You’ve heard of it, haven’t you? Hollywood’s double vision? It’s a tendency that so often results in two duelling features emerging into the limelight that center on the same subject matter, and can range from fantastical adventures (Mirror Mirror and Snow White and the Huntsman) to more action-oriented spectacle (White House Down and Olympus Has Fallen). At Sundance Film Festival, it occurred again, and this time involves two pictures based on the life and times of Christine Chubbuck.
On this occasion, it is director Antonio Campos that is behind the lens, placing Rebecca Hall in the role of former Florida news reporter Christine Chubbuck. It’s pegged for release in early October, with today’s reveal trailer showcasing Chubbuck’s spiral into depression that would result in her infamous suicide circa 1974. Harrowing stuff, but it does include a standout performance from Hall, who unfairly missed out on a shot at the villain role in Iron Man 3 three years ago.
Also starring Dexter‘s Michael C. Hall, Maria Dizzia, Tracy Letts, Kim Shaw and Timothy Simons, Christine is due to open in theaters on October 14. The second feature film based on Chubbuck’s descent into depression is more in line with a quasi-documentary. Entitled Kate Plays Christine, there’s currently no mention of when it’ll debut.
Rebecca Hall stars in director Antonio Campos’ third feature film, CHRISTINE, the story of a woman who finds herself caught in the crosshairs of a spiraling personal life and career crisis. Christine, always the smartest person in the room at her local Sarasota, Florida news station, feels like she is destined for bigger things and is relentless in her pursuit of an on-air position in a larger market. As an aspiring newswoman with an eye for nuance and an interest in social justice, she finds herself constantly butting heads with her boss (Tracy Letts), who pushes for juicier stories that will drive up ratings. Plagued by self-doubt and a tumultuous home life, Christine’s diminishing hope begins to rise when an on-air co-worker (Michael C. Hall) initiates a friendship which ultimately becomes yet another unrequited love. Disillusioned as her world continues to close in on her, Christine takes a dark and surprising turn.