“Jay Kelly,” a dramedy about a movie star looking back on his life on- and off-screen, is also a celebration of cinema magic. To play into the Noah Baumbach film’s themes, Netflix will offer “Jay Kelly” in specialty screenings in historic movie palaces around the world.
Like many of Netflix’s fall awards contenders, “Jay Kelly” will get an exclusive theatrical release before debuting on the streaming service. However, the company is tailoring the venues so that they can serve as “an homage to cinema’s golden age, mirroring the atmosphere and themes of the film.” Shot and printed on 35mm Kodak film stock, “Jay Kelly” will screen in 35mm in select locations. Screening attendees will receive limited-edition film programs.
“It is incredibly meaningful to have ‘Jay Kelly’ screened in so many historic movie palaces around the world,” Baumbach said in a statement. “Going to the movies in one of these theaters is a singular moviegoing experience and is to be treasured and supported. ‘Jay Kelly’ is in part a celebration of the medium and this theatrical run feels like a further celebration.”
In addition to Netflix’s own historic theaters, the Egyptian and the Paris, others participating include the Vista (Los Angeles), Nitehawk Cinema (Brooklyn), the Music Box (Chicago), River Oaks Theater (Houston), Smith Rafael Film Center (San Rafael, CA), State Theater (Traverse City, MI), Michigan Theater (Ann Arbor), Mayan Theater (Denver), Hollywood Theater (Portland), Coolidge Corner (Boston), Grand Lake Theater (Oakland), Tower Theater (Sacramento), Plaza Theater (Atlanta), Cineteca Nacional de Mexico (Mexico City), Victoria Eugenia Theatre (San Sebastian), Picturehouse Central (London), Stella Cinema Rathmines (Dublin), Delphi Filmpalast (Berlin), Cinerama Empire (Geneva), Ritz Cinemas (Sydney) and Shin Bugeiza (Tokyo). Netflix notes that many of these cinemas have been restored to their former glory.
“Jay Kelly” stars George Clooney, Adam Sandler, Billy Crudup and Laura Dern. Since debuting at the Venice Film Festival, the film has been tapped as a major Oscar contender. Other Netflix releases that will be getting an exclusive theatrical release this fall before debuting on the service include Kathryn Bigelow’s “A House of Dynamite” and Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein.”
“Jay Kelly” will open in theaters on Nov. 14 before launching on Netflix on Dec. 5.
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