The fall film season just won’t let up this year and one more understated gem of a movie is joining the fray: Alan and Gabriel Polsky‘s 2012 Rome film fest entry, “The Motel Life.” Starring Emile Hirsch, Stephen Dorff, Dakota Fanning, and directed together by the Polskys (producers of “Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans” and “Little Birds“) the drama depicts a pair of working-class brothers who flee their Reno motel after getting involved in a fatal hit-and-run accident. Today, Polsky Films announced a November 8, 2013 release for “The Motel Life” in 15 cities nationwide, and on VOD via FilmBuff.
“The Motel Life” received four awards at the Rome Film Festival including the prestigious Audience Award. Our own Jessica Kiang saw the film in Italy and described it as a “gentle wise surprise of a film that without a doubt proving one of the most satisfying of our festival [experience],” while praising its “refreshing quiet confidence.” Based on the acclaimed novel “The Motel Life” by Willy Vlautin, in a statement by the Polsky brothers, the siblings said, “We were inspired and touched by the strength of [the characters] Frank and Jerry Lee’s relationship, and their ability to transcend their circumstances with imagination, hope, and humor. It was an exciting challenge to blend live action and animation to capture Frank and Jerry Lee’s world. We can’t wait to share their story with audiences.”
Here’s the official synopsis:
THE MOTEL LIFE explores the intense bond between two brothers living on the fringes of Reno, Nevada. They grew up depending on each other and their big imaginations to escape the challenges of their transient life. When one of the brothers is involved in a fatal accident, it forces both of them to choose between running or facing reality. It is a story of brotherhood, shared dreams and the redemptive power of hope.
“The Motel Life” arrives in theaters and VOD on November 8 and will expand after that debut. Check out an exclusive photo from the film above.