Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere – A Captivating Biopic Premiering at NYFF
Scott Cooper’s highly anticipated biopic, Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere, featuring Jeremy Allen White, is set to debut as the Spotlight Gala selection at the New York Film Festival on September 28, with the legendary Bruce Springsteen himself in attendance.
Described by the festival as “a graceful, exceptionally moving film,” Cooper’s adaptation draws from Warren Zanes’s best-selling 2023 book, Deliver Me from Nowhere: The Making of Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska. This film explores a pivotal moment in the early 1980s when Springsteen, amidst the turbulence of rising fame, crafted the deeply personal acoustic songs that would culminate in his iconic album, Nebraska. At the same time, he was laying the groundwork for Born in the U.S.A., a project that would catapult him to global superstardom.
Set for theatrical release on October 24 by 20th Century Studios, the biopic delves into the intricacies of Springsteen’s songwriting while candidly addressing his familial challenges and personal struggles with depression. The New York Film Festival highlights that the film transcends being merely a showcase for its incandescent star; it serves as a poignant reminder of the profound humanity behind this larger-than-life rock icon.
The film features a talented supporting cast, including Jeremy Strong as Springsteen’s longtime manager and co-producer Jon Landau, alongside Stephen Graham and Gaby Hoffmann portraying his parents, with Paul Walter Hauser, David Krumholtz, and Odessa Young rounding out the ensemble. Produced by Cooper alongside Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, Eric Robinson, and Scott Stuber, with executive producers Tracey Landon and Zanes, the film promises an intimate look at the man behind the music.
Reflecting on the significance of the festival, Cooper stated, “The New York Film Festival has always felt like a spiritual home for the kind of cinema I believe in. Arriving with a film about Bruce Springsteen—an artist whose music has profoundly influenced my own storytelling—is a dream come true. Exploring Bruce’s world and connecting with his spirit has been one of the most enriching creative experiences of my life. Sharing this journey with New York audiences is both an honor and a responsibility that I hold with deep gratitude.”
Springsteen, who made occasional visits to the film set, has expressed his approval of the project. NYFF Artistic Director Dennis Lim praised the film, stating, “Taking its cue from the stark majesty of Bruce Springsteen’s classic album Nebraska, Scott Cooper’s Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere possesses an intimacy and immediacy that most film biographies lack. Anchored by Jeremy Allen White’s revelatory performance, this year’s Spotlight Gala selection is a fitting tribute to a living legend.”
The New York Film Festival’s 63rd edition runs from September 26 through October 13. Don’t miss the chance to experience this compelling exploration of one of music’s greatest icons.
For more information about the festival and its main slate selections, visit the official NYFF website.
