“The Trial of the Chicago 7″ director Aaron Sorkin and the film’s cast will receive the Vanguard Award from the Palm Springs International Film Awards.

“‘The Trial of the Chicago 7’ is a thrilling court-room drama that chronicles the highlights of the historic trial that sought to punish activists for inciting riots outside of the 1968 Democratic National Convention,” Harold Matzner, the festival chairman, said. “Writer and director Aaron Sorkin has created a thought-provoking film featuring outstanding performances from a powerhouse cast that includes Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Sacha Baron Cohen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Michael Keaton, Frank Langella, Eddie Redmayne, Mark Rylance, Jeremy Strong and more.”

Past recipients of the ensemble award include Academy Award winners for best picture, such as Peter Farrelly’s “Green Book” and Guillermo del Toro’s “The Shape of Water.” The Vanguard Award is a group honor distinguishing a film’s cast and director in recognition of their work on a superb film project.

“The Trial of the Chicago 7” joins this year’s previously announced honorees Riz Ahmed (Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actor), Carey Mulligan (International Star Award), Gary Oldman (Chairman’s Award) and Chloé Zhao (Director of the Year Award).

The drama follows the fallout and the infamous trial after what was intended to be a peaceful protest at the 1968 Democratic National Convention turned into a violent clash with police and the National Guard.

Though the Palm Springs Film Festival and gala ceremony will not return until 2022, the festival will honor excellence in film this year at a tribute airing on “Entertainment Tonight” Feb. 11 and Feb. 25. The festival also plans to move ahead with the Palm Springs ShortFest in June. [Source]

The Trial of Chicago 7 writer-director Aaron Sorkin takes us behind the scenes of his Oscar-buzzed Netflix drama to spotlight the impressive roster of actors that brought this film to life.

In the video above, Sorkin is joined by stars Sacha Baron Cohen, Eddie Redmayne, Yahya Abdul Mateen II, Joseph Gordon Levitt, Jeremy Strong, John Carroll Lynch and Frank Langella as they talk about working as an ensemble in a film that is all-too-relevant for today’s social and political landscape.

Based on a true story, Trial of the Chicago 7 dramatizes the events of the 1968 Democratic National Convention, which started off as a peaceful protest but unraveled into a violent clash with police and the National Guard. The organizers of the protest—including Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin, Tom Hayden and Bobby Seale—were charged with conspiracy to incite a riot and the trial that followed was one of the most notorious in history. [Source]

Netflix seems to have three robust contenders for the top prize with the actors guild. “The Trial of the Chicago 7” and “Mank” feel like they could be no-brainers while the plethora of film and television talent in “The Prom” should be a safe bet this early. Expect Amazon Studios to keep the pedal to the floor for “One Night in Miami” while “Minari” may hit a sweet spot with voters. This space will be the first real test for “Nomadland” to see how strong it really is. [Source]

AND THE PREDICTED NOMINEES ARE:

1. "The Trial of the Chicago 7" (Netflix)
   CAST:
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Sacha Baron Cohen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Michael
Keaton, John Carroll Lynch, Eddie Redmayne, Mark Rylance, Alex Sharp,
Jeremy Strong

   ---

2. "Mank" (Netflix)
   CAST:
Tom Burke, Lily Collins, Joseph Cross, Charles Dance, Monika Gossman,
Ferdinand Kingsley, Jamie McShane, Tuppence Middleton, Toby Leonard
Moore, Gary Oldman, Tom Pelphrey, Amanda Seyfried, Sam Troughton

   ---

3. "Minari" (A24)
   CAST. Yeri Han, Alan S. Kim, Will Patton, Steven Yeun, Yuh Jong-Youn

   ---

4. "One Night in Miami" (Amazon Studios)
   CAST: Kingsley Ben-Adir, Eli Goree, Aldis Hodge, Leslie Odom, Jr.

   ---

5. "The Prom" (Netflix)
   CAST:
James Corden, Ariana DeBose, Keegan-Michael Key, Nicole Kidman, Jo
Ellen Pellman, Andrew Rannells, Meryl Streep, Kerry Washington

Taking a page out of the playbook that brought the ensemble film Spotlight two supporting acting nominations en route to a best picture Oscar win, the entire cast of The Trial of the Chicago 7 — among them Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Sacha Baron Cohen, Michael Keaton, Frank Langella, Eddie Redmayne, Mark Rylance and Jeremy Strong — will be pushed for awards in the supporting actor category, The Hollywood Reporter has learned from sources close to the film.

The period piece drama, which was written and directed by Aaron Sorkin, has generated rave reviews from critics and, since dropping on Netflix on Oct. 16, widespread buzz among the general public, with strong notices spread among its numerous well-known actors — some of whom, such as Cohen, have more screen time than others, like Keaton, who essentially makes a glorified cameo.

Trial of the Chicago 7 is an obvious leading contender for the best ensemble SAG Award. But, in terms of positioning its individual performers, a situation like this can play out in different ways. For instance, Netflix has another 2020 ensemble film, Spike Lee’s Da 5 Bloods, but the preponderance of reactions to it have hailed Delroy Lindo as the cast’s main standout, hence the decision to position him as a lead actor and the rest of the cast as supporting actors. But with Trial of the Chicago 7, there was no clear lead or runaway favorite.

In my unscientific assessment, Baron Cohen, for his portrayal of Abbie Hoffman, probably has slightly more buzz than his castmates (and may have curried additional favor with those who have seen his completely different performance in the new and popular Borat Subsequent Movie). But in this most unusual year, with the pandemic sidelining many would-be contenders, the supporting actor category is relatively thin, which leads me — and apparently those associated with the film — to believe that they might be able to snag multiple noms.

I have added a few more movie stills of Eddie Redmayne‘s next movie, The Trial of the Chicago 7, to the gallery. You can go to take a look.

I have added 1 new movie still of Eddie Redmayne‘s next movie, The Trial of the Chicago 7, to the gallery. You can go to take a look.

I have added a few movie stills of Eddie Redmayne‘s next movie, The Trial of the Chicago 7, to the gallery. You can go to take a look.

Streaming giant Netflix has closed a worldwide rights deal for Aaron Sorkin’s star-studded “The Trial of the Chicago 7” from Cross Creek Pictures for release later this year.

Variety first reported on June 20 that Netflix was in negotiations for the property. The drama recaps the trial that followed what were intended to be peaceful protests that turned violent at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. The organizers of the protest — including Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin, Tom Hayden and Bobby Seale — were charged with conspiracy to incite a riot.

Hoffman is portrayed by Sacha Baron Cohen with Eddie Redmayne as Hayden, Jeremy Strong as Rubin and Yahya Abdul-Mateen as Seale. Michael Keaton portrays Ramsey Clark, John Carroll Lynch portrays defendant David Dellinger, Alex Sharp plays defendant Rennie Davis and Frank Langella plays presiding judge Julius Hoffman. Mark Rylance portrays attorney William Kuntsler.

Netflix is expected to release “The Trial of the Chicago 7” as a potential awards contender. With its political themes at the center of the story, it would not be a surprise if the movie is released prior to Election Day on Nov. 3. [Source]