Oscar winner Dustin Hoffman is set to star alongside Alfred Molina and Kathy Bates in the indie drama “Boychoir,” which Francois Girard (“The Red Violin”) will direct from an original screenplay by Ben Ripley (“Source Code”).
Story follows Stet, a troubled and angry 11-year-old from the wrong side of the tracks who ends up at a Boy Choir school. Completely out of his element, he finds himself in a battle of wills with a demanding Choir Master (Hoffman) who recognizes a unique talent in this young boy as he pushes him to find his creative heart and soul in music.
Molina will play a teacher at the school, while Bates will play its headmistress.
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The filmmakers are currently looking for a young boy with both dramatic and musical talent to play Stet.
Singers from the renowned American Boychoir School, one of the world’s most prestigious boy choirs, will be featured in the film, which is scheduled to start principal photography in February in Connecticut and New York.
“Boychoir” is being financed and produced by Informant Media, whose Judy Cairo (“Crazy Heart”) will produce with Carol Baum (“The Good Girl”) and Jane Goldenring. Informant’s Michael A. Simpson and Eric Brenner will executive produce with Ripley. Casting director John Papsidera of Automatic Sweat will serve as co-producer.
Embankment Films is handling foreign sales and will introduce the film to international distributors at next week’s American Film Market.
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“These boys’ voices soar with this rare, unearthly ability for only a few years of their young lives, then their voices transform, a gift seemingly lost. But what they experience in that brief time shapes them forever. It’s an emotional, unique story, and I’m thrilled to tell it with Dustin Hoffman, Alfred Molina and Kathy Bates,” said Girard.
Informant is currently in production on “Kidnapping Freddy Heineken,” which stars Anthony Hopkins, Sam Worthington, Jim Sturgess and Ryan Kwanten. The film is also repped for sales at AFM by Embankment.
Hoffman recently wrapped Jon Favreau’s “Chef” and made his directorial debut with “Quartet,” which grossed nearly $60 million worldwide. He’s also scheduled to film the adaptation of Roald Dahl’s “Esio Trot” opposite Judi Dench.
WME represents Hoffman and Molina, who is also repped by Hyler Management. Bates is represented by ICM Partners. Girard is repped by Cassaroto, Ramsey & Associates. Baum and Goldenring are represented by the Gersh Agency, which also reps Ripley along with Mosaic. Informant Media is represented by attorney Elsa Ramo at Ramo Law.