I Am David, directed by Paul Feig, is based on an award-winning Danish novel for older readers of children’s literature. Print titles vary according to the language, and ‘David’ and ‘North to Freedom’ both appear in book lists. Mr Caviezel’s character, Johannes (in print), mentors the young David.   Paul Feig Paul Feig earned a long list of credits as an actor in films such as “That Thing You Do!” and “Life Sold Separately”. “Life Sold Separately” is another film where he served as both writer and director, as he does with this one. Notably, Paul Feig may be best known for his television work with “Freaks and Geeks”. [ top ]   Character Johannes We know little about this mentor character, and continue to search for facts. Added September 26, 2002, updated October 22, 2003 After reading this fine little book, we still know little about Johannes, except that his powerful influence enables David at age 12 to make his way across most of Europe in a successfully cautious, thoughtful and adventuresome way. The mentoring by Johannes teaches this boy justice, kindness, and resourcefulness, affording David a power of purpose that delivers a fine result. We understand that the visibility of Johannes has been expanded in the film version of the story, to capitalize on Mr Caviezel’s participation in this project. [ top ]   Initial Details Added July 30, 2002 We understand from Variety that Mr Caviezel has joined Joan Plowright and Ben Tibber in the Walden Media period drama “I Am David”. This is a story about a pre-teen boy’s journey across post World War II Europe. Principal photography is under way in Bulgaria. Added July 30, 2002, Second Update, Corrected August 17, 2002 This “I Am David” appears to be a scripted version of the Ann Holm novel, written for young people and published in the 1960s. The production company is a British company. The novel is Danish. Mr Caviezel’s role, as we understand it by way of another industry trade magazine, is that of David’s camp friend and mentor. We found a review and a backgrounder of interest. Walden is also involved with “Rebels”. As we get more details, we will post them. Added October 1, 2002 Walden Media apparently signed a two-year agreement with The Walt Disney Studios. The agreement gives Disney first-look North American distribution options on Walden’s new projects. This article also mentions other international distribution arrangements. The article names ‘David’ as an example of the kinds of projects included in the deal, and details that principal photography is now complete. [ top ]   Pre-release and Other Tidbits Added March 11, 2003 thanks to HS We understand from Screen Daily Stories by Jeremy Kay in Los Angeles, that ‘David’ is now in post-production. If all goes well, we should have a release date any time now. Added April 17, 2003 We understand from today’s The New York Times, that Walden Media plans to release ‘David’ “...in the fall”. Still no firm date, but we’re getting closer to one, it seems. Added April 24, 2003 updated July 2, 2004 Here is the Walden site for “I Am David”. The now apparently final site includes lesson plan supplements for teachers. If you are a teacher, or otherwise interested in films as a storytelling medium, explore the Walden site for tips and tricks that you can use. Added June 2, 2003, thanks to HS In discovering the Greg’s Previews page for ‘David’ and passing along this tidbit, HS also told us that we were named the “Unofficial Fan Site” on his page. We are deeply humbled by this acknowledgement. It is you, dear readers, who make it possible to remain current on all the items that show up in the world about Mr Caviezel’s work, and for that we are grateful. Please share this acknowledgement with us. Added August 12, 2003, thanks to EI Although it is not our fashion to publish rumours, we are currently pursuing one that reports ‘David’ showing up at a ‘Kansas’ film festival this summer under the alternate name “North To Freedom”. When we know more, you’ll know more. Film Festivals Added August 21, 2003, again thanks to EI and others, updated August 25, thanks to AA, and others, updated August 28, August 31, September 5, September 8, September 16 and October 22 Keep your eyes open around upcoming film festivals—we confirmed Kansas City in particular—where ‘David’ will be presented as festival fare. Other fests might include Boston, Austin and San Diego and others. At one time, we posted a link to the news about the Kansas City fest, with ‘David’ closing the event. About this showing, we learn from The Kansas City Star that “John Shipp—professional film booker, past president of the Film Society of Greater Kansas City and the principal programmer for the 2003 FilmFest Kansas City—[when asked] to give us his top 10 don’t-miss movies from this year’s event” said about Mr Caviezel [‘David’] A 12-year-old’s lonely journey to freedom takes him across Europe in this great little film. Sure to be remembered with great affection, Jim Caviezel—a star of the made-in-Kansas-City ‘Ride With the Devil’—has a small but meaty role.” We have a confirmation that a reviewer screened ‘David’ yesterday (August 24). As soon as the review is posted, we can link to it. This review is for the Boston Film Festival. Although the fest site is available, we could only find current news that was current. Keep checking the site, however, for the schedule. Here is the ‘David’ page for the Boston fest. And officially, ‘David’ opens the San Diego Film Festival on September 17, 2003. Note  Thanks to our friend MW, we learn that one can see this film only as part of the US$100-$125 festival package programmes. TV Guide in its ‘Star News and Gossip’ section for mid-August, goes so far as to speculate that ‘David’ is destined for Cannes in May, 2004. ‘David also plained in the The Heartland Film Festival, the link for which has been lost. And here is ‘David’ listed for the Austin Film Festival, scheduled for October 2003. We understand further that the alternate literary name “North to Freedom” may be used, and on the other hand, may be dropped. Should you be able to confirm a screening for us, please send us a note. Added October 22, 2003 Thanks to details from a Film Fest Kansas City Press Release, we learn that in addition to this being the highest-attended fest to date, ‘David’ was voted Favourite Film by Audience Favourites Awards. And Paul Feig won his award in this series as Director. Finally, ‘David’ won the Crystal Heart award and Fieg won $5,000 in the Heartland Fest. Also note screenings for the St. Louis Fest for ‘David’ currently scheduled for Wednesday November 19 at 10AM and at 7PM. Latest release news indicates from both Hollywood Reporter and Variety, that ‘David’ is due for a 2004 release, thanks to a collaboration between Artisan Entertainment and Walden Media. Added August 31, 2003 America’s Cleveland Plain Dealer lists ‘David’ in its fall line-up of films, and suggests an opening date of October 17, 2003. Added October 30, 2003 With Lyon’s Gate’s merger with Artisan, the fate of ‘David’s’ distribution is up in the air; however, it remains listed among the key assets. Alas, key assets do not include another Artisan property, “Madison”, the distribution of which remains a mystery. Added November 19, 2003 For those who can, we remind you that you can see ‘David’ at the St Louis International Film Festival today. Added December 1, 2003, thanks to many readers and EI Many people have sent us mail after seeing ‘David’ in various festival settings. “Magnificent”, and “...an astonishing performance” are among the several phrases readers use to describe both the film and Mr Caviezel’s work in it. Included in our e-mail bag o’comments comes one from a teacher from Pittsburg who screened the film recently in San Francisco with about 150 teachers, on behalf of the National Council of the Teachers of English. Coming away from the event, he notes: “I personally feel that it was one of the most impressive films that I have viewed in years. The acting was outstanding, the cinematography was quite capable of producing an effect that will make the images linger long in my memory.” Finally, teaching options for those who choose to use this film in the classroom. Moved from our ‘What’s New’ page today These things happen in the storytelling medium of films. Paul Feig, director of “I Am David” tells a humourous story about Mr Caviezel’s coincidental interactions with another actor in both his film and in the Gibson film, “The Passion of The Christ”. Updated December 9, 2003, and January 7, 2004 You can see ‘David’ on Sunday, January 11, 2004 at the Loews 35th Street Theatre in New York City if you hold a pass or are a guest of a passholder for the Arts and Leisure Weekend. Access passes are available in print editions of The New York Times dated December 7, 2003. Tickets are US$2 on a first-come, first-served basis, while supplies last at the Loews 35th street Theatre box office starting January 2, 2004. Proceeds from these screenings will be donated to Variety, the Children’s Charity. This event is billed as part of the Movie Marathon with five films listed and no start time noted. The start time as posted in the Arts and Leisure Weekend insert for January 7, states that the start time for ‘David’ is 3:45 PM on Sunday, the 11th. Also note that ‘David’ won awards at the Monaco Film Festival on December 5, including Joan Plowright for Best Actress, Ben Tibber for Best Newcomer, and Roman Osin for Best Cinematography. Reportedly the screening was attended by ‘the Monaco elite and people from the palace’ and generally, the film was very well received. Some small controversy arose around why this film didn’t win the grand prize. Updated December 23, 2003 Earlier in the month, ‘David’ played as a feature story in the Orlando, Florida Global Peace Film Festival. Their notice also mentions ‘spring’ as a time for its release. Updated January 15, 2004 We understand that the KidFilm ’04 Festival includes “I Am David”. The festival is part of the USA Film Festival and is the 20th annual event that appeals especially to children. It is planned for the Angelika Film Center in Dallas, Texas, this weekend. As its predecessor “Holes” proved, Walden Media knows how to tell stories to young people. You may already know that ‘David ’tells the story of a boy who has spent most of his life behind barbed wire in a Communist concentration camp in Bulgaria. Updated March 4, 2004, thanks to HS BoxOfficeMojo lists October 4, 2004 as the release date for this film. Updated March 31, 2004 Since the Friday of that BoxOfficeMojo release date is October 8, 2004, we’re amending the release date to read October 8, 2004, and we understand that the 8th is a date for limited release. Updated April 10, 2004 The Walden Media site confirms the October 8, 2004 release date for this movie. We also understand that the last major screening before its release will take place June 20, 2004 in Washington D.C. as part of International Refugee Week. Updated April 27, 2004 We understand that for those attending the International Reading Association conference in Reno, Nevada next week, a screening of ‘David’ will take place on Tuesday, May 4. Conference attendees can go to the Walden booth (357) to pick up a pass. Updated June 17, 2004 Sorry that we missed this screening tonight in Washington, D. C., but the accompanying story is worth a read. Updated August 11, 2004 Several welcome updates for this film, including a peek at the poster from Walden Media, and a layout of movie stills from Movie Jungle. Updated August 14, 2004, thanks to SG An Australian site visitor hooks us up with the trailer. Updated August 20, 2004 A kind site visitor pointed out to us that the official release date according to the Walden site is now October 29, 2004. Updated September 1, 2004 We understand that Lions Gate has agreed to move the release date to December 3, 2004. Also, some lovely snaps from the movie set. The production notes are also recommended, because of all the details about making the film that are educational and informative. Updated September 29, 2004, October 10, 2004 We understand that soon there will be a phone number designed specifically to be available to educators who want to acquire group-size blocks of tickets so groups can see this film on a field trip. As soon as we learn more, we’ll publish it. October 10  Thanks to Walden Media, we are delighted to be able to seek partnerships with qualified educators of children aged 10-13. Walden has shared a limited number of educator’s guides developed to comply with “national [American] content standards for social studies, language arts and character education”. The guides offer loosely structured lesson plans for these activities: Social Studies: Refugee or Immigrant Social Studies: Why Go North? Dissent and Punishment English/Language Arts: Flashbacks Character Education: Empathy and Action As well, the guide contains a board game, “You Are David” for two to six players. Other game elements include a die, iconic pawns and pennies, which you must supply. A card-stock poster or roll-up poster is included: your choice. Both feature the prominent image of Mr Caviezel. We are interested in partnering with qualified educators who have read the Anne Holm book, who want to use it—book or film—as a teaching vehicle for their students, and who agree not to peddle these materials to anyone (passing them along to other qualified educators is encouraged). If you want to partner with ReelCaviezel in the employ of “I Am David” as an educational tool, please write to us (link below). We are happy to distribute the guides we received on a first-come, first-sent basis. If you are chosen, we request receipt of a postage-paid envelope large enough to fit the guide, 8.5 inch (~22cm) by 11.0 inch (~28cm), one ounce in weight. Note  This partnership campaign ends December 15, 2004. Supply is limited, and includes movie posters. Updated October 11, 2004 As you may already know, we’ve linked to a trailer since August, but here’s the Apple site version, where you can choose the size of the preview, depending on your Internet connection speed. Updated October 12, 2004 This film is included in The Hollywood Film Festival being held at the Arclight Cinemas in Hollywood that runs from today through the 18th. Updated March 5, 2005 Beginning April 5, 2005, you can buy this story on DVD and VHS, at least for viewing by North Americans. [ top ]   Interviews Added December 2, 2003 Here is an interview with Paul Feig, the writer-director. [ top ]   Reviews Added September 21, 2003 Last night,the San Diego Film Festival gave ‘David’ its Best Feature Film award, and gave Ben Tibber its Best Up and Coming Actor award for his work telling this story. Added December 2, 2004 From a reviewer who covers entertainment for families, one one who highly recommends this movie. Added December 3, 2004 From another reviewer who encouraged families to see the film, and another encouragement.      [registration required] Added December 10, 2004, updated December 17, 2004 As the film opens in more theatres, we glean yet one more review, and yet another. Added February 15, 2005 After a pitifully limited release, looks like ‘David’ will again become available on the festival circuit, at least with the Tri-Cities (Tennesee and Virginia) Arts Array announcement, the link for which is lost. It is scheduled to play at the Abingdon Cinemall April 18 and 19, 2005. [ top ]   FAQ Question Where can I find the official site? Answer Here is the official site that includes lesson plans. Added September 17, 2004 Looks like a more theatrical official site is coming soon. As of today, you can watch the trailer. [ top ] Photograph by Paul Chedlow and © by Walden Media