Olmo Schnabel’s first feature film, a romantic thriller about two young guys who discover the seedy side of New York City together, has a star-studded cast. Schnabel, the son of Oscar-nominated director Julian Schnabel, makes his directorial debut with “Pet Shop Boys.” Newcomers Dario Yazebek Bernal (“The House of the Flowers”) and Jack Irv (“Giants Being Lonely”) assisted the just-completed project.
In the film, outcast Alejandro (Bernal) and young pet shop worker Jack (Irv) have a whirlwind romance that leads them down a dark path of vice. Oscar nominee Willem Dafoe and prolific actor Peter Sarsgaard will be the men’s co-stars. Angela Sarafyan (“The Neon Demon”), Jordi Mollà (“Riddick”), Louis Cancelmi (“The Looming Tower”), Camille Rowe (“The Deep House”), Maribel Verdu (“Blancanieves”) and Emmanuelle Seigner (“ The Diving Bell and the Butterfly”) are all on board.
I am shocked by the old saying, “Someone once said, ‘If you can’t surprise yourself, how can you expect to surprise anyone else,’ and I’m absolutely surprised. This movie always seemed like an impossibility or something unattainable.
“We have all made something with love that I think will be very special. I feel incredibly lucky and grateful to have been able to work with so many talented people.”
The director’s previous work includes the 2019 drama “Giants who are lonely,” which also starred Irv. Pet Shop Boys is a collaboration between Irv, Olmo Schnabel and Galen Core. Francesco Melzi d’Eril and Gabriele Moratti of MeMo Films produced the film, along with Alex Coco, Core and Schnabel under the label TWIN, Marie Savare de Laitre of Storyteller Productions and Alex Coco.
“I fell in love with Olmo’s project. We see in this project a telling portrait of young people today in New York City. Many films try to capture this, but with Olmo’s lived experience, sensitivity and observant eye, we believe he tells a specific story that will resonate for a generation,” said MeMo’s d’Eril.
“I enthusiastically decided to come on board with my partner Gabriele. It has been so stimulating and fun to work with this amazing group of talented young professionals.”
Livio Strazzera “Serfis”, Marco Colombo (Ela Films), Michel Franco, Theo Niarchos and Aimone Ripa di Meana serve as executive producers. Other names on the list are PJ van Sandwijk (Storyteller Productions), Giovanni Corrado and Raffaella Viscardi (3Marys), Moreno Zani and Malcom Pagani (Tenderstories) and PJ van Sandwijk (Storyteller Productions).
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Simply put, Renato Ragosta works for Ela Films as an Associate Producer. Editing the film was Sophie Corra. The feature film “More” by Andrea di Stefano, which was just revealed as an official selection of the 2023 Berlin International Film Festival, will be MeMo’s next release after the critically acclaimed “Boats and everything” by Luca Guadagnino.
Founded by Schnabel and Core, TWIN will produce works by well-known and emerging artists as well as works directed by Schnabel himself. They are represented by The Gersh Agency, both Schnabel and Louis Cancelmi. Bernal’s representation comes from Anonymous Content.
Grandview represents Mr. Irv. WME represents both Dafoe and Sarsgaard. Insurge-Ent provides representation for Seigner. APA represents Mollà. CAA is Rowe’s agency. In the entertainment industry, Saryfan is represented by Innovative Artists.
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