Cohen Media Group Acquires “Merchant Ivory,” Documentary About Legendary Filmmaking Team, Ahead of DOC NYC Premiere

EXCLUSIVE: Cohen Media Group acquired worldwide rights to it Trader’s ivory, a documentary about the cinematic and personal collaboration between filmmakers James Ivory and Ismail Merchant. The Stephen Soucy-directed film has its world premiere at DOC NYC on Saturday.

Over a period of more than 40 years, Merchant Ivory has become synonymous with quality films and above all received great acclaim for it A room with a view (1985), Mr and Mrs Bridge (1990), Howard’s end (1992) and The rest of the day (1993). They were partners from 1961 until Merchant’s death in 2005.

Soucy’s film features interviews with major stars of Merchant Ivory productions, including Emma Thompson, Vanessa Redgrave, Helena Bonham Carter and Hugh Grant. Ivory, who turned 95 in June, and CMG Chairman and CEO Charles S. Cohen will serve as executive producers.

“Trader’s ivory is the first extended documentary to offer new and compelling perspectives on the professional and personal collaboration of director James Ivory, producer Ismail Merchant and their key collaborators, writer Ruth Prawer Jhabvala and composer Richard Robbins Movie. “Photo footage from more than 50 interviews, clips and archival footage gives voice to the family of actors and technicians who helped define Merchant Ivory’s Oscar-winning work of impeccable quality and intelligence. With six Oscar winners among the notable participating artists, this close and often long-lasting collaboration documents the changing cinematic creativity and the personal and professional drama of the peripatetic company that had an indelible impact on film culture.”

Ivory became the oldest Oscar winner in history when he won Best Adapted Screenplay at the age of 89 Call me by your name. Many of his films with Merchant have been restored and re-released by Cohen Media Group.

“Trader’s ivory “is the latest collaboration in our important and long-standing relationship with James Ivory, one of modern cinema’s finest directors,” Cohen said in a statement.

Ivory added: “I am grateful and flattered to be able to play a role in such a wonderful tribute to the films that Ismail, Ruth and I and many others have worked so hard on.”

CMG acquired the film during production under an agreement with Soucy’s production company Modernist Film. The theatrical release in North America is planned for 2024.

Soucy said: “I am delighted to be working with Cohen Media to tell the story of this unique film group: The Merchant Ivory Family, The Wandering Company, led by James Ivory and Ismail Merchant, who have maintained their independence throughout each decade of work and entertaining audiences around the world.”

Soucy is a filmmaker and theater producer and has worked on, among other things, the animated short film Rich atmosphere: the music by Merchant Ivory Filmsthe short documentation Art and provincial town and the short feature films A gifted amateur And Aslant. His current theater work includes Romy and Michele the musicalAnd Cake: The Marie Antoinette Playlist.