Amazon Freevee has picked up its first original Christmas movie, Hotel for the Holidays. To star Madelaine Petsch and Aladdin star Mena Massoud as the romantic leads.The movie will premiere exclusively on Amazon Freevee in the U.S., UK and Germany on December 2.
Synopsis
Set in the Hotel Fontaine in New York City during Christmas. The holiday pic sees Georgia, played by Petsch, as a hotel manager who attracts eclectic guests looking for an escape from their everyday lives. But Georgia’s work and personal life becomes entangled when she is caught between the charming hotel chef Luke (Massoud) and a sophisticated ex-prince staying at the hotel.
Production
Hotel for the Holidays, produced by Brad Krevoy’s Motion Picture Corporation of America, will debut this holiday season exclusively on the Amazon Freevee streaming service in the U.S. and UK.
The ensemble cast includes Max Lloyd-Jones, Kayleigh Shikanai, Jami Belushi, Neil Crone and Jayne Eastwood (My Big Fat Greek Wedding) as Florence. Hotel for the Holidays is executive produced by Krevoy, Lorenzo Nardini, Amy Krell, David Anselmo, Susie Belzberg Krevoy and Ernie Barbarash.
The film is directed and executive produced by Ron Oliver, and written by Maggie Lane and Margarita Matthews.
Madelaine Petsch and Mena Massoud on Rom-Com ‘Hotel for the Holidays,’
What’s the appeal of making a holiday-centric romantic comedy?
Petsch: I’m a big Christmas fan. There’s a certain charm to holiday films, and a warmness that brings people together. I’m excited to make something that people come back to year after year and feel good when they watch. I also like that there’s a magic to holiday films that you wouldn’t necessarily find with other rom coms.
Massoud: I have a niece and a nephew. They’re young. I have another film coming out next year that they certainly can’t watch; I like to do family films that everybody can watch.
Both of your characters work in the service industry. Do you have experience with similar jobs?
Petsch: We’re both actors, so I think the answer is a solid “yes.” Am I correct about that, Mena?
Massoud: Yeah. I worked at a Mexican restaurant for three years in Toronto. My girlfriend and I have a gin company together, and I’m also an investor in some restaurants. I’m big in the food and beverage space.
Petsch: I used to work in a lot of different service positions. But when they wouldn’t let me go for an audition, I’d quit.
“Hotel for the Holidays” shakes up the Hallmark-esque formula of only casting straight white leads. Is it important for holiday films to have better representation?
Petsch: Absolutely. It’s important across the board for the industry to have representation. Holiday [movies] seem to be taking the longest to catch up. Putting together a cast of different kinds of people makes the story more rich and more interesting.
Massoud: Interracial relationships are becoming more prominent. I grew up in a very Egyptian community where Egyptians were just getting married to other Egyptians. With my generation, that’s definitely changing. Art should reflect real life.
What are your favorite Christmas movies?
Petsch: I’m personally a big fan of “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer,” which I know is aging me. I have that on VHS, and “Frosty the Snowman.” I don’t even know if you know what I’m talking about. They were two movies that were made in the 80s.
Massoud: “Home Alone: Lost in New York.” I grew up in Toronto, so that reminded me of home. And “The Grinch” with Jim Carrey is a good one.
How do you usually celebrate the holidays?
Massoud: I go to Hawaii. I know that sounds very anti-Christmas because of the climate, but we’ve made it a tradition. I’ve been enjoying that to relax because usually before that time, it’s really busy with work.
Petsch: It’s the only time I’m guaranteed to see my family, so I look forward to spending quality time with them. My mom and I bake the entire time. It’s the therapy that I need to reset into a new year.
Massoud: What?! You never told me that before. What are you baking?
Petsch: Oh, everything. I’ll send you photos this year. We go ham — ironically, because we’re vegan.
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Source: The Hollywood Reporter
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