Elara Pictures Explained

Elara Pictures
Area Served:United States
Industry:Film industry
Location City:New York, New York
Location Country:U.S.

Elara Pictures is an American independent film production and television production company founded by Josh Safdie, Benny Safdie, Ronald Bronstein and Sebastian Bear-McClard.

They have produced such films as Heaven Knows What (2014), Good Time (2017), Uncut Gems (2019) and Funny Pages (2022).

Uncut Gems, starring Adam Sandler, is Elara's highest grossing film. It is A24’s second highest-grossing film, behind Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022), and was the company's highest-grossing film at the time of its release.

History

In 2014, Josh Safdie, Benny Safdie, Ronald Bronstein and Sebastian Bear-McClard launched the company to produce projects.[1] The company's first film Heaven Knows What had its world premiere at the 71st Venice International Film Festival in September 2014, and was released in May 2015, by RADius-TWC.[2]

In May 2020, the company entered a two-year first look deal with HBO and A24. Under the terms, A24 will executive produce all HBO-Elara projects and partner with Elara on select projects outside of the HBO first look.[3]

The company has additionally produced the television series Chillin Island (2021), Telemarketers (2023), (2023) for HBO,[4] [5] [6] and The Curse for Showtime.[7]

In March 2023, Sebastian Bear-McClard was accused of sexual misconduct, with allegations including reaching out to an underage girl on Instagram for Good Time, who felt pressured into performing a nude scene, which was ultimately removed from the final cut of the film, and not discussing pay instead paying her with cigarettes.Bear-McClard additionally was alleged to be in contact with another underage girl and had an inappropriate relationship with an assistant on the set of Uncut Gems.[8] Bear-McClard was fired by Elara in July 2022, due to the allegations.[9]

Filmography

Release DateGenreTitleDistribution or Network
May 29, 2015 Feature filmHeaven Knows What distributed by RADiUS-TWC
August 11, 2017 Feature filmGood Time distributed by A24[10]
December 13, 2019 Feature filmUncut Gems distributed by A24
December 10, 2021Reality seriesChillin IslandHBO
August 26, 2022 Feature filmFunny Pages distributed by A24
August 13, 2023 Documentary seriesTelemarketers HBO
August 31, 2023 Documentary filmThank You Very Much
November 10, 2023 TV seriesThe Curse Showtime
November 13, 2023Documentary seriesHBO
June 02, 2024Documentary seriesRen FaireHBO

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Safdie Bros Launch Elara Pictures Banner With Drama 'Heaven Knows What'. Deadline Hollywood. Jen. Yamato. April 23, 2014. August 8, 2023.
  2. Web site: cquires 'Heaven Knows What' Ahead Of New York Film Festival Premiere. IndieWire. Josephine. Opar. October 1, 2014. August 8, 2023.
  3. Web site: The Safdie Brothers Set First-Look Deal With HBO. The Hollywood Reporter. Bryn. Sandberg. May 26, 2020. August 8, 2023.
  4. Web site: 'Chillin Island': HBO Sets Rap Nature Reality Series From Josh Safdie. Deadline Hollywood. Peter. White. December 10, 2021. August 8, 2023.
  5. Web site: HBO Original Docuseries TELEMARKETERS Debuts August 13. Warner Bros. Discovery. July 26, 2023. August 8, 2023.
  6. Web site: HBO Original Documentary Series "Love Has Won: The Cult of Mother God" Debuts November 13. The Futon Critic. November 8, 2023. November 8, 2023.
  7. Web site: Emma Stone To Star In Comedy Series 'The Curse' From Nathan Fielder & Safdie Brothers For Showtime. Deadline Hollywood. Peter. White. December 10, 2020. August 8, 2023.
  8. Web site: Sebastian Bear-McClard, Emily Ratajkowski's Estranged Husband and 'Uncut Gems' Producer, Accused of Sexual Misconduct by Multiple Women. Variety. Tatiana. Siegel. March 29, 2023. August 8, 2023.
  9. Web site: Sebastian Bear-McClard Accused of Sexual Misconduct, 'Troubling Behavior' by Three Women. The Daily Beast. Laura. Bradley. March 29, 2023. August 8, 2023.
  10. Web site: A24 Acquires Robert Pattinson Crime Drama 'Good Time'. Deadline Hollywood. Mike Jr.. Fleming. October 27, 2016. August 8, 2023. April 24, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190424045918/https://deadline.com/2016/10/good-time-movie-a24-robert-pattinson-1201844119/. dead.