James Lavino has composed the music for the upcoming indie comedy Wiener-Dog. The film is written and directed by Todd Solondz (Happiness, Welcome to the Dollhouse) and stars Greta Gerwig, Kieran Culkin, Danny DeVito, Ellen Burstyn, Julie Delpy and Zosia Mamet. The movie tells several stories featuring people who find their life inspired or changed by one particular dachshund, who seems to be spreading comfort and joy. Megan Ellison (American Hustle, Foxcatcher, Her) is producing the project for Annapurna Pictures, alongside Christine Vachon (Carol, Boys Don’t Cry, One Hour Photo) for Killer Films. Wiener-Dog will premiere in January at the Sundance Film Festival.
The composer also scored the upcoming documentary Unlocking the Cage. The film is directed by Chris Hegedus & Donn Alan Pennebaker (The War Room, Down from the Mountain) and follows animal rights lawyer Steven Wise in his unprecedented challenge to break down the legal wall that separates animals from humans. The documentary will also premiere at Sundance next month.
Lavino also has the thriller You Were Never Here coming up. The movie is written and directed by Camille Thoman and stars Mireille Enos, Sam Shepard and Goran Visnjic. The film centers around an artist who follows and photographs strangers when disturbing events lead her to suspect she’s being watched. Bronwyn Cornelius, Julian Cautherley and Erika Hampson are producing the project. The thriller is expected to premiere in 2016.
