EXCLUSIVE: Pascal Caucheteux’s Why Not Productions joins the production of Alexander Rodnyansky’s AR Content Beanstalk Helmer Kantemir Balagov’s first English-language film Butterfly jam. Goodfellas will begin selling the project next week in Cannes.
The AR Content-funded project is scheduled to go into production this year, with casting ongoing. Based on Balagov’s screenplay and set in a close-knit US community of Circassian immigrants. Butterfly jam depicts a complicated relationship between father and son in which the son gives his father qualities that he does not actually possess.
Rodnyansky is producing with Caucheteux, while executive producers are Michael Kupisk for AR Content, Pauline Lamy for Why Not Productions and Goodfellas’ Livia Van der Staay.
Rodnyansky is a two-time Oscar nominee who has produced projects such as Loveless, Leviathan And Beanstalk and his AR content banner has a long history with Balagov and Goodfellas, which have handled sales of all of his films to date. After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Balagov expressed dissenting views on the war and has since fled into exile in California.
The Russian filmmaker is best known as an author and director of Russian feature films Beanstalk And Vicinity Both premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. Balagov received the Unsafe Regard Award for Best Director and the FIPRESCI Award for Beanstalk in Cannes. This film was later chosen as Russia’s official entry for Best International Feature Film at the 92nd International Film Festivalnd Oscar Awards.
Rodnyansky said: “I am delighted to be working with Pascal Caucheteux, Grégoire Sorlat and the entire Why Not Productions team following our successful production of Loveless together, and of course the Goodfellas team led by Vincent Maraval, who are long-time partners with whom I was able to celebrate many successes Loveless To Beanstalk To Open your fists.
“Butterfly jam was definitely a matter of the heart for all of us. I strongly believe in the story and even more in the talent and vision of Kantemir Balagov. Having the right partners on such an important film is crucial and I couldn’t be happier.”
AR Content recently announced its upcoming drama with Ryder Picture Company and Hammerstone At the seaStarring Amy Adams and directed by Komel Mundruczó, Laszlo Nemes’ film will also begin production. orphan.
Balagov is represented by UTA