Robert-Redford-in-All-Is-LostJ.C. Chandor’s Margin Call earned the writer-director a much-deserved Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay, and there’s naturally been plenty of anticipation surrounding his sophomore film, All Is Lost.

Starring Robert Redford, the film completed production last year, and we were keeping our fingers crossed that it might be debuting at Sundance this month, especially given that Redford is the sole member of the cast.

But whilst that sadly wasn’t to be, Redford has reportedly spoken about the film during the opening press conference at the festival, and revealed that there isn’t a single word of dialogue in the film.

Specific plot details are being kept under wraps, but we do know that it’s a ‘man versus nature’ drama in which Redford will be struggling for survival.

We got our first official image from the film last summer, showing Redford seemingly holding on for dear life as water surrounds him and his ship.

That was more than enough to pique our interest significantly. And now news that the film will have zero dialogue has raised our anticipation that much further.

Michael Hazanavicius’ The Artist is of course well-known for sweeping up at the Oscars this time last year, taking home five Academy Awards for the (almost entirely) silent film, and earning a nomination for Best Original Screenplay for the writer-director.

It’s very early days yet, of course, but it’s definitely plausible to think that Chandor might go two-for-two in the same category this time next year. Redford is one of the best-known faces in Hollywood, and we can’t wait to see what Chandor and his leading man bring to the table later this year.

All Is Lost is currently without a release date, and it will be interesting to see where and when it will first be making itself felt. With Sundance now off the table, I think Cannes is a strong possibility, or possibly Venice or Toronto in the late summer / early fall. Wherever it debuts, Lionsgate have already acquired the US rights, and Universal the UK rights, so we’ll definitely be seeing it on the big screen on both sides of the Atlantic. I think this is  very much going to be a strong awards contender by the end of the year. More as we get it.

 

Source: via The Playlist.