Adrien Brody and Rachel Zegler Set to Star in Karim Aïnouz’s ‘Last Dance’ with Ben Platt Contributing Music for Cannes Market
Adrien Brody and Rachel Zegler to Star in Upcoming Film "Last Dance"
Two-time Oscar winner Adrien Brody and Golden Globe winner Rachel Zegler are set to lead the cast of "Last Dance," directed by acclaimed Brazilian filmmaker Karim Aïnouz. The film is a father-daughter story that explores themes of love and resilience within the context of the AIDS crisis.
Tony, Emmy, and Grammy winner Ben Platt will co-star in the film and contribute original music. Zegler, fresh off her Olivier Award-winning performance in "Evita," will also sing original songs for the project.
The screenplay, penned by Emily Ziff Griffin, is based on her autobiographical article published in The New Yorker in 2021 titled “The Last Dance with My Dad.” This marks Brody’s first known film role since his second Best Actor Oscar win for The Brutalist.
In "Last Dance," Brody portrays Elliot, a celebrated Broadway composer who takes his daughter Emma (Zegler) on a gay cruise through the Caribbean in 1991. Amid the vibrant backdrop of music and celebration, Emma, the only straight woman onboard, experiences unexpected first love while navigating the shadows of the AIDS crisis. As Elliot grapples with his illness, the story confronts the unspoken truths between father and daughter, questioning if they can rediscover each other before time runs out.
Production for the film involves Fifth Season and 51 Entertainment, led by Oscar-nominated Academy president Lynette Howell Taylor. Griffin also takes on the role of executive producer. FilmNation Entertainment will handle international sales at the upcoming Cannes market, while Fifth Season and CAA Media Finance Group manage domestic rights.
"I am thrilled to bring to the screen such a unique and moving portrait of a time where hope and celebration allowed our queer community to overcome one of the worst crises of last century," Aïnouz stated. He emphasized the resilience born from solidarity during the AIDS crisis and the film’s urgent tale of joy as a form of resilience.
Glen Basner, CEO of FilmNation Entertainment, praised Griffin’s unfiltered portrayal of her father and unconventional upbringing, noting its relatability to diverse family backgrounds. He remarked that "Last Dance" vividly evokes the New York of the 1990s and presents a deeply moving father-daughter story.
Aïnouz is represented by CAA, Lark, and Granderson Des Rochers; Brody by CAA and Kopeikin Law P.C.; Zegler by WME, The Initiative Group, and Freundlich Law; Platt by CAA, Untitled Entertainment, Immersive Management, and Jackoway Austen; and Griffin by WME and Greenberg Glusker.
