James Gray's 'Paper Tiger' Added to Cannes Competition
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- James Gray returned to Cannes with his sixth feature, Paper Tiger, entering the competition.
- Paper Tiger was added last‑minute to Cannes’ competition lineup and acquired by Neon before the festival, with 25 executive producers attached.
- Paper Tiger follows two New York brothers (Adam Driver, Miles Teller) who partner with the Russian mob in the Gowanus Canal; Gray says 90% of the film is based on real events.
- Anthony Katagas discussed producing the film with co‑producer Rodrigo Teixeira, highlighting the challenges of mounting a period‑flavored independent feature.
- James Gray commented on the upcoming Paramount‑Warner Bros merger, noting that fewer buyers could reduce competition while a large studio can still produce many movies across divisions.
Why it matters: Neon gains a Cannes‑premiered title, expanding its market foothold, while the film’s 25 executive producers and Oscar‑linked producers secure high‑visibility exposure; Gray’s merger remarks signal a consolidation trend that could tighten distribution channels for independent films.
