Eephus’ Picked Up by Film Constellation Ahead of Cannes Premiere

Sales and production house Film Constellation is launching world sales rights on U.S. comedy drama “Eephus,” directed by Carson Lund, set to world premiere in the Directors’ Fortnight section in Cannes in May.

In the film, as an imminent construction project looms over a beloved small-town baseball field, a pair of New England Sunday league teams face off for the last time over the course of a day. Tensions flare up and ceremonial laughs are shared as an era of camaraderie and escapism fades into an uncertain future.

“Eephus” is the feature directorial debut of American filmmaker Lund, who also has a cinematography credit on another Directors’ Fortnight title, “Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point.”

“Eephus” is produced by Lund, Tyler Taormina, Michael Basta, David Entin and Gabe Klinger for U.S.-based Omnes Films, in collaboration with executive producers Michael Tonelli, Ashish Shetty, Brian Clark and Jim Christman of Magmys.

Paris-based production company Nord-Ouest Films — which was on the Croisette last year with Un Certain Regard opener and French box-office hit “The Animal Kingdom” (“Le Règne Animal”), and which will soon unveil the anticipated Cannes Midnight Screening entry “The Balconettes” (“Les Balconettes”) by Noémie Merlant — has joined the film as co-producer and will be leading the charge in the French territory.

Film Constellation has unveiled a first exclusive still of the film (above).

“‘Eephus’ is rooted in the nuanced rhythms and often arcane rules of a quintessentially American sport, but in the great tradition of ‘hangout movies,’ the film is less about the particular game being played than about the possibilities it opens for the devoted community of oddballs on screen,” Lund said in a statement. “Playing a non-professional sport as an adult is pure excess, the kind of extracurricular activity that our modern world often leaves no room for, but which is nonetheless capable of eliciting the kind of unadulterated joy and camaraderie that is essential to our humanity.”

Film Constellation chief Fabien Westerhoff added, “Carson Lund delivers a heartfelt vision of male bonding, celebrating the comedic nature of the passing of time. Running to home base has never felt so urgent for this motley crew of beautifully flawed grown men. We can’t wait for Cannes audiences to discover this impressive new directorial voice, walking in the footsteps of great American auteurs such as Altman, Anderson and Linklater.”

Omnes Films said, “At Omnes, we strive to make films that feel like uncharted terrain even if they cover familiar subject matter. ‘Eephus’ is a film that traffics in American iconography but takes an unconventional form that may be perceived as more European. The presence of the film at Cannes is a wonderful validation of the kind of cinematic language we want to keep evolving.”

“Carson Lund is a remarkable new voice out of the U.S. and we are thrilled to partner up with his very talented team,” added Ola Byszuk of Nord-Ouest Films.

The film stars an ensemble cast including Keith William Richards (“Uncut Germs,” “Ponyboi”), Wayne Diamond (“Uncut Gems”) and Keith Poulson (“The Sweat East,” “Between the Temples”), with a voice cameo by acclaimed director Frederick Wiseman.

“Eephus” adds to a buzzy slate for Film Constellation, with the anticipated French revenge feature “Animale” by Emma Benestan confirmed as the closing film of the 63rd Critics’ Week. Film Constellation will also organize the world market premiere of sci-fi romantic comedy “Turn Me On” by Michael Tyburski, starring Bel Powley and Nick Robinson, and will continue pre-sales on upcoming period adventure “The Captive” by Oscar winner Alejando Amenábar.