Seberg

Last updated

Seberg
Seberg poster.jpeg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Benedict Andrews
Written by
  • Joe Shrapnel
  • Anna Waterhouse
Produced by
Starring
Cinematography Rachel Morrison
Edited by Pamela Martin
Music by Jed Kurzel
Production
companies
  • Automatik Entertainment
  • Bradley Pilz Productions
  • Phreaker Films
  • Ingenious Media
  • Totally Commercial Films
Distributed by
Release dates
  • August 30, 2019 (2019-08-30)(Venice)
  • December 13, 2019 (2019-12-13)(United States)
  • January 10, 2020 (2020-01-10)(United Kingdom)
Running time
102 minutes [1]
Countries
  • United States
  • United Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
Budget$8 million [2]
Box office$675,808 [3] [4]

Seberg is a 2019 political thriller film directed by Benedict Andrews, from a screenplay by Joe Shrapnel and Anna Waterhouse based on the life of Jean Seberg. It stars Kristen Stewart, Jack O'Connell, Margaret Qualley, Zazie Beetz, Anthony Mackie, and Vince Vaughn.

Contents

It had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival on August 30, 2019. It was released in the United Kingdom on January 10, 2020, by Universal Pictures and in North America on February 21, 2020, by Amazon Studios, after an awards-qualifying run on December 13, 2019.

Plot

Jean Seberg, an American actress known for playing the female lead in Jean-Luc Godard's film Breathless , bids her husband, Romain Gary, and child farewell in Paris before leaving for Los Angeles. On the jet flight in first class, she witnesses a Black activist insisting on sitting in first class and offering to pay for the seats. The activist demands preferential treatment for Malcolm X's widow, claiming she should be treated like "royalty"; Seberg appears to be attracted to the passenger, who introduces himself as Hakim Jamal, a member of the Black Panther Party (BPP).

Upon landing in the U.S., Seberg notices a group of Black activists protesting at the airport, indicating their displeasure with the treatment Jamal and his traveling companions received on the flight. She joins them and raises her fist in a Black power salute in solidarity. Unbeknownst to her, undercover FBI agents, including Jack Solomon, are at the airport. Solomon suggests the FBI shadow her activities while she is in the U.S. and arranges to have her phone conversations tapped due to her perceived association with the Black Power movement.

After telling Jamal she knows the incident on the plane was staged to get her attention, Seberg begins a sexual relationship with him, despite both of them being married. The FBI's surveillance program COINTELPRO begins to target Seberg, recording her and Jamal having sex and playing it to Jamal's wife, Dorothy, over the phone.

Jamal ends things with Seberg after Dorothy confronts him, leaving Seberg devastated. She becomes increasingly suspicious, fearing her daily life is being monitored. Solomon anonymously calls Seberg to warn her to sever her ties with the movement.

Seberg becomes pregnant by an unknown person. Continuing their surveillance and harassment of her for years, COINTELPRO agents create a rumor that the baby was fathered by a member of the BPP and feed it to the media. Seberg attempts suicide, which leads to the miscarriage of her unborn daughter. The combination of her daughter's death and the FBI's smear campaign about the child's paternity send her into a deep depression.

Seberg announces she would sue the publication that published the rumor. Solomon, wanting to come clean, shows her the FBI file on her at a bar, confirming her suspicions.

After the encounter, the real-life Seberg is explained to have moved back to Paris while still supporting the BPP and died in 1979 due to a probable suicide.

Cast

Production

In March 2018, it was announced Kristen Stewart, Jack O'Connell, Anthony Mackie, Margaret Qualley and Colm Meaney had joined the cast of the film, then titled Against All Enemies. Benedict Andrews would direct the film from a screenplay by Joe Shrapnel and Anna Waterhouse. Fred Berger, Brian Kavanaugh-Jones, Kate Garwood, Stephen Hopkins, Bradley Pilz, would produce the film under their Automatik and Bradley Pilz Productions banners, respectively. [5] In April 2018, Zazie Beetz joined the cast of the film. [6] In May 2018, Vince Vaughn, Yvan Attal and Stephen Root joined the cast of the film. [7] In June 2018, Cornelius Smith Jr. and Jade Pettyjohn joined the cast of the film. [8] In July 2018, Ser'Darius Blain joined the cast of the film. [9]

Principal production started on June 30, 2018, in Los Angeles. [10] Production concluded on August 2, 2018. [11]

Release

Amazon Studios acquired distribution rights to Against All Enemies in February 2019. [12] The film was retitled Seberg, and had its world premiere out of competition at the Venice Film Festival on August 30, 2019. [13] [14] Universal Pictures distributed the film in select international territories outside of America. [15] It also screened at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 7, 2019. [16] The film was released in the United States on December 13, 2019, in an Oscar qualifying run, before being released on February 21, 2020. [17] [18] and in the United Kingdom on January 10, 2020. [19]

Reception

Critical response

On review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 35% based on 140 reviews, with an average rating of 5.5/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Seberg's frustratingly superficial treatment of a fascinating true story does a disservice to its subject—and Kristen Stewart's performance in the central role." [20] On Metacritic, the film holds a weighted average score of 54 out of 100, based on 28 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews". [21]

Time 's annual best performances of the year list by Stephanie Zacharek listed Stewart as the tenth best performance of 2019. [22]

Accolades

AwardDate of ceremonyCategoryRecipient(s)ResultRef.
Alliance of Women Film Journalists 2020Actress Most in Need of a New AgentKristen StewartNominated
Camerimage November 16, 2019Best Directorial Debut Benedict Andrews Nominated
San Sebastián International Film Festival 2020City of Donostia Audience Award Benedict Andrews Nominated

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jean Seberg</span> American actress (1938–1979)

Jean Dorothy Seberg was an American actress. She is considered an icon of the French New Wave as a result of her performance in Jean-Luc Godard's 1960 film Breathless.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kristen Stewart</span> American actress (born 1990)

Kristen Jaymes Stewart is an American actress. She has received various accolades, including a British Academy Film Award and a César Award, in addition to nominations for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award.

Benedict Andrews is an Australian theatre and film director, based in Reykjavík. Born in Adelaide in 1972, he was educated at Flinders University Drama Centre. His first feature film Una was released in 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Margaret Qualley</span> American actress (born 1994)

Sarah Margaret Qualley is an American actress. A daughter of actress Andie MacDowell, she trained as a ballet dancer in her youth. She made her acting debut in the 2013 drama film Palo Alto and gained recognition for her supporting role in the HBO drama series The Leftovers (2014–2017).

<i>High Flying Bird</i> 2019 film by Steven Soderbergh

High Flying Bird is a 2019 American sports drama film directed by Steven Soderbergh, from a story suggested by André Holland, with the screenplay by Tarell Alvin McCraney. The film stars Holland, Zazie Beetz, Melvin Gregg, Sonja Sohn, Zachary Quinto, Glenn Fleshler, Jeryl Prescott, Justin Hurtt-Dunkley, Caleb McLaughlin, Bobbi Bordley, Kyle MacLachlan, and Bill Duke, with additional appearances of basketball players Reggie Jackson, Karl-Anthony Towns and Donovan Mitchell. The film follows a sports agent who must pull off a plan in 72 hours, pitching a controversial opportunity to his client, a rookie basketball player during the company's lockout. The film was shot entirely on the iPhone 8, becoming Soderbergh's second film to be shot on an iPhone, after Unsane.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zazie Beetz</span> American actress (born 1991)

Zazie Olivia Beetz is a German and American actress. She is known for her role in the FX comedy-drama series Atlanta (2016–2022), for which she received a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. She starred in the Netflix anthology series Easy (2016–2019) and has voiced Amber Bennett in the adult animated superhero series Invincible since 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aubrey Plaza filmography</span>

American actress Aubrey Plaza began her career performing improv and sketch comedy at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. She made her feature film debut in the 2009 comedy film Mystery Team and gained recognition for playing April Ludgate on the political satire mockumentary sitcom Parks and Recreation (2009–2015). She had her first lead film role as a magazine intern investigating a classified ad in the science fiction comedy Safety Not Guaranteed (2012) and voiced characters in the animated film Monsters University (2013) and television series The Legend of Korra (2013–2014). In 2014, she starred in the horror comedy Life After Beth and Hal Hartley's drama film Ned Rifle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ser'Darius Blain</span> American actor (born 1987)

Ser'Darius William Blain is a Haitian-American actor. He is best known for his role as Anthony “Fridge” Johnson in the Jumanji film series, appearing in the sequel entries Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and Jumanji: The Next Level. Blain is also recognized for his portrayal of Galvin Burdette in the first season of The CW series Charmed.

<i>Lucy in the Sky</i> 2019 film directed by Noah Hawley

Lucy in the Sky is a 2019 American psychological drama film directed by Noah Hawley in his feature directorial debut, and co-written by Hawley, Brian C. Brown, and Elliott DiGuiseppi. The film stars Natalie Portman as astronaut Lucy Cola, loosely based on the life of real-life NASA astronaut Lisa Nowak. Alongside Portman, the cast includes Jon Hamm, Zazie Beetz, Dan Stevens, Colman Domingo, and Ellen Burstyn in supporting roles.

<i>Wounds</i> (film) 2019 film directed by Babak Anvari

Wounds is a 2019 psychological horror film written and directed by Babak Anvari, in his English language debut, and starring Armie Hammer, Dakota Johnson, and Zazie Beetz. The film is based on the novella The Visible Filth by Nathan Ballingrud.

<i>Nine Days</i> (film) 2020 American film by Edson Oda

Nine Days is a 2020 American fantasy drama film written and directed by Edson Oda in his feature debut. It stars an ensemble cast consisting of Winston Duke, Zazie Beetz, Benedict Wong, Tony Hale, Bill Skarsgård, David Rysdahl, and Arianna Ortiz. In the film, Will (Duke) is a reclusive man residing in a house in the pre-existence with his assistant Kyo (Wong). His job is to interview souls hoping to be born and to observe how the souls he has selected are living on Earth. When one of his previous selections suddenly dies, Will becomes dispirited and confused about the true meaning of life as a new batch of souls arrives to be interviewed.

<i>Extinct</i> (film) 2021 computer-animated adventure film

Extinct is a 2021 animated science fiction comedy film directed by David Silverman, and co-directed by Raymond S. Persi, from a screenplay by Joel Cohen, John Frink, and Rob LaZebnik. The film features the voices of Rachel Bloom, Adam Devine, Zazie Beetz, Ken Jeong, Catherine O'Hara, Benedict Wong, Reggie Watts, and Jim Jefferies. The story follows Op and Ed, a pair of adorable cat-like creatures with giant holes in the center, called the "flummels". They find themselves transported from their island home in the year 1835 to modern-day Shanghai.

The 35th Film Independent Spirit Awards, honoring the best independent films of 2019, were presented by Film Independent on February 8, 2020. The nominations were announced on November 21, 2019 by actresses Zazie Beetz and Natasha Lyonne. The ceremony was televised in the United States by IFC, taking place inside its usual tent setting on a beach in Santa Monica, California. Aubrey Plaza returned to host the ceremony for the second time.

<i>Maid</i> (miniseries) American drama limited series

Maid is an American drama limited series created for Netflix by Molly Smith Metzler. The series is inspired by Stephanie Land's memoir Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother's Will to Survive. Its story focuses on a young mother who escapes an abusive relationship and struggles to provide for her daughter by getting a job cleaning houses. It premiered on Netflix on October 1, 2021.

<i>The Harder They Fall</i> (2021 film) 2021 film by Jeymes Samuel

The Harder They Fall is a 2021 American Western film directed by Jeymes Samuel, who co-wrote the screenplay with Boaz Yakin. The film stars Jonathan Majors, Idris Elba, Zazie Beetz, Regina King, Delroy Lindo, Lakeith Stanfield, RJ Cyler, Danielle Deadwyler, Edi Gathegi, and Deon Cole. It is one of few Westerns whose principal cast members are all Black. Its characters are based on real cowboys, lawmen, and outlaws of the nineteenth-century American West.

The 31st Annual Gotham Awards, presented by the Gotham Film & Media Institute, were held on November 29, 2021. The nominees were announced on October 21, 2021. Actors Peter Dinklage and Kristen Stewart, director Jane Campion, film executive Eamonn Bowles, playwright Kathleen Collins, and the cast of The Harder They Fall all received tribute awards. Collins received her tribute award posthumously.

Full Circle is an American television miniseries created and written by Ed Solomon and directed by Steven Soderbergh for the Max streaming television service. It premiered July 13, 2023.

David Rysdahl is an American actor and screenwriter. He is best known for starring in the fantasy drama film Nine Days (2020), the horror film No Exit (2022) and the biographical history thriller film Oppenheimer (2023).

The Dutchman is an upcoming American thriller film directed by Andre Gaines, co-writing along with Qasim Basir, based on the 1964 play Dutchman by Amiri Baraka. The film stars André Holland, Kate Mara, Zazie Beetz, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Aldis Hodge, and Lauren E. Banks.

Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die is an upcoming science fiction action-adventure film directed by Gore Verbinski and written by Matthew Robinson.

References

  1. ↑ "Biannele Cinema 2019 - Seberg". Venice Film Festival . July 19, 2019. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
  2. ↑ Film and Television Tax Credit Program Program 2.0 (PDF) (Report). California Film Commission. July 29, 2019. p. 1. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
  3. ↑ "Seberg (2020)". Box Office Mojo . Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  4. ↑ "Seberg (2019)". The Numbers . Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  5. ↑ Tartaglione, Nancy (March 14, 2018). "Kristen Stewart To Play Icon Jean Seberg In Political Thriller 'Against All Enemies'; Jack O'Connell, Anthony Mackie Also Star". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved June 10, 2018.
  6. ↑ Kroll, Justin (April 2, 2018). "Zazie Beetz Eyes Jean Seberg Film 'Against All Enemies' Starring Kristen Stewart (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety . Retrieved June 10, 2018.
  7. ↑ Tartaglione, Nancy (May 9, 2018). "Vince Vaughn & More Join Kristen Stewart In Jean Seberg Thriller 'Against All Enemies' – Cannes". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
  8. ↑ N'Duka, Amanda (June 19, 2018). "'Scandal' Alum Cornelius Smith Jr. Cast In 'Against All Enemies'". Deadline Hollywood .
  9. ↑ N'Duka, Amanda (July 25, 2018). "Ser'Darius Blain Cast In 'Against All Enemies'; Chris O'Shea Joins 'Modern Persuasion'; Carlos Leal In 'The Last Thing He Wanted'". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved July 25, 2018.
  10. ↑ "Against All Enemies". Production Weekly. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
  11. ↑ Morrison, Rachel (August 2, 2018). "That's a wrap on #againstallenemies. So much gratitude to my incredible camera crew featuring one and only @englishsly and @moneypennyyyyy and a bunch of other cats who are too cool for IG. 🤞we made something we all can be proud of. As often in Hollywood, there are filming flaws. In the airplane, we see the inside of a Jumbo jet. The 747 came into aviation 10 years later than the time period in this film. The 707 filmed from the outside is correct". Instagram . Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
  12. ↑ Siegel, Tatiana (February 8, 2019). "Berlin: Amazon Nabs Kristen Stewart as Jean Seberg in Thriller 'Against All Enemies' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved February 8, 2019.
  13. ↑ Anderson, Ariston (July 25, 2019). "Venice Film Festival Unveils Lineup (Updating Live)". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved July 25, 2019.
  14. ↑ Sharf, Zack (July 25, 2019). "'Seberg' First Look Unveils Kristen Stewart as 'Breathless' Actress and French New Wave Icon Jean Seberg". IndieWire . Retrieved June 26, 2020.
  15. ↑ "Universal buys select international territories on Kristen Stewart Venice title 'Seberg' (exclusive)". Screen International . August 7, 2019. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  16. ↑ Vlessing, Etan (August 13, 2019). "'The Aeronauts,' 'Burnt Orange Heresy' Added to Toronto Film Fest Lineup". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved August 13, 2019.
  17. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (December 12, 2019). "Kristen Stewart Pic 'Seberg' To Roll Out In February Following Oscar Qualifying Run". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 11, 2020.
  18. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (September 26, 2019). "Kristen Stewart Amazon Studios Pic 'Seberg' Stakes Release Date In Awards Season". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 26, 2019.
  19. ↑ "Seberg". Launching Films. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  20. ↑ "Seberg (2019)". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango . Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  21. ↑ "Seberg Reviews". Metacritic . Retrieved October 27, 2021.
  22. ↑ Zacharek, Stephanie (November 26, 2019). "The 10 Best Movie Performances of 2019". Time . Retrieved November 28, 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.