EXCLUSIVE: Leah Fay Goldstein and Peter Dreimanis, the singers of Canadian alt-rock band July Talk, have been set to star in indie feature Middle Life from writer-director Pavan Moondi (Sundowners).
Joining them are Luke Lalonde, lead singer of the band Born Ruffians and who also starred in Moondi’s movie Sundowners, Norah Sadava (Mouthpiece), and actor-comedian Colin Burgess (Dad and Step Dad).
Middle Life follows a new mom who unexpectedly saves a stranger from a roadside accident. Over the next 18 months, the two form an unlikely friendship that shifts their perspectives and adds a spark of spontaneity to their everyday lives.
Pic is produced by Peter Dreimanis, Pavan Moondi, Jared Raab, Leah Fay Goldstein, and Dean Perlmutter of Toronto’s Smash Arts, and is financed independently by undisclosed sources. Executive producers include Josh Warburton of Vulture Culture Films, Mark Homza and Phillipe Leblanc of Time and Tide Entertainment, Chetan Bhanot, Michael Dotsikas, and Abraham Sanjakdar.
The film was shot both in Toronto, from where Moondi hails, and in Los Angeles, where he is currently based. Indie filmmaker Moondi was also a story editor on 14 episodes of hit series Schitt’s Creek.
The film’s cinematographer is Jared Raab, known for his work with Matt Johnson including Nirvanna The Band The Show, and BlackBerry, which netted him a Best Cinematographer Canadian Screen Award.
Pic is currently in post-production, with the producing team holding worldwide distribution rights and targeting a late 2025 premiere. Moondi’s Diamond Tongues bowed at Slamdance.
Leah Fay Goldstein made her screen debut in Moondi’s 2015 film Diamond Tongues, for which she was nominated for a Best Actress Canadian Screen Award. Her bandmate Peter Dreimanis, makes his screen debut in a supporting role in Ryan Coogler’s upcoming Sinners for Warner Bros.
“Middle Life explores complex and universal themes in a way that feels both completely fresh and contemporary, yet reminiscent of classic character driven romantic comedies like Broadcast News, Crossing Delancey, or When Harry Met Sally,” said Smash Arts’ Dean Perlmutter.
Juno Award-winning band July Talk have had albums released by Universal Music Canada and Island Records.
Moondi is repped by Independent Artists Media as well as Kaplan Stahler. Peter Dreimanis is repped by CAA and ETM.
