In what is shaping up to be a rather thin awards season, could a small but formidable film, written and directed by a filmmaker with three Oscar winners in his family, find its way into contention?
That’s what Falling Forward Films is betting on in acquiring the U.S. distribution rights for Jack Huston’s impressive directorial debut Day of the Fight, a black-and-white indie about a once-renowned boxer — played by Huston’s former Boardwalk Empire costar Michael C. Pitt — as he takes a redemptive journey through his past and present on the day of his first fight since he was released from prison.
Indeed, the upstart distributor has already begun mounting an awards campaign for the film, which also stars Nicolette Robinson, Ron Perlman, John Magaro, Anatol Yusef, Steve Buscemi (another Boardwalk Empire alum) and — coming out of retirement to make a brief but shattering appearance — Oscar winner Joe Pesci. The vets at Perception PR, who helped Neon guide Parasite to the best picture Oscar, have been hired to coordinate the effort. And Huston’s reps at CAA have been rallying grassroots support for months, going back to a star-studded March 26 screening at the agency, attendees of which included David O. Russell, Andy Garcia, Lawrence Bender and the filmmaker’s uncle, Danny Huston.
Day of the Fight strikes me as having real breakout awards potential. Huston has a great shot at noms for the best breakthrough director Gotham Award and best first feature Spirit Award. Peter Simonite’s monochrome lensing will surely contend for various best cinematography honors. And, above all, the performance by Pitt — long a great actor but one who has struggled to find roles worthy of his talents — could land recognition, certainly in the gender-blending lead acting categories of the Gotham and Spirit awards, but, with some championing by critics, perhaps beyond that.
Indeed, one would be well advised to remember that a bunch of indie films with small distributors — among them Whale Rider (Newmarket Films), Monster (Newmarket Films), Maria Full of Grace (Fine Line Features), The Visitor (Overture Films), The Messenger (Oscilloscope Laboratories), At Eternity’s Gate (CBS Films) and To Leslie (Momentum Pictures) — were just “little-indies-that-could” until they ultimately, well, did, by landing a nom in one of the acting Oscar categories.
Some observers expected that Day of the Fight — the producers of which include Huston, Emma Tillinger Koskoff (The Irishman and both Joker films), Josh Porter, Jai Stefan and the inimitable Colleen Camp — would factor into last awards season. After all, it premiered at the Venice Film Festival and went on to screen at the Mill Valley, SCAD, Newport Beach and Austin fests, as well, several of which recognized Huston with special honors. But there was not long enough of a runway to give the understated film the build-up that it would require, and so it was held for 2024. It is now set to debut in theaters in New York and Los Angeles on Nov. 15, followed by a nationwide expansion.
The Hollywood Reporter is pleased to exclusively debuts its trailer:
“I am filled with such immense gratitude to bring Day of the Fight to theaters this fall,” Huston tells THR. “It was my goal to make something honest and relatable about the complexities of life that asks the eternal question: How far are we willing to go for the ones we love? I was blessed to have worked with the most incredible cast, who brought these characters to life with such passion, anchored by Michael C. Pitt’s achingly beautiful performance. As well as a crew whose hard work and tenacity shows in every frame. In a constantly evolving business, it takes a committed village to bring a film like this one to audiences and our partners, Falling Forward Films and PMI, helped make this possible through their unwavering support. I’ve loved every second of making this movie and I am beyond excited to share it.”
Added Falling Forward Films CEO Scott Kennedy: “We’re excited to share Jack Huston’s incredible new film, a true standout in the world of cinema. William Santor and Productivity Media, along with Falling Forward Films, are proud to bring this remarkable movie to audiences everywhere, and can’t wait for everyone to experience it.”
