The New York Times has a set of new photos from A Serious Man.

Thanks to Dave for emailing the link in.

In surprising but frankly awesome news it seems the Jeff Bridges is in talks to take the John Wayne role in the forthcoming Coen brothers remake (well new adaptation of the Charles Portis source novel really) of True Grit. Variety are carrying the story here.

I can’t speak for y’all but this really would be tremendous.

The Coen brothers’ latest movie, A Serious Man, will have it’s US premiere as the opening movie of the the inaugural edition of the Friars Club Comedy Film Festival on Sept. 24 at the Ziegfeld Theater in New York City.

So, to sum up;

World Premiere – Saturday 12th September (9pm) at the Toronto International Film Festival

US Premiere – Thursday September 24th at the Friars Club Comedy Film Festival

UK Premiere – Tuesday October 25th at the Times BFI 53rd London International Film Festival

The Times BFI 53rd London International Film Festival runs from 14th to the 29th October this year and the Coen brothers’ latest A Serious Man is showing as a special screening. I speculated yesterday that the movie’s presence at the Leeds International Film Festival could represent its UK Premiere BUT with screenings confirmed for the 27th and 28th of October in London it would seem that this would mark its UK bow. The proper release date is 20th November.

In addition to the clips from A Serious Man posted earlier, there are also some interviews. The first is a four minute clip with Joel and Ethan Coen where they discuss their thoughts on the Midwestern setting of the movie, the character of Larry being based somewhat on real life, the different character’s agendas, casting “unknowns” and Midwestern Jews and also their affection for the characters. Here it is;

The next is with actor Michael Stuhlbarg who is is playing the main character, Larry Gopnik. He discusses his character and his experiences making the movie;

The final one is with Jessica McManus who plays Sarah Gopnik, Larry’s daughter;

That’s right folks- FOUR NEW CLIPS from A Serious Man!!! Now, I am so jazzed for this film. For me, the trailer didn’t really illustrate how funny it was going to be but these here clips- they DO! Enjoy…

According to this Facebook page the Coens’ latest, A Serious Man, is to have, what could possibly be its UK premiere, at this year’s Leeds International Film Festival, in much the same way as they did for No Country For Old Men. No firm dates are available for the showing(s) as yet but the festival as a whole runs from 4th to 22nd November.

I’ll be keeping an eye on the Leeds Festival website.

As we already knew the Coen brothers’ latest movie, A Serious Man, is having its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival but the schedules are now up and I can confirm the exact date and time as Saturday 12th September at 9pm (local time). So look forward to the first reviews over the weekend!!!

EDIT: Oh and the running time is confirmed as 105 mins.

Minneapolis attorney,  Laurie Savran was an extra in two scenes in A Serious Man and has written a nice account of her time during the production of the movie. Beware though the final part contains quite a SPOILER.

Interestingly Focus Features has reposted its A Serious Man glossary this time adding in quotes direct from the movie itself to better illustrate the use of the words. I think this movie may be tough to follow first time around…

Agunah (pronounced “ahgoonah”) – a divorced person who has not been religiously sanctioned to remarry.
As in when Judy says, “Without a Gett I’m an Agunah.”

Bar mitzvah – Jewish religion’s important ceremony, held in a synagogue for a young man who has come of age (at 13) and will now be responsible for practicing and upholding Jewish values, morals, and traditions; female equivalent (at 12 or 13) is a bat mitzvah.
As in when Larry says, “But I’m so strapped for cash right now—carrying the mortgage and paying for the Jolly Roger, and I wrecked the car and Danny’s bar mitzvah coming up…”

Bupkes (also spelled bupkis) – nothing; applied with great emphasis.
As in when Arthur says, “You’ve got a family. You’ve got a job. Hashem hasn’t given mebupkes.”

Chacham (also spelled chakham, hakham or haham) – a wise or learned man, usually a great Torahscholar.
As in when the Man says, “You know, Reb Groshkover! Pesel Bunim’s uncle! The chachamfrom Lodz, who studied under the Zohar reb in Krakow!”

Dybbuk (pronounced “dibbuck”) – The soul of a dead person, often looking to possess a live person and as such inspiring fear among the living.
As in when Reb Groshkover says, “I shaved hastily this morning and missed a bit—by you this makes me a dybbuk?”

Gett – ref., agunah (above); a religiously sanctioned divorce, tandemed with the sanction to remarry.
As in when Judy says, “Esther is dead three years. And it was a loveless marriage. Sy wants a Gett.”

Goy – colloquial term for a person not of the Jewish faith (i.e., a Gentile)
As in when Rabbi Nachtner says, “Do you know a goy named Kraus? Russel Kraus?”

Haftorah – Portions of the Hebrew Bible read aloud in synagogue services, including by a bar mitzvahboy.
As in when Larry says, “How’s the haftorah coming? Can you maybe use the hi-fi?”

Hashem – means The Name, and is basic Hebrew term/name used for God.
As in when Rabbi Scott says, “I too have had the feeling of losing track of Hashem, which is the problem here. I too have forgotten how to see Him in the world.”

Kabballah (also spelled caballah or cabala) – an interpretation of the Scriptures based on an oral tradition that supposedly began with Abraham.
As in when Rabbi Nachtner says, “But Sussman is an educated man. Not the world’s greatest sage, maybe, no Rabbi Marshak, but he knows a thing or two from the Zohar and the Caballah.”

Macher (pronounced “mohhcc-er”) – an achiever, a person of importance/influence.

Mazel tov! (pronounced “mozzle-tov!”) – Congratulations!
As in when the Doctor says, “Well, mazel tov. They grow up fast, don’t they?”

Mensch (pronounced “mensh”) – someone with strength of character/an applied sense of purpose.

Mitzvah – good deedor blessing, though mostly used in an everyday and non-religious context.
As in when Reb Groshkover says, “One does a mitzvah and this is the thanks one gets?”

Nu?– What’s up? What’s the story here?
As in when the Principal says, “Hmm… eh… nu?”

Rabbi (pronounced “rab-eye”) – Ordained Jewish religious scholar/teacher, often relied upon as community leader.
As in when Judy says, “I have begged you to see the Rabbi.”

Reb – Formal-address equivalent of Mister.
As in when the Man says, “I assure you, Reb Groshkover, it’s nothing personal; she heard a story you had died, three years ago, at Pesel Bunim’s house.”

Shabbas (or, shabbos, from Shabbat) – Judaism’s Sabbath, from Friday evening through Saturday evening
As in when Rabbi Nachtner says, “Danny Gopnik, the Sisterhood makes a gift to you of this kiddush cup so that you will remember this blessed day on the next shabbas and the next, and on every shabbas of a long and fruitful life…”

Shtetl (pronounced “shtet-el”) – a small Jewish village, in bygone times, in Eastern Europe.

Shiva – means seven, and also refers to the participatory seven-day mourning period for the recently deceased.
As in when the Wife says, “Traitle Groshkover died of typhus in Pesel Bunim’s house. Pesel told me—she sat shiva for him.”

Shul – a synagogue and its congregation.
As in when Rabbi Scott says, “Because with the right perspective you can see the Hashem, you know, reaching into the world. He is in the world, not just in shul.”

Synagogue (pronounced “sinagog”) – a Jewish house of worship.

Torah – the first five books of the Hebrew Scriptures, transcribed onto a scroll for use in synagogueservices including a bar mitzvah.
As in when Rabbi Nachtner says, “Is the answer in Caballah? In Torah? Or is there even a question?”

Zohar – the main text of Kabbalah, the Zohar is a mystical interpretation of the Torah.
As in when Rabbi Nachtner says, “He knows a thing or two from the Zohar and the Caballah.”