Funny Pages movie storyline. Robert Bleichner, a high school student and aspiring cartoonist, meets with his art teacher, Mr. Katano, at his school classroom. After Katano looks over Robert’s portfolio, Katano asks Robert to make a nude figure drawing of him. Before completing the drawing, Robert’s phone alarm goes off and leaves for work. Outside, Katano attempts to talk with Robert. While trying to ensure the interaction didn’t make him uncomfortable, Katano is suddenly struck and killed by a car.
Later, Robert attempts to gather anything of sentimental value from his late mentor. After rummaging through Katano’s classroom, Robert and his friend, Miles, attempt to break into Katano’s apartment. The cops arrive at the scene. Miles escapes while Robert is apprehended. Robert enlists the help of Cheryl, the public defender for his trial. He is not charged and is allowed to keep Katano’s possessions. Shortly after being released, Robert meets with his parents, Lewis and Jennifer, at a diner. He proclaims that he wants to pursue a career in art and will not be finishing the school year, to his parents’ disappointment.
Seeking independence, Robert leaves his parents’ house and moves to Trenton, New Jersey, where he shares a dingy apartment with two older men, Barry and Steven. Robert gets a job working for Cheryl as a notetaker while continuing to work at a local comic book store.
Funny Pages is a 2022 American coming-of-age black comedy film written, directed, and edited by Owen Kline. The film premiered at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival in the Directors’ Fortnight on May 24, 2022, where it received a three-minute standing ovation. It was released in the United States on August 26, 2022.
Funny Pages (2022)
Directed by: Owen Kline
Starring: Daniel Zolghadri, Matthew Maher, Miles Emanuel, Maria Dizzia, Josh Pais, Marcia Debonis, Stephen Adly Guirgis, Michael Townsend Wright, Cleveland Thomas Jr, Rob M. Anderson, Tony Hassini, Andy Milonakis, Shane Fleming
Screenplay by: Owen Kline
Production Design by: Madeline Sadowski, Audrey Turner
Cinematography by: Sean Price Williams, Hunter Zimny
Film Editing by: Owen Kline, Erin Dewitt
Costume Design by: Emily Costantino, Audrey Turner
Set Decoration by: Charlie Chaspooley Robinson
Art Direction by: Kaili Corcoran, Patrick Duncan, Madeline Sadowski
Music by: Sean O’Hagan
MPAA Rating: R for crude sexual content, graphic nudity, language and brief violent images.
Distributed by: A24 Films
Release Date: May 24, 2022 (Cannes), August 26, 2022 (United States)
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