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Paramount Vantage Fall Preview
THE DUCHESS
Synopsis
Long before the concept existed, the Duchess of Devonshire, Georgiana Spencer (KEIRA KNIGHTLEY) was the original “It Girl.” Like her direct descendent Princess Diana, she was ravishing, glamorous and adored by an entire country. Determined to be a player in the wider affairs of the world, she proved that she could out-gamble, out-drink and outwit most of the aristocratic men who surrounded her. She helped usher in sweeping changes to England as a leader of the forward-thinking Whig Party. But even as her power and popularity grew, she was haunted by the fact that the only man in England she seemingly could not seduce was her very own husband, the Duke (RALPH FIENNES). And when she tried to find her own way to be true to her heart and loyal to her duty, the resulting controversies and convoluted liaisons would leave all of London talking.
THE DUCHESS is the story of an extraordinary woman who rose to fame by staying true to her passions in a world of protocol, gossip and social rules – and paid the price.
Academy Award nominee Knightley and Academy Award winner Fiennes head an international cast that also includes Dominic Cooper (THE HISTORY BOYS) as the abolitionist Charles Grey, the Duchess’s favorite lover; Hayley Atwell (CASSANDRA’S DREAM) as the Duchess’s alluring best friend and rival Lady Elizabeth “Bess” Spencer; and Charlotte Rampling (SWIMMING POOL) as the Duchess’s mother, the Lady Spender.
Rising UK director Saul Dibb (BULLET BOY, THE LINE OF BEAUTY) brings to life a vibrantly lavish, yet rapidly changing England in the time of the Enlightenment, of French Revolution, and the madness of King George. The film is written by Dibb, Jeffrey Hatcher (CASANOVA) and Anders Thomas Jensen (AFTER THE WEDDING) based on the award-winning biography Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire by Amanda Foreman. The producers are Gabrielle Tana and Michael Kuhn. The executive producers are Francois Ivernel, Cameron McKracken, Christine Langan, David M. Thompson, Carolyn Marks Blackwood and Amanda Forman.
DEFIANCE
Synopsis
Based on an extraordinary true story, DEFIANCE is an epic tale of family, honor, vengeance and salvation in World War II. The year is 1941 and the Jews of Eastern Europe are being massacred by the thousands. Managing to escape certain death, three brothers take refuge in the dense surrounding woods they have known since childhood. There they begin their desperate battle against the Nazis. Daniel Craig, Live Schreiber and Jamie Bell star as brothers who turn a primitive struggle to survive into something far more consequential – a way to avenge the deaths of their loved ones by saving thousands of others.
At first it is all they can do to stay alive. But gradually, as whispers of their daring spreads, they begin to attract others – men and women, young and old – willing to risk everything for the sake of even a moment’s freedom. Tuvia (CRAIG) is a reluctant leader and his decisions are challenged by his brother, Zus (SCHREIBER) who worries that Tuvia’s idealistic plans will doom them all. Asael (BELL) is the youngest – caught between his brothers’ fierce rivalry. As the brutal winter descends, they work to create a community, and to keep faith alive when all humanity appeared to be lost.
DEFIANCE is directed by Edward Zwick (BLOOD DIAMOND, GLORY) from a screenplay by Zwick and Clay Frohman, basted on Nechama Tec’s non-fiction book of the same name. The producers are Zwick and Pieter Jan Brugge. The team recreating the forest haven includes Oscar-nominated cinematographer Eduardo Serra (BLOOD DIAMOND, GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING), production designer Dan Weil (BLOOD DIAMOND, THE BOURNE IDENTITY) and Oscar-winning costume designer Jenny Beavan ( GOSFORD PARK , A ROOM WITH A VIEW).
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