SYNOPSIS
Beatriz at Dinner. At an elegant dinner party in a swanky hilltop home, conversation between a soft- spoken holistic healer and a hard-nosed businessman explodes into a bitter clash of cultures in Beatriz at Dinner, the latest provocative film from director Miguel Arteta and screenwriter Mike White. Exploring the widening gulf between the world’s haves and have- nots with fierce insight and unexpected humor, Beatriz at Dinner addresses contemporary controversies, from economic inequality and conservation to the necessity of simple human kindness.
Beatriz (Salma Hayek), a self-effacing and spiritual immigrant from Mexico, has spent her adult life caring for the sick while neglecting herself. When her car breaks down and she is stranded at a client’s luxurious Newport Beach home overnight, her well-meaning employer Kathy (Connie Britton) insists she join them for a dinner party that evening. At an intimate and sumptuous celebration of her husband’s latest business venture, Beatriz is introduced to Doug Strutt (John Lithgow), a ruthless billionaire real-estate developer.
She listens uncomfortably while Doug brags about his aggressive business tactics, but when he boasts about shooting a rhino in Africa, she can no longer hold her tongue. As opposing worldviews collide over a dinner table, Beatriz’s pent up outrage spills out in a way that surprises evenherself. Beatriz at Dinner is directed by Miguel Arteta (The Good Girl, Chuck & Buck) from a script by Mike White (The Good Girl, “Enlightened”).
The film stars Oscar® nominees Salma Hayek (Frida, The Prophet) and John Lithgow (Terms of Endearment, The World According to Garp), Connie Britton (“Nashville,” “Friday Night Lights”), Jay Duplass (“Transparent,” “The Mindy Project”), Amy Landecker, (“Transparent,” Dr. Strange), Chloë Sevigny (Boys Don’t Cry, Love and Friendship), David Warshofsky (Taken, There Will Be Blood) and John Early (“Wet Hot American Summer: 10 Years Later,” “Search Party”). It is produced by Aaron L. Gilbert (The Birth of a Nation, Fences), Pamela Koffler (Boys Don’t Cry, Still Alice) David Hinojosa (Carol, Weiner-Dog) and Christine Vachon (Carol, Boys Don’t Cry). Director of photography is Wyatt Garfield (The Woods, Lila & Eve). Editor is Jay Deuby (The Heat, This is 40). Production designer is Ashley Fenton (Mistress America, In a World). Costume designer is Christina Blackaller (The Greasy Strangler, Sombras de Azul). Composer is Grammy® nominee Mark Mothersbaugh (Rushmore, Bottle Rocket).
Premiered at Sundance Film Festival: London on June 1st 2017.
