Standing ovations are rare at SXSW, but the Matthew McConaughey starring western/musical/drama The Rivals of Amziah King was far more than alright, alright, alright, earning one from the Austin, TX Paramount Theatre crowd.
On a sleepy Monday night when all the big studio movies have already played, from out of the blue comes this heartwarming, unconventional feature from filmmaker Andrew Patterson. SXSW launched an Oscar Best Picture winner three years ago in A24’s Everything Everywhere All at Once, and they could have another one on their hands if a buyer gets off their butt and takes this WME sales title. There’s been some deliberation and waiting by buyers when it comes to acquiring movies. No need to wait on this one, studios or streamers: This played in the heartland to rolling laughs, tears, and cheers tonight.
Not only is the pic another groundbreaking role for McConaughey, but also in new discovery Angelina LookingGlass who plays the former’s foster daughter in the film; she takes over her his beehive business with a vengeance.
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Per our sources, Rivals of Amziah King is the third U.S. premiere for Texas native McConaughey after Lone Star in 1996 and 2019’s Beach Bum.
Blurb for the pic: Deep within the backwoods of rural Oklahoma, charismatic and musically gifted Amziah King herds a bluegrass-playing band of misfits while overseeing the premier honey-making operation in town. When Amziah’s estranged foster daughter unexpectedly returns, Amziah leaps at the possibility to renew connection and create a family business. But the honey game is ruthless, and Amziah’s rivals threaten to destroy everything he has built.
Producers are David Heyman, Teddy Schwarzman, Jeffrey Clifford, Michael Heimler, James Montague and Will Greenfield. Kurt Russell, Jake Horowitz, Scott Shepherd, Rob Morgan, Tony Revolori, Owen Teague, Bruce Davis and Cole Sprouse also star.
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