Russian filmmaker Kantemir Balagov is getting set to move into production on his highly anticipated third feature film Butterfly Jam. Earlier this year having they added Barry Keoghan and Riley Keough to topline the project, and earlier last week we learned via the socials that Balagov crewed up with a notable cinematographer who, in a short time span, has been padding his resume with some refreshing visual palettes. After micro-indies in Sundance entries Selah and the Spades and All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt, and Nickel Boys, (for which he won Best Cinematography award at the Indie Spirits), Jomo Fray will join Balagov. Also on the call-sheet of sorts, we find Production Designer Angelo Zamparutti of Honey Cigar and Jeanne du Barry, and Costume Designer Judy Shrewsbury who has worked on almost all of Claire Denis’ entire filmography — this dating back to Beau Travail. Production is set to take place in Paris (and Jersey) and among the producers we find Pascal Caucheteux (check out our feature) and Pauline Lamy. The project was co-written with Marina Stepnova and was originally called Monica and was set to take place in Russia. This will likely be ready for Palme d’Or competition consideration for next year’s Cannes. Here is the synopsis:
15-year-old Pyteh lives in New Jersey’s Circassian community where his father and aunt run a diner specializing in Circassian cuisine. The business is struggling. When he’s not helping out in the restaurant, the boy is training to become a professional wrestler. After one of his father’s misguided schemes goes wrong, Pyteh must come to terms with the man his beloved father is – and isn’t – and finds himself confronted with a violence that will force him to grow up faster than he would like.
