tMF | The Movie-Fanatic

Elizabeth Knox's The Vintner's Luck is an exceptional book that will remain one of my all-time favorites. I would consider myself one of its most ardent fans and was quite thrilled to learn about Niki Caro's film version to be released this year. As to when and where it will premiere, my only guess is that it might get shown at the Toronto International Film Festival. Caro's Whale Rider won the Audience prize at Toronto. North Country (starring Charlize Theron) also had its premiere at the festival.

- - -

- - -

Caro has an impeccable reputation as a filmmaker, and I can only guess, The Vintner's Luck might perhaps debut as one of the festival's 'in competition' films. Of course, you might be aware already about the cast - Gaspard Ulliel is playing Xas, while Jeremie Renier is Sobran and Vera Farmiga will be playing Aurora de Valday and Caro's protege Keisha Castle-Hughes will play Celeste.

Early buzz on the film were quite positive, indeed glowing, here's an excerpt via ScreenDaily:

This was such a beautiful script - both moving and profound - and the material could not be in better hands. Icon UK is very excited to be part of this movie' said Mark Gooder, president of acquisitions at Icon.

Andrew Mackie, general manager of Dendy, added: 'We are thrilled to be working with Niki, Laurie and all The Vintner's Luck team on realizing what is simply one of the best scripts we have ever read. We are also excited to be working with our friends at NZ Film once again. [ read more ]

There are also some production photos here for you to see, of course, tMF is doing a series of articles on The Vintner's Luck [ click here ]

More of The Vintner's Luck and it's sequel, The Angel's Cut after the jump!

- - -

The Sequel: I'm so happy that there is now a sequel, entitled The Angel's Cut. It was only made available this month at Amazon UK.

Here's what it's all about:

Hollywood, 1929. While Conrad Cole is working late on elaborate plans for his aeroplanes and his films, a mysterious stranger appears at his door. Xas soon finds himself caught up in the glamorous and treacherous world of movie-making and entangled with both Cole and a young woman who owes her life to the eccentric director. Both of them are drawn to Xas without knowing his secret - that under his shirt he hides the remnants of great snowy wings that set him apart from humankind, and that he is destined to wander the earth forever, always hearing the beating of feathers behind him, threatening him that his dark brother has found him again.

From the looks of it, Xas will once again dominate the pages of Knox's book, and we'll have to say farewell to Sobran, Aurora and Celeste who figured prominently in The Vintner's Luck, and were quite memorable and enduring characters themselves.

Conrad Cole, one of the major characters in the sequel, is no French vintner, but perhaps more sophisticated? I'm pretty sure Xas has something to say about that!

The Angel Xas: SteveReads wrote a great review of the book and he took note of the following passages...

Knox's writing is by turns meticulously detailed and quietly lyrical, and she never shies away from the obvious homoerotic undertones implicit in her recurring tableau. When Sobran learns that Xas also spends time conversing with another human, a woman in Damascus, he's nettled and not a little jealous:

Sobran looked away from Xas. He put out his hand to crush a black cricket - only to hear, once its voice was silenced, how many there were, singing among his vines. "I hadn't imagined that you were so incautious or full of talk."

"You think I confine myself to collecting roses and one friend a century - the sad disciplines of a domesticated immortal?"

"I imagined you spent the balance of your time with other immortals."

Xas made a soft noise of affirmation, then said, "I'm at my leisure. With my time, what would you do?"

"I'd do good," Sobran said.

The angel was silent for a moment, then asked, "Haven't I done you good?"

The blood rushing to Sobran's head seemed to close a valve in the top of his skull; it shut out a coldness. He moved closer to the angel and, without looking into Xas's face, put a hand on his bare forearm. "Forgive me. I'm only jealous."

"I know."

Sobran moved his grip and took Xas's hand, lifted it to his lips and kissed. "You're my beloved friend," he said.

This abrupt submission appeared to trouble the angel. He removed his hand from Sobran's and thanked him - then, putting things back on a firmer footing, asked, as usual, for the news.

I don't think any Hollywood filmmaker like Conrad Cole could match Xas' wit, but then again, he's supposed to be attracted to him right? Is he the author's version of a Howard Hughes? I can't help but think it might be, with the mention of "aeroplanes and films" which figured prominently in the book description.

And who might be the mysterious young woman? Will this be another take on a love triangle perhaps?

- - -

Update: One of our viewers, Meghan commented:

Elizabeth Knox just did a radio interview and spoke a bit about the movie and her new book. From her interview, it seems like it will be at the Toronto Int'l Film Festival!

What's on your mind? Have you read The Vintner's Luck? How about its sequel, The Angel's Cut? Let us know what you think!