Sunday, August 30, 2020

Benny Safdie Lands Role In "Soggy Bottom"

 Listen: Paul Thomas Anderson and the Safdies Talk Uncut Gems and the  Brilliance of Adam Sandler in One-Hour Conversation

Good Sunday to you!

Per The Film Stage, filmmaker/actor Benny Safdie has joined the cast of Paul Thomas Anderson's forthcoming high school film, currently in production under the moniker Soggy Bottom.

Newly surfaced set photos indicate the Uncut Gems-director Safdie will play real-life LA City Council member Joel Wachs in the film.

Not much is yet confirmed about how this role figures into the story; our eyes are peeled.

You can revisit PTA's Gems discussion with Benny and his brother Josh for the A24 podcast from last year here.

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C&RV 

Monday, August 24, 2020

Production Begins On PTA's High School Film - Working Title & Set Photos Revealed

Production has quietly gotten underway on Paul Thomas Anderson's 9th feature film in Encino, California and Bradley Cooper is indeed one of the stars:



The project, while still formally untitled, is operating under a working title of Soggy Bottom.

The Film Stage reports (here and here) that Cooper's role is likely that of a producer-or-director who takes a shine to the child-actor-high-school-student around which the movie centers.

Reportedly, at least one Haim collaborator has been on set for the flick as well so far.

A couple more on-set peripherals can be seen below the fold, though nothing too spoiler-y in nature:

Fingers crossed everything goes smoothly and safely for the production, and we will do our best to get news posted here in real time as it occurs. Frankly, this is all coming together much faster than we anticipated given, y'know... everything.

The prospect of a new major motion picture from Paul Thomas Anderson being on the horizon can hopefully provide us some solace through this difficult stretch!

Be good, be well.

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C&RV