Travolta flies into Cannes with directorial debut

Star's Propeller One-Way Night Coach is based on his own book

by Amber Wilkinson

Propeller One-Way Night Coach
Propeller One-Way Night Coach Photo: Courtesy of Apple
John Travlota will bring his directorial debut, Propeller One-Way Night Coach to Cannes Film Festival this year.

The film is adapted by the Pulp Fiction and Grease star's own novel, published in 1997. Travolta will attend the screening of the Apple Original Film, which will be presented as part of the Cannes Premiere selection.

The book, written for Travolta's son, was Inspired by the star's childhood memories. Young aviation enthusiast Jeff (newcomer Clark Shotwell) and his mother (Kelly Eviston-Quinnett) set off on a one-way cross country odyssey to Hollywood, which transforms a simple flight into the trip of a lifetime. Between airline meals, charming flight attendants (Ella Bleu Travolta and Olga Hoffmann), unexpected stopovers, larger-than-life passengers, and a thrilling glimpse at first class, the journey unfolds in moments both magical and unexpected, charting the course for the boy’s future.

Travolta's performances have been presented three times at Cannes in the past, in Quentin Tarrantino's Palme d'Or winner Pulp Fiction in 1994, She's So Lovely, directed by Nick Cassavettes, in 1997 and, out of competition, in Mike Nichols' Primary Colors in 1998.

The 72-year-old has a lifelong passion for aviation, beginning flying at just 15 before obtaining his first pilot’s license at 22. His plane passion has even been used during his film career, as he took to the cockpit in Look Who's Talking (1989) and Broken Arrow (1996).

Propeller One-Way Night Coach is a production of John Travolta’s JTP Films Inc, and Kids At Play. The film is produced by John Travolta of JTP Productions, in addition to Jason Berger and Amy Laslett of Kids at Play. Following its premiere in Cannes, it will screen on Apple TV from May 29. The Cannes Film Festival will run from May 12 to 23.

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