Sony Pictures Classics on the release,” said Headington. “They really understood Nathan’s unique vision and the spark he captured onscreen between Jason and Carol.”
Added Silver, “It’s an insane honor to have our movie released by a company whose library has so fully shaped my cinematic life: ‘Crumb,’ ‘Henry Fool,’ ‘Orlando,’ ‘Safe,’ ‘Elle,’ every Almodóvar…That blue and white logo is forever branded to my brain as a mark of excellence. I’m extraordinarily grateful for ‘Between the Temples’ to find its home here.”
The deal was negotiated between Sony Pictures Classics, Anonymous Content, and CAA Media Finance, with Stutz Law handling legal on behalf of the filmmakers.
