Amazon Studios started principal photography on visionary director Mike Cahill’s (I Origins, Another Earth) Bliss this week in Los Angeles and Croatia. Academy Award nominees Salma Hayek and Owen Wilson are set to star in this sci-fi drama also written by Cahill. Endgame Entertainment’s James D. Stern is producing, with the company’s Lucas Smith serving as executive producer. Marsha Swinton (Hala) will also executive produce.
A mind-bending love story… Recently divorced Greg (Wilson) whose life is falling apart meets the enchanting Isabel (Hayek), a woman who lives on the streets and is convinced that the polluted, broken world around them is not real. She believes they are living in an ugly, harsh world simulation inside of the beautiful, peaceful “real” world of bliss. Doubtful at first, Greg eventually discovers there may be some truth to Isabel’s wild conspiracy theory.
Ted Hope, Co-Head of Movies at Amazon Studios, said, “Mike Cahill is a brilliant storyteller gifted by a unique ability to craft the truly high-concept idea in a deeply soulful way that resonates with audiences. As a real fan of all his work, I am delighted that we can provide this opportunity for him to take his vision further than ever before. We know our global customers will be excited to see what Mike and his team — Salma Hayek, Owen Wilson, and this fabulous cast and crew — can do with such complex, yet real characters in such an imaginative and thrilling world. It will blow people’s minds, I am sure.”
Cahill said, “Working with this brilliant cast is a dream come true. Working with my dear friend and producer extraordinaire Jim Stern is a gift. And we couldn’t be more thrilled to be making this with Amazon Studios. As the industry continues to evolve, Amazon proves to be taking the most exciting risks on films with ambitious artistic goals that also aim to reach wide audiences. I feel so grateful to have our film Bliss included among their next round of groundbreaking works.”
“It is an incredible opportunity to be working with a visionary like Mike Cahill,” said Stern. “We pride ourselves at Endgame on working with filmmakers with a passion for storytelling and connecting with global audiences, and are looking forward to sharing Bliss with the world.”
Director of photography is Markus Förderer (Skyscraper, I Origins), and the editor is Troy Takaki (I Origins, Almost Christmas). Production design is by Kasra Farahani (Captain Marvel, Black Panther), with costumes from Annie Bloom (No Escape, Surrogates).
Cahill is most known for his films Another Earth and I Origins which were released by Fox Searchlight. Both films won the Alfred P. Sloan Prize at the Sundance Film Festival where they premiered. He also directed the pilots of The Magicians, The Path, and Rise.