In a move that is set to significantly impact the upcoming awards season, Paramount Pictures has acquired the worldwide distribution rights to September 5, a dramatic thriller by director Tim Fehlbaum. The film, which has garnered attention at major fall film festivals, is already being hailed as a potential Oscar contender. Paramount will distribute the film globally, excluding Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, where Constantin Film holds the rights.
September 5 tells the gripping story of ABC Sports’ coverage of the 1972 Munich Olympics, during which Palestinian militants took Israeli athletes hostage. The film explores the moral and ethical challenges faced by journalists during the first live-televised act of terrorism. Peter Sarsgaard portrays ABC Sports’ chief, Roone Arledge, with John Magaro as Geoff Mason, the network’s coordinating producer for the Olympics, and Leonie Benesch playing a German national who assists them in navigating the unfolding crisis.
The film is Fehlbaum’s third feature, following The Colony and Hell, and has drawn comparisons to previous Oscar-winning films such as Argo and Spotlight for its tense, fact-based narrative.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the film received rave reviews after its premieres at the Venice and Telluride film festivals, with praise for its cast and its timely exploration of media ethics. The publication described the film as “an enlightening, altogether gripping experience” that is “more than just a time capsule about how the news was handled in the pre-digital age; it’s an account that speaks to our time as well.”
Paramount plans to release September 5 in the U.S. on November 27, during the Thanksgiving weekend, with a gradual expansion throughout December. The studio is expected to mount a full awards campaign to support the film, which now joins its already competitive slate that includes Gladiator 2, Better Man and Transformers One.
The film’s production team includes Tim Fehlbaum, Sean Penn, Philipp Trauer, Thomas Wöbke, John Ira Palmer and John Wildermuth. With its combination of gripping storytelling, historical significance and an exceptional cast, September 5 is set to be a major player in this year’s awards race.
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