Paramount Vantage has lept out of the gate this year with the release of materials for both of its fall awards hopefuls.  The trailer for "The Duchess" landed a few weeks ago, and now we get this look at Edward Zwick's "Defiance."

The film is based on the true story of three brothers that escaped Nazi-occupied Poland and joined Russian resistance forces in the Belarussian forest to protect themselves and others.  Daniel Craig, Liev Schreiber and Jamie Bell star.

Ed Zwick cinema has become something of a chore as of late.  Arguably lazy efforts like "The Last Samurai" and "Blood Diamond" didn't work on countless levels, but his films still manage to find a place during the Oscar season.  I don't expect "Defiance" to be any masterpiece, but I do get the feeling it might be somewhat more elevated material than we've seen out of the director in recent years.

This looks to be Vantage's lead pony in the 2008-2009 derby, though there is still the outside possibility the studio will pick up Barry Levinson's "What Just Happened?" at Sundance.  If that comes to pass, and the film works (it's an Art Linson lovechild that just might be a great piece of reflexive cinema), then strategies could certainly change.  Regardless, the studio's focus looks to be much more narrowed come next season, and I'm sure the awards consultants on Melrose are just fine with that.

Check out the 'Defiance' trailer at Yahoo! Movies.