Sundance winner ‘Fruitvale’ changes name to ‘Fruitvale Station’
Apparently winning two of the biggest prizes at the Sundance Film Festival does not make a film immune from further tinkering, as it was announced Wednesday that “Fruitvale” will be changing its title to “Fruitvale Station.” The film won both the U.S. dramatic grand jury and audience prizes when it premiered at Sundance in January and will be released by the Weinstein Co. on July 26.
The feature debut for writer-director Ryan Coogler, the film tells the fact-based story of the life and death of Oscar Grant, an unarmed 22-year-old who was fatally shot by authorities at the Fruitvale train station in Oakland on New Year’s Day 2009. Many scenes in the film, including the incident at the Fruitvale station, were filmed in the actual locations where they took place. The film stars Michael B. Jordan as Grant, with Octavia Spencer, Melonie Diaz, Ahna O’Reilly and Ariana Neal in supporting roles.
At least two other films from Sundance have also undergone name changes since January. The film that debuted as “Toy’s House” has been changed to “The Kings of Summer” ahead of its May 31 release by CBS Films. And actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s debut as writer and director has seen its title shortened from “Don Jon’s Addiction” to just “Don Jon” ahead of its Oct. 18 release by Relativity Media.
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Follow mark Olsen on Twitter: @IndieFocus
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