The official trailer for Steve Buscemi‘s (Animal Factory, Interview) latest directorial effort The Listener has arrived via Vertical Entertainment, bringing with it a first look at Tessa Thompson‘s (the Creed franchise, “Westworld”) riveting lead performance.
In this contained drama penned by Alessandro Camon (The Messenger), Thompson stars as Beth, a crisis line volunteer working the night shift. As call after call comes in from people overwhelmed by life, Beth comforts each with compassion. But as the pressure mounts, will this be the night Beth loses someone? Saves someone?
As the shift progresses, Beth’s own story comes to light, revealing her motivations. We follow Beth as she listens, comforts and connects with callers, one conversation at a time. And, despite the challenges, she perseveres – determined to patch the world back together, one stitch at a time.
The extensive ensemble voice cast is rounded out by Logan Marshall-Green (The Invitation, Upgrade), Derek Cecil (“House of Cards”), Margaret Cho (Bright, Prom Pact), Blu Del Barrio (“Star Trek: Discovery”), Ricky Velez (I Love My Dad, The King of Staten Island), Alia Shawkat (“Arrested Development,” “The Old Man”), Jamie Hector (“Bosch,” “The Wire”), Casey Wilson (“Happy Endings,” Gone Girl), Bobby Soto (A Million Miles Away, Tax Collector), and Rebecca Hall (Resurrection, The Night House).
Commenting on the release of The Listener, Buscemi praised the film’s “exquisite exchange between caller and listener,” calling it “nothing short of heroic.”
Buscemi lauded screenwriter Alessandro Camon’s script, saying it “resonated with me on many levels.” He went on to describe the film’s exploration of crisis counselor Beth as she helps strangers over the phone. “I loved the journey our lead character Beth bravely takes each night, assessing and navigating each call, figuring out in real time how she can best be of help to the unknown voices in her ear who are in need of guidance, reassurance, sympathy, or simply to be heard.” Buscemi explained.
The actor reserved special praise for lead actress Tessa Thompson, whose “nuanced and powerful performance as Beth is the heart of the film.” Buscemi also commended the supporting cast of callers who provide the film’s “richness and subtleties of everyday people’s desire for connection.” Ultimately, Buscemi called the relationship between caller and listener portrayed in The Listener “exquisite” and “nothing short of heroic.”
The film premiered as the closing film of the Giornate Degli Autori section of the 2022 Venice International Film Festival on September 9, 2022. It also screened as part of the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival Industry Selects section.
The Listener is produced by Wren Arthur, Steve Buscemi, Oren Moverman, Lauren Hantz, and Tessa Thompson and is scheduled for a day and date theatrical and VOD release this March 29, 2024.
