Arclight Films Boards Paul Schrader's 'Oh, Canada'

Arclight Films has boarded Paul Schrader’s “Oh, Canada” starring Jacob Elordi and Richard Gere, and will launch sales at the upcoming European Film Market.

Along with Elordi and Gere, who worked with Schrader on his cult movie “American Gigolo” more than 40 years ago, the cast of “Oh Canada” also includes Michael Imperioli and Uma Thurman. WME Independent is co-repping domestic rights with Gonzales. 

“Oh, Canada” is based on the 2021 searing novel “Foregone,” written by bestselling author Russell Banks. The film depicts the story of famed documentary filmmaker Leonard Fife, an American leftist who fled to Canada as a young man to avoid the Vietnam War draft.

“As Fife battles cancer in Montreal during his twilight years, he agrees to a final interview,” the film’s synopsis reads. “Intent on revealing his long-guarded secrets and demystifying his mythologized life, Fife’s shocking confession unfolds amidst the presence of his wife, Emma (Thurman), his devoted former student Malcolm MacLeod (Imperioli), and a team of filmmakers capturing this profound moment.”

The film marks Schrader’s second adaptation of Banks’ work, following “Affliction” starring Nick Nolte and Sissy Spacek.

Currently in post, “Oh, Canada” is produced by David Gonzales, who had worked with Schrader on “Master Gardener,” alongside Tiffany Boyle (“Joyland”), Luisa Law (“The Accidental Getaway Driver”), Scott LaStaiti (“Kandahar”) and Meghan Hanlon. 

Arclight Films’ Hamilton, Ying Ye, Ryan Hamilton and Brian Beckmann are executive producers alongside Terri Garbarini, Tom Ogden, Andrea Bucko, Kyle Stroud, Elsa Ramo, Oliver Ridge, Andrea Chung, Kathryn M. Moseley and Eyal Rimmon for Sipur Studios. Production was completed in October in upstate New York under an interim SAG-AFTRA agreement.

“Oh, Canada” also reunites Arclight Films with Schrader after his award-winning psychological drama “First Reformed” starring Ethan Hawke, Amanda Seyfried and Cedric the Entertainer. The A24 movie earned Schrader an Oscar nomination for best original screenplay.

“With the incredible talent of Paul Schrader at the helm and our superb cast led by Richard Gere, Jacob Elordi, Uma Thurman and Michael Imperioli, the stars have truly aligned,” said Arclight Films chairman Gary Hamilton.

“We are delighted to team up with Paul again following his acclaimed trilogy including ‘First Reformed.’ He is at the top of his game,” Hamilton continued.  

Arclight Films’ prestige roster films also includes “Assassination” starring Viggo Mortensen, Al Pacino, Shia LaBeouf and John Travolta, written by David Mamet and directed by Barry Levinson; and the Sundance title “Fairyland” starring Scoot McNairy and Emilia Jones and produced by Sofia Coppola.