Strand Ties on to Goldberger’s ‘Hawk’

Strand Releasing has nabbed distribution rights to Julian Goldberger’s The Hawk Is Dying, an emotional and enigmatic darling of both Sundance and Cannes, garnering for Goldberger a selection for the Directors’ Fortnight sidebar at Cannes. The film stars Paul Giamatti, Michael Pitt, Rusty Schwimmer and Michelle Williams in a touching story of finding one’s place in life.

The flick centers around George Gattling (Giamatti), an auto upholsterer who lives with his sister, Precious (Schwimmer), and her mentally challenged son, Fred (Pitt). Occasionally in George’s life, there is sex with Betty (Williams), a 20-something pothead. But George’s passion and meaning in life are training hawks, even though he has fumbled falconry and killed several birds. One day, he and Fred catch the most magnificent red-tailed hawk he has ever seen. Nearly everyone in his life thinks he is mad for wanting to continue with falconry, but George is determined to finally tame the bird, even in the face of tragic events.

“Hawk” marks Julian Goldberger second visit to Sundance as director, following his 1999 film “Trans”. The director had vested little interest in the last few years, but his penning and directing of “Hawk” has achieved critical acclaim and audience followings at both festivals following its January premier. Strand Releasing signed on for all North American rights and has plans for platform release in spring 2007.