713  Assassin Tango (3)

Date: Thu, 29 Aug 2002 01:37:37 -0400
From: Keith Elshaw <keith@TOTANGO.NET>
Subject: Assassin Tango (3)

From the sheer quantity of emails I have received about the new Duvall film,
it seems a general post seeking to illuminate a couple of points is in
order.

I wish to stress that I have no "inside information" or anything of the
like. I share with you what I surmise, for what it's worth.

Regarding when it will be available, one assumes that:

- as no major studio name is attached to the official press release; and as
it is being show-cased at a major Film Festival nonetheless; the independent
production house of the film is positioning it to capitalize on a hoped-for
"buzz" at the Toronto Festival in order to negotiate a suitable deal for
distribution. It's a smart way to go that has worked before.

Assuming a positive response, a distribution Agreement with a Major will
ensue. That Distributor will commit real marketing dollars - after demanding
whatever changes they wish in their wisdom for the "final" final cut. The
roll-out would then happen in all likelihood (I'm guessing) in the second
quarter of 03. Could be earlier, could be later.

Well, sometime in 03.

The other question that I have been asked is about choreography.

Again talking through my hat (sorry), I infer from the extant Press Release
that, as no choreographer is listed in the main credits - and as the film's
creative mainspring (Mr. Duvall) is a true Argentine tango afficianado /
dancer - the dancing could be in more of a social than staged nature.
Otherwise, a choreographer would have claimed a big credit. And if you're
paying somebody with clout to do it, you would want to promote his/her name
as a benefit to your efforts.

Inference can be dangerous, so I may already be in the position of needing
to beg sufference if this guess proves to be wrong. Consider this, please,
anticipatory apologia if I'm not a good guesser!

As several people have written to me privately, this film has been eagerly
anticipated ... pointing to the respect people have for Mr. Duvall.

His body of work has made him a standout. One wonders if he realizes how
much the tango community's aspirations seek to coalesce in his wake.

He probably knows this and more.

We'll have to wait until we see the film to get the picture.

But surely, if anyone associated with Hollywood will get it right, it ought
to be this estimable artist.

We're all aware of what a stir Al Pacino caused "dancing tango" in Scent Of
A Woman. Excuse me?

How could Assassination Tango be a lesser event than that?

Holding my breath with you,

Keith


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