Sofia Coppola’s “Priscilla” will serve as the core selection of the 2023 New York Film Festival this fall, marking the drama’s North American premiere. NYFF and Film at Lincoln Center announced Thursday that the Priscilla Presley biopic will screen at Alice Tully Hall in New York City on October 6.
Moving away from pop culture’s singular focus on Elvis Presley, Coppola’s film focuses on Priscilla Ann Wagner, Presley’s love interest and lonely wife, from the point of view of the woman herself. Based on Priscilla’s 1985 memoir “Elvis and Me” (co-written with Sandra Harmon), “Priscilla” follows the life of the eponymous businesswoman as a teenage army brat in West Germany, her speedy courtship with Elvis and her eventual arrival in Graceland, the palatial mansion where she was queen to the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Starring Cailee Spaeny as Priscilla and “Euphoria” star Jacob Elordi, the A24 production features cinematography by Philippe Le Sourd, costumes by Stacey Battat, editing by Sarah Flack and production design by Tamara Deverell. It also features original music by Phoenix.
“I am honored to be back at the New York Film Festival with my new film and to tell the story of Priscilla Presley, the hidden side of a great American myth,” Coppola said in a statement. The filmmaker’s most recent feature film release, “On the Rocks,” starring Bill Murray and Rashida Jones, had its world premiere at NYFF in 2020.
The 61st New York Film Festival will take place from September 29 to October 29. 15. Its Main Slate selection committee is chaired by NYFF Artistic Director Dennis Lim and includes Florence Almozini, Justin Chang, K. Austin Collins and Rachel Rosen. In a statement, Lim said: “’Priscilla’ is a crowning triumph for Sofia Coppola, a filmmaker with a unique gift for illuminating the inner lives of her characters. It’s a showcase for a couple of stellar performances and a work of tremendous empathy and emotional nuance. We are looking forward to welcoming Sofia back to the festival with one of her best films”.
Passes for this year’s NYFF are now available for purchase. Individual tickets go on sale September 19 at 12 pm ET. Press and industry accreditation opens on July 31.