‘Merchant Ivory’ Doc Scores Theatrical Release (EXCLUSIVE)

As a film enthusiast with a deep appreciation for the intricacies of cinematic history and the nuances of artistic collaborations, I am thrilled to hear that Cohen Media Group will be releasing Stephen Soucy’s documentary, “Merchant Ivory,” in select markets next month. The lives and work of James Ivory and Ismail Merchant, the visionary duo behind Merchant Ivory Productions, have left an indelible mark on film culture, particularly in the realm of nuanced literary adaptations during the 1980s and 1990s.

Starting August 30, Merchant Ivory – a documentary chronicling the professional and personal collaboration between directors James Ivory and Ismail Merchant, as well as their production company, Merchant Ivory Productions – will be shown in select cities, including New York and Los Angeles, before being screened in more theaters across the country in September. The documentary’s premiere will take place at Quad Cinema in Manhattan and various theaters in Los Angeles, such as Laemmle’s Royal.

Under Stephen Soucy’s direction, “Merchant Ivory” tells the story of this duo’s journey to achievement and how their production company left a lasting mark on cinema culture in the 1980s and 1990s. Notable works from their extensive catalog of over 40 productions spanning almost 50 years include the Academy Award-winning films “A Room With a View,” “Howards End,” as well as “The Remains of the Day,” “Mr. & Mrs. Bridge,” and “Maurice.”

The documentary is structured into chapters, each focusing on Merchant Ivory, the collaborative team of Ismail Merchant, James Ivory, and Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, as well as composer Richard Robbins. Notable crew members and frequent collaborators such as Emma Thompson, Vanessa Redgrave, Helena Bonham Carter, and Hugh Grant are highlighted in the film. The documentary brings together interviews with these individuals and archival footage to narrate the professional and personal partnership between Ivory and Merchant. (Ivory is now 96 years old, while Jhabvala, Merchant, and Robbins have all passed away.)

I’m thrilled to hear that Stephen Soucy’s “Merchant Ivory” documentary will be released in New York and Los Angeles next month, as Ivory himself expressed. The film has already garnered a positive response from various audiences, and Ivory hopes that this release will introduce the public to some lesser-known Merchant Ivory films. There are several gems in their catalog that deserve more recognition, such as “Quartet,” “Mr. and Mrs. Bridge,” “A Soldier’s Daughter Never Cries,” “In Custody,” and “The City of Your Final Destination.” These films may not be as readily available as the classics like “A Room With a View,” “Howards End,” and “The Remains of the Day,” but they are just as worthy of attention. It’s long overdue, but with Soucy’s documentary, these films will once again come to life.

The documentary, recently obtained global distribution rights by Cohen Media Group in November, debuted at DOC NYC film festival that very month.

After an impressive run at the “Merchant Ivory” film festival, Soucy expresses eagerness for the documentary’s theatrical release by Cohen Media. The duo Ismail Merchant and James Ivory hold an unrivaled impact on independent cinema. I’m thrilled that viewers can once again savor the visual elegance of Merchant Ivory films in a theater setting and be moved by the artist interviews captured on camera.

The Quad Cinema will celebrate the August 30 premiere of “Merchant Ivory” with a special weeklong event from August 23 to 29. During this time, they will screen restored versions of renowned Merchant Ivory films such as “Howards End,” “Maurice,” and “The Bostonians.”

2024-07-17 00:42

‘Merchant Ivory’ Doc Scores Theatrical Release (EXCLUSIVE)

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