Renowned actors Adrien Brody, Rachel Zegler, and Ben Platt have been confirmed as the leads for the upcoming drama titled Last Dance. The new film will be directed by award-winning filmmaker Karim Aïnouz. It will be an adaptation of the author Emily Ziff Griffin’s autobiographical account published in The New Yorker Magazine. In addition, the drama will be jointly produced by Fifth Season and Lynette Howell Taylor’s 51 Entertainment. International sales will be handled by FilmNation Entertainment.
Aïnouz to adapt AIDS-era father-daughter story
Taking place in 1991, the plot of Last Dance centers around Elliot, an award-winning Broadway composer played by Brody. He convinces his daughter, Emma, played by Zegler, to accompany him to a cruise holiday in the Caribbean Islands while denying that his health is deteriorating amid the HIV/AIDS epidemic. In an environment characterized by music, revelry, and denial, the father-daughter duo will be forced to confront unresolved issues that have existed between them for decades.
The film highlights the AIDS epidemic in the narrative while delving into themes of family estrangement, fears, and identity. While Elliot struggles to cling to escapism as he battles his illness, Emma strives to comprehend her father, who still manages to hide behind performances and distractions. The cruise location adds to the stark contrast between external happiness and internal suffering for the characters.
Furthermore, Zegler’s participation in the drama does not end at acting. She will sing a series of original songs penned for the film by Ben Platt, who will serve as the movie’s composer. The two artists had previously worked together in a London concert production of The Last Five Years musical.
The selection of Zegler for the film marks a continuation of the actor’s successful career journey, which saw her winning the Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical after playing the lead role of Eva Perón in the West End revival of Evita. Additionally, Brody joins the project after winning his second Oscar for the movie The Brutalist, boosting the film’s star power.
Moreover, the production represents yet another character-driven film by Aïnouz, who has a history of working on similar projects such as Firebrand.
