Archive of films Dark Horse / Dark Horse

USA
2011, 85 min

Section: Horizons
Year: 2012

Screened last year at Venice, this dramedy develops the story of a relationship between two thirtysomethings. He is a child trapped in a man’s body and she is a woman desperately trying to resolve her health issues. His offer of marriage comes as a surprise after their first date and is merely a foretaste of what is to come.

Synopsis

Abe and Miranda are solitary thirtysomethings who chance to meet at a wedding. Lacking partners or friends, both still live at home with their parents. Pudgy Abe is unable to leave childhood behind and begin taking care of himself. On the contrary, he still passionately collects action figures, and he seems incapable of performing the trifling job he was assigned at his father’s firm. On their very first date together Abe asks Miranda for her hand. She soon enough agrees, but in contrast to Abe’s naïve feelings of love, her assent is more likely the result of desperation. And not surprisingly their relationship soon hits a few bumps. Todd Solondz returns with an adroit drama that blends unforced humor with sorrow. Its melancholy atmosphere corresponds to the real lives of ordinary outsiders who find it difficult to struggle along and achieve satisfaction in life.

About the director

Todd Solondz (b. 1959, Newark, New Jersey) is a distinctive figure of American independent film. He graduated in English from Yale University and studied film for a time at New York University. His second feature Welcome to the Dollhouse (1995) gained the attention of the moviegoing public, winning the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance. Since then his motion pictures have screened at the most prestigious world festivals. Happiness (1998) was presented at Cannes where it took the FIPRESCI Prize. The Karlovy Vary festival regularly screens Solondz’s films, most recently Life During Wartime (2009), winner of Best Screenplay at Venice. His latest film Dark Horse (2011) also competed at the Venice film festival.

Contacts

Goldcrest Films
65/66 Dean Street, W1D 4PL, London
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 207 437 869 6, +1 212 243 470 0
E-mail: [email protected]
www: www.goldcrestfilms.com

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About the film

Color, DCP

Section:	Horizons

Director:	Todd Solondz
Screenplay:	Todd Solondz
Dir. of Photography:	Andrij Parekh
Editor:	Kevin Messman
Producer:	Ted Hope, Derrick Tseng
Production:	Double Hope Films
Cast:	Justin Bartha, Selma Blair, Mia Farrow, Jordan Gelber, Donna Murphy, Christopher Walken, Zachary Booth, Aasif Mandvi
Contact:	Goldcrest Films

Guests

Todd Solondz

Film Director