Written by Tom Deehan on May 16, 2017. Posted in On Location / Production News

Cannes Film Festival 2017: Todd Haynes’ Wonderstruck decorated New York for two distinct periods

Wonderstruck, the new drama by Todd Haynes (Carol, Certain Women) will be competing for the Palme d’Or at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. The film was shot entirely within the state of New York.

During production, the majority of Brown Street in Peekskill was decorated to resemble 1920s America – complete with cars from the era.

Among the film’s other locations are Columbus Avenue, Astoria Boulevard, Liberty Street and Nassau. Matthew Kania led the film’s locations team, with assistance from Paul Hamill, Robert Noonan, Steve Faughnan, Nick Pray and Audra Duval.

Wonderstruck is one of this year’s most high-profile productions to compete for the Palme d’Or, alongside Sofia Coppola’s The Beguiled which was shot on location in Louisiana.

Adapted from Brian Selznick’s novel of the same name, Wonderstruck depicts two contrasting stories, one in 1927 and one in 1977, about two children who run away from home.

Amazon Studios, who scored recent success with the award-winning Manchester by the Sea, are producing film. Wonderstruck features an all-star cast including Julianne Moore, Michelle Williams, Oakes Fegley and Millicent Simmonds.

Haynes’ last project to enter Cannes, the romantic-drama Carol, failed to secure the Palme d’Or award but was both a commercial and critical success, going on to receive six nominations at the 88^th Academy Awards.

New York is one of the most popular production hubs in the United States, thanks in part to its dedicated film incentive. Productions that incur an eligible minimum spend within the state can receive a tax credit of up to 30%.

A total of USD420 million is set aside for the incentive each year, making it one of the competitive programmes of its kind. The state recently hosted production on Spider-Man: Homecoming and The Fate of the Furious.