Jesse Eisenberg’s third directorial feature, The Debut, had its world premiere at the Telluride Film Festival, with the filmmaker taking on more than just directing duties.
Eisenberg has written all seven original songs featured in the A24 film, contributing nearly an hour of music to the project.
One of the songs, “This City May Have Chewed Me Up (But It Hasn’t Spit Me Out),” is performed by Oscar winner Julianne Moore and is expected to be the film’s main contender for the Best Original Song category at the Academy Awards.
Moore plays a housewife who is cast in a community theatre production. Although A24 could submit up to three songs from the film for Oscar consideration, no more than two can ultimately receive nominations.
The studio is currently treating Moore’s song as its leading submission and top priority.
Other artists with original songs in contention this awards season include Taylor Swift, whose “I Knew It, I Knew You” appears in Toy Story 5; Travis Scott, who contributed “When I’m Home” to The Odyssey; David Byrne, whose “Let Me Sell You a Dream” features in Musk; Backstreet Boys, who recorded “Bottle Up” for Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie; and SZA, who contributed “Save the Day” to Hoppers.
Diane Warren is also in the running with “By Any Means” from the film of the same name.
Emile Mosseri, who received an Oscar nomination for Best Original Score for Minari, has composed the original score for The Debut.
The film will next screen at the Toronto, New York and Zurich film festivals. Moore is also scheduled to receive a lifetime achievement award at the Zurich Film Festival.
The Debut will receive a limited theatrical release on 11 December, followed by a wider release during the Christmas period.
