World Premiere Gala Presentation Announced for Irish Co-Production ‘Albert Nobbs’ at the Toronto International Film Festival
Rodrigo Garcia's ALBERT NOBBS which stars five-time Oscar nominee Glenn Close will have its world premiere at a special Gala Presentation at the prestigious Toronto Film Festival.Commenting on the selection Irish producer Alan Moloney said "'We are delighted that ALBERT NOBBS has been selected for Toronto, particularly as a gala event. It is the perfect place for this film to begin its journey into the world and a real honour for all involved. As well as co-writing and producing the film, Glenn's performance is astonishing and I hope that the recognition this screening will give her for this immense achievement will be the start of great things for her and this film."
When selecting the film Toronto Film Festival Co-Director Cameron Bailey said "ALBERT NOBBS is a remarkable story anchored by a tour de force performance from Glenn Close."
The Toronto International Film Festival is one of the most important industry festivals in the world and it is the premiere film festival in North America from which the Oscar race begins. The illustrious festival which was founded in 1976 has previously showcased independent films such as Juno, Slumdog Millionaire and Little Miss Sunshine and will take place from September 8th - 18th.
ALBERT NOBBS stars Hollywood legend Glenn Close as a woman passing as a man in order to work and survive in 19th century Dublin. The film which shot on location around Dublin city centre earlier this year is also produced by Close.
The film which will have its world premiere at the festival, boasts an all-star line-up including Mia Wasikowska (Alice in Wonderland, Jane Eyre), Aaron Johnson (Kick-Ass, Nowhere Boy), Janet McTeer (Into the Storm, Tumbleweeds), Pauline Collins (You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger, Shirley Valentine) as well as Irish actors Brenda Fricker (My Left Foot), Jonathan Rhys Meyers (Tudors) and Brendan Gleeson (The Guard).
The Toronto International Film Festival takes place September 8th - 18th. More titles for the festival are expected to be announced shortly.
More About ALBERT NOBBS
The film was produced by Alan Moloney for Parallel Films in Ireland along with Glenn Close, Bonnie Curtis and Julie Lynn with funding from the Irish Film Board. The US rights to the film were recently acquired by Liddell Entertainment and Roadside Attractions and a US release is likely before the end of the year.
Close won an Obie Award in 1982 for playing the Nobbs character Off-Broadway in Simone Benmussa's theatrical interpretation of the same George Moore novella that the film is based upon, "The Singular Life of Albert Nobbs," and she has been passionate to bring the character to the screen for almost 30 years. The New York Times raved of Close on stage, "The performance is transforming." Industry pundits already rank her among those likely to be vying for an Oscar this season.
Rodrigo Garcia (Mother And Child) directs ALBERT NOBBS from a script that Gabriella Prekop, Man Booker prize-winning novelist John Banville and Glenn Close wrote based on a story by Istvan Szabo, adapted from the Moore novella. ALBERT NOBBS marks Close's first screenplay credit, as well as her feature film producing debut. . Production companies are Trillium Productions, Mockingbird Pictures and Parallel Film Productions, with support from WestEnd Films and Chrysalis Films, as well as the participation of Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board/ the Irish Film Board.