Toronto – Director Richard Linklater's THE SCHOOL OF ROCK will have its world premiere this September as a Gala Presentation at the 28th Toronto International Film Festival®. Starring Jack Black, Joan Cusack, and Mike White, THE SCHOOL OF ROCK tells the story of a hell-raising guitarist who turns a class of fifth grade high-achievers into high-voltage rock 'n' rollers.
Dewey Finn (Jack Black) is anti-establishment to the hilt, irreverent to the max and he worships the power of rock and roll. With a penchant for stage-dives and 20 minute-solos, he's determined to lead his rock group to victory at the local Battle of the Bands — but they fire him instead.
Unemployed and facing eviction, Dewey wakes up to a phone call intended for his roommate Ned (Mike White), and impulsively accepts a job as a substitute teacher at a prestigious private school, where by-the-book Principal Mullins (Joan Cusack) watches his every move like a hawk. But while Dewey might not have a clue how to teach, he does know how to inspire confidence in his young fifth graders, and when he accidentally overhears them performing in an orchestra class, he decides to mold these young musical prodigies into a rock 'n' roll band that will change their lives.
THE SCHOOL OF ROCK is a Paramount Pictures Presentation, a Scott Rudin Production, starring Jack Black. Directed by Richard Linklater, the film is produced by Scott Rudin from a screenplay by Mike White. Also starring Joan Cusack, Mike White and Sarah Silverman, the film is distributed worldwide by Paramount Pictures, and Steve Nicolaides and Scott Aversano serve as executive producers. THE SCHOOL OF ROCK is classified ‘Parental Guidance advised'.
Gala Presentations at Roy Thomson Hall are made possible through the sponsorship of Famous Players, Paramount Pictures (Canada) Inc. and Showtime Networks Inc.
The Toronto International Film Festival is generously supported by AGF, Bell Canada, VISA, and Volkswagen.
The 28th Toronto International Film Festival runs September 4-13, 2003.
For more information, please contact Tonia Addison or Andréa Grau at 416-934-3200, taddison@torfilmfest.ca or agrau@torfilmfest.ca.
THE TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL GROUP IS A CHARITABLE, CULTURAL, AND EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATION DEVOTED TO CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE IN FILM AND THE MOVING IMAGE.
― Fritz Wollner (Fritz), Monday, 25 August 2003 18:08 (twenty-two years ago)
(fwiw I think when Linklater does movies that have, y'know,
plots they're undeniably classic - Suburbia, Dazed and Confused, Before Sunrise, shit...I bet School of Rock will be hella awesome)
― nickalicious (nickalicious), Monday, 25 August 2003 18:17 (twenty-two years ago)
It's no doubt inspired by "Rock School", the eighties TV program that taught you how to play slap bass like Mark "Thunderthumb" King.
I also appreciate how it stars Jack Black - is his dog "Silver" along for the ride?
― Keith Watson (kmw), Monday, 25 August 2003 18:19 (twenty-two years ago)
Ouch, dare I see some non-Cusack love?
This sounds awesome. Since Jack Black made my sides split in High Fidelity, him in another music flick should only be a plus. (Pray that I won't be sucking down those last words with a straw.)
― Nichole Graham (Nichole Graham), Monday, 25 August 2003 18:45 (twenty-two years ago)
(fwiw I think when Linklater does movies that have, y'know, plots they're undeniably classic - Suburbia, Dazed and Confused, Before Sunrise, shit...I bet School of Rock will be hella awesome)Huh?
Those aren't exactly plot-driven cinema. Wander around suburban Texas talking. Wander around '70s suburban Texas talking. Walking around Vienna talking.
The only Linklater film I don't love is the Newton Boys, which has a normal plot and arc. That doesn't bode well for The School of Rock. Jack Black doesn't bode well, either. He was kinda funny in Bongwater, great in High Fidelity. But he has to come in small doses.
― miloauckerman (miloauckerman), Monday, 25 August 2003 20:39 (twenty-two years ago)