Annual Top Films Lists

Top 100 Most Anticipated Foreign Films of 2017: #22. Andrew Haigh’s Lean on Pete

Published on January 8, 2017

Lean on Pete

Director: Andrew Haigh
Writer: Andrew Haigh

British filmmaker Andrew Haigh may possibly unveil two new projects this year, the first being Lean on Pete, which he adapted from Willy Vlautin’s novel about a fifteen year old who goes in search of his aunt after he’s abandoned by his father. In the lead role is breakout talent Charlie Plummer of King Jack, while Haigh amasses a notable supporting cast of US indie alums.

Cast: Steve Buscemi, Chloe Sevigny, Steve Zahn, Charlie Plummer, Amy Seimetz.

Production Co./Producer(s): The Bureau (Tristan Goligher), Film4.

U.S. Distributor: A24

Release Date: Following the critical success of his 2011 sophomore film Weekend, Haigh received a major breakthrough with 45 Years in 2015, which nabbed Best Actor and Actress at Berlin and nabbed international icon Charlotte Rampling her first Oscar nod. Since then, he developed the well received HBO television series “Looking,” as well as a 2016 television film continuation. Lean on Pete has been in post since October, and chances are this is ready for Berlin, although we could see this going to Tribeca or SXSW as well.

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Nicholas Bell

Los Angeles based Nicholas Bell is IONCINEMA.com's Chief Film Critic and covers film festivals such as Sundance, Berlin, Cannes and TIFF. He is part of the critic groups on Rotten Tomatoes, The Los Angeles Film Critics Association (LAFCA), the Online Film Critics Society (OFCS) and GALECA. His top 3 for 2021: France (Bruno Dumont), Passing (Rebecca Hall) and Nightmare Alley (Guillermo Del Toro). He was a jury member at the 2019 Cleveland International Film Festival.