Press Releases

NEW YORK (November 2, 2022) - Sony Pictures Classics announced today that they have acquired from Westend Films all rights in North America, the Middle East, India, Eastern Europe (excluding Russia), Turkey, and worldwide airlines to FREUD’S LAST SESSION, directed by Matt Brown (THE MAN WHO KNEW INFINITY). Written by Mark St. Germain (THE GOD COMMITTEE) based on his play of the same name, FREUD’S LAST SESSION stars Academy Award^® winner Anthony Hopkins and Emmy^® nominee Matthew Goode (THE CROWN, BURNING MAN, THE OFFER).

The film is produced by Alan Greisman (THE BUCKET LIST), Rick Nicita (HACKSAW RIDGE), Meg Thomson (SIREN), and Hannah Leader (GOSFORD PARK, DALILAND, BLINDED BY THE LIGHT). Production is set to begin in the UK in late January 2023.

On the eve of the Second World War and the end of his life, Sigmund Freud (Hopkins) invites iconic author C.S. Lewis (Goode) for a debate over the existence of God. Innovatively, the film explores Freud’s unique relationship with his lesbian daughter Anna, and Lewis’ unconventional romance with his best friend’s mother. FREUD’S LAST SESSION interweaves past, present and fantasy, bursting from the confines of Freud’s study on a dynamic journey.

This project reunites Sony Pictures Classics with Hopkins following numerous collaborations, including the distributor’s first release 30 years ago, HOWARDS END, and THE FATHER in 2020, for which Hopkins won the Academy Award^® for Best Actor. The film will also feature cinematography by Richard Pope, B.S.C., who has been nominated for two Oscars, including one for the Sony Pictures Classics release MR. TURNER, as well as production design by Luciana Arrighi, who won the Oscar for Best Art Direction for HOWARDS END.

"We are so excited to have Sony Pictures Classics on board our film," said Brown. "They have a long history of supporting independent filmmakers' visions and offering audiences dynamic stories told from a global perspective. I am thrilled to be working with them on FREUD’S LAST SESSION from such an early stage."

“Another fabulous role for Anthony Hopkins as Freud in London during WW2 locking horns with C.S. Lewis (Matthew Goode). The talented Matt Brown has surrounded himself with the best design team and cinematographer working today,” added Sony Pictures Classics. “FREUD’S LAST SESSION promises to be a major movie. It is also great to be back in business with our friends at Westend.”

“This very human story about two world-renowned ideological giants deserves to be brought to a wide audience. We could not wish for a better partner than SPC to bring their passion and expertise to FREUD’S LAST SESSION,” said Maya Amsellem, Managing Director of Westend Films.

The deal was negotiated with Westend Films, who also made deals in Australia (Sharmill Films), Italy (Adler), Portugal (NOS), Israel (United King), and Greece (Spentzos). Sony Pictures Classics and Westend Films have worked together on previous titles such as Ralph Fiennes’ THE INVISIBLE WOMAN and Joseph Cedar’s FOOTNOTE.

ABOUT SONY PICTURES CLASSICS     
Michael Barker and Tom Bernard serve as co-presidents of Sony Pictures Classics—an autonomous division of Sony Pictures Entertainment they founded with Marcie Bloom in January 1992—which distributes, produces, and acquires independent films from around the world.  Barker and Bernard have released prestigious films that have won 41 Academy Awards® (37 of those at Sony Pictures Classics) and have garnered 184 Academy Award® nominations (158 at Sony Pictures Classics) including Best Picture nominations for THE FATHER, CALL ME BY YOUR NAME, WHIPLASH, AMOUR, MIDNIGHT IN PARIS, AN EDUCATION, CAPOTE, HOWARDS END, and CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON.

ABOUT SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT    
Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production, acquisition, and distribution; television production, acquisition, and distribution; television networks; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; and development of new entertainment products, services and technologies. SPE’s Motion Picture Group production organizations include Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, Screen Gems, TriStar Pictures, 3000 Pictures, Stage 6 Films, AFFIRM Films, and Sony Pictures Classics. For additional information, visit http://www.sonypictures.com/corp/divisions.html.