2016 Sundance Film Festival Predictions: James Schamus’ Indignation

A veteran player on the independent film scene dating all the way back to Todd Haynes’ 1991 release of the seminal queer film Poison, the head honcho for the Good Machine and Focus Features had a steady set of hands on many indie productions including nearly all of Ang Lee’s entire back catalogue. This past June, James Schamus tried on a different hat, so we would not be a surprise to see Indignation featured at a high profile festival and it would certainly not impossible that we are treated to his bowtie and parka combo this January. A high value acquisitions title is actually one of two (the other being Ewan McGregor’s American Pastoral) Philip Roth novels that will show in 2016. In a larger budgeted, perhaps more showy and equally awards friendly piece taking place in the 1950’s backdrop as last year’s Brooklyn, this features Logan Lerman, Sarah Gadon and Ben Rosenfield in an era filled with turbulence. 

Gist: Based on Philip Roth’s 2008 novel and set in 1951, this centers on Marcus Messner (Lerman), the idealistic son of a humble kosher butcher from Newark, NJ. When he leaves for college in Ohio, he finds himself falling for a beautiful but troubled girl (Gadon), and in a dangerous conflict with the school’s administration over the political and sexual culture of the era.

Production Co./Producers: Schamus, Likely Story’s Anthony Bregman (American Ultra) and RT Features’ Rodrigo Texeira (Mistress America).

Prediction: High value acquisitions title in the Premiere category.

U.S. Distributor: Rights Available. CAA (domestic). TBD (international)

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