An Iranian American woman navigating culture clash, an Argentine bank heist and an animated ghost story voiced by Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie debut this weekend with a handful of docs and some notable expansion, vying with Apple wide release Killers Of The Flower Moon.
Sony Pictures Classics The Persian Version opens on eight screens in NY, LA, Toronto and Vancouver today. The film by writer-director Maryam Keshavarz won both the Audience Award and the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award at Sundance where it premiered (Deadline review here). Her previous film Circumstance, about two teenage Iranian girls who fall in love, won the Audience Award too, in 2011, but the filmmaker hasn’t been able to return to Iran since.
The Persian Version stars Layla Mohammadi as Leila, Iranian-American like Keshavarz, and bisexual, striving to find balance and embrace her opposing cultures. When her family reunites in New York City for her father’s heart transplant,...
Sony Pictures Classics The Persian Version opens on eight screens in NY, LA, Toronto and Vancouver today. The film by writer-director Maryam Keshavarz won both the Audience Award and the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award at Sundance where it premiered (Deadline review here). Her previous film Circumstance, about two teenage Iranian girls who fall in love, won the Audience Award too, in 2011, but the filmmaker hasn’t been able to return to Iran since.
The Persian Version stars Layla Mohammadi as Leila, Iranian-American like Keshavarz, and bisexual, striving to find balance and embrace her opposing cultures. When her family reunites in New York City for her father’s heart transplant,...
- 10/20/2023
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Award-winning US producer and distributor Karin Chien, whose latest co-production, “Man in Black,” is one of two films by Chinese director Wang Bing running in Cannes’ official selection, shared her experience with the crowd during a masterclass at Cannes Docs, the Film Market section dedicated to documentary films.
“Man in Black” premiered at a special screening in Cannes on May 22. Wang’s other film selected in this year’s edition is main competition title “Youth.”
In the talk, moderated by Documentary Association of Europe co-founder Brigid O’Shea, Chien put on her distributor’s hat to talk about a job she said was “not pitched enough but [represented] some of the most meaningful work she [had] ever done.”
“To bring these films to the U.S., that otherwise would never have come here, to be able to connect the films with the audience and send every quarter back to the filmmakers – the...
“Man in Black” premiered at a special screening in Cannes on May 22. Wang’s other film selected in this year’s edition is main competition title “Youth.”
In the talk, moderated by Documentary Association of Europe co-founder Brigid O’Shea, Chien put on her distributor’s hat to talk about a job she said was “not pitched enough but [represented] some of the most meaningful work she [had] ever done.”
“To bring these films to the U.S., that otherwise would never have come here, to be able to connect the films with the audience and send every quarter back to the filmmakers – the...
- 5/23/2023
- by Lise Pedersen
- Variety Film + TV
Sundance hit “The Persian Version” is going to Sony Pictures Classics. The distributor has landed North American rights to the film in a competitive situation, SPC announced on Friday, adding the winner of the Audience Award in the U.S. Dramatic category to its slate. The film also picked up the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award (U.S. Dramatic Competition) at the 2023 festival.
Written, directed and produced by Maryam Keshavarz, “The Persian Version” follows an Iranian-American girl named Leila who struggles to balance her opposing cultures while visiting New York City for her father’s heart transplant.
“After two plus years of watching everything at home and in our PJs, I am excited to bring ‘The Persian Version’ to theaters where we can experience the joy and humor of this big rowdy immigrant American family together in a communal setting,” Keshavarz said in a statement. “Having grown up watching and loving SPC films,...
Written, directed and produced by Maryam Keshavarz, “The Persian Version” follows an Iranian-American girl named Leila who struggles to balance her opposing cultures while visiting New York City for her father’s heart transplant.
“After two plus years of watching everything at home and in our PJs, I am excited to bring ‘The Persian Version’ to theaters where we can experience the joy and humor of this big rowdy immigrant American family together in a communal setting,” Keshavarz said in a statement. “Having grown up watching and loving SPC films,...
- 2/3/2023
- by Adam Chitwood
- The Wrap
Sometimes it’s like they read your mind—or just notice upcoming releases as you do. Whatever the case, I’m thrilled that the release of Terence Davies’ Benediction played (I assume!) some part in a full retro on the Criterion Channel this June, sad as I know that package will make me and anybody else who comes within ten feet of it. It’s among a handful of career retrospectives: they’ve also set a 12-film Judy Garland series populated by Berkeley and Minnelli, ten from Ulrike Ottinger, and four by Billy Wilder. But maybe their most adventurous idea in some time is a huge microbudget collection ranging from Ulmer’s Detour to Joel Potrykus’ Buzzard, fellow success stories—Nolan, Linklater, Jarmusch, Jia Zhangke—spread about.
Criterion Editions continue with Bertrand Tavernier’s Round Midnight, Double Indemnity, and Seconds, while Chameleon Street, Karen Dalton: In My Own Time,...
Criterion Editions continue with Bertrand Tavernier’s Round Midnight, Double Indemnity, and Seconds, while Chameleon Street, Karen Dalton: In My Own Time,...
- 5/19/2022
- by Nick Newman
- The Film Stage
Prisoners of the Ghostland screenwriter/producer Reza Sixo Safai joins hosts Josh Olson and Joe Dante to discuss his wildest cinematic experiences.
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
Infested (2002)
The Howling (1981) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary, Randy Fuller’s wine pairings
Hollywood Boulevard (1976) – Jon Davison’s trailer commentary
Bela Lugosi Meets A Brooklyn Gorilla (1952) – Joe Dante’s trailer commentary
Prisoners of the Ghostland (2021)
Mandy (2018)
Candy (1968) – Glenn Erickson’s trailer commentary
S.O.B. (1981)
The Shining (1980) – Adam Rifkin’s trailer commentary
Robin Hood (1973)
The Story of Robin Hood (1952)
Modern Times (1936)
The Kid (1921)
The Deer (1974)
A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night (2014) – Allan Arkush’s trailer commentary
Qeysar (1969)
The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
The Warriors (1979)
New Jack City (1991)
Colors (1988)
The Whip And The Body (1963)
Blow Out (1981) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary
Porky’s (1981)
Cinema Paradiso (1988) – Glenn Erickson’s Region B Blu-ray review, Glenn Erickson’s 4K Blu-ray review
Circumstance (2011)
Ninja 3: The Domination (1984)
Flashdance (1983)
Debbie...
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
Infested (2002)
The Howling (1981) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary, Randy Fuller’s wine pairings
Hollywood Boulevard (1976) – Jon Davison’s trailer commentary
Bela Lugosi Meets A Brooklyn Gorilla (1952) – Joe Dante’s trailer commentary
Prisoners of the Ghostland (2021)
Mandy (2018)
Candy (1968) – Glenn Erickson’s trailer commentary
S.O.B. (1981)
The Shining (1980) – Adam Rifkin’s trailer commentary
Robin Hood (1973)
The Story of Robin Hood (1952)
Modern Times (1936)
The Kid (1921)
The Deer (1974)
A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night (2014) – Allan Arkush’s trailer commentary
Qeysar (1969)
The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
The Warriors (1979)
New Jack City (1991)
Colors (1988)
The Whip And The Body (1963)
Blow Out (1981) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary
Porky’s (1981)
Cinema Paradiso (1988) – Glenn Erickson’s Region B Blu-ray review, Glenn Erickson’s 4K Blu-ray review
Circumstance (2011)
Ninja 3: The Domination (1984)
Flashdance (1983)
Debbie...
- 11/9/2021
- by Kris Millsap
- Trailers from Hell
Joslyn Barnes and Chien’s first collaboration is an upcoming installation project by Academy Award nominee RaMell Ross.
Us independent producer Karin Chien is joining forces with New York-based Louverture Films.
Louverture was co-founded by Joslyn Barnes and Danny Glover along with partners Susan Rockefeller, Bertha Foundation and Sawsan Asfari; the company’s credits include Hale County This Morning, This Evening and Strong Island.
Chien has previously won the Cinereach Producing Award and Piaget Independent Spirit Producers Award and has worked on films including Circumstance, The Exploding Girl and Stones In The Sun.
The first collaboration planned between Barnes and...
Us independent producer Karin Chien is joining forces with New York-based Louverture Films.
Louverture was co-founded by Joslyn Barnes and Danny Glover along with partners Susan Rockefeller, Bertha Foundation and Sawsan Asfari; the company’s credits include Hale County This Morning, This Evening and Strong Island.
Chien has previously won the Cinereach Producing Award and Piaget Independent Spirit Producers Award and has worked on films including Circumstance, The Exploding Girl and Stones In The Sun.
The first collaboration planned between Barnes and...
- 2/18/2020
- by 1100142¦Wendy Mitchell¦0¦
- ScreenDaily
Green Book producer Participant has entered a multi-year distribution deal with sales outfit Kew Media Distribution to handle TV and digital rights on a selection of its future projects and library titles.
Participant works in the deal include the Oscar-nominated documentary Food, Inc.; the Emmy nominated Pressure Cooker; Sundance award winners 3 ½ Minutes, 12 Bullets and Circumstance; SXSW winner The Great Invisible; and feature doc The World According To Sesame Street.
Kew will also handle rights to a limited number of the company’s upcoming documentary and narrative feature films.
David Linde, Participant CEO, said: “We do all we can to ensure that our programming combines the power of a good story, well told, with opportunities for real world impact. Reaching audiences around the world is central to the success of our work, and we are thrilled to grow our network of world-class distribution partners by working with Kew.”
“Participant’s content...
Participant works in the deal include the Oscar-nominated documentary Food, Inc.; the Emmy nominated Pressure Cooker; Sundance award winners 3 ½ Minutes, 12 Bullets and Circumstance; SXSW winner The Great Invisible; and feature doc The World According To Sesame Street.
Kew will also handle rights to a limited number of the company’s upcoming documentary and narrative feature films.
David Linde, Participant CEO, said: “We do all we can to ensure that our programming combines the power of a good story, well told, with opportunities for real world impact. Reaching audiences around the world is central to the success of our work, and we are thrilled to grow our network of world-class distribution partners by working with Kew.”
“Participant’s content...
- 10/2/2019
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Kew Media Distribution has signed a multi-year distribution agreement with Participant, the L.A.-based company behind “Spotlight,” “Green Book” and “Roma,” to start handling global television and digital rights on some new projects from Participant.
As part of the deal, Kew Media will distribute Participant’s socially and politically engaged documentaries and narrative feature films, as well as content from Participant’s library.
Some titles listed in the deal include the Sundance Award winners “3-1/2 Minutes, Ten Bullets” and “Circumstance,” the Oscar-nominated documentary “Food, Inc.,” the Emmy-nominated “Pressure Cooker,” and the SXSW Festival winner “The Great Invisible” and “The World According to Sesame Street.”
“We do all we can to ensure that our programming combines the power of a good story, well-told, with opportunities for real world impact,” said David Linde, the CEO of Participant. “Reaching audiences around the world is central to the success of our work, and...
As part of the deal, Kew Media will distribute Participant’s socially and politically engaged documentaries and narrative feature films, as well as content from Participant’s library.
Some titles listed in the deal include the Sundance Award winners “3-1/2 Minutes, Ten Bullets” and “Circumstance,” the Oscar-nominated documentary “Food, Inc.,” the Emmy-nominated “Pressure Cooker,” and the SXSW Festival winner “The Great Invisible” and “The World According to Sesame Street.”
“We do all we can to ensure that our programming combines the power of a good story, well-told, with opportunities for real world impact,” said David Linde, the CEO of Participant. “Reaching audiences around the world is central to the success of our work, and...
- 10/2/2019
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Mohamed Siam, Emre Akay and Myriam El Hajj will be among the filmmakers heading to Turkey.
Mohamed Siam, Emre Akay and Myriam El Hajj will be among the filmmakers heading to Turkey for the 14th edition of the Meetings on the Bridge project meeting, running April 11-12 within the framework of the 38th Istanbul Film Festival (April 5-16).
Egyptian documentarian Mohamed Siam, whose last feature Amal opened the International Documentary Festival Amsterdam (Idfa) in 2017, will present his first fiction feature project, Blood And Honey (Carnaval).
Siam describes it as comedy mixing ingredients from Amal – which followed a young female revolutionary...
Mohamed Siam, Emre Akay and Myriam El Hajj will be among the filmmakers heading to Turkey for the 14th edition of the Meetings on the Bridge project meeting, running April 11-12 within the framework of the 38th Istanbul Film Festival (April 5-16).
Egyptian documentarian Mohamed Siam, whose last feature Amal opened the International Documentary Festival Amsterdam (Idfa) in 2017, will present his first fiction feature project, Blood And Honey (Carnaval).
Siam describes it as comedy mixing ingredients from Amal – which followed a young female revolutionary...
- 3/22/2019
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
Both an arthouse model of an old-school Lifetime movie and an unexpectedly tender take on A-list social-issue melodramas, Maryam Keshavarz’s Viper Club starts with Susan Sarandon’s frazzled, desperate mother looking directly into the camera. Or rather, “a” camera — one being held by folks out of frame, coaching her on how to properly address terrorists. She’s filming a ransom video to the men who have her grown son. He’s a war videographer, documenting the ongoing civil war in Syria; he’s also been taken hostage. So she...
- 10/26/2018
- by David Fear
- Rollingstone.com
The poster and trailer for “Viper Club” makes it look like a hard-driving thriller about a mother (Susan Sarandon) doing anything she can to free her journalist son from terrorists in Syria. That’s understandable from a marketing standpoint, but “Viper Club” is actually a low-key, elegantly structured drama about the price you need to pay in order to save people’s lives or ease their suffering.
Director Maryam Keshavarz (“Circumstance”), along with co-writer Jonathan Mastro, begins her film with a title that dedicates it to conflict journalists and human aid workers in war zones, and that same earnestness has gone into the film itself, which takes it time to set up Sarandon’s lead character, Helen, who works as an emergency-room nurse.
When the film begins, Helen’s son Andy has been missing for two and a half months. She is meeting with the FBI and trying to go...
Director Maryam Keshavarz (“Circumstance”), along with co-writer Jonathan Mastro, begins her film with a title that dedicates it to conflict journalists and human aid workers in war zones, and that same earnestness has gone into the film itself, which takes it time to set up Sarandon’s lead character, Helen, who works as an emergency-room nurse.
When the film begins, Helen’s son Andy has been missing for two and a half months. She is meeting with the FBI and trying to go...
- 10/24/2018
- by Dan Callahan
- The Wrap
An empathetic turn by Susan Sarandon as an anxious mother whose journalist son is being held hostage by overseas extremists is enough to hold together “Viper Club.” But it’s not quite enough to render this subject as compelling as it should be; the intimacy of the protagonist’s viewpoint also results in an isolated and monotonously apolitical look at a narrow civilian aspect of turbulent global politics.
YouTube Originals and Roadside Attractions plans a U.S. theatrical release on Oct. 26, and an awards campaign for the star could stir some interest. Yet this earnest drama, a second narrative feature for director/co-scribe Maryam Keshavarz (following 2011’s Iran-set “Circumstance”) feels like it would be most at home on the small screen.
Helen Sterling (Susan Sarandon) is a longtime ER nurse at an upstate New York hospital. She’s such a pro that she can handle her everyday duties and even...
YouTube Originals and Roadside Attractions plans a U.S. theatrical release on Oct. 26, and an awards campaign for the star could stir some interest. Yet this earnest drama, a second narrative feature for director/co-scribe Maryam Keshavarz (following 2011’s Iran-set “Circumstance”) feels like it would be most at home on the small screen.
Helen Sterling (Susan Sarandon) is a longtime ER nurse at an upstate New York hospital. She’s such a pro that she can handle her everyday duties and even...
- 9/12/2018
- by Dennis Harvey
- Variety Film + TV
If there’s one thing abundantly clear in Viper Club — which, despite a similar-sounding name, has absolutely nothing to do with the Los Angeles nightspot once owned by Johnny Depp — it’s that, in the event your child is ever kidnapped in Syria, the last thing you should do is rely on the U.S. government to get them out of there.
That’s the main take-away from this heartfelt if rather generically made drama from writer-director Maryam Keshavarz, whose provocative debut feature, Circumstance, was a sleeper hit back in 2011. This more mainstream sophomore effort stars Susan Sarandon ...
That’s the main take-away from this heartfelt if rather generically made drama from writer-director Maryam Keshavarz, whose provocative debut feature, Circumstance, was a sleeper hit back in 2011. This more mainstream sophomore effort stars Susan Sarandon ...
- 9/11/2018
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
If there’s one thing abundantly clear in Viper Club — which, despite a similar-sounding name, has absolutely nothing to do with the Los Angeles nightspot once owned by Johnny Depp — it’s that, in the event your child is ever kidnapped in Syria, the last thing you should do is rely on the U.S. government to get them out of there.
That’s the main take-away from this heartfelt if rather generically made drama from writer-director Maryam Keshavarz, whose provocative debut feature, Circumstance, was a sleeper hit back in 2011. This more mainstream sophomore effort stars Susan Sarandon ...
That’s the main take-away from this heartfelt if rather generically made drama from writer-director Maryam Keshavarz, whose provocative debut feature, Circumstance, was a sleeper hit back in 2011. This more mainstream sophomore effort stars Susan Sarandon ...
- 9/11/2018
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
YouTube Premium to air drama in 2019 after theatrical release.
YouTube has partnered with Roadside Attractions on the theatrical release of Susan Sarandon drama Viper Club, which receives its world premiere in Toronto next month.
Iranian-American Maryam Keshavarz directed the film, which also stars Matt Bomer, Lola Kirke, Adepero Oduye, Sheila Vand and Edie Falco.
Viper Club will open theatrically on October 26 and will be made available on YouTube Premium in 2019.
The story centres on a veteran ER nurse who discovers a clandestine community of journalists, philanthropists and advocates who might be able to help her free her war correspondent son...
YouTube has partnered with Roadside Attractions on the theatrical release of Susan Sarandon drama Viper Club, which receives its world premiere in Toronto next month.
Iranian-American Maryam Keshavarz directed the film, which also stars Matt Bomer, Lola Kirke, Adepero Oduye, Sheila Vand and Edie Falco.
Viper Club will open theatrically on October 26 and will be made available on YouTube Premium in 2019.
The story centres on a veteran ER nurse who discovers a clandestine community of journalists, philanthropists and advocates who might be able to help her free her war correspondent son...
- 8/15/2018
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
YouTube and Roadside Attractions will partner up to theatrically release “Viper Club” starring Susan Sarandon, Matt Bomer, Edie Falco and Lola Kirke.
“Viper Club” will premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival and will be released in theaters on Oct. 26, as well as being available on YouTube Premium next year.
The theatrical partnership is a left turn — and a traditional one — for the service, as only a year ago they were prepared to disrupt the release window with a splashy $3.5 million Sundance acquisition, TheWrap previously reported.
Also Read: Susan Sarandon Among 575 Arrested in Washington DC at Protest of Trump Immigration Policy
YouTube Red bought Morgan Spurlock’s “Super Size Me 2: Holy Chicken,” with the intent to stream the film exclusively on their service for 6 months, then split profits down the middle with Spurlock for Svod and international deals. Plans were scrapped after Spurlock posted a complicated account of a...
“Viper Club” will premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival and will be released in theaters on Oct. 26, as well as being available on YouTube Premium next year.
The theatrical partnership is a left turn — and a traditional one — for the service, as only a year ago they were prepared to disrupt the release window with a splashy $3.5 million Sundance acquisition, TheWrap previously reported.
Also Read: Susan Sarandon Among 575 Arrested in Washington DC at Protest of Trump Immigration Policy
YouTube Red bought Morgan Spurlock’s “Super Size Me 2: Holy Chicken,” with the intent to stream the film exclusively on their service for 6 months, then split profits down the middle with Spurlock for Svod and international deals. Plans were scrapped after Spurlock posted a complicated account of a...
- 8/15/2018
- by Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Wrap
YouTube is to launch Susan Sarandon-fronted thriller Viper Club theatrically after partnering with Roadside Attractions.
The Google-owned company has struck a deal with the Manchester By The Sea and Winter’s Bone distributor to launch Maryam Keshavarz’s drama in theaters on October 26 ahead of its debut on its YouTube Premium service in 2019.
The move marks a slight shift in strategy for YouTube, which has previously focused on launching titles online. While, for instance, it booked short runs for the Barbara Kopple doc This Is Everything: Gigi Gorgeous that it picked up, it had previously dismissed full theatrical runs for acquisitions.
Written by Iranian-American filmmaker Keshavarz and Jonathan Mastro, Viper Club, which has its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, stars Sarandon alongside Matt Bomer (Normal Heart), Lola Kirke (Gone Girl), Adepero Oduye (The Big Short), Sheila Vand (Argo) and Edie Falco (The Sopranos).
The film,...
The Google-owned company has struck a deal with the Manchester By The Sea and Winter’s Bone distributor to launch Maryam Keshavarz’s drama in theaters on October 26 ahead of its debut on its YouTube Premium service in 2019.
The move marks a slight shift in strategy for YouTube, which has previously focused on launching titles online. While, for instance, it booked short runs for the Barbara Kopple doc This Is Everything: Gigi Gorgeous that it picked up, it had previously dismissed full theatrical runs for acquisitions.
Written by Iranian-American filmmaker Keshavarz and Jonathan Mastro, Viper Club, which has its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, stars Sarandon alongside Matt Bomer (Normal Heart), Lola Kirke (Gone Girl), Adepero Oduye (The Big Short), Sheila Vand (Argo) and Edie Falco (The Sopranos).
The film,...
- 8/15/2018
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
YouTube inked a pact with Roadside Attractions to release “Viper Club,” Maryam Keshavarz’s drama starring Susan Sarandon, in U.S. theaters this fall — as Google sets its sights on a potential Oscar or Golden Globes win.
The film will debut at the Toronto International Film Festival (which runs Sept. 6-18) and will be released in theaters on Oct. 26, 2018. “Viper Club” will become available on YouTube Premium, the $9.99 subscription service, in 2019.
It’s the first YouTube original film to get a theatrical release. Roadside hasn’t set specific rollout plans for “Viper Club” (only in the U.S.) but the film will be positioned to take advantage of the awards-season corridor.
The film was previously called “Vulture Club” and the name was changed to “Viper Club” in the last few weeks. Asked why the title changed, a YouTube rep said only that the former was a working title.
Co-written by Keshavarz and Jonathan Mastro,...
The film will debut at the Toronto International Film Festival (which runs Sept. 6-18) and will be released in theaters on Oct. 26, 2018. “Viper Club” will become available on YouTube Premium, the $9.99 subscription service, in 2019.
It’s the first YouTube original film to get a theatrical release. Roadside hasn’t set specific rollout plans for “Viper Club” (only in the U.S.) but the film will be positioned to take advantage of the awards-season corridor.
The film was previously called “Vulture Club” and the name was changed to “Viper Club” in the last few weeks. Asked why the title changed, a YouTube rep said only that the former was a working title.
Co-written by Keshavarz and Jonathan Mastro,...
- 8/15/2018
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
YouTube Red is taking a tentative step toward becoming more like Amazon Studios with the announcement of an in-house production that it says will see a theatrical release.
Directed by Iranian-American writer-director Maryam Keshavarz (“Circumstance”), “Vulture Club” stars Susan Sarandon as an ER nurse whose co-workers have no idea that her journalist son has been taken hostage by terrorists. The film also stars Julian Morris (“Pretty Little Liars”), Edie Falco, and Matt Bomer. Producers are J.C. Chandor, Anna Gerb, and Neal Dodson.
While YouTube Red announced that principal photography is complete, details on how it plans to release it in theaters are slim.
“We don’t have any news to report on a theatrical partner at this stage, a YouTube Red representative said. “Perhaps later once we identify a partner.”
This would represent a significant strategy shift for the streaming service. Last year, YouTube Red booked its own one-week runs...
Directed by Iranian-American writer-director Maryam Keshavarz (“Circumstance”), “Vulture Club” stars Susan Sarandon as an ER nurse whose co-workers have no idea that her journalist son has been taken hostage by terrorists. The film also stars Julian Morris (“Pretty Little Liars”), Edie Falco, and Matt Bomer. Producers are J.C. Chandor, Anna Gerb, and Neal Dodson.
While YouTube Red announced that principal photography is complete, details on how it plans to release it in theaters are slim.
“We don’t have any news to report on a theatrical partner at this stage, a YouTube Red representative said. “Perhaps later once we identify a partner.”
This would represent a significant strategy shift for the streaming service. Last year, YouTube Red booked its own one-week runs...
- 3/21/2018
- by Jenna Marotta
- Indiewire
Film Independent has announced the producers selected for its 16th annual Producing Lab. Participating with a project they’re in the process of producing, the four-week program is designed to help the filmmakers develop their skills as independent producers.
Seven projects and a total of nine producers will participate, and through the Lab will develop a strategy and action plan to bring their project to life, as well as meet professionals who can advise them on their craft and the business of independent producing.
Read More: San Francisco Film Society Announces Fall 2016 Narrative Filmmaking Grant Finalists
This year’s Creative Advisors are Karin Chien (“Circumstance”), Heather Rae (“Tallulah”) and Daniel Wagner (“Miles Ahead”). Guest speakers include Charles Howard, Tri-Star Pictures President Hannah Minghella CAA Agents Maren Olson and Tristen Tuckfield, and Jason Berman (“The Birth of a Nation,” “Mediterranea”).
“We are thrilled to welcome this dynamic group of producers to the Lab.
Seven projects and a total of nine producers will participate, and through the Lab will develop a strategy and action plan to bring their project to life, as well as meet professionals who can advise them on their craft and the business of independent producing.
Read More: San Francisco Film Society Announces Fall 2016 Narrative Filmmaking Grant Finalists
This year’s Creative Advisors are Karin Chien (“Circumstance”), Heather Rae (“Tallulah”) and Daniel Wagner (“Miles Ahead”). Guest speakers include Charles Howard, Tri-Star Pictures President Hannah Minghella CAA Agents Maren Olson and Tristen Tuckfield, and Jason Berman (“The Birth of a Nation,” “Mediterranea”).
“We are thrilled to welcome this dynamic group of producers to the Lab.
- 10/25/2016
- by Liz Calvario
- Indiewire
The 14 finalists for the Spring 2016 San Francisco Film Society / Kenneth Rainin Foundation Filmmaking Grants highlight a remarkably diverse set of filmmakers, including The Coup vocalist and all-around polymath Boots Riley, making his directorial debut; Iranian American writer/director Maryam Keshavarz, winner of the 2011 Sundance Audience Award for "Circumstance"; and Oscar winner Rob Epstein ("The Times of Harvey Milk," "The Celluloid Closet"). More than $3 million has been awarded through the grant program since its inception in 2009. Winners also receive customized benefits through Filmmaker360, the San Francisco Film Society’s filmmaker services program, including one-on-one project consultations, project feedback, fundraising assistance, resource and service recommendations, and networking opportunities. Past recipients of the grant, awarded twice annually to one of more narrative features at various stages of production that...
- 1/20/2016
- by Matt Brennan
- Thompson on Hollywood
Applications for Women in Film's 2015 Finishing Fund grants will be accepted starting June 8 and until August 7, with winners being announced in November. Wif is a nonprofit organization that aids in efforts to facilitate creative projects by women in order to promote women's equality. Applications can be made for films that are by, for or about women, and can be of essentially any genre, from documentary to narrative, animated to experimental. Films can be of either short or feature length. The grants will be up to $25,000. Since its inception in 1985, the Fund has awarded more than $2 million worth of grants to over 220 films from around the world, including award-winners Grace Lee's "American Revolutionary: The Evolution of Grace Lee Boggs," Maryam Keshavarz's "Circumstance" and Khadjija Alsalami's "I Am Nojoom, Age 10 and Divorced." The online application can be accessed at...
- 6/5/2015
- by Meredith Mattlin
- Indiewire
Currently in set up mode with her sophomore feature, after having premiered at the 2013 Tribeca Film Festival and winning the inaugural Nora Ephron Award, Meera Menon’s Farah Goes Bang finally drops on iTunes and VOD next week (April 10th). Set during the pre 2014 United States presidential election era, Nikohl Boosheri (of Maryam Keshavarz’s Circumstance fame) stars in the titular role of Farah. In the exclusive clip below, she meets an enlightened Walter (Lyman Ward) who offers philosophical front porch insight on family, lineage and hope.
- 4/2/2015
- by Eric Lavallee
- IONCINEMA.com
There’s an alive indie American-Iranian cinema movement in the Us, and if the Keshavarz name rings a bell it’s because the indie film fest circuit is home to siblings Maryam and Hossein. Maryam, now going by what we imagine is her married name Azadi, broke out in Park City with 2011 Sundance Audience Award Winner Circumstance, and before she made her mark it was her brother who received the limelight with 2011′s Dog Sweat, the “Someone to Watch” Film Independent Spirit Award nominated film that received its premiere at 2010′s Laff. Shot in New York City, his sophomore film, Pebble of Love in the Shoe of My Life was actually shot in the summer of 2013, and has been on a slow, but steady pace towards a ’15 premiere. Benefitting from some Kickstarter coin, Tribeca All Access awards funds, this was recently invited to the Us in Progress Champs-Élysées Film Festival...
- 11/13/2014
- by Eric Lavallee
- IONCINEMA.com
The Los Angeles Film Festival has revealed its jurors for the 2014 summer festival, its 20th, which runs from Wednesday, June 11 to Thursday, June 19 in downtown Los Angeles. The narrative jury:Writer-director Destin Daniel Cretton, whose "Short Term 12" won the Laff Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature in 2013Veteran producer Stuart Cornfeld ("Zoolander," "The Fly") Film critic Ella Taylor (NPR, Elle) The documentary jury:Editor Lynzee Klingman ("Hearts and Minds") Director Margaret Brown ("The Great Invisible," "The Order Of Myths")Film critic and author Justin Chang (Variety) The La Muse jury:Composer-singer-songwriter Kathryn Bostic ("Middle of Nowhere," "Dear White People")Writer-director,-producer Maryam Keshavarz ("Circumstance") Nicole Bernard, Executive Vice President at Laff sponsor Fox Audience Strategy Director Kevin Bray ("Walking Tall") The shorts jury:Writer-actor-director Todd Berger ("It’s a Disaster,"...
- 6/9/2014
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
Applications are now being accepted through June 6 for the Women In Film Foundation’s 2014 Film Finishing Fund grants. Women In Film will give up to $15,000 in cash, in-kind and consultation grants for the selected entries. Since its inception 29 years ago, the Film Finishing Fund has awarded more than $2 million worth of grants to over 170 films from all over the world. The Film Finishing Fund has an impressive track record selecting films for completion that went on to win major awards, distribution and network deals, including:-Cynthia Wade’s Freeheld, the 2008 Academy Award-winner for Best Documentary Short Subject-Freida Lee Mock’s Maya Lin: A Strong Clear Vision, the 1994 Academy Award-winner for Best Documentary-Esther Robinson’s A Walk Into The Sea: Danny Williams and the Warhol Factory, 2007 Teddy Award Winner at the Berlin Film Festival-Maryam Keshavarz’s Circumstance, the 2011 Sundance Audience Award winnerWinners will be announced in October 2014. More info on.
- 3/17/2014
- by Beth Hanna
- Thompson on Hollywood
He made his splash on the Croisette (2010′s Directors’ Fortnight) with the exquisite, almost dialogue-less Two Gates of Sleep (Brady Corbet and David Call pairing) and now comes word/confirmation that filmmaker Alistair Banks Griffin has two projects in the works. His Therese was part of the 2013 Berlinale Residency (names such as Sebastián Lelio and the talented Elina Psykou also had projects) and Snow The Jones just received coin (which takes care of rent and filling up the fridge for a good year) in the shape of the 2013 San Francisco Film Society/Hearst Screenwriting Grant which was voted on by Tom Grievson (Sffs director of communications), filmmakers Ian Hendrie and Maryam Keshavarz (Circumstance) and Michele Turnure-Salleo (Sffs director of Filmmaker360).
Gist: Snow The Jones is about a teenage vagabond who joins a door-to-door sales crew and discovers. It is described as “an experiential trip into a dark side of the...
Gist: Snow The Jones is about a teenage vagabond who joins a door-to-door sales crew and discovers. It is described as “an experiential trip into a dark side of the...
- 10/30/2013
- by Eric Lavallee
- IONCINEMA.com
Now that Kodak is out of bankruptcy, it wants to reassure filmmakers that they are still in the business of making movies. "We will be making film for the forseeable future," Bob Mastronardi, sales and technical manager, Kodak, said yesterday during "Want the Film Look? Shoot Film," a Kodak-sponsored panel during Ifp Film Week. "I want to reinforce the fact that film is still here and we are still here." Despite the prevalence (and affordability) of digital, there are still films being shot on film, including some of the best indies of recent years, such as "Beasts of the Southern Wild, "Fruitvale Station," and "Blue Jasmine." "In this day of everything digital, it seems like film is never even considered," said Mastronardi. "If you are interested in doing your project on film, you should consider film." The panelists included cinematographer Brian Rigney Hubbard ("Circumstance"), producer Nekisa Cooper ("Pariah"), cinematographer Brett Jutkiewicz ("Daddy Longlegs") and director.
- 9/18/2013
- by Paula Bernstein
- Indiewire
In the new indie, "Farah Goes Bang," making its world premiere at the upcoming Tribeca Film Festival, "Circumstance" star Nikohl Boosheri plays the titular Farah, a woman trying to lose her virginity while on the road campaigning for John Kerry in 2004 with her friends. Farah and her friends K.J. and Roopa follow the campaign trail across historic Route 66 on their way to Ohio, the central battleground state of 2004, seizing control of this charged moment in their lives and the life of their country. According to its director Meera Menon, "'Farah' updates the American tradition of the Western, telling a new trail story, in a diverse, powerful and hilarious female way." Take a look at the trailer below, exclusive to Indiewire.
- 4/4/2013
- by Cristina A. Gonzalez
- Indiewire
Tags: Morning BrewJanuary JonesRachel MaddowJada Pinkett SmithJenna WolfeIMDb
Good morning!
NBC correspondent Jenna Wolfe has begun blogging about her mommy-to-be experiences for Today.com and she wrote that she has received "a few nasty notes" after coming out, but mostly a lot of support. That includes the network, too, who says her recent demotion actually came before she made her lesbian/pregnancy announcement.
Rapper Busta Rhymes hurled some nasty insults at out lesbian Stephanie Vitori when she was unhappy with his service at her Miami burger franchise. Wtf?
Jada Pinkett Smith said she'd support her kids Jaden or Willow if they came out as gay. I'd love Jada to be my mom. I'd be like "Remember when you were in Set it Off?"
January Jones told The Evening Standard that, had she lived in the Mad Men era, she'd probably have been gay.
I wouldn't cope very well. I'm a very independent person,...
Good morning!
NBC correspondent Jenna Wolfe has begun blogging about her mommy-to-be experiences for Today.com and she wrote that she has received "a few nasty notes" after coming out, but mostly a lot of support. That includes the network, too, who says her recent demotion actually came before she made her lesbian/pregnancy announcement.
Rapper Busta Rhymes hurled some nasty insults at out lesbian Stephanie Vitori when she was unhappy with his service at her Miami burger franchise. Wtf?
Jada Pinkett Smith said she'd support her kids Jaden or Willow if they came out as gay. I'd love Jada to be my mom. I'd be like "Remember when you were in Set it Off?"
January Jones told The Evening Standard that, had she lived in the Mad Men era, she'd probably have been gay.
I wouldn't cope very well. I'm a very independent person,...
- 4/4/2013
- by trishbendix
- AfterEllen.com
All are first features by wildly original voices who are remixing potent multi-cultural heritage and inventing their own unique brand of genre. So much talent! Makes this Chicanita so proud!
Let’s start with numero uno:
1. Water & Power – from Chicano wordsmith warrior and Culture Clash iconoclast, Richard J. Montoya and produced by Mark Roberts. This is the screen adaptation of Montoya's 2006 play originally performed at the Mark Taper Forum in La. Rife with The City of Angels' legends, haunts and lore, the Chicano noir tale (how cool is that?) takes place over the course of one fateful night. An intense story centered on twin brothers nicknamed “Water” played by Enrique Murciano and “Power” played by Nicolas Gonzalez who were born and raised on the East Side streets playground - one grows up to be a senator and the other a high ranking cop. The young gifted musical artist and composer Gingger Shankar (Circumstance, Charlie Wilson's War) has contributed music to the film. The project participated in the 2007 Sundance Institute screenwriters & directors lab. A madly prolific playwright (a regular Berkeley and Yale Repertory Theatre collaborator), I got a chance to see Montoya's uproarious American history redux play, American Night: The Ballad of Juan Jose last fall (read the La Weekly feature review here). An uncompromising artist with a thundering voice all over the culture pop pulse, Montoya's first feature film tops my list of films to watch out for in 2013. Can. Not. Wait.
Like the Facebook page to stay on top of future premiere announcements and here's a pic on Mark Roberts website
Film contact: <mark@robertsdavid.com>
2. Pardon – written and directed by R.F. Rodriguez and produced by his production company BadMansSon. A story that deals with a cholo ex-con who returns to his barrio in Highland Park and sets to go on the straight and narrow but soon finds himself pulled by his old gang familia may sound familiar, but never has it been as emotionally excavated and depicted with such sensitivity and complexity. Hector Atreyu Ruizis Saul Sanchez whose driving motivation is the chance to reunite with his estranged daughter. Guided by a sympathetic parole officer, played by Tracey Heggins (from the 2008 indie African-American gem (Medicine for Melancholy), Saul tackles catch-22 circumstances towards his mission and confronts growing uneasiness from his vatos who continue to test if he's still down. At its core the film is an exploration about fatherhood and home, in particular highlighting the social phenomenon of absentee fathers because they are behind bars, an issue predominantly afflicting Latino families and communities.
Rodriguez, a USC film school grad, made the feature before graduating, having fleshed the story further out of the short film he made of the same name. His project mentor, Patricia Cardoso (Real Women Have Curves) encouraged him to do more with it and this is the amazing result. With earnest and raw performances, the moving and powerfully directed film marks this a sign of a true filmmaker talent discovery.
Website, Twitter
Film contact <contact@badmansson.com>
3. Recommended By Enrique written and directed by Daniel Garcia and Rania Attieh and produced by their NY based company En Passant Films. Shot in border town Del Rio, Texas (the U.S. side of the Rio Grande) with an offbeat hipster cast of young non-professionals plucked locally, the quirky, mystical tale is about an aspiring actress and an old cowboy who each arrive into town with respective plans and expectations, only to end up waiting for something to happen. Forced to wait out their time, they've nothing to do but explore the bewitching town and its people. Lino Varela plays the Cowboy and Sarah Swinwood, a Canadian newcomer actress nails the airhead wannabe star.
This is the second feature film from Texas native Daniel Garcia and Lebanese born Rania. Their first film, Ok, Enough, Goodbye screened at San Francisco International Film Festival among other world wide festivals, and the duo were included in 2011's Filmmaker Magazine’s 25 New Faces of Independent Film. Undertones of a Twilight Zone type of dimension and the spellbinding pull of the dusty town are perfect captured - as anyone who's been in these strange little Texas towns can attest. An unexpected, unpredictable and ultimately lyrical film, this definitely gets my recommendation.
Website, Facebook
Film contact < info@recommendedbyenrique.com>
4. Vincent & Luzy (Fka On the Run) written and directed by Alberto Barboza and produced by Cinético Productions. A charming, hip and modern fairy tale love story between a soulful graffiti artist,Vincent, played by Miguel Angel Caballero, and sexy tattoo artist, Luz, or Luzy played by Iliana Carter Ramirez. The film captures and romanticizes the happening, multi-culti rockabilly/emo scene and counter culture of Boyle Heights and Echo Parque, and features lots of home grown talent and spots like Self Help Graphics, the community visual arts mission center. The posters created by Vincent in the film are designed by La native, rising street artist, El Mac (Miles MacGregor). You'll recognize some of his murals around La like this one on Hollywood and Wilton, one of my favorites. He just did the album cover for No Doubt.
An eclectic soundtrack featuring local Vallenato band, Very Be Careful, Hermanos Herrera, Irene Diaz, Doghouse Lords and more. The cast also includes ol' G', Sal Lopez (American Me) and Lupe Ontiveros in what may be her last film role before she passed away last year (she also has a small role in Water & Power).
Fresh, exuberant and inhabiting a distinct, heightened magical street reality, Vincent & Luzy might be the first film to truly reflect this young, vibrant artist subculture, making this one a hot to track.
Film contact: info@CineticoProductions.com
Website
5. Blaze You Out – written and directed by Mateo Frazier and Diego Joaquin Lopez and produced by Alicia J. Keyes. Set in the rarely seen mystic world of New Mexico, this young female driven thriller is uniquely atmospheric. Starring the rising young talent, Veronica Diaz Carranza (Mamitas) along with Elizabeth Pena, Q'orianka Kilcher and Raoul Trujillo, all who ignite the screen. Diaz stars as Lupe, a DJ who is forced to venture into her town's heroin trade underworld in order to save her younger sister Alicia's life. To do so she must confront mysterious occult figures and harness the power within her to connect with the divine that surrounds her.
I was thrilled to hear that Lionsgate picked up the film at Afm a couple months ago. Lionsgate/Grindstone will release the film July 2013. 6 Sales is handling rights to rest of world. Intense and wicked and unlike anything else this is a film to look forward to. In the meantime, check out the press kit, pics and more on their site.
Website, Facebook
Must Mention
Chavez – written and directed by Diego Luna and produced by Canana Films, Mr. Mudd and backed by Participant Media. The biography of an iconic Chicano figure, labor rights activist Cesar Chavez, and Luna, who is an international name talent, has obviously been given major press coverage ever since it was first announced so it doesn't really fit my 'Discovery' profile. That said, it is a highly anticipated and eagerly awaited film. I truly hope the film opens wide and mainstream - although Participant will likely need a partner to make this happen in the U.S. Michael Peña, the Puerto Rican actor catapulting towards leading man roles and more regularly Hollywood roles (he's also in Gangster Squad opening this weekend), embodies a young Chavez. It wasn’t quite ready for Sundance so it’s possible the film will bow at a high profile festival like Cannes or Toronto. Although I'm hoping Stephanie Allain, director of Film Independent's La Film Festival will go hard after the film to wrangle what would be a fitting La gala premiere. Diego Luna proved his salt as the filmmaker of Abel, an eloquent and heart-stirring portrait of a little delusional boy who pretends to be the man of the house since his father left. Peña recently shared his approach was to be truthful to Cesar the Man not necessarily the legend or myth generated by his colossal perseverance and labor rights feats. All eyes will be on the representation of such a querido and influential figure. My bet? All in. I trust the filmmakers and cast will deliver a resonant and accomplished cinematic film worthy of the inspiring civil rights story, and more importantly re-introduce Chavez to mobilize our millennial generation.
Do you have a hot independent American Latino film recommendation I should track? Holler at your girl. Email me at chicanafromchicago@gmail.com
Next up, Non-Fiction American Latino films to track in 2013...
Let’s start with numero uno:
1. Water & Power – from Chicano wordsmith warrior and Culture Clash iconoclast, Richard J. Montoya and produced by Mark Roberts. This is the screen adaptation of Montoya's 2006 play originally performed at the Mark Taper Forum in La. Rife with The City of Angels' legends, haunts and lore, the Chicano noir tale (how cool is that?) takes place over the course of one fateful night. An intense story centered on twin brothers nicknamed “Water” played by Enrique Murciano and “Power” played by Nicolas Gonzalez who were born and raised on the East Side streets playground - one grows up to be a senator and the other a high ranking cop. The young gifted musical artist and composer Gingger Shankar (Circumstance, Charlie Wilson's War) has contributed music to the film. The project participated in the 2007 Sundance Institute screenwriters & directors lab. A madly prolific playwright (a regular Berkeley and Yale Repertory Theatre collaborator), I got a chance to see Montoya's uproarious American history redux play, American Night: The Ballad of Juan Jose last fall (read the La Weekly feature review here). An uncompromising artist with a thundering voice all over the culture pop pulse, Montoya's first feature film tops my list of films to watch out for in 2013. Can. Not. Wait.
Like the Facebook page to stay on top of future premiere announcements and here's a pic on Mark Roberts website
Film contact: <mark@robertsdavid.com>
2. Pardon – written and directed by R.F. Rodriguez and produced by his production company BadMansSon. A story that deals with a cholo ex-con who returns to his barrio in Highland Park and sets to go on the straight and narrow but soon finds himself pulled by his old gang familia may sound familiar, but never has it been as emotionally excavated and depicted with such sensitivity and complexity. Hector Atreyu Ruizis Saul Sanchez whose driving motivation is the chance to reunite with his estranged daughter. Guided by a sympathetic parole officer, played by Tracey Heggins (from the 2008 indie African-American gem (Medicine for Melancholy), Saul tackles catch-22 circumstances towards his mission and confronts growing uneasiness from his vatos who continue to test if he's still down. At its core the film is an exploration about fatherhood and home, in particular highlighting the social phenomenon of absentee fathers because they are behind bars, an issue predominantly afflicting Latino families and communities.
Rodriguez, a USC film school grad, made the feature before graduating, having fleshed the story further out of the short film he made of the same name. His project mentor, Patricia Cardoso (Real Women Have Curves) encouraged him to do more with it and this is the amazing result. With earnest and raw performances, the moving and powerfully directed film marks this a sign of a true filmmaker talent discovery.
Website, Twitter
Film contact <contact@badmansson.com>
3. Recommended By Enrique written and directed by Daniel Garcia and Rania Attieh and produced by their NY based company En Passant Films. Shot in border town Del Rio, Texas (the U.S. side of the Rio Grande) with an offbeat hipster cast of young non-professionals plucked locally, the quirky, mystical tale is about an aspiring actress and an old cowboy who each arrive into town with respective plans and expectations, only to end up waiting for something to happen. Forced to wait out their time, they've nothing to do but explore the bewitching town and its people. Lino Varela plays the Cowboy and Sarah Swinwood, a Canadian newcomer actress nails the airhead wannabe star.
This is the second feature film from Texas native Daniel Garcia and Lebanese born Rania. Their first film, Ok, Enough, Goodbye screened at San Francisco International Film Festival among other world wide festivals, and the duo were included in 2011's Filmmaker Magazine’s 25 New Faces of Independent Film. Undertones of a Twilight Zone type of dimension and the spellbinding pull of the dusty town are perfect captured - as anyone who's been in these strange little Texas towns can attest. An unexpected, unpredictable and ultimately lyrical film, this definitely gets my recommendation.
Website, Facebook
Film contact < info@recommendedbyenrique.com>
4. Vincent & Luzy (Fka On the Run) written and directed by Alberto Barboza and produced by Cinético Productions. A charming, hip and modern fairy tale love story between a soulful graffiti artist,Vincent, played by Miguel Angel Caballero, and sexy tattoo artist, Luz, or Luzy played by Iliana Carter Ramirez. The film captures and romanticizes the happening, multi-culti rockabilly/emo scene and counter culture of Boyle Heights and Echo Parque, and features lots of home grown talent and spots like Self Help Graphics, the community visual arts mission center. The posters created by Vincent in the film are designed by La native, rising street artist, El Mac (Miles MacGregor). You'll recognize some of his murals around La like this one on Hollywood and Wilton, one of my favorites. He just did the album cover for No Doubt.
An eclectic soundtrack featuring local Vallenato band, Very Be Careful, Hermanos Herrera, Irene Diaz, Doghouse Lords and more. The cast also includes ol' G', Sal Lopez (American Me) and Lupe Ontiveros in what may be her last film role before she passed away last year (she also has a small role in Water & Power).
Fresh, exuberant and inhabiting a distinct, heightened magical street reality, Vincent & Luzy might be the first film to truly reflect this young, vibrant artist subculture, making this one a hot to track.
Film contact: info@CineticoProductions.com
Website
5. Blaze You Out – written and directed by Mateo Frazier and Diego Joaquin Lopez and produced by Alicia J. Keyes. Set in the rarely seen mystic world of New Mexico, this young female driven thriller is uniquely atmospheric. Starring the rising young talent, Veronica Diaz Carranza (Mamitas) along with Elizabeth Pena, Q'orianka Kilcher and Raoul Trujillo, all who ignite the screen. Diaz stars as Lupe, a DJ who is forced to venture into her town's heroin trade underworld in order to save her younger sister Alicia's life. To do so she must confront mysterious occult figures and harness the power within her to connect with the divine that surrounds her.
I was thrilled to hear that Lionsgate picked up the film at Afm a couple months ago. Lionsgate/Grindstone will release the film July 2013. 6 Sales is handling rights to rest of world. Intense and wicked and unlike anything else this is a film to look forward to. In the meantime, check out the press kit, pics and more on their site.
Website, Facebook
Must Mention
Chavez – written and directed by Diego Luna and produced by Canana Films, Mr. Mudd and backed by Participant Media. The biography of an iconic Chicano figure, labor rights activist Cesar Chavez, and Luna, who is an international name talent, has obviously been given major press coverage ever since it was first announced so it doesn't really fit my 'Discovery' profile. That said, it is a highly anticipated and eagerly awaited film. I truly hope the film opens wide and mainstream - although Participant will likely need a partner to make this happen in the U.S. Michael Peña, the Puerto Rican actor catapulting towards leading man roles and more regularly Hollywood roles (he's also in Gangster Squad opening this weekend), embodies a young Chavez. It wasn’t quite ready for Sundance so it’s possible the film will bow at a high profile festival like Cannes or Toronto. Although I'm hoping Stephanie Allain, director of Film Independent's La Film Festival will go hard after the film to wrangle what would be a fitting La gala premiere. Diego Luna proved his salt as the filmmaker of Abel, an eloquent and heart-stirring portrait of a little delusional boy who pretends to be the man of the house since his father left. Peña recently shared his approach was to be truthful to Cesar the Man not necessarily the legend or myth generated by his colossal perseverance and labor rights feats. All eyes will be on the representation of such a querido and influential figure. My bet? All in. I trust the filmmakers and cast will deliver a resonant and accomplished cinematic film worthy of the inspiring civil rights story, and more importantly re-introduce Chavez to mobilize our millennial generation.
Do you have a hot independent American Latino film recommendation I should track? Holler at your girl. Email me at chicanafromchicago@gmail.com
Next up, Non-Fiction American Latino films to track in 2013...
- 1/10/2013
- by Christine Davila
- Sydney's Buzz
Chicago – The 48th Annual Chicago International Film Festival boasts one of the starriest opening nights in its history, with Al Pacino, Christopher Walken, Alan Arkin and Jon Bon Jovi all scheduled to walk the red carpet for the October 11th world premiere of Fisher Stevens’ crime comedy, “Stand Up Guys.” Yet that is far from the only picture worthy of attention at the year’s festival. Here are the highlights of the opening weekend covering October 11th to October 14th, 2012 (stay tuned on the 15th and 18th for more highlights).
Throughout the festival, Hollywood Chicago will be showcasing various films that deserve to not be overlooked. The opening act of this year’s Ciff includes a mind-bending fantasy that caused a sensation at Cannes and a riveting Wisconsin-set documentary that offers an unforgettable microcosm of the financial crisis. Also screening are the latest buzzed-about titles from directors including Romanian auteur Cristian Mungiu (“4 Months,...
Throughout the festival, Hollywood Chicago will be showcasing various films that deserve to not be overlooked. The opening act of this year’s Ciff includes a mind-bending fantasy that caused a sensation at Cannes and a riveting Wisconsin-set documentary that offers an unforgettable microcosm of the financial crisis. Also screening are the latest buzzed-about titles from directors including Romanian auteur Cristian Mungiu (“4 Months,...
- 10/11/2012
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Sundance Institute has hired Paul Federbush to become International Director, Feature Film Program (Ffp), a highly sought-after job which Alesia Weston left open when she left in May to become Executive Director of the Jerusalem Film Centre and Fesival. Federbush began September 24 and is reporting to Michelle Satter, Founding Director, Feature Film Program.
Paul is already reaching out into new geographic areas searching for those filmmakers who have the greatest potential for making a brand new mark on the worldwide film business. His responsibility is the planning and execution of the international work of Sundance Institute’s Feature Film Program which includes year round support for International artists through Labs, granting, and ongoing mentorship providing creative and tactical support. Federbush will oversee international Labs in collaboration with local partners in the Middle East and India, outreach and discover new international filmmakers and projects, steward programs such as the Sundance Institute|Mahindra Global Filmmaking Award and Sundance| Nhk Award, and support the international artists participating in the annual Sundance Labs in Utah. In addition he will develop opportunities to further advance and broaden the scope of the Ffp’s International initiative.
We congratulate Paul and are proud to be able to say that we have known him since his early days at Fine Line. Federbush is a seasoned production, acquisition, and distribution executive with eighteen years of experience in the entertainment industry. Most recently Federbush, along with partner Laura Kim, started a distribution company, Red Flag Releasing. Prior to forming Red Flag, Federbush served as Senior Vice President of Production and Acquisitions at Warner Independent Pictures where he oversaw the acquisition, production, and development of projects including Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire, and Hany Abu Assad’s Paradise Now.
For nearly three decades, Sundance Institute has promoted independent storytelling to inform and inspire audiences across political, social, religious and cultural differences. Through Labs, direct artist granting, special projects with key partners and the Sundance Film Festival, the Institute serves as the leading advocate for independent artists worldwide. Sundance Institute Feature Film Program Over its 30-year history, the Sundance Institute Feature Film Program has supported an extensive list of award-winning and groundbreaking independent films.
Ffp films currently in the marketplace include Benh Zeitlin and Lucy Alibar’s Beasts of the Southern Wild (winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival), Craig Zobel’s Compliance, Mike Birbiglia and Seth Barrish’s Sleepwalk With Me, Todd Louiso and Sarah Koskoff’s Hello I Must Be Going, and Ira Sachs’ Keep the Lights On. Recent international Ffp films include Sally El Hosaini’s My Brother the Devil, Andrei Zyvagintsev’s Elena, Edwin’s Postcards from the Zoo, Alejandro Landes’ Porfirio, and the festival films Haifaa Al Mansour’s Wadjda and Ziad Douieri’s L’Attack.Additional notable films supported over the program’s history include Sean Durkin’s Martha Marcy May Marlene, Dee Rees’ Pariah, Maryam Keshavarz’s Circumstance, Cherien Dabis' Amreeka, Cary Fukunaga's Sin Nombre, Fernando Eimbcke's Lake Tahoe, Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden’s Half Nelson, Andrea Arnold's Red Road, Miranda July’s Me and You and Everyone We Know, Hany Abu-Assad’s Paradise Now, Debra Granik’s Down to the Bone, Josh Marston’s Maria Page 2 Full of Grace, Lisa Cholodenko’s Laurel Canyon, Peter Sollett’s Raising Victor Vargas, John Cameron Mitchell’s Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Darren Aronofsky’s Requiem for a Dream, Kimberly Peirce’s Boys Don't Cry, Lucrecia Martel’s La Cienaga, Walter Salles’ Central Station, Chris Eyre and Sherman Alexie’s Smoke Signals, Nicole Holofcener’s Walking and Talking, Allison Anders' Mi Vida Loca, Paul Thomas Anderson’s Hard Eight, Tamara Jenkins’ Slums of Beverly Hills, and Quentin Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs.
Sundance Institute Sundance Institute is a global nonprofit organization founded by Robert Redford in 1981. Through its programs for directors, screenwriters, producers, composers and playwrights, the Institute seeks to discover and support independent film and theatre artists from the United States and around the world, and to introduce audiences to their new work. The Institute promotes independent storytelling to inform, inspire, and unite diverse populations around the globe. Internationally recognized for its annual Sundance Film Festival, Sundance Institute has nurtured such projects as Born into Brothels, Trouble the Water, Son of Babylon, Amreeka, An Inconvenient Truth, Spring Awakening, Light in the Piazza and Angels in America, and through its New Frontier initiative, has brought the cinematic works of media artists including Pipilotti Rist, Doug Aitken, Pierre Huyghe, Jennifer Steinkamp, and Matthew Barney . Join Sundance Institute on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. # # #...
Paul is already reaching out into new geographic areas searching for those filmmakers who have the greatest potential for making a brand new mark on the worldwide film business. His responsibility is the planning and execution of the international work of Sundance Institute’s Feature Film Program which includes year round support for International artists through Labs, granting, and ongoing mentorship providing creative and tactical support. Federbush will oversee international Labs in collaboration with local partners in the Middle East and India, outreach and discover new international filmmakers and projects, steward programs such as the Sundance Institute|Mahindra Global Filmmaking Award and Sundance| Nhk Award, and support the international artists participating in the annual Sundance Labs in Utah. In addition he will develop opportunities to further advance and broaden the scope of the Ffp’s International initiative.
We congratulate Paul and are proud to be able to say that we have known him since his early days at Fine Line. Federbush is a seasoned production, acquisition, and distribution executive with eighteen years of experience in the entertainment industry. Most recently Federbush, along with partner Laura Kim, started a distribution company, Red Flag Releasing. Prior to forming Red Flag, Federbush served as Senior Vice President of Production and Acquisitions at Warner Independent Pictures where he oversaw the acquisition, production, and development of projects including Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire, and Hany Abu Assad’s Paradise Now.
For nearly three decades, Sundance Institute has promoted independent storytelling to inform and inspire audiences across political, social, religious and cultural differences. Through Labs, direct artist granting, special projects with key partners and the Sundance Film Festival, the Institute serves as the leading advocate for independent artists worldwide. Sundance Institute Feature Film Program Over its 30-year history, the Sundance Institute Feature Film Program has supported an extensive list of award-winning and groundbreaking independent films.
Ffp films currently in the marketplace include Benh Zeitlin and Lucy Alibar’s Beasts of the Southern Wild (winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival), Craig Zobel’s Compliance, Mike Birbiglia and Seth Barrish’s Sleepwalk With Me, Todd Louiso and Sarah Koskoff’s Hello I Must Be Going, and Ira Sachs’ Keep the Lights On. Recent international Ffp films include Sally El Hosaini’s My Brother the Devil, Andrei Zyvagintsev’s Elena, Edwin’s Postcards from the Zoo, Alejandro Landes’ Porfirio, and the festival films Haifaa Al Mansour’s Wadjda and Ziad Douieri’s L’Attack.Additional notable films supported over the program’s history include Sean Durkin’s Martha Marcy May Marlene, Dee Rees’ Pariah, Maryam Keshavarz’s Circumstance, Cherien Dabis' Amreeka, Cary Fukunaga's Sin Nombre, Fernando Eimbcke's Lake Tahoe, Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden’s Half Nelson, Andrea Arnold's Red Road, Miranda July’s Me and You and Everyone We Know, Hany Abu-Assad’s Paradise Now, Debra Granik’s Down to the Bone, Josh Marston’s Maria Page 2 Full of Grace, Lisa Cholodenko’s Laurel Canyon, Peter Sollett’s Raising Victor Vargas, John Cameron Mitchell’s Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Darren Aronofsky’s Requiem for a Dream, Kimberly Peirce’s Boys Don't Cry, Lucrecia Martel’s La Cienaga, Walter Salles’ Central Station, Chris Eyre and Sherman Alexie’s Smoke Signals, Nicole Holofcener’s Walking and Talking, Allison Anders' Mi Vida Loca, Paul Thomas Anderson’s Hard Eight, Tamara Jenkins’ Slums of Beverly Hills, and Quentin Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs.
Sundance Institute Sundance Institute is a global nonprofit organization founded by Robert Redford in 1981. Through its programs for directors, screenwriters, producers, composers and playwrights, the Institute seeks to discover and support independent film and theatre artists from the United States and around the world, and to introduce audiences to their new work. The Institute promotes independent storytelling to inform, inspire, and unite diverse populations around the globe. Internationally recognized for its annual Sundance Film Festival, Sundance Institute has nurtured such projects as Born into Brothels, Trouble the Water, Son of Babylon, Amreeka, An Inconvenient Truth, Spring Awakening, Light in the Piazza and Angels in America, and through its New Frontier initiative, has brought the cinematic works of media artists including Pipilotti Rist, Doug Aitken, Pierre Huyghe, Jennifer Steinkamp, and Matthew Barney . Join Sundance Institute on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. # # #...
- 10/9/2012
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Arguably a natural progression from her freedom-focused 2004 directorial debut, The Colour Of Love, Maryam Keshavarz’s Circumstance is a political yet personal account of two young girls’ strongly frowned upon love and their longing for acceptance in a place where women are making significant progress in regards to wealth and stature.
A fascinating and often very fun insight into the lives of school friends Ati (Nikohl Boosheri) and Shireen (Sarah Kazemy), Circumstance has a lot to say about Iran’s corrupt use of influence and money, but this is woven in as an accepted part of everyday life instead of as a way to make a damning and shocking condemnation of the Iranian system.
For a film with little physical conflict, Keshavarz surprisingly maintains an underlying sense of threat and tension to proceedings, never letting you feel too safe in the girls’ happiness, displaying her more than adequate ability to balance fear with youthful bliss.
A fascinating and often very fun insight into the lives of school friends Ati (Nikohl Boosheri) and Shireen (Sarah Kazemy), Circumstance has a lot to say about Iran’s corrupt use of influence and money, but this is woven in as an accepted part of everyday life instead of as a way to make a damning and shocking condemnation of the Iranian system.
For a film with little physical conflict, Keshavarz surprisingly maintains an underlying sense of threat and tension to proceedings, never letting you feel too safe in the girls’ happiness, displaying her more than adequate ability to balance fear with youthful bliss.
- 9/27/2012
- by Emma Thrower
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
The Imposter (15)
(Bart Layton, 2012, UK) Frédéric Bourdin, Charlie Parker, Carey Gibson. 99 mins.
Documentaries don't come much stranger than this. The film begins with the discovery in Spain in 1997 of a 16-year-old boy. Could this really be Nicholas Barclay, who went missing aged 13 from his home in San Antonio, Texas? Well, no. Nicholas's family welcomed this "boy" into their home without realising that he was in fact a 23-year-old French-Algerian master of deception named Frédéric Bourdin. Then things got really weird.
Shadow Dancer (15)
(James Marsh, 2012, UK/Ire) Clive Owen, Andrea Riseborough, Aidan Gillen, Gillian Anderson. 102 mins.
An embittered mother dedicated to the Ira struggle is forced to turn informer by MI5. This stark and suspenseful thriller returns documentary-maker Marsh to scripted drama after Man On Wire and Project Nim.
The Watch (15)
(Akiva Schaffer, 2012, Us) Ben Stiller, Jonah Hill, Vince Vaughn, Richard Ayoade, Rosemarie DeWitt, Mel Rodriguez. 102 mins.
Paul Blart: Mall Cop...
(Bart Layton, 2012, UK) Frédéric Bourdin, Charlie Parker, Carey Gibson. 99 mins.
Documentaries don't come much stranger than this. The film begins with the discovery in Spain in 1997 of a 16-year-old boy. Could this really be Nicholas Barclay, who went missing aged 13 from his home in San Antonio, Texas? Well, no. Nicholas's family welcomed this "boy" into their home without realising that he was in fact a 23-year-old French-Algerian master of deception named Frédéric Bourdin. Then things got really weird.
Shadow Dancer (15)
(James Marsh, 2012, UK/Ire) Clive Owen, Andrea Riseborough, Aidan Gillen, Gillian Anderson. 102 mins.
An embittered mother dedicated to the Ira struggle is forced to turn informer by MI5. This stark and suspenseful thriller returns documentary-maker Marsh to scripted drama after Man On Wire and Project Nim.
The Watch (15)
(Akiva Schaffer, 2012, Us) Ben Stiller, Jonah Hill, Vince Vaughn, Richard Ayoade, Rosemarie DeWitt, Mel Rodriguez. 102 mins.
Paul Blart: Mall Cop...
- 8/24/2012
- by Ryan Gilbey
- The Guardian - Film News
The Iranian-American director of Circumstance, a teenage lesbian romance, knows a thing or two about causing trouble, and the link between desire and dissent
"I've always had the tendency to cause trouble," says Maryam Keshavarz. The 36-year-old is speaking down the line from an idyllic-sounding writers' retreat in Portugal, but with the release of Circumstance in the UK this week, the first-time director is not far from controversy.
Set in Iran, the film follows two girls: Atafeh, raised in a rich liberal home, and Shireen, an orphan whose conservative uncle cannot afford to pay for her schooling. Against a backdrop of hedonistic underground parties, the teenagers' intense friendship spills over into a passionate love affair. With homosexuality illegal in Iran (punishable by lashings or even death) their happiness is threatened by the jealousy of Atafeh's brother, an ex-drug addict who finds religion and with it the ear of the powerful morality police.
"I've always had the tendency to cause trouble," says Maryam Keshavarz. The 36-year-old is speaking down the line from an idyllic-sounding writers' retreat in Portugal, but with the release of Circumstance in the UK this week, the first-time director is not far from controversy.
Set in Iran, the film follows two girls: Atafeh, raised in a rich liberal home, and Shireen, an orphan whose conservative uncle cannot afford to pay for her schooling. Against a backdrop of hedonistic underground parties, the teenagers' intense friendship spills over into a passionate love affair. With homosexuality illegal in Iran (punishable by lashings or even death) their happiness is threatened by the jealousy of Atafeh's brother, an ex-drug addict who finds religion and with it the ear of the powerful morality police.
- 8/23/2012
- by Homa Khaleeli
- The Guardian - Film News
★★★★☆ American Iranian director Maryam Keshavarz debuts with Circumstance (2011), the sensual tale of a complex love triangle set in the swirling underground party scene of Tehran. A wealthy, liberal family struggle to cope with the increasing sexual rebellion of their daughter Atafeh (Nikohl Boosheri), who is falling in love with her best friend Shireen (Sarah Kazemy). The situation is made more complicated with the return of Atafeh's brother, Mehran (Reza Sixo Safai), a devout Muslim who has also fallen for his sister's beautiful companion.
Read more »...
Read more »...
- 8/23/2012
- by CineVue UK
- CineVue
American-Iranian director Maryam Keshavarz is a woman who doesn't fear courting controversy - a fact very much apparent in her first feature, Circumstance (2011), which claimed the Sundance Audience Award back in 2011. The film follows two wild-spirited teenage girls living in Iran (Sarah Kazemy and Nikohl Boosheri) who, tired of the rules and religious oppression of their society, delve into the underground subculture of the country's night-life.
Read more »...
Read more »...
- 8/22/2012
- by CineVue UK
- CineVue
Winner of the audience award at the Sundance Film Festival, Maryam Keshavarz's directorial debut Circumstance is to be released in the UK by Peccadillo Pictures on August 24.
Rated 15, the 107-minute drama follows a wealthy Iranian family's struggles to contain a teenager's growing sexual rebellion and her brother's dangerous obsession.
Sarah Kazemy, Nikohl Boosheri and Reza Rixo Safai star in the production, also penned by Keshavarz (right).
The UK poster and a selection of stills are included here, along with the official description.
Official description
Set in contemporary Iran in the unseen world of Iranian youth culture, filled with underground parties, sex, drugs and defiance, Circumstance is the story of two vivacious young girls - Atafeh and Shireen - discovering their burgeoning sexuality, struggling with their desires and the boundaries placed upon them by the world they were born into.
Winner of the Sundance Audience Award, Circumstance is a thrilling...
Rated 15, the 107-minute drama follows a wealthy Iranian family's struggles to contain a teenager's growing sexual rebellion and her brother's dangerous obsession.
Sarah Kazemy, Nikohl Boosheri and Reza Rixo Safai star in the production, also penned by Keshavarz (right).
The UK poster and a selection of stills are included here, along with the official description.
Official description
Set in contemporary Iran in the unseen world of Iranian youth culture, filled with underground parties, sex, drugs and defiance, Circumstance is the story of two vivacious young girls - Atafeh and Shireen - discovering their burgeoning sexuality, struggling with their desires and the boundaries placed upon them by the world they were born into.
Winner of the Sundance Audience Award, Circumstance is a thrilling...
- 8/15/2012
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
I had no intentions of making this another “news” post (this was supposed to be a rambling soliloquy on micro-budget genre filmmaking in Austin), but shortly after I had published last week’s Austin Cinematic Limits column on The Latest Austin Movie Success Stories, I heard yet another fantastic Austin movie success story. Two of the eleven projects selected for the Sundance Creative Producing Labs this year are from Austin! Color me impressed…and incredibly proud. Kelly Williams (who was featured in Austin Cinematic Limits in February 2012) has been selected to participate in the Feature Film Creative Producing Lab, a five-day Lab where narrative feature film producers work with an accomplished group of Creative Advisors to develop their creative instincts, communication and problem-solving skills in all stages of film production. This year’s Creative Advisors include producers Anne Carey (The American, Adventureland), Karin Chien (Circumstance, Exploding Girl), Lynette Howell (Terri, Blue Valentine...
- 7/23/2012
- by Don Simpson
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
While not all films mentioned below are necessarily guaranteed future place among the Sundance Film Festival elite, it’s certainly a step in the right direction for the filmmakers and more importantly the producers backing the future of independent film. Among the eleven project participants below selected for the annual Creative Producing Labs and Creative Producing Summit (July 30 – August 3) in the Feature Film category we find such names as future superstars in Summer Shelton (she worked with Ramin Bahrani) and receives the first ever Bingham Ray Creative Producing Fellow, Tory Lenosky (worked as an assistant to Jay Van Hoy and Lars Knudsen) and Lucas Joaquin (second unit producer for Beasts of the Southern Wild). Here is the full press release below.
Feature Film Creative Producing Lab
The Feature Film Creative Producing Lab is a five-day Lab where narrative feature film producers work with an accomplished group of Creative Advisors to develop their creative instincts,...
Feature Film Creative Producing Lab
The Feature Film Creative Producing Lab is a five-day Lab where narrative feature film producers work with an accomplished group of Creative Advisors to develop their creative instincts,...
- 7/18/2012
- by Eric Lavallee
- IONCINEMA.com
Circumstance
Written and directed by Maryam Keshavarz
France, USA, Iran, 2012
Coming out of a recent screening of ‘Circumstance’ (in the presence of Maryam Keshavarz, the writer/director) my friend and I, rather wowed, agreed that while heartache is universal, freedom is a privilege, a didactic take somewhat misrepresentative of the teenage same-sex melodrama not devoid of the occasional near-prurient moments of lingerie-on-nubile-flesh or insistent camera frolicking over the sensuousness of central character Shireen’s (Sarah Kazemy) visage. Despite these pre-eminently Western, rather clichéd visual tropes of framing feminine beauty (no doubt informed by the author’s American upbringing), Keshavarz’s feature debut, winner of the 2011 Sundance Audience Award, carries a refreshing, heart-rending sincerity, an unpolished and at times awkward poise befitting the characters beginner status, in life and in love.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=td-cYUVOg4Q
Atafeh (Nikohl Boosheri) and Shireen are a pair of sixteen-year old Teheran...
Written and directed by Maryam Keshavarz
France, USA, Iran, 2012
Coming out of a recent screening of ‘Circumstance’ (in the presence of Maryam Keshavarz, the writer/director) my friend and I, rather wowed, agreed that while heartache is universal, freedom is a privilege, a didactic take somewhat misrepresentative of the teenage same-sex melodrama not devoid of the occasional near-prurient moments of lingerie-on-nubile-flesh or insistent camera frolicking over the sensuousness of central character Shireen’s (Sarah Kazemy) visage. Despite these pre-eminently Western, rather clichéd visual tropes of framing feminine beauty (no doubt informed by the author’s American upbringing), Keshavarz’s feature debut, winner of the 2011 Sundance Audience Award, carries a refreshing, heart-rending sincerity, an unpolished and at times awkward poise befitting the characters beginner status, in life and in love.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=td-cYUVOg4Q
Atafeh (Nikohl Boosheri) and Shireen are a pair of sixteen-year old Teheran...
- 7/13/2012
- by Zornitsa
- SoundOnSight
Film Independent, the non-profit arts organization that produces the Los Angeles Film Festival and the Spirit Awards, announced on Sunday the jury and audience award winners for the 2012 Festival at the Awards Brunch, hosted by Chaya Downtown for the third year. Actors Jon Heder and Ari Graynor were on hand to present the awards. The La Film Fest, presented by Film Independent and Host Venue Regal Cinemas L.A. Live Stadium 14 and presenting media sponsor Los Angeles Times, ran from Thursday, June 14 to Sunday, June 24 in downtown Los Angeles.
“Every single filmmaker in this year’s Festival deserves kudos for their artistry and compelling stories. Our juries had such gems to choose from in each competition and the winners truly represent what we hold dear.diversity and uniqueness of vision,” said Festival Director Stephanie Allain.
The two top juried awards of the Los Angeles Film Festival are the Narrative Award and Documentary Award,...
“Every single filmmaker in this year’s Festival deserves kudos for their artistry and compelling stories. Our juries had such gems to choose from in each competition and the winners truly represent what we hold dear.diversity and uniqueness of vision,” said Festival Director Stephanie Allain.
The two top juried awards of the Los Angeles Film Festival are the Narrative Award and Documentary Award,...
- 6/25/2012
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
HollywoodNews.com: Film Independent, the non-profit arts organization that produces the Los Angeles Film Festival and the Spirit Awards, announced the jury and audience award winners for the 2012 Festival at the Awards Brunch, hosted by Chaya Downtown for the third year. Actors Jon Heder and Ari Graynor were on hand to present the awards. The La Film Fest, presented by Film Independent and Host Venue Regal Cinemas L.A. Live Stadium 14 and presenting media sponsor Los Angeles Times, ran from Thursday, June 14 to Sunday, June 24 in downtown Los Angeles.
“Every single filmmaker in this year’s Festival deserves kudos for their artistry and compelling stories. Our juries had such gems to choose from in each competition and the winners truly represent what we hold dear—diversity and uniqueness of vision,” said Festival Director Stephanie Allain.
The two top juried awards of the Los Angeles Film Festival are the Narrative Award and Documentary Award,...
“Every single filmmaker in this year’s Festival deserves kudos for their artistry and compelling stories. Our juries had such gems to choose from in each competition and the winners truly represent what we hold dear—diversity and uniqueness of vision,” said Festival Director Stephanie Allain.
The two top juried awards of the Los Angeles Film Festival are the Narrative Award and Documentary Award,...
- 6/24/2012
- by Josh Abraham
- Hollywoodnews.com
Chicago – 2011 featured a series of uncommonly affecting films from female directors about young women grappling with their sexual identities. In all three cases, the heroines strain to keep their lesbianism a secret from their families. Céline Sciamma’s “Tomboy” centered on a 10-year-old girl who posed as a boy, while Maryam Keshavarz’s “Circumstance” explored the forbidden romance of two Iranian teens.
These films are so good that it makes one wonder why there aren’t as many accomplished films about young men coming to terms with their homosexuality. Queer cinema too often falls under the stereotypical categorization of soft-core art house fare with earnest messages and amateurish production values. They seem tailor-made for a niche audience, but what makes “Tomboy,” “Circumstance” and Dee Rees’s “Pariah” so powerful is their resonance as universal human stories. These characters aren’t defined by their sexual orientations, despite what society would lead them to believe.
These films are so good that it makes one wonder why there aren’t as many accomplished films about young men coming to terms with their homosexuality. Queer cinema too often falls under the stereotypical categorization of soft-core art house fare with earnest messages and amateurish production values. They seem tailor-made for a niche audience, but what makes “Tomboy,” “Circumstance” and Dee Rees’s “Pariah” so powerful is their resonance as universal human stories. These characters aren’t defined by their sexual orientations, despite what society would lead them to believe.
- 5/8/2012
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
We’ve been telling you about Rewind, a pilot being developed for Syfy. Most recently we told you about casting Keisha Castle-Hughes (Whale Rider), Jennifer Ferrin (The Cape), Keon Mohajeri, and Robbie Jones (Hellcats), joining star Shane McRae. Now, Syfy has issued a press release about not only the casting that we already know, but also a particularly great guest star: Jeff Fahey, also known as Lost fans’ favorite pilot Frank Lapidus.
He’ll be playing Ellis, a former Nasa aerospace engineer and now part of the time travel team around whom the show revolves. He is the spiritual backbone of the team; strong with a Zen-like wisdom and intensely loyal to team leader Bryce (McRae).
Ooo I can totally see him playing that, can’t you? And I am Really looking forward to it! Here’s the full press release; there’s some good info there, make sure to...
He’ll be playing Ellis, a former Nasa aerospace engineer and now part of the time travel team around whom the show revolves. He is the spiritual backbone of the team; strong with a Zen-like wisdom and intensely loyal to team leader Bryce (McRae).
Ooo I can totally see him playing that, can’t you? And I am Really looking forward to it! Here’s the full press release; there’s some good info there, make sure to...
- 5/7/2012
- by Erin Willard
- ScifiMafia
There are many film projects seeking funds via crowdfunding platforms these days, which offers the unique opportunity for an audience to interact and connect with a film, sometimes before the first shot is captured. This bi-weekly column will highlight projects that demonstrate potential, and deserve a closer look (and possibly a donation).
The League of Afghanistan
The Gist: An American named Jess Markt, as he attempts to establish a wheelchair basketball league in Afghanistan.
Why It Should Be Kickstarted: While there have been a number of documentaries in recent years that have chronicled the war in Afghanistan by focusing on the conflict, this documentary feature takes a different approach. Following Markt, the film chronicles a group how have been disabled due to conflict-related events, connected through Markt’s effort to establish a wheelchair basketball league. It’s an inspiring story of humanity and hope, while also providing an intriguing insight to an otherwise unrepresented community.
The League of Afghanistan
The Gist: An American named Jess Markt, as he attempts to establish a wheelchair basketball league in Afghanistan.
Why It Should Be Kickstarted: While there have been a number of documentaries in recent years that have chronicled the war in Afghanistan by focusing on the conflict, this documentary feature takes a different approach. Following Markt, the film chronicles a group how have been disabled due to conflict-related events, connected through Markt’s effort to establish a wheelchair basketball league. It’s an inspiring story of humanity and hope, while also providing an intriguing insight to an otherwise unrepresented community.
- 4/27/2012
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
Michel Hazanavicius' "The Artist" was the big winner at the 2012 Film Independent Spirit Awards. The black-and-white silent film took home Best Feature, Director for Hazanavicius, Best Male Lead for Jean Dujardin, and Best Cinematography for Guillaume Schiffman.
In the performance categories, Michelle Williams took home the Best Female Lead award for her Marilyn Monroe portrayal in "My Week with Marilyn." Shailene Woodley, snubbed by the Academy for her memorable performance as George Clooney's daughter in "The Descendants," won Best Supporting Actress while Oscar frontrunner, Christopher Plummer, received the Best Supporting Actor award for his performance in "Beginners."
Held on Santa Monica Beach and hosted by Seth Rogen, the 27th Film Independent Spirit Awards will be broadcast by IFC at 10 p.m. Pst/Est.
Here's the complete list of winners (highlighted) and nominees of the Independent Spirit Awards:
Best Feature
50/50 - Producers: Evan Goldberg, Ben Karlin, Seth Rogen...
In the performance categories, Michelle Williams took home the Best Female Lead award for her Marilyn Monroe portrayal in "My Week with Marilyn." Shailene Woodley, snubbed by the Academy for her memorable performance as George Clooney's daughter in "The Descendants," won Best Supporting Actress while Oscar frontrunner, Christopher Plummer, received the Best Supporting Actor award for his performance in "Beginners."
Held on Santa Monica Beach and hosted by Seth Rogen, the 27th Film Independent Spirit Awards will be broadcast by IFC at 10 p.m. Pst/Est.
Here's the complete list of winners (highlighted) and nominees of the Independent Spirit Awards:
Best Feature
50/50 - Producers: Evan Goldberg, Ben Karlin, Seth Rogen...
- 2/26/2012
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
Jean Dujardin, Bérénice Bejo, The Artist The Artist, Jean Dujardin, Michelle Williams: Spirit Award Winners Best Feature (Award given to the producer) 50/50 Producers: Evan Goldberg, Ben Karlin, Seth Rogen Beginners Producers: Miranda de Pencier, Lars Knudsen, Leslie Urdang, Dean Vanech, Jay Van Hoy Drive Producers: Michel Litvak, John Palermo, Marc Platt, Gigi Pritzker, Adam Siegel Take Shelter Producers: Tyler Davidson, Sophia Lin * The Artist Producer: Thomas Langmann The Descendants Producers: Jim Burke, Alexander Payne, Jim Taylor Best Director * Michel Hazanavicius – The Artist Mike Mills – Beginners Jeff Nichols – Take Shelter Alexander Payne – The Descendants Nicolas Winding Refn – Drive Best Screenplay Joseph Cedar – Footnote Michel Hazanavicius – The Artist Tom McCarthy – Win Win Mike Mills – Beginners * Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon & Jim Rash – The Descendants Best International Film (Award given to the director) * A Separation (Iran) Director: Asghar Farhadi Melancholia (Denmark, Sweden, France, Germany) Director: Lars von Trier Shame (UK) Director: Steve McQueen...
- 2/25/2012
- by Steve Montgomery
- Alt Film Guide
'The Artist' dominates, winning best feature, director, male lead (Jean Dujardin) and cinematography.
By Mary J. Dimeglio
Director for "The Artist," Michel Hazanavicius
Photo: Frazer Harrison/ Getty Images
"The Artist" dominated the Independent Spirit Awards on Saturday afternoon, snagging trophies for best feature, director, male lead (Jean Dujardin) and cinematography.
Michelle Williams was awarded Best Female Lead for her role in "My Week With Marilyn," while Best Supporting honors went to Christopher Plummer ("Beginners") and Shailene Woodley ("The Descendants").
The ceremony, hosted by Seth Rogan, will air at 10 p.m. Et/Pt Saturday (February 25) on IFC.
Best Feature
"50/50"
"Beginners"
"Drive"
"Take Shelter"
"The Artist"
"The Descendants"
Best Director
Michel Hazanavicius - "The Artist"
Mike Mills - "Beginners"
Jeff Nichols - "Take Shelter"
Alexander Payne - "The Descendants"
Nicolas Winding Refn - "Drive"
Best Screenplay
Joseph Cedar - "Footnote"
Michel Hazanavicius - "The Artist"
Tom McCarthy - "Win Win...
By Mary J. Dimeglio
Director for "The Artist," Michel Hazanavicius
Photo: Frazer Harrison/ Getty Images
"The Artist" dominated the Independent Spirit Awards on Saturday afternoon, snagging trophies for best feature, director, male lead (Jean Dujardin) and cinematography.
Michelle Williams was awarded Best Female Lead for her role in "My Week With Marilyn," while Best Supporting honors went to Christopher Plummer ("Beginners") and Shailene Woodley ("The Descendants").
The ceremony, hosted by Seth Rogan, will air at 10 p.m. Et/Pt Saturday (February 25) on IFC.
Best Feature
"50/50"
"Beginners"
"Drive"
"Take Shelter"
"The Artist"
"The Descendants"
Best Director
Michel Hazanavicius - "The Artist"
Mike Mills - "Beginners"
Jeff Nichols - "Take Shelter"
Alexander Payne - "The Descendants"
Nicolas Winding Refn - "Drive"
Best Screenplay
Joseph Cedar - "Footnote"
Michel Hazanavicius - "The Artist"
Tom McCarthy - "Win Win...
- 2/25/2012
- MTV Music News
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