Magazine Dreams filmmaker Elijah Bynum’s next film, My Darling California, has begun shooting in California with a stacked cast that includes Jessica Chastain, Chris Evans, Chris Pine, Mikey Madison and Don Cheadle, as new financiers join the project, according to Deadline.
Set in 1980 Los Angeles, the film is described by Deadline as “an American noir of ambition, greed and violence, and a love letter to the darker side of California.” Per Deadline’s description, the story follows “a single crime that weaves together the lives of a fallen news anchor, her cheating televangelist husband, two small-time crooks, an ex-con and a rising country music idol. Their fates collide in a web of crime, seduction and deceit.”
According to Deadline, the film is produced, backed and sold by Anton, and will receive the second-largest allocation in the latest funding round of the California Film & TV Tax Credit’s independent film category. New financiers joining the project include Just Mercy backer 1Community and Conclave and The Zone of Interest backer Access Entertainment. Anton is handling international sales, with Anton and CAA Media Finance co-representing U.S. and global rights.
1Community founder and CEO Scott Budnick said, per Deadline, “We are thrilled to film My Darling California right here in the Golden State, where the vibrancy and richness of the cultural history serve as the perfect backdrop for this story. This film explores the ambition and desire that define our lives, while celebrating the unique spirit of California and the people who make up that history. We are excited to showcase the richness of our state, while supporting local talent and businesses throughout this production journey.”
Access Entertainment president Danny Cohen added, “Emily, Len and I are delighted to be producing and co-financing My Darling California. Elijah Bynum has written a script of immense quality and we are excited to see him bring it to life in California with an outstanding cast. Thank you to Elijah and the cast, along with our partners Anton and 1Community.”
Bynum directs, marking his return to California, where he also made Magazine Dreams. David Hinojosa, Alex Coco and Sébastien Raybaud produce, alongside Budnick and Ameet Shukla of 1Community and Emily Blavatnik and Danny Cohen of Access Entertainment. Len Blavatnik and Zach Nutman of 2AM executive produce. Chayse Irvin serves as director of photography, Anthony Gasparro as production designer and Natasha Newman-Thomas as costume designer.
Photo: Kirra Cheera / Eric Charbonneau / Amazon MGM Studios
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