The premiere of the film “Dumb Money” at the Toronto Film Festival drew parallels between the recent battle between Reddit investors and Wall Street tycoons over GameStop and the ongoing strikes in Hollywood. The film, directed by Craig Gillespie, tells the story of the GameStop stock frenzy in January 2021, where a group of amateur investors on Reddit managed to challenge Wall Street traders who had bet against GameStop’s success.
The star-studded ensemble cast, including Paul Dano, Pete Davidson, Seth Rogen, Shailene Woodley, Sebastian Stan, and Nick Offerman, was noticeably absent from the premiere due to the ongoing actors and writers strikes. These labor strikes have left many actors and screenwriters on picket lines, making it difficult for them to attend events like film festivals and promotional opportunities. This absence has impacted films relying on buzz for awards consideration and box office attention.
The creative team behind “Dumb Money” expressed their support for the strikers, with co-writer Lauren Schuker Blum stating, “We’re proud to be part of a union that’s fighting for transparency.” Despite the absence of the cast, the team attended the premiere as executive producers.
Director Craig Gillespie praised the actors, emphasizing the importance of their performances in the film. He specifically mentioned Paul Dano, who plays a key role in the film, stating, “I hadn’t worked with Paul Dano before, but I’ve always admired his work. He has such range.” Gillespie also highlighted Seth Rogen’s versatility, as he plays a hedge fund owner who goes against type.
“Dumb Money” will be released by Sony Pictures in select theaters on September 15, with a nationwide expansion on September 29.
Definitions:
– Reddit investors: Amateur investors who participate in online communities on Reddit, such as r/WallStreetBets, where they discuss and share investment strategies.
– Wall Street tycoons: Wealthy and influential individuals who work in the financial industry on Wall Street, which is known for its major financial institutions and trading activities.
– GameStop: A video game retailer that gained significant attention in January 2021 due to the GameStop stock saga, where Reddit investors caused a surge in the company’s stock price.
– Hollywood: The center of the American film and entertainment industry, located in Los Angeles, California.
– Toronto Film Festival: An annual film festival held in Toronto, Canada, showcasing a wide range of films from around the world.
– Labor strikes: Organized actions by workers to protest labor conditions or seek better wages, benefits, or working conditions.
– Screen Actors Guild: A labor union representing actors in the film and television industry.
Sources: The Hollywood Reporter, IMDb