EXCLUSIVE: Song Sung Blue stars Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson with receive the first-ever Gotham Musical Tribute honor at next month’s Gotham Film Awards.
The honor comes for their musical performances in the Focus Features true-story tale written and directed by Craig Brewer about a pair of down-on-their-luck Milwaukee musicians who form a Neil Diamond tribute band, finding love while following their dreams.
The film, which had its world premiere last month at AFI Fest, is set to hit theaters December 25. Michael Imperioli, Ella Anderson, King Princess, Mustafa Shakir, Hudson Hensley, Fisher Stevens and Jim Belushi co-star.
The honor will be bestowed December 1 at the 35th annual Gotham Film Awards ceremony at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City. Others getting the tribute treatment at the annual awards-season kickoff show include Hedda‘s Tessa Thompson (Spotlight Tribute), Jay Kelly‘s Noah Baumbach (Directors Tribute), Frankenstein‘s Guillermo del Toro, Jacob Elordi and Oscar Isaac (Vanguard Tribute), and the cast of Sinners (Ensemble Tribute).
“Kate Hudson and Hugh Jackman deliver performances in Song Sung Blue that are at once powerful, intimate, and deeply human,” said Jeffrey Sharp, executive director of awards organizer the Gotham Film & Media Institute. “Their connection on screen, and the soulful way they bring this true story to life, channel the timeless music of Neil Diamond while revealing their own artistry and spirit. It’s a film that reminds us how music can uplift and inspire — and we’re thrilled to celebrate their extraordinary artistry with our new Gotham Musical Tribute at this year’s Gotham Film Awards.”
Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another leads all nominees for this year’s Gotham Film Awards with six including Best Feature, a category where it faces off against Bugonia, East of Wall, Familiar Touch, Hamnet, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, Lurker, Sorry, Baby, The Testament of Ann Lee and Train Dreams.