The News: Bahrani's Star Rising

Alejandro Polanco, the star of Ramin Bahrani's new film Chop Shop (Photo: Noruz Films)

Some of today's movie news of note from around New York:

--Reeler Hall of Famer Ramin Bahrani made the front page of The Hollywood Reporter over the weekend, when Gregg Goldstein passed along word that the filmmaker behind Man Push Cart and Chop Shop -- arguably the best one-two NYC film punch since Woody Allen knocked out Broadway Danny Rose and The Purple Rose of Cairo 25 years ago -- is partnering with This is That Productions to shoot his third film, Solo, in North Carolina. The story follows a Senegalese cab driver who befriends a grumpy septuagenarian (ex-Memphis Mafia player Red West) in an effort to defuse the old man's suicide bid. We'll have more from Bahrani in Toronto, where Chop Shop will enjoy its North American premiere, but meanwhile, congrats to him and a hearty pat on the back to Ted Hope and Anne Carey at This is That. I wish I could pass along news this good more often.

--Or at least less news like this: Brooklyn royalty Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams are kaput. As Glenn Kenny wondered so discreetly, "Who's getting custody of Cobble Hill?"

--Franz LIdz has the backstory behind John Turturro's ambitious, snakebit, delay-plagued musical Romance and Cigarettes, opening Friday at Film Forum. You've probably heard a lot of this song before, but you can't beat a cameo by executive producer Ethan Coen: "Honest to God we did no work. But since the movie turned out great, we're prepared to take the lion’s share of the credit. We’re not complete ignoramuses."

--Oh, and one more thing about Woody Allen: Cassandra's Dream is getting mauled in Venice. (H/T: Hollywood Elsewhere)

Posted at September 4, 2007 4:45 AM