The Diary of a Teenage Girl

A film by Marielle Heller

Based on the critically acclaimed graphic novel by Phoebe Gloeckner

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Like most teenage girls, Minnie Goetze (Bel Powley) is longing for love, acceptance and a sense of purpose in the world. Minnie begins a complex love affair with her mother's (Kristen Wiig) boyfriend, "the handsomest man in the world," Monroe (Alexander Skarsgård). What follows is a sharp, funny and provocative account of one girl's sexual and artistic awakening, without judgment.

Set in 1976 San Francisco, THE DIARY OF A TEENAGE GIRL begins at the crossroads of the fading hippie movement and the dawn of punk rock. News commentary of the Patty Hearst trial echoes in the background, as Minnie's young expressive eyes soak in a drug-laden city in transition— where teenage rebellion and adult responsibility clash in characters lost and longing. Minnie's hard-partying mother and absent father have left her rudderless. She first finds solace in Monroe's seductive smile, and then on the backstreets of the city by the bay. Animation serves a refuge from the confusing and unstable world around her. Minnie emerges defiant— taking command of her sexuality and drawing on her newfound creative talents to reveal truths in the kind of intimate and vivid detail that can only be found in the pages of a teenage girl's diary.

THE DIARY OF A TEENAGE GIRL is based on Phoebe Gloeckner's novel of the same name, hailed by Salon as "one of the most brutally honest, shocking, tender and beautiful portrayals of growing up female in America." Writer/Director Marielle Heller unlocks this diary with a richly comedic and deeply personal vision. In her feature film directorial debut, Heller brings Gloeckner's book to life with fearless performances, a stirring score, inventive graphic novel-like animation sequences, imagination, humor and heart. It is a coming of age story that is as poignant as it is unsettling.

 

Marielle Heller

Marielle Heller's first feature film The Diary of a Teenage Girl, which she directed and wrote (adapted from the novel by Phoebe Gloeckner) has premiered and won awards at the Sundance Film Festival, Berlinale, Edinburgh Film Festival, and more all over the world. It was scooped up by Sony Pictures Classics at Sundance. Heller has been honored with numerous fellowships opportunities for her work including the 2012 Sundance Screenwriting Fellowship and Directing Fellowship, the Lynn Auerbach Screenwriting Fellowship and the Maryland Film Festival Fellowship. She recently was awarded Sundance Institute's prestigious Vanguard Award, along with Alejandro Inarritu.

Also an actress, Heller has made appearances in numerous television series and films and has performed at theaters all over the world. Heller currently resides in New York with her husband and son.

 

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Marielle Heller

Writer/Director

Marielle Heller's first feature film The Diary of a Teenage Girl, which she directed and wrote (adapted from the novel by Phoebe Gloeckner) has premiered and won awards at the Sundance Film Festival, Berlinale, Edinburgh Film Festival, and more all over the world. It was scooped up by Sony Picture Classics at Sundance. Heller has been honored with numerous fellowships opportunities for her work including the 2012 Sundance Screenwriting Fellowship and Directing Fellowship, the Lynn Auerbach Screenwriting Fellowship and the Maryland Film Festival Fellowship. She recently was awarded Sundance Institute's prestigious Vanguard Award, along with Alejandro Inarritu.

Also an actress, Heller has made appearances in numerous television series and films and has performed at theaters all over the world. Heller currently resides in New York with her husband and son.

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Anne Carey

Producer

Anne Carey is President of Production at Archer Gray, a media production, finance, and venture investment company based in New York City. In her career as an independent producer, Carey has been associated with filmmakers such as Ang Lee, Anton Corbijn, Bill Condon, Todd Field, Greg Mottola, Tamara Jenkins, Alan Ball, Mike Mills and Nicole Holofcener. Carey's films have been distributed by Fox Searchlight, Sony Picture Classics, Warner Independent, Focus Features, Miramax and HBO; and her films have played and premiered at major domestic and international film festivals including the Sundance Film Festival, Telluride Film Festival, The Berlin Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival.

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Bert Hamelinck

Producer

Bert Hamelinck is the managing director of Caviar Group and a producer in Caviar's film and television department. He has produced over thirteen feature films and six television series.

He most recently produced THE DIARY OF A TEENAGE GIRL, a Sundance Writers and Directors Lab Project starring Kristen Wiig and Alexander Skarsgård. Prior to this, Bert co- produced Lars Von Trier's NYMPHOMANIAC, which Caviar co-financed and co-produced alongside Zentropa.

Other recent credits include the box office hit MADLY IN LOVE, directed by Hilde Van Mieghem, and the critically acclaimed MY QUEEN KARO, directed by Dorothee Van Den Berghe. KARO premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2009, and was nominated for a European Film Award. For television, Bert produced the pan-European miniseries THE SPIRAL, which centers on an art heist orchestrated by a team of international conspirators. Among the world's first interactive series, it was broadcast simultaneously in nine countries in September 2012 and was nominated for an International Digital Emmy.

He also served as co-producer on COPACABANA, directed by Marc Fitoussi, as well as MR. NOBODY, directed by Jaco Van Dormael and starring Jared Leto, Diane Kruger and Sarah Polley.

As an accomplished Director of Photography, Bert shot second unit on the Caviar-produced, FIPA award-winning mini-series, THE EMPEROR OF TASTE. Originally from Belgium, Bert is based in Los Angeles and travels frequently to wherever business takes him.

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Madeline Samit

Producer

Madeline Samit heads the Film Department at Caviar's Los Angeles office. She brings talent into the company for both films and commercials and works closely with in-house talent to develop features, television and other long-form entertainment.

Madeline most recently produced THE DIARY OF A TEENAGE GIRL, a Sundance Screenwriters and Directors Lab Project, written and directed by Marielle Heller, starring Kristen Wiig, Alexander Skarsgård and Bel Powley. The film has been selected for the 2015 Sundance Film Festival, where it will premiere in the U.S. Dramatic Competition.

Previously, Madeline produced the short film CROWN, which premiered at Slamdance, as well as the REAL MEN campaign for Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore's DNA foundation. Madeline also plays a key role in the sales and distribution of the many Belgian films and series that Caviar produces.

Prior to Caviar, Madeline worked at Olympus Pictures where she was involved in ADAM, a Fox Searchlight feature staring Hugh Dancy and Rose Byrne. Madeline is a graduate of Wesleyan University where she received a degree in psychology -- something she uses every day in Hollywood.

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Miranda Bailey

Producer

Miranda Bailey began her career as an actress in New York, appearing in numerous theatrical productions before moving to Los Angeles. Over the last 14 years, she has produced over 20 films including the Oscar nominated THE SQUID AND THE WHALE and Sundance premiere AGAINST THE CURRENT, as well as the documentaries UNRAVELED and SPINNING PLATES.

As CEO of Cold Iron Pictures, Miranda recently produced Oren Moverman's TIME OUT OF MIND starring Richard Gere, which premiered at TIFF in 2014.

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Michael Sagol

Executive Producer

Born in Belgium, Michael came to the states with his family in 1984. He attended Emerson College in Boston, graduating and moving to Los Angeles in 1996. In his early career he mixed freelance production work with assistant work, even spending nearly a year as an assistant to Steven Seagal. There's an NDA involved but if you give him enough wine he might tell you a bit about it.

In 2002, Michael culled his various experiences into the founding of Atomik Pictures, a service commercial production company. The company grew quickly, opening satellite offices in New York City and Cape Town, South Africa. In 2005, Atomik merged with Caviar, a Belgian based production company. Five years later, Michael joined forces with Jasper Thomlinson, bringing him on to the Caviar team as Executive Producer. Together, they've built an incredible roster of talent including directors Peter Farrelly (DUMB AND DUMBER, THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY), Jody Hill (HBO's EASTBOUND & DOWN), Ruben Fleischer (ZOMBIELAND), and Jorma Taccone (THE LONELY ISLAND). Under Michael and Jasper's direction, the company has also expanded its music video, TV and Film divisions as well.

Michael served as a juror in the Craft division at Cannes 2012, the year in which Caviar was voted 4th in the Top Production Company list, and as AICP Chairman for 2014. Most recently Michael and Caviar's Commercial division have been working with A-List clients such as Chrysler, Adidas, Pepsi, AT&T, P&G and Levis. The Film and TV Department have just finished their first feature, THE DIARY OF A TEENAGE GIRL, which is premiering at Sundance 2015, on which Michael was the Executive Producer.

Michael lives in Santa Monica, CA with his girlfriend Vanessa, two daughters — Stella and Lucia — and their Chocolate Lab, Coco.

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Amanda Marshall

Executive Producer

After receiving her BA in psychology, Amanda Marshall relocated from New York to Los Angeles in 2001, where she also made the switch from education to the entertainment field. She was previously Head of Production at Ambush Entertainment. There she produced ANSWERS TO NOTHING and co-produced a number of films including THE RIVER WHY, EVERY DAY, and James Gunn's SUPER.

She is currently VP at Cold Iron Pictures, where she has most recently executive produced Oren Moverman's TIME OUT OF MIND starring Richard Gere — a 2014 TIFF selection.

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Jorma Taccone

Executive Producer

Jorma Taccone is an actor, director, musician and writer. Taccone is one third of THE LONELY ISLAND along with Andy Samberg and Akiva Schaffer. Together they created the SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE Digital Shorts which became a cultural phenomenon starting with LAZY SUNDAY. In 2010, he co-wrote and directed the film MACGRUBER, and he is currently set for THE LONELY ISLAND MUSICAL at Universal as his next film.

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Amy Nauiokas

Executive Produer

Amy Nauiokas is a venture capitalist, producer, and the founder of Archer Gray, a media production, finance, and venture investment company with offices in New York City and London. Archer Gray's venture efforts focus on media and digital markets. Archer Gray's production projects include the eight-time Tony Award-winning play ONCE, and Sundance Film Festival selections THE DIARY OF A TEENAGE GIRL, TEN THOUSAND SAINTS, LITTLE ACCIDENTS and THE INEVITABLE DEFEAT OF MISTER AND PETE. Previously, Amy served as CEO of Barclays Stockbrokers. She has also served as Head of E-Commerce at Barclays Capital and as Senior Managing Director at Cantor Fitzgerald. Amy is a member of the Dickinson College Board of Trustees, Board Chair of Make-A-Wish International and Co- Founder of the Bubble Foundation.

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PHOEBE GLOECKNER

Author

Phoebe Gloeckner was born in Philadelphia and raised in San Francisco. Her comics first appeared in underground publications when she was in her teens. A critically acclaimed collection of her comics, paintings, and etchings, A Child's Life and Other Stories, was published in 1998. Her next book, The Diary of a Teenage Girl: An Account in Words and Pictures, was published in 2002. In addition to paintings and comics, she has made award-winning short films.

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Bel Powley

Minnie

Bel Powley is a rising British actress whose work already spans stage and the big screen. Later in 2015, Powley will be seen starring in GIRLS' NIGHT OUT opposite Sarah Gadon, Jack Reynor, Rupert Everett and Emily Watson. The historical drama follows young Princesses Margaret (Powley) and Elizabeth (Gadon), as they sneak out of Buckingham Palace to celebrate VE Day on May 8, 1945, by mingling with the masses. Directed by Julian Jarrold, GIRLS' NIGHT OUT will be released on May 15, 2015 in the UK.

Powley recently wrapped production on Drake Doremus' upcoming science fiction romantic drama EQUALS. The movie, which also stars Nicholas Hoult, Kristen Stewart, Guy Pearce and Jacki Weaver, takes place in a futuristic utopian society, where human emotions have been eradicated and everyone lives in peace. Things unravel when a new disease surfaces and infects the protagonists. The movie will bow in 2015.

Powley was previously seen playing one of the lead characters in CBBC's show "M.I.High." Her past TV credits also include appearances on UK shows "Benidorm," "Murderland," "Little Dorrit," and "The Whistleblowers." Additionally, Powley has appeared in numerous plays including her recent turn in "Elephants" at the Hampstead Theater in London. She has starred in the Royal Court Theatre's production of "Tusk Tusk" as well as in the West End's "Jumpy." On Broadway, she was Thomasina in the 2011 revival of "Arcadia" at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre. A British native, Powley currently resides in London.

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Alexander Skarsgård

Monroe

Alexander can be seen starring in all 7 seasons of HBO Series, TRUE BLOOD based on the Sookie Stackhouse novels by Charlaine Harris, in which he plays "Eric Northman." He recently finished shooting the Warner Brothers feature film, TARZAN directed by David Yates.

Previously, Alexander starred in Lars Von Trier's MELANCHOLIA. As well as DISCONNECT directed by Henry Alex Rubin which Bill Horberg and Mickey Liddell produced and WHAT MAISIE KNEW with Julianne Moore. He can also be seen in THE EAST directed by Zal Batmanglij for Fox Searchlight. He recently wrapped The Weinstein Company Film, The Giver co- starring opposite Meryl Streep, opposite Jeff Bridges and directed by Phillip Noyce. Alex can also be seen starring in THE DIARY FOR A TEENAGE GIRL with Kristen Wiig which was directed by Marielle Heller.

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Christopher Meloni

Pascal

Christopher Meloni was last seen co-starring as ‘Brock' in Greg Araki's WHITE BIRD IN A BLIZZARD, based on the book of the same name by Laura Kasischke, with Shailene Woodley and Eva Green and as ‘Mort' with Josh Brolin, Bruce Willis, Jessica Alba, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Eva Green, and Mickey Rourke in SIN CITY: A DAME TO KILL FOR, the sequel to 2005's screen adaptation of Frank Miller's highly regarded graphic novel.

The Washington, D.C. native studied acting at the University of Colorado - Boulder before graduating with a degree in History. He worked in construction and as a bouncer before breaking into acting, studying his craft in New York with legendary teacher Sanford Meisner. His television breakout role was on NYPD BLUE, opposite Kim Delaney. That led to being cast on HBO's gritty landmark series OZ, playing the psychotic, bisexual serial killer, Chris Keller.

In 1999, he landed his starring role on the popular and long-running NBC series LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT, with Meloni working in both series simultaneously until OZ ended its 6 year run in 2003. He continued on LAW & ORDER: SVU for twelve seasons, earning an Emmy nomination for his performance as Detective Elliot Stabler. Meloni then returned to HBO in a pivotal arc as the head of the Vampire Authority, Roman, in Alan Ball's wildly popular drama, TRUE BLOOD and Julie Louis-Dreyfus' trainer, Ray, in VEEP. Meloni was last seen playing Jack Dunlevy, in the Fox comedy, SURVIVING JACK.

Meloni's other big screen credits include MAN OF STEEL, 42, THEY CAME TOGETHER, SMALL TIME, the Terry Gilliam films FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS and TWELVE MONKEYS; the Wachowskis' first film BOUND; the romantic comedy blockbuster RUNAWAY BRIDE, NIGHTS IN RODANTHE, and such cult favorites as WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER, HAROLD & KUMAR GO TO WHITE CASTLE, and its first sequel, HAROLD & KUMAR ESCAPE FROM GUANTANAMO BAY.

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Kristen Wiig

Charlotte Goetze

Kristen Wiig has become one of the industry's most versatile actresses of her generation. From her breakout performance onSATURDAY NIGHT LIVE to the Oscar nominated film BRIDESMAIDS, Wiig has transitioned from television to film as a writer and producer. In 2012, Time magazine honored Wiig in their esteemed Time 100 issue. In 2009, Entertainment Weekly acknowledged Wiig as one of the top 15 great performers for her work on SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE. Wiig has been nominated for seven Emmy Awards and received her first Oscar nomination for writing BRIDESMAIDS.

Wiig recently finished production on Ridley Scott's THE MARTIAN, alongside Jessica Chastain, Kate Mara and Matt Damon. The film chronicles the story of an astronaut struggling to live on Mars, and will be released by Twentieth Century Fox on November 25, 2015.

Wiig also recently finished production on Relativity's comedy, UNTITLED ARMORED CAR, in which she will star opposite Owen Wilson and Zach Galifianakis. Directed by Jared Hess and produced by John Goldwyn and Lorne Michaels, UNTITLED ARMORED CAR chronicles the true story of one of the biggest bank heists in American history in 1997 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Last year, Wiig starred in the IFC film HATESHIP LOVESHIP, alongside Guy Pearce, Nick Nolte, and Hailee Steinfeld. Based on the short story by the Nobel Prize winning Canadian author Alice Munroe, HATESHIP LOVESHIP is directed by Liza Johnson. In a dramatic turn, Wiig portrays Johanna, a shy, introverted housekeeper hired to care for Mr. McCauley (Nolte) and his granddaughter Sabitha (Steinfeld.) Through the act of a mean spirited joke, Johanna is forced to deal with the repercussions of falling in love with an illusion.

Also in 2014, Wiig starred in the critically acclaimed THE SKELETON TWINS, directed by Craig Johnson, starring opposite Bill Hader and Luke Wilson. THE SKELETON TWINS tells the story of twins Maggie (Wiig) and Milo (Hader) who cheat death, prompting them to reunite after ten years. Wiig received an Emmy nomination for her performance in the epic IFC television miniseries spoof, THE SPOILS OF BABYLON, written and directed by Matt Piedmont and Andrew Steele and executive produced by Will Ferrell. Wiig, starring opposite Tobey Maguire and Tim Robbins portrayed Cynthia Morehouse, the daughter of the rich and successful patriarch, Jonas Morehouse (Robbins.)

Also this year, Wiig completed production on three independent films, WELCOME TO ME, NASTY BABY and THE DIARY OF A TEENAGE GIRL. WELCOME TO ME, directed by Shira Piven (Fully Loaded) is produced by Wiig and Gary Sanchez productions and screened at this year's Toronto International Film Festival. The film tells the story of Alice Klieg (Wiig,) a woman with Borderline Personality Disorder who wins the lottery, quits her psychiatric medication and buys her own talk show. WELCOME TO ME follows a year in the life of this "extraordinary" woman, who, inspired by the immortal Oprah, broadcasts her dirty laundry as both a form of exhibitionism and a platform to share her peculiar views on life. Millennium will be distributing WELCOME TO ME in the Spring of 2015.NASTY BABY, written and directed by Sebastian Silva (Crystal Fairy,) chronicles the lives of a gay couple (Silva and Tunde Adebimpe) who embark on a failed mission to have a baby with the help of their best friend, Polly (Wiig.)

In 2013, Wiig starred in the THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY opposite Ben Stiller, who also produced and directed the film. Based on the 1939 short story by James Thurber, WALTER MITTY is a breathtaking look into the world of fantasy seen through the eyes of Walter (Stiller) and his daydream sequences. Wiig portrays Cheryl Melhoff, Walter's co-worker at Time Magazine who inspires him to take action into his own hands when their jobs are threatened. Also in December 2013, Wiig starred in the box office smash, ANCHORMAN TWO, THE LEGEND CONTINUES portraying Chani, opposite Steve Carell. Wiig also voiced the character of SexyKitten in the Oscar nominated film, HER. Last summer, Wiig voiced the character of Lucy in the Oscar nominated, DESPICABLE ME 2 starring opposite Steve Carell.

In 2012, Wiig finished her seventh and final season as a cast member on NBC's revered show SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE. During her time on SNL, Wiig received four Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, playing such memorable characters as the excitable Target Lady, Lawrence Welk singer Doonese, the irritating one-upper Penelope, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Suze Orman. In 2013, Wiig was nominated for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for her return as a host on the show earlier that year.

In 2011, Wiig starred in BRIDESMAIDS, which she co-wrote with Annie Mumolo, and for which they were nominated for an Academy Award, Writers Guild of America Award, and BAFTA Award for Best Original Screenplay. Directed by Paul Feig and produced by Wiig and Judd Apatow, BRIDESMAIDS is Apatow's highest-grossing production and is the top R-rated female comedy of all time. Wiig was also nominated for a Golden Globe for Lead Actress in a Comedy or Musical, along with the film being nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture — Comedy or Musical. The film also received a SAG nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture.

Other film credits include Apatow's KNOCKED UP; GIRL MOST LIKELY, directed by Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini, FRIENDS WITH KIDS, written and directed by Jennifer Westfeldt; Greg Mottola's PAUL and ADVENTURELAND, ALL GOOD THINGS with Ryan Gosling and Kirsten Dunst; MACGRUBER alongside Will Forte; Mike Judge's EXTRACT with Jason Bateman and Ben Affleck, Drew Barrymore's WHIP IT, David Keopp's GHOST TOWN and Jake Kasdan's WALK HARD, another Apatow-produced film in which she starred opposite John C. Reilly. Voice acting credits include the Cartoon Network's THE LOONEY TUNESSHOW, for which Wiig received an Emmy nomination, Fox's THE SIMPSONS and the animated feature films DESPICABLE ME (1 and 2) and HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON (1 and 2.) Wiig has also guest-starred in the NBC television series 30 ROCK, HBO's BORED TO DEATH, Netflix' ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT, Comedy Central's DRUNK HISTORY and IFC's FLIGHT OF THE CONCORDS and PORTLANDIA.

A native of Rochester, New York, Wiig began her career as a main company member of the Los Angeles-based improvisational and sketch comedy group, The Groundlings. Wiig currently resides in New York City.

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