Exorcism comedy Omi, starring the late Bunny Levine in her final onscreen role, is set to make its world premiere at the Austin Film Festival in late October. The Hollywood Reporter can exclusively reveal the first look at new images from the film, as well as details on its cast and creative team.
The film follows Matt, who, after proposing to his non-Jewish girlfriend, Christina, becomes possessed by the spirit of his dead Yiddish grandmother, Omi (Levine).
Levine, a former librarian turned actress who appeared in Gilmore Girls, Thelma, You Don’t Mess With the Zohan, Shameless and more, died peacefully in her sleep at her home in Tarzana, California, on Aug. 20 at age 97, THR previously reported.
Hemingway, who starred as Daryl Hannah in Ryan Murphy’s acclaimed series Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette, stars in the film as Christina. Emily Lerer directs from a script by Adam Lebowitz-Lockard, who also stars as Matt.
“Omi started as a way for me to connect with the generations of Jewish women who raised me — my mom, my grandma, my great-grandma — and process what it means to inherit a culture that gets passed down whether you’re ready for it or not, in order to bring it into an unknown future,” Lebowitz-Lockard shared in a statement. “I wanted to make something that could fit a dybbuk possession next to a proposal dinner next to an exorcism, and examine how Jewish culture has changed (or stayed the same) between the generations, with heart, humor and bacon vomit.”
He added, “Getting to build this world with Emily as her feature directorial debut, and with a cast and crew who understood exactly the tone we were chasing, made for an unforgettable first feature experience.”
Connie Shi, Brooks Wheelan, Shane Paul McGhie, Jonathan Fishman, Dali Rooni, Matt Cordova, Janet Borrus and Ken Lerner round out the cast.
“The film blends the supernatural with a grounded character-comedy. Capturing this reality-plus world required balancing grounded intimacy with larger-than-life, Jim Carrey-esque physical humor,” Lerer said. “I knew I wanted Omi to subvert the traditional blue-grey horror style and instead live in a warm, colorful, nostalgic place that centers the heart veiled by generational family trauma.”
Producers include Lebowitz-Lockard, Sara Appelbaum, Lerer, Carrie Morgan Glassman and Chris Riddle.
Omi’s screening date, time and venue at the Austin Film Festival have yet to be announced.
See the first look images, below.
Dree Hemingway and Adam Lebowitz-Lockard in Omi.
Courtesy of Omi
Lebowitz-Lockard and Bunny Levine
Courtesy of Omi
Courtesy of Omi
Courtesy of Omi
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