In the port city of Abadan in southern Iran, 11-year-old orphan Amiro (Madjid Niroumand) gazes out into the Persian Gulf, screaming and waving at the distant ships on the horizon. To Amiro, these vessels represent a sense of freedom that he’s never known yet innately yearns for. His yells are a frequent occurrence in Amir Naderi’s The Runner, and they’re a recurring reminder of Amiro’s unwavering desire to be heard and seen, and to connect with something, anything, outside of a society that has effectively discarded him.
Amiro lives in a region of the world where the oil trade has brought prosperity to few. Like many, he lives among the detritus left behind by the industry’s operations and the callous tourists and businessmen whose shoes he shines for pocket change. Spending his days collecting glass bottles that have been carelessly hurled into the sea and...
Amiro lives in a region of the world where the oil trade has brought prosperity to few. Like many, he lives among the detritus left behind by the industry’s operations and the callous tourists and businessmen whose shoes he shines for pocket change. Spending his days collecting glass bottles that have been carelessly hurled into the sea and...
- 4/1/2024
- by Derek Smith
- Slant Magazine
When it comes to predicting the Oscars, there are no categories that can be more difficult than the three short film categories. That goes double for trying to predict the nominees in those categories. But don’t worry Derbyites. With the recent release of the Academy’s shortlists, we’ve got descriptions of each of the pieces that made the runoff for Best Documentary Short, we got you covered on this! Below we have descriptions of each of the 15 short films that made this year’s list. We even included information and links on where you can currently view them.
Among the topics that are tackled in this year’s crop are book bans in Florida, a barber who runs a community bank, how abortion was legalized in New York in the 1970s, a group of people who fix musical instruments, and the healthcare crisis that’s affecting rural America.
Among the topics that are tackled in this year’s crop are book bans in Florida, a barber who runs a community bank, how abortion was legalized in New York in the 1970s, a group of people who fix musical instruments, and the healthcare crisis that’s affecting rural America.
- 12/25/2023
- by Charles Bright
- Gold Derby
Andrew Garfield spoke to an audience rich in Spider-Man fans about his career at the Red Sea Film Festival Thursday, sitting alongside Saudi producer and Red Sea Film Foundation CEO Mohammed Al Turki. The two have known each other since Garfield starred in Ramin Bahrani’s 2014 drama “99 Homes,” which Al Turki produced. “I’m currently out of work,” Garfield quipped. “So I’m just here to talk to Mo really.”
“I’m 40 years old now and I still get absolutely petrified,” Garfield said. “I have terrible impostor syndrome. I didn’t know it was a viable option to be an actor. I loved being an athlete. I hated school. I wasn’t strong enough to be a rugby player. It was my mother who suggested I look at doing something creative.”
Garfield spoke about his career from making a Doritos commercial when he was 21 to his early days in Hollywood,...
“I’m 40 years old now and I still get absolutely petrified,” Garfield said. “I have terrible impostor syndrome. I didn’t know it was a viable option to be an actor. I loved being an athlete. I hated school. I wasn’t strong enough to be a rugby player. It was my mother who suggested I look at doing something creative.”
Garfield spoke about his career from making a Doritos commercial when he was 21 to his early days in Hollywood,...
- 12/7/2023
- by John Bleasdale
- Variety Film + TV
Andrew Garfield shared insights into his early days in Hollywood, experiences working on the Spider-Man franchise and thoughts about Red Sea International Festival Festival during his masterclass at the festival today.
He shared the stage with Saudi producer and Red Sea Film Foundation head Mohammed Al Turki, an old friend whom he’d worked with on indie feature 99 Homes in 2014. Directed by Iranian-us filmmaker Ramin Bahrani, 99 Homes was set during the recession period of the late 2000s when many Americans were losing their homes.
“It was an interesting group of us making that film,” Garfield remembered. “There was Ramin who was an American filmmaker but of a very different cultural heritage, then Mo of Saudi heritage and me of English heritage. So there was this melting pot bunch of people who felt maybe like they were outsiders in a certain way, telling a story about what it is to be an outsider.
He shared the stage with Saudi producer and Red Sea Film Foundation head Mohammed Al Turki, an old friend whom he’d worked with on indie feature 99 Homes in 2014. Directed by Iranian-us filmmaker Ramin Bahrani, 99 Homes was set during the recession period of the late 2000s when many Americans were losing their homes.
“It was an interesting group of us making that film,” Garfield remembered. “There was Ramin who was an American filmmaker but of a very different cultural heritage, then Mo of Saudi heritage and me of English heritage. So there was this melting pot bunch of people who felt maybe like they were outsiders in a certain way, telling a story about what it is to be an outsider.
- 12/7/2023
- by Liz Shackleton
- Deadline Film + TV
Kevin Turen, the producer of HBO shows Euphoria and The Idol, died from multiple heart issues, according to a medical examiner’s report.
The official cause of death was acute cardiac dysfunction and hypertrophic heart disease, with coronary artery disease also cited.
Turen was driving his Tesla on a California freeway when stricken. His 10-year-old son managed to stop the car and take it to the side of the road. Turen was then taken to the hospital and died there.
Turen first produced Larry Clark’s Wassup Rockers, and later went on to work with Sam Levinson to produce Malcolm and Marie, Trey Shultz’s Waves, Nicholas Jarecki’s Arbitrage, Nate Parker’s The Birth of a Nation, Kornel Mondruczo’s Pieces of a Woman, Ramin Bahrani’s 99 Homes, and Ti West’s X trilogy.
The 44-year-old producer is survived by his wife, Evelina, and his two sons, Jack and James.
The official cause of death was acute cardiac dysfunction and hypertrophic heart disease, with coronary artery disease also cited.
Turen was driving his Tesla on a California freeway when stricken. His 10-year-old son managed to stop the car and take it to the side of the road. Turen was then taken to the hospital and died there.
Turen first produced Larry Clark’s Wassup Rockers, and later went on to work with Sam Levinson to produce Malcolm and Marie, Trey Shultz’s Waves, Nicholas Jarecki’s Arbitrage, Nate Parker’s The Birth of a Nation, Kornel Mondruczo’s Pieces of a Woman, Ramin Bahrani’s 99 Homes, and Ti West’s X trilogy.
The 44-year-old producer is survived by his wife, Evelina, and his two sons, Jack and James.
- 12/2/2023
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Not unlike how a young Athina Rachel Tsangari ended up being part of a Richard Linklater film, Summer Shelton has been part of the fabric of the American indie scene dating back to a bit appearance in a David Gordon Green’s All the Real Girls. After cutting her teeth as a producer (with a pair of prominent titles in the cinema of Ramin Bahrani), Shelton would put all of one’s chips on the table with her feature debut You & I. A second chance at romance or a proper visit with the past, Shelton is joined by Clayne Crawford for a drama romance that re-examines a dynamic (was it ever meant to be more?)…...
- 11/25/2023
- by Eric Lavallée
- IONCINEMA.com
Kevin Turen, producer of Euphoria and The Idol, has died. He was 44.
Turen died suddenly over the weekend. His cause of death is not known at this time. The producer is survived by his wife, Evelina, and his two sons, Jack and James.
His father Edward Turen said in a statement Sunday night: “Kevin was so incredibly special, this world is going to be less without him.”
Turen first produced Larry Clark’s Wassup Rockers and later went on to work with Sam Levinson and produce Malcolm and Marie, Trey Shultz’s Waves, Nicholas Jarecki’s Arbitrage, Nate Parker’s The Birth of a Nation, Kornel Mondruczo’s Pieces of a Woman, Ramin Bahrani’s 99 Homes and Ti West’s X trilogy.
Turen’s work in television included Levinson’s Euphoria and The Idol as well as Olivier Assayas’a Irma Vep.
Jay Penske, CEO of Deadline’s parent...
Turen died suddenly over the weekend. His cause of death is not known at this time. The producer is survived by his wife, Evelina, and his two sons, Jack and James.
His father Edward Turen said in a statement Sunday night: “Kevin was so incredibly special, this world is going to be less without him.”
Turen first produced Larry Clark’s Wassup Rockers and later went on to work with Sam Levinson and produce Malcolm and Marie, Trey Shultz’s Waves, Nicholas Jarecki’s Arbitrage, Nate Parker’s The Birth of a Nation, Kornel Mondruczo’s Pieces of a Woman, Ramin Bahrani’s 99 Homes and Ti West’s X trilogy.
Turen’s work in television included Levinson’s Euphoria and The Idol as well as Olivier Assayas’a Irma Vep.
Jay Penske, CEO of Deadline’s parent...
- 11/13/2023
- by Armando Tinoco
- Deadline Film + TV
The Hollywood Reporter thanks the following 322 members of the global film community — listed alphabetically — for taking the time to cast a ballot to help us determine the 100 greatest film books of all time.
Seth Abramovitch
The Hollywood Reporter journalist/It Happened in Hollywood podcast host
Jo Addy
Soho House group film and entertainment director
Casey Affleck
Oscar-winning actor
Rutanya Alda
Author/actress
Stephanie Allain
Filmmaker
Victoria Alonso
Filmmaker/executive
Tony Angellotti
Publicist
Bonnie Arnold
Filmmaker/executive
Miguel Arteta
Filmmaker
Chris Auer
Filmmaker/film professor
John Badham
Filmmaker/film professor
Amy Baer
Executive
Matt Baer
Filmmaker
Lindsey Bahr
Journalist
Ramin Bahrani
Oscar-nominated filmmaker
Cameron Bailey
Toronto International Film Festival CEO/former film critic
John Bailey
Cinematographer/former Academy president
Bela Bajaria
Executive
Sean Baker
Filmmaker
Alec Baldwin
Oscar-nominated actor/author
Tino Balio
Author/film professor
Jeffrey Barbakow
Executive
Michael Barker
Executive
Mike Barnes
The Hollywood Reporter journalist
Jeanine Basinger
Author/film...
Seth Abramovitch
The Hollywood Reporter journalist/It Happened in Hollywood podcast host
Jo Addy
Soho House group film and entertainment director
Casey Affleck
Oscar-winning actor
Rutanya Alda
Author/actress
Stephanie Allain
Filmmaker
Victoria Alonso
Filmmaker/executive
Tony Angellotti
Publicist
Bonnie Arnold
Filmmaker/executive
Miguel Arteta
Filmmaker
Chris Auer
Filmmaker/film professor
John Badham
Filmmaker/film professor
Amy Baer
Executive
Matt Baer
Filmmaker
Lindsey Bahr
Journalist
Ramin Bahrani
Oscar-nominated filmmaker
Cameron Bailey
Toronto International Film Festival CEO/former film critic
John Bailey
Cinematographer/former Academy president
Bela Bajaria
Executive
Sean Baker
Filmmaker
Alec Baldwin
Oscar-nominated actor/author
Tino Balio
Author/film professor
Jeffrey Barbakow
Executive
Michael Barker
Executive
Mike Barnes
The Hollywood Reporter journalist
Jeanine Basinger
Author/film...
- 10/12/2023
- by Scott Feinberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Madeleine Gavin’s Sundance award-winning documentary “Beyond Utopia” has garnered the best documentary and best doc editing honors at the 24th annual Woodstock Film Festival.
The documentary, which was recently acquired by Roadside Attractions, is vying for Academy Award attention.
Using hidden camera footage, the doc follows the high-stakes journey that a handful of desperate families make in order to defect from North Korea — a country with the most brutal regime on earth, led by a dictator, Kim Jong-un.
Doc jurors included directors Barbara Kopple (“Harlan County USA”) Richard Rowley (“ Kingdom of Silence”) and Heidi Ewing (“Jesus Camp”).
“This year’s winner is an astonishingly intimate, white-knuckle thriller following families trying to escape North Korea,” the jurors said in a joint statement. “Stitched together from raw, first person footage, it is impossible not to feel the heart-breaking courage as a family clings to each other during a nighttime crossing of the Mekong River.
The documentary, which was recently acquired by Roadside Attractions, is vying for Academy Award attention.
Using hidden camera footage, the doc follows the high-stakes journey that a handful of desperate families make in order to defect from North Korea — a country with the most brutal regime on earth, led by a dictator, Kim Jong-un.
Doc jurors included directors Barbara Kopple (“Harlan County USA”) Richard Rowley (“ Kingdom of Silence”) and Heidi Ewing (“Jesus Camp”).
“This year’s winner is an astonishingly intimate, white-knuckle thriller following families trying to escape North Korea,” the jurors said in a joint statement. “Stitched together from raw, first person footage, it is impossible not to feel the heart-breaking courage as a family clings to each other during a nighttime crossing of the Mekong River.
- 10/1/2023
- by Addie Morfoot
- Variety Film + TV
Woodstock Film Festival has added Tony Goldwyn’s comedy drama “Ezra,” starring Bobby Cannavale and Robert De Niro to its 2023 lineup.
In the film, which made its world premiere earlier this month at the Toronto Intl. Film Festival, Cannavale stars as Max, a stand up comic who after recently blowing up his career and marriage is living with his father Stan (De Niro). When Max’s autistic son Ezra is expelled from yet another school, Max makes the controversial decision to take him on a cross-country road trip.
In addition to Cannavale and De Niro, “Ezra” stars Rose Byrne, Vera Farmiga, Whoopi Goldberg and Rainn Wilson. (Mister Smith Entertainment and CAA are handling sales.)
“I am so excited that the Woodstock Film Festival chose to screen ‘Ezra,'” says Goldwyn. “Woodstock is one of the coolest festivals in the country for a filmmaker. After such an enthusiastic reception at TIFF last week,...
In the film, which made its world premiere earlier this month at the Toronto Intl. Film Festival, Cannavale stars as Max, a stand up comic who after recently blowing up his career and marriage is living with his father Stan (De Niro). When Max’s autistic son Ezra is expelled from yet another school, Max makes the controversial decision to take him on a cross-country road trip.
In addition to Cannavale and De Niro, “Ezra” stars Rose Byrne, Vera Farmiga, Whoopi Goldberg and Rainn Wilson. (Mister Smith Entertainment and CAA are handling sales.)
“I am so excited that the Woodstock Film Festival chose to screen ‘Ezra,'” says Goldwyn. “Woodstock is one of the coolest festivals in the country for a filmmaker. After such an enthusiastic reception at TIFF last week,...
- 9/20/2023
- by Addie Morfoot
- Variety Film + TV
With the festival kicking off tomorrow, Telluride Film Festival has now unveiled its lineup, featuring new films from Jeff Nichols (the first image from which can be seen above), Emerald Fennell, Annie Baker, Andrew Haigh, Yorgos Lanthimos, Justine Triet, Wim Wenders, Kitty Green, Ethan Hawke, and many more.
“Fifty years is a long time to do anything. And while we might be a little biased, we feel the work that Tff does is pretty important,” comments Telluride Film Festival director Julie Huntsinger. “We take the charge of preserving the theatrical experience and promoting film seriously, but with necessary winks here and there. We’re ecstatic to share a program we feel reflects so much of the past fifty years, naturally and organically, films old and new, which stand as a testament to our beloved co-founders Tom Luddy and Bill Pence who are no longer with us.”
• All Of US Strangers...
“Fifty years is a long time to do anything. And while we might be a little biased, we feel the work that Tff does is pretty important,” comments Telluride Film Festival director Julie Huntsinger. “We take the charge of preserving the theatrical experience and promoting film seriously, but with necessary winks here and there. We’re ecstatic to share a program we feel reflects so much of the past fifty years, naturally and organically, films old and new, which stand as a testament to our beloved co-founders Tom Luddy and Bill Pence who are no longer with us.”
• All Of US Strangers...
- 8/30/2023
- by Leonard Pearce
- The Film Stage
2023 Festival dedicated to founders Tom Luddy, Bill Pence, Stella Pence, James Card.
Telluride Film Festival has announced its 2023 50th anniversary line-up with Emerald Fennell’s Saltburn, Yorgos Lanthimos’ Poor Things, Justine Triet’s Palme d’Or winner Anatomy Of A Fall, and Steve McQueen’s Occupied City on the roster.
The selection, which will play in the Colorado Rockies locale from August 31 to September 4, includes Jeff Nichols’ The Bikeriders, Jonathan Glazer’s Cannes sensation The Zone Of Interest, Pablo Larrain’s El Conde, Kitty Green’s The Royal Hotel, George C. Wolfe’s Rustin, Nyad from Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin,...
Telluride Film Festival has announced its 2023 50th anniversary line-up with Emerald Fennell’s Saltburn, Yorgos Lanthimos’ Poor Things, Justine Triet’s Palme d’Or winner Anatomy Of A Fall, and Steve McQueen’s Occupied City on the roster.
The selection, which will play in the Colorado Rockies locale from August 31 to September 4, includes Jeff Nichols’ The Bikeriders, Jonathan Glazer’s Cannes sensation The Zone Of Interest, Pablo Larrain’s El Conde, Kitty Green’s The Royal Hotel, George C. Wolfe’s Rustin, Nyad from Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin,...
- 8/30/2023
- ScreenDaily
What if someone came to your house and asked you to leave it for good since you did not pay your mortgage or for any other reason, would you leave your family home? Did you even imagine that this kind of situation would ever happen?
This movie will resonate extremely with those people who have been in the exact same situation that Andrew Garfield‘s character goes thru when he loses his family home and everything that he has worked hard for in a matter of 2 minutes. That is the amount of time given by the Realtor Rick Carver played by the enigmatic Michael Shannon. The movie shows how the housing eviction system is not only brutal but has no time to care for anyone’s situation and sheds no tears in the process.
Dennis (Andrew Garfield) is a single father who lives in his family home with his mother...
This movie will resonate extremely with those people who have been in the exact same situation that Andrew Garfield‘s character goes thru when he loses his family home and everything that he has worked hard for in a matter of 2 minutes. That is the amount of time given by the Realtor Rick Carver played by the enigmatic Michael Shannon. The movie shows how the housing eviction system is not only brutal but has no time to care for anyone’s situation and sheds no tears in the process.
Dennis (Andrew Garfield) is a single father who lives in his family home with his mother...
- 8/15/2023
- by Prem
- Talking Films
Due to historical reasons, and some economic reasons preceding and following the historical ones, we should know by now that Iranian diaspora in the so-called Western World is large. Also, it is often well-educated and active in arts and culture, sometimes even on the both sides, in both homelands, old and new. Cinema is not an exception, but this list is not about, for instance, Asghar Farhadi working in the context of the French or Spanish cinema, nor is touching some well-established common places of greatness, such as Marjane Satrapi's Persepolis. We bring you five relatively recent films made by the filmmakers coming from the Iranian diaspora that might have flown under the radar somehow, in order of quality.
5. At Any Price
Ramin Bahrani reached greater success both with critics and audiences both before and after this film, either by touching the subjects from the (immigrants') margin, like in...
5. At Any Price
Ramin Bahrani reached greater success both with critics and audiences both before and after this film, either by touching the subjects from the (immigrants') margin, like in...
- 6/23/2023
- by Marko Stojiljković
- AsianMoviePulse
The Tribeca Film Festival has announced the 2023 jury members in the 15 different competition categories for this year’s event. Those categories include film, immersive “storyscapes,” games, audio storytelling and more. Among the jury members are Brendan Fraser, Stephanie Hsu, Zoey Deutch, Dianna Agron, Zazie Beetz, Kate Siegel, Mark Duplass, Stephen Kay, Nina Dobrev, Clea DuVall, Piper Perabo, Chance the Rapper, Noah Centineo, Jeremy O. Harris, Andrew Ahn and Chloe Grace Moretz.
Alongside the competitive awards, the fest will present the Nora Ephron Award — created to honor the spirit and vision of the legendary filmmaker and writer. The winning films, projects, filmmakers, storytellers, and actors in each category will be announced at the Tribeca Festival ceremony on June 15th.
“We are thrilled to announce the jury for the 2023 Tribeca Festival,” said Tribeca Festival Executive Vice President of Artist Relations and Special Events Nancy Lefkowitz. “The diversity of perspectives and experiences across...
Alongside the competitive awards, the fest will present the Nora Ephron Award — created to honor the spirit and vision of the legendary filmmaker and writer. The winning films, projects, filmmakers, storytellers, and actors in each category will be announced at the Tribeca Festival ceremony on June 15th.
“We are thrilled to announce the jury for the 2023 Tribeca Festival,” said Tribeca Festival Executive Vice President of Artist Relations and Special Events Nancy Lefkowitz. “The diversity of perspectives and experiences across...
- 6/1/2023
- by Scott Mendelson
- The Wrap
The Tribeca Festival, which gets under way Wednesday in New York, has announced members of the jury who will decide winners in 15 award categories.
The jury roster of several dozen includes Brendan Fraser, Stephanie Hsu, Zoey Deutch, Dianna Agron, Zazie Beetz, Kate Siegel, Mark Duplass, Stephen Kay, Nina Dobrev, Clea DuVall, Piper Perabo, Chance the Rapper, Noah Centineo, Jeremy O. Harris, Andrew Ahn and Chloe Grace Moretz. Along with the competitive categories, the Nora Ephron Award will be presented in the memory of the filmmaker and writer.
While the festival removed the word “film” from its name several years ago to reflect its broad range of offerings in games, podcasts, music and other areas, the film slate has continued as an identifying aspect of the event. This year’s U.S. narrative feature jury includes Hsu, Ramin Bahrani, Zoey Deutch, Mike Flanagan and Tommy Oliver; the international feature jury includes Fraser,...
The jury roster of several dozen includes Brendan Fraser, Stephanie Hsu, Zoey Deutch, Dianna Agron, Zazie Beetz, Kate Siegel, Mark Duplass, Stephen Kay, Nina Dobrev, Clea DuVall, Piper Perabo, Chance the Rapper, Noah Centineo, Jeremy O. Harris, Andrew Ahn and Chloe Grace Moretz. Along with the competitive categories, the Nora Ephron Award will be presented in the memory of the filmmaker and writer.
While the festival removed the word “film” from its name several years ago to reflect its broad range of offerings in games, podcasts, music and other areas, the film slate has continued as an identifying aspect of the event. This year’s U.S. narrative feature jury includes Hsu, Ramin Bahrani, Zoey Deutch, Mike Flanagan and Tommy Oliver; the international feature jury includes Fraser,...
- 6/1/2023
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: The UK Asian Film Festival has set Bollywood stalwarts Poonam Dhillon and Rajkummar Rao as special guests for its Closing Gala, which takes places May 14 at the BFI Southbank in London.
Dhillon and Rao will be among the high-profile names in conversation at the closing night event. The UK Asian Film Festival runs at venues across the UK from May 4 — 14. This year marks the festival’s 25th anniversary.
Dhillon, one of the most recognizable names in Indian cinema, has over 100 credits across Hindi, Telegu, Kannada, Marathi, Gujarati, and Punjabi-language pics such as Noorie, Trishul, Yeh Vaada Raha, and Sohni Mahiwal. Dhillon also has extensive television credits, with work on shows such as Andaz and Kitty Party. She is also widely credited with introducing the concept of mobile makeup vans to the Indian film industry and remains the only film fraternity member of Fcat, an appellate tribunal for films facing censorship in India.
Dhillon and Rao will be among the high-profile names in conversation at the closing night event. The UK Asian Film Festival runs at venues across the UK from May 4 — 14. This year marks the festival’s 25th anniversary.
Dhillon, one of the most recognizable names in Indian cinema, has over 100 credits across Hindi, Telegu, Kannada, Marathi, Gujarati, and Punjabi-language pics such as Noorie, Trishul, Yeh Vaada Raha, and Sohni Mahiwal. Dhillon also has extensive television credits, with work on shows such as Andaz and Kitty Party. She is also widely credited with introducing the concept of mobile makeup vans to the Indian film industry and remains the only film fraternity member of Fcat, an appellate tribunal for films facing censorship in India.
- 4/24/2023
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
Brett Morgen’s Moonage Daydream wins for documentary screenplay.
Everything Everywhere All At Once added another senior honour to its awards circuit haul en route to next weekend’s Oscars, taking the prize for best original screenplay at the 2023 Writers Guild Awards on Sunday night (March 5).
The win for Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert caps another momentous week for A24’s metaverse adventure following triumphs at Saturday’s Spirit Awards and last weekend’s historical SAG Awards.
Original screenplay is one of 11 nominations the Everything team will be looking to convert at the 95th Academy Awards on March 12. Final voting...
Everything Everywhere All At Once added another senior honour to its awards circuit haul en route to next weekend’s Oscars, taking the prize for best original screenplay at the 2023 Writers Guild Awards on Sunday night (March 5).
The win for Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert caps another momentous week for A24’s metaverse adventure following triumphs at Saturday’s Spirit Awards and last weekend’s historical SAG Awards.
Original screenplay is one of 11 nominations the Everything team will be looking to convert at the 95th Academy Awards on March 12. Final voting...
- 3/6/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
“Everything Everywhere All at Once” has been named the best original film screenplay of 2023 at the Writers Guild Awards, which were held on Sunday evening in Los Angeles and New York.
The win gives “Everything Everywhere” a sweep of the four major Hollywood guild awards: the Directors Guild, Producers Guild, Writers Guild and Screen Actors Guild, where it won the ensemble cast award and set a record with four wins in the five SAG categories.
The win made the freewheeling indie film only the fifth film to sweep the major guilds since the SAG awards first handed out the ensemble award in 1995. The first four were “American Beauty,” “No Country for Old Men,” “Slumdog Millionaire” and “Argo,” all of which went on to win the Oscar for Best Picture.
If “Everything Everywhere” was a strong favorite to win that award going into this weekend, it will now be a commanding one heading into Oscar week.
The win gives “Everything Everywhere” a sweep of the four major Hollywood guild awards: the Directors Guild, Producers Guild, Writers Guild and Screen Actors Guild, where it won the ensemble cast award and set a record with four wins in the five SAG categories.
The win made the freewheeling indie film only the fifth film to sweep the major guilds since the SAG awards first handed out the ensemble award in 1995. The first four were “American Beauty,” “No Country for Old Men,” “Slumdog Millionaire” and “Argo,” all of which went on to win the Oscar for Best Picture.
If “Everything Everywhere” was a strong favorite to win that award going into this weekend, it will now be a commanding one heading into Oscar week.
- 3/6/2023
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
Writers had to share the spotlight with independent filmmakers and sound designers last night, but they’ll have it all to themselves tonight when the 75th annual Writers Guild of America awards are officially unveiled.
The WGA Awards took place in concurrent ceremonies tonight at New York’s Edison Ballroom and Los Angeles’ Fairmont Century Plaza. The Writers Guild of America West (Wgaw) and the Writers Guild of America, East (Wgae) labor unions represent writers in motion pictures, television, cable, digital media, and broadcast news.
Michelle Buteau was hosting from New York and said she felt “luckier than Pete Davidson’s dick” to be presiding over the ceremony. Her raucous monologue included lines such as, “Tom Cruise is more of a ‘Bottom Gun’ than a ‘Top Gun.'”
Feature films eligible for a Writers Guild Award were exhibited theatrically for at least one week in Los Angeles during the eligibility...
The WGA Awards took place in concurrent ceremonies tonight at New York’s Edison Ballroom and Los Angeles’ Fairmont Century Plaza. The Writers Guild of America West (Wgaw) and the Writers Guild of America, East (Wgae) labor unions represent writers in motion pictures, television, cable, digital media, and broadcast news.
Michelle Buteau was hosting from New York and said she felt “luckier than Pete Davidson’s dick” to be presiding over the ceremony. Her raucous monologue included lines such as, “Tom Cruise is more of a ‘Bottom Gun’ than a ‘Top Gun.'”
Feature films eligible for a Writers Guild Award were exhibited theatrically for at least one week in Los Angeles during the eligibility...
- 3/6/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson and Christian Zilko
- Indiewire
Sunday’s 75th Writers Guild of America Awards will conclude the guild season (and a four-guild kudos weekend). Will they portend good things to come at the Oscars for the winners?
“Everything Everywhere All at Once,” written by Daniel Kwan & Daniel Scheinert, and “Women Talking,” written by Sarah Polley, are projected to win the Best Original Screenplay and Best Adapted Screenplay prizes, respectively. The caveat, of course, is that neither is facing its top Oscar competition at WGA due to the guild’s eligibility requirements. Martin McDonagh‘s “The Banshees of Inisherin” script, which won the Golden Globe and BAFTA, is Awol in original, as is Oscar nominee “Triangle of Sadness.” And BAFTA’s adapted screenplay champ “All Quiet on the Western Front,” written by Edward Berger, Lesley Paterson and Ian Stokell, is ineligible, along with Oscar nominee “Living.”
Over on the small screen side of things, “Better Call Saul...
“Everything Everywhere All at Once,” written by Daniel Kwan & Daniel Scheinert, and “Women Talking,” written by Sarah Polley, are projected to win the Best Original Screenplay and Best Adapted Screenplay prizes, respectively. The caveat, of course, is that neither is facing its top Oscar competition at WGA due to the guild’s eligibility requirements. Martin McDonagh‘s “The Banshees of Inisherin” script, which won the Golden Globe and BAFTA, is Awol in original, as is Oscar nominee “Triangle of Sadness.” And BAFTA’s adapted screenplay champ “All Quiet on the Western Front,” written by Edward Berger, Lesley Paterson and Ian Stokell, is ineligible, along with Oscar nominee “Living.”
Over on the small screen side of things, “Better Call Saul...
- 3/6/2023
- by Joyce Eng
- Gold Derby
With Independent Spirit festivities only days away, the Cinedigm folks have landed the North American rights to the surprise film nominated in the Best Feature category of the awards show. A 2021 Venice Film Festival selection in the Biennale College Cinema sidebar and a Tribeca Film Fest favorite, Ellie Foumbi‘s Our Father, the Devil will receive a theatrical push later this year.
Starring Babetida Sadjo as Marie, the head chef at a retirement home in small-town France. Her easy day-to-day life spent caring for residents, hanging out with her co-worker and best friend Nadia (Jennifer Tchiakpe), and teasing a potential new romance is disrupted by the arrival of Father Patrick (Souleìymane Sy Savané – from Ramin Bahrani’s Goodbye Solo fame), an African priest whom she recognizes from a terrifying episode in her homeland.…...
Starring Babetida Sadjo as Marie, the head chef at a retirement home in small-town France. Her easy day-to-day life spent caring for residents, hanging out with her co-worker and best friend Nadia (Jennifer Tchiakpe), and teasing a potential new romance is disrupted by the arrival of Father Patrick (Souleìymane Sy Savané – from Ramin Bahrani’s Goodbye Solo fame), an African priest whom she recognizes from a terrifying episode in her homeland.…...
- 3/2/2023
- by Eric Lavallée
- IONCINEMA.com
If you love “Junebug,” the 2005 indie that launched Amy Adams’ career, then you probably felt at the time as film critic Jan Stuart did. He’s quoted on the poster as saying, “It is only a matter of time before [director] Phil Morrison achieves the status of Jim Jarmusch, Gus Van Sant, and Woody Allen.” Well, that prediction never really came to pass. Morrison made one more feature, then turned his attention to commercials. Meanwhile, the film’s screenwriter, Angus MacLachlan, has slowly but surely emerged as an auteur of authentic stories representing the American South.
MacLachlan’s third film as director (and the first to be selected for Sundance featuring him in that role), “A Little Prayer” shares much of the sensibility — and sensitivity — that made “Junebug” so special. Once again, he’s written a modestly scaled but deep-reaching relationship drama about a white middle-class North Carolina family that believes in God,...
MacLachlan’s third film as director (and the first to be selected for Sundance featuring him in that role), “A Little Prayer” shares much of the sensibility — and sensitivity — that made “Junebug” so special. Once again, he’s written a modestly scaled but deep-reaching relationship drama about a white middle-class North Carolina family that believes in God,...
- 1/26/2023
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
Don’t look for four of the 10 Oscar nominees for screenplay (the original scripts for “The Banshees of Inisherin” and “Triangle of Sadness” plus the adaptations of “All Quiet on the Western Front” and “Living” ) on the list of 2023 Writers Guild of America Awards nominations announced January 25. They didn’t qualify for consideration under the guild’s guidelines or those of its international partners.
The Original Screenplay frontrunner “Everything Everywhere All at Once” is in contention for this guild award as are two of its Oscar rivals: “The Fabelmans” and “Tar.” The WGA race is rounded out by the scripts for “The Menu” and “Nope.”
Likewise our predicted winner for Best Adapted Screenplay at the Oscars — “Women Talking” — is vying for this award too. It faces off against a pair of Oscar nominees — “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” and “Top Gun: Maverick” — plus “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” and “She Said....
The Original Screenplay frontrunner “Everything Everywhere All at Once” is in contention for this guild award as are two of its Oscar rivals: “The Fabelmans” and “Tar.” The WGA race is rounded out by the scripts for “The Menu” and “Nope.”
Likewise our predicted winner for Best Adapted Screenplay at the Oscars — “Women Talking” — is vying for this award too. It faces off against a pair of Oscar nominees — “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” and “Top Gun: Maverick” — plus “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” and “She Said....
- 1/25/2023
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
The Writers Guild of America, East (Wgae) and Writers Guild of America West (Wgaw) announced the outstanding screenplay nominees for their annual Writers Guild Awards just one day after the 2023 Oscars nominations came out. Given the organization’s strict eligibility rules, the WGA has created interesting differences between its choices and the Academy’s this year.
Looking at the five WGA Original Screenplay nominees, only three were nominated for the Best Original Screenplay Oscar: “The Fabelmans,” “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” and “TÁR.” The difference could easily be chalked up to the fact that Martin McDonagh’s “The Banshees of Inisherin” and Ruben Östlund’s “Triangle of Sadness” were not eligible, as they were not written under the WGA’s Minimum Basic Agreement (Mba) or under a bona fide collective bargaining agreement of an international affiliate Guild.
The other two WGA Original Screenplay nominees, Jordan Peele’s “Nope” and Seth Reiss...
Looking at the five WGA Original Screenplay nominees, only three were nominated for the Best Original Screenplay Oscar: “The Fabelmans,” “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” and “TÁR.” The difference could easily be chalked up to the fact that Martin McDonagh’s “The Banshees of Inisherin” and Ruben Östlund’s “Triangle of Sadness” were not eligible, as they were not written under the WGA’s Minimum Basic Agreement (Mba) or under a bona fide collective bargaining agreement of an international affiliate Guild.
The other two WGA Original Screenplay nominees, Jordan Peele’s “Nope” and Seth Reiss...
- 1/25/2023
- by Marcus Jones
- Indiewire
Awards ceremony in New York and Los Angeles to take place on March 5
The 2023 Writers Guild Of America (Ega) screenplay nominations have been announced and the field includes Jordan Peele’s Nope in the original category, Sarah Polley’s Women Talking in adapted, and Brett Morgen’s Moonage Daydream in documentary.
Besides the aforementioned, anticipated heavyweight nominees include The Fablemans by Steven Spielberg and Tony Kushner, Everything Everywhere All At Once by the Daniels, Tár by Todd Field, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever by Ryan Coogler and Joe Robert Cole, and Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery by Rian Johnson.
Winners...
The 2023 Writers Guild Of America (Ega) screenplay nominations have been announced and the field includes Jordan Peele’s Nope in the original category, Sarah Polley’s Women Talking in adapted, and Brett Morgen’s Moonage Daydream in documentary.
Besides the aforementioned, anticipated heavyweight nominees include The Fablemans by Steven Spielberg and Tony Kushner, Everything Everywhere All At Once by the Daniels, Tár by Todd Field, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever by Ryan Coogler and Joe Robert Cole, and Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery by Rian Johnson.
Winners...
- 1/25/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
WGA Awards Film Nominations: ‘Everything Everywhere’, ‘Top Gun: Maverick’, ‘The Menu’, ‘Nope’ & More
The WGA has written out the film nominations for its 2023 Writers Guild Awards, spanning original, adapted and documentary screenplays. See the full list below.
Up for Original Screenplay are the scripts for Everything Everywhere All at Once, The Fabelmans, The Menu, Nope and Tár. Vying for Adapted Screenplay are Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, She Said, Top Gun: Maverick and Women Talking.
Related Story Top Oscar Screenplay Contenders ‘Banshees Of Inisherin’, ‘Triangle Of Sadness’, ‘All Quiet On The Western Front’, ‘Living’, ‘Pinocchio’ Among Those Ruled Ineligible By WGA Related Story Michelle Buteau To Host 75th Annual Writers Guild Awards In New York Related Story WGA Writers Look Back At 2007-08 Strike For Lessons To Apply To Looming Negotiations: "They Call It Fog Of War For A Reason"
Of the 10 nominees in the non-doc feature races, four are different from the Oscar nominations revealed Tuesday: The Menu and Nope in Original,...
Up for Original Screenplay are the scripts for Everything Everywhere All at Once, The Fabelmans, The Menu, Nope and Tár. Vying for Adapted Screenplay are Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, She Said, Top Gun: Maverick and Women Talking.
Related Story Top Oscar Screenplay Contenders ‘Banshees Of Inisherin’, ‘Triangle Of Sadness’, ‘All Quiet On The Western Front’, ‘Living’, ‘Pinocchio’ Among Those Ruled Ineligible By WGA Related Story Michelle Buteau To Host 75th Annual Writers Guild Awards In New York Related Story WGA Writers Look Back At 2007-08 Strike For Lessons To Apply To Looming Negotiations: "They Call It Fog Of War For A Reason"
Of the 10 nominees in the non-doc feature races, four are different from the Oscar nominations revealed Tuesday: The Menu and Nope in Original,...
- 1/25/2023
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Oscar-nominated screenplays “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” “The Fabelmans,” “Tár,” “Glass Onion,” “Top Gun: Maverick” and “Women Talking” are among this year’s Writers Guild of America Awards nominees.
Nominated screenplays such as “The Banshees of Inisherin,” “Triangle of Sadness,” “Living” and “All Quiet on the Western Front” were not eligible by the guild.
Some inspired inclusions this year were the bloody chef flick “The Menu” and the sci-fi UFO chaser “Nope” in original screenplay.
On the adapted side, the Marvel sequel “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” follows in the footsteps of its predecessor, in addition to the depiction of the Harvey Weinstein scandal in “She Said.”
The film and TV winners will be honored at the 2023 Writers Guild Awards ceremonies on Sunday, March 5.
Original Screenplay
“Everything Everywhere All At Once” (A24) — Written by Daniel Kwan & Daniel Scheinert
“The Fabelmans” (Universal Pictures) — Written by Steven Spielberg & Tony Kushner
“The Menu” (Searchlight Pictures...
Nominated screenplays such as “The Banshees of Inisherin,” “Triangle of Sadness,” “Living” and “All Quiet on the Western Front” were not eligible by the guild.
Some inspired inclusions this year were the bloody chef flick “The Menu” and the sci-fi UFO chaser “Nope” in original screenplay.
On the adapted side, the Marvel sequel “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” follows in the footsteps of its predecessor, in addition to the depiction of the Harvey Weinstein scandal in “She Said.”
The film and TV winners will be honored at the 2023 Writers Guild Awards ceremonies on Sunday, March 5.
Original Screenplay
“Everything Everywhere All At Once” (A24) — Written by Daniel Kwan & Daniel Scheinert
“The Fabelmans” (Universal Pictures) — Written by Steven Spielberg & Tony Kushner
“The Menu” (Searchlight Pictures...
- 1/25/2023
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
The Writers Guild has revealed its nominations in the categories of original, adapted and documentary screenplay, with Oscar-nominated scripts for Everything Everywhere All at Once, The Fabelmans, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, Tár, Top Gun: Maverick and Women Talking all earning nods.
Along with the Daniels’ Everything Everywhere, Steven Spielberg and Tony Kushner’s The Fabelmans and Todd Field’s Tár, the WGA also recognized Seth Reiss and Will Tracy’s dark fine-dining satire The Menu and Jordan Peele’s extraterrestrial thriller Nope in the original screenplay category, proving that this year the guild was less skittish about the horror genre than the Academy.
In the adapted screenplay field, Glass Onion, Top Gun: Maverick and Women Talking will face off against Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and She Said. The documentary screenplay category features five films not recognized by the Academy: 2nd Chance, Downfall: The Case Against Boeing, Last Flight Home,...
Along with the Daniels’ Everything Everywhere, Steven Spielberg and Tony Kushner’s The Fabelmans and Todd Field’s Tár, the WGA also recognized Seth Reiss and Will Tracy’s dark fine-dining satire The Menu and Jordan Peele’s extraterrestrial thriller Nope in the original screenplay category, proving that this year the guild was less skittish about the horror genre than the Academy.
In the adapted screenplay field, Glass Onion, Top Gun: Maverick and Women Talking will face off against Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and She Said. The documentary screenplay category features five films not recognized by the Academy: 2nd Chance, Downfall: The Case Against Boeing, Last Flight Home,...
- 1/25/2023
- by Hilary Lewis and Tyler Coates
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
‘The Fabelmans,’ ‘Women Talking,’ ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ Land Writers Guild Nominations
“Everything Everywhere All at Once,” “Top Gun: Maverick,” “Women Talking” and “The Fabelmans” are among the films nominated in the film categories for the 75th annual Writers Guild Awards, the WGA, West and WGA, East announced on Wednesday.
In the Adapted Screenplay category, the guild went for Oscar nominees “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery,” “Top Gun: Maverick” and “Women Talking,” along with “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” and “She Said.”
In Original Screenplay, Oscar nominees “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” “The Fabelmans” and “Tar” were nominated, as were “The Menu” and “Nope.”
Also Read:
Oscar Nominations 2023: Andrea Riseborough, Brian Tyree Henry and Paul Mescal Break Into the Race (Complete List)
It is unusual for the Writers Guild to announce its nominations after the Oscar nominations. The two bodies often differ because of WGA eligibility rules that restrict eligibility to screenplays that were written under the guild’s Minimum Basic...
In the Adapted Screenplay category, the guild went for Oscar nominees “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery,” “Top Gun: Maverick” and “Women Talking,” along with “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” and “She Said.”
In Original Screenplay, Oscar nominees “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” “The Fabelmans” and “Tar” were nominated, as were “The Menu” and “Nope.”
Also Read:
Oscar Nominations 2023: Andrea Riseborough, Brian Tyree Henry and Paul Mescal Break Into the Race (Complete List)
It is unusual for the Writers Guild to announce its nominations after the Oscar nominations. The two bodies often differ because of WGA eligibility rules that restrict eligibility to screenplays that were written under the guild’s Minimum Basic...
- 1/25/2023
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
Following a glowing reception in its premiere at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, Sony has acquired worldwide rights to the drama “A Little Prayer,” an individual with knowledge of the matter told TheWrap. While specifics of the deal haven’t been disclosed, it’s said to be in the 7 figure range.
Playwright and screenwriter Angus MacLachlan directed and scripted the film. MacLachlan is most known for writing the screenplays for the 2005 film “Junebug,” and the cult short film “Tater Tomater.”
Also Read:
‘A Little Prayer’ Review: David Strathairn Shines as Conflicted Patriarch in Thoughtful Family Drama
“A Little Prayer,” stars David Straithairn (Bill) Celia Weston, (Venida), and Will Pullen, (David “Dickson). The film centers on three generations of a North Carolina family, their sheet metal business, a father and son who are both military veterans, and the women in their lives.
Lauren Vilchik, Max Butler, and Angus produced. Ramin Bahrani is an executive producer,...
Playwright and screenwriter Angus MacLachlan directed and scripted the film. MacLachlan is most known for writing the screenplays for the 2005 film “Junebug,” and the cult short film “Tater Tomater.”
Also Read:
‘A Little Prayer’ Review: David Strathairn Shines as Conflicted Patriarch in Thoughtful Family Drama
“A Little Prayer,” stars David Straithairn (Bill) Celia Weston, (Venida), and Will Pullen, (David “Dickson). The film centers on three generations of a North Carolina family, their sheet metal business, a father and son who are both military veterans, and the women in their lives.
Lauren Vilchik, Max Butler, and Angus produced. Ramin Bahrani is an executive producer,...
- 1/25/2023
- by Joshua Vinson
- The Wrap
Angus MacLachlan wrote 2005’s terrific indie Junebug, which put Amy Adams on the big-time map and earned her a Supporting Actress Oscar nomination in a heartbreaking performance. It also put MacLachlan on the map with his first screenplay, and it was an auspicious start. Since then he has added directing to his credits including Goodbye to All and Abundant Acreage Available but tonight returned to the Sundance Film Festival with his latest, A Little Prayer, shot and set in his hometown of Winston-Salem, Nc.
Perhaps the kind of small indie that defines the term “Sundance movie,” A Little Prayer is largely a showcase for an exceptionally talented cast who make up the troubled family in this tale. It drifts into some soapy territory before it is over but is rescued by some fine acting, even if at times it feels more like a TV production than a gritty independent film,...
Perhaps the kind of small indie that defines the term “Sundance movie,” A Little Prayer is largely a showcase for an exceptionally talented cast who make up the troubled family in this tale. It drifts into some soapy territory before it is over but is rescued by some fine acting, even if at times it feels more like a TV production than a gritty independent film,...
- 1/24/2023
- by Pete Hammond
- Deadline Film + TV
Sundance’s return to in person events after two years due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has been much celebrated since the annual festival kicked off on Jan. 19 in Park City, Utah.
But the 2023 iteration isn’t just an exciting return for the organizers or attendees. For A Little Prayer producer Ramin Bahrani, it’s been a “wonderful” experience following his appearance at last year’s virtual festival, which featured a premiere screening of his documentary 2nd Chance, about Richard Davis, the inventor of the modern-day bulletproof vest.
It’s a movie the Oscar-nominated Bahrani, who is also behind The White Tiger and 99 Holmes, acknowledges has a thematic overlap with director Angus MacLachlan’s film in its examination of men and larger social issues. “For A Little Prayer, I’m thrilled that Angus and his team will enjoy an in-person festival because the humor and emotional ending of his film...
But the 2023 iteration isn’t just an exciting return for the organizers or attendees. For A Little Prayer producer Ramin Bahrani, it’s been a “wonderful” experience following his appearance at last year’s virtual festival, which featured a premiere screening of his documentary 2nd Chance, about Richard Davis, the inventor of the modern-day bulletproof vest.
It’s a movie the Oscar-nominated Bahrani, who is also behind The White Tiger and 99 Holmes, acknowledges has a thematic overlap with director Angus MacLachlan’s film in its examination of men and larger social issues. “For A Little Prayer, I’m thrilled that Angus and his team will enjoy an in-person festival because the humor and emotional ending of his film...
- 1/23/2023
- by Abbey White
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Each week we highlight the noteworthy titles that have recently hit streaming platforms in the United States. Check out this week’s selections below and past round-ups here.
2nd Chance (Ramin Bahrani)
It’s an eerie image. Richard Davis stands out in a field, wearing a kevlar vest, and points a pistol into his belly. Then he pulls the trigger, skips back a bit, and checks his red-burned skin. Over the course of his life, he would do this—shoot himself—192 times, proving the efficacy of his life-saving device in the most visceral and operatic way possible. “A lot of people think I’m stupid for doing this,” he tells the camera before one of these high-wire demonstrations, and for just a moment, an air of unpredictability hangs over this bullet-proof vest magnate’s next move. – Jake K. (full review)
Where to Stream: VOD
Devotion (J.D. Dillard)
Devotion adheres to...
2nd Chance (Ramin Bahrani)
It’s an eerie image. Richard Davis stands out in a field, wearing a kevlar vest, and points a pistol into his belly. Then he pulls the trigger, skips back a bit, and checks his red-burned skin. Over the course of his life, he would do this—shoot himself—192 times, proving the efficacy of his life-saving device in the most visceral and operatic way possible. “A lot of people think I’m stupid for doing this,” he tells the camera before one of these high-wire demonstrations, and for just a moment, an air of unpredictability hangs over this bullet-proof vest magnate’s next move. – Jake K. (full review)
Where to Stream: VOD
Devotion (J.D. Dillard)
Devotion adheres to...
- 1/13/2023
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Left Handed Films, the production company of Academy Award-winning producer and actor Riz Ahmed, has joined the Pakistani film “Joyland” as an executive producer.
Written and directed by Saim Sadiq, “Joyland” made its world premiere at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival, where it was awarded the Un Certain Regard jury prize and the Queer Palm. The film has been nominated for best international film at the 2023 Independent Spirit Awards and was recently shortlisted for best international feature film at the 95th Academy Awards, as Pakistan’s official entry.
The film tells the story of Haider (Ali Junejo), who lives with his wife Mumtaz (Rasti Farooq), his father and his elder brother’s family in Lahore, Pakistan. After a long spell of unemployment, Haider lands a job working as a background dancer at a Bollywood-style burlesque — though he tells his family he’s the theater’s manager — and falls in love with...
Written and directed by Saim Sadiq, “Joyland” made its world premiere at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival, where it was awarded the Un Certain Regard jury prize and the Queer Palm. The film has been nominated for best international film at the 2023 Independent Spirit Awards and was recently shortlisted for best international feature film at the 95th Academy Awards, as Pakistan’s official entry.
The film tells the story of Haider (Ali Junejo), who lives with his wife Mumtaz (Rasti Farooq), his father and his elder brother’s family in Lahore, Pakistan. After a long spell of unemployment, Haider lands a job working as a background dancer at a Bollywood-style burlesque — though he tells his family he’s the theater’s manager — and falls in love with...
- 1/12/2023
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Trailblazing Pakistani movie Joyland has been picked up for U.S. distribution by Oscilloscope.
After becoming the first Pakistani movie to debut at Cannes, where it was awarded the Jury Prize in the Un Certain Regard category, and the Queer Palm, the film made more history by becoming Pakistan’s first film to make the Academy longlist for Best International Feature.
Written and directed by Saim Sadiq, and executive-produced by Nobel Prize winner Malala Yousafzai, Ramin Bahrani and Jemima Khan, the film charts the story of the youngest son in a traditional Pakistani family who takes a job as a backup dancer in a Bollywood-style burlesque. He quickly becomes infatuated with the strong-willed trans woman who runs the show. Starring are Ali Junejo, Rasti Farooq and Alina Khan.
Oscilloscope is planning a traditional theatrical release for the film later this year. WME Independent handled domestic rights and brokered the...
After becoming the first Pakistani movie to debut at Cannes, where it was awarded the Jury Prize in the Un Certain Regard category, and the Queer Palm, the film made more history by becoming Pakistan’s first film to make the Academy longlist for Best International Feature.
Written and directed by Saim Sadiq, and executive-produced by Nobel Prize winner Malala Yousafzai, Ramin Bahrani and Jemima Khan, the film charts the story of the youngest son in a traditional Pakistani family who takes a job as a backup dancer in a Bollywood-style burlesque. He quickly becomes infatuated with the strong-willed trans woman who runs the show. Starring are Ali Junejo, Rasti Farooq and Alina Khan.
Oscilloscope is planning a traditional theatrical release for the film later this year. WME Independent handled domestic rights and brokered the...
- 1/6/2023
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
The documentary form continued to flex its power in 2022, delivering stories and perspectives of astonishing breadth and sometimes granular artistry. What stood out were the movies that didn’t take their issues or subjects at face value, but rather sought something more resonant about the workings of the world, or even told us more about ourselves and what’s possible. Across these brilliant films, the mysterious is interrogated, the accepted is challenged, and the past is reckoned with, but what we’re always left with is the human heart’s resilience to do all that necessary interrogating, challenging and reckoning.
Also Read:
The 10 Best Films of 2022, from ‘Eo’ to ‘Rrr’ All That Breathes Rise Films
The year’s most artful documentary operates on two layers: introducing us to the modest hawk-repairing operation of two Muslim brothers in pollution-choked Delhi, where the birds just fall out of the sky, and showing...
Also Read:
The 10 Best Films of 2022, from ‘Eo’ to ‘Rrr’ All That Breathes Rise Films
The year’s most artful documentary operates on two layers: introducing us to the modest hawk-repairing operation of two Muslim brothers in pollution-choked Delhi, where the birds just fall out of the sky, and showing...
- 12/21/2022
- by Robert Abele
- The Wrap
This past summer, it was revealed that Florence Pugh was set to lead the cast of a new series adaptation of “East of Eden,” written by Zoe Kazan. But that’s not the only John Steinbeck novel getting a new TV adaptation, as it appears “The Grapes of Wrath” is on the horizon, as well.
According to Deadline, Fifth Season is producing a new TV series based on the novel “The Grapes of Wrath.” However, what makes this incredibly interesting isn’t just that it’s based on the classic American novel by John Steinbeck, but the adaptation will be written and directed by none other than Ramin Bahrani.
Continue reading ‘The Grapes Of Wrath’: Ramin Bahrani To Write & Direct A New TV Series Adaptation Of John Steinbeck’s Classic Novel at The Playlist.
According to Deadline, Fifth Season is producing a new TV series based on the novel “The Grapes of Wrath.” However, what makes this incredibly interesting isn’t just that it’s based on the classic American novel by John Steinbeck, but the adaptation will be written and directed by none other than Ramin Bahrani.
Continue reading ‘The Grapes Of Wrath’: Ramin Bahrani To Write & Direct A New TV Series Adaptation Of John Steinbeck’s Classic Novel at The Playlist.
- 12/12/2022
- by Charles Barfield
- The Playlist
Exclusive: Fifth Season is gearing up for its first full year with new owners and a new name.
The company formerly known as Endeavor Content has new owners in Korea’s Cj Enm after a 785M deal and on the television side has moved from a business that scored a number of buzzy orders from streamers to one that is starting to get renewals and move into new areas.
Series such as Apple’s Severance, HBO Max’s Tokyo Vice, Peacock’s Wolf Like Me and even Hulu’s Nicole Kidman-fronted Nine Perfect Strangers, which was originally designed as a limited series, are coming back for second seasons.
Fifth Season is also now looking at new fronts including a growing international business, with the opportunity for global co-productions, and moving into new genres such as romance with the likes of Amy Adams, and searching for its own version of...
The company formerly known as Endeavor Content has new owners in Korea’s Cj Enm after a 785M deal and on the television side has moved from a business that scored a number of buzzy orders from streamers to one that is starting to get renewals and move into new areas.
Series such as Apple’s Severance, HBO Max’s Tokyo Vice, Peacock’s Wolf Like Me and even Hulu’s Nicole Kidman-fronted Nine Perfect Strangers, which was originally designed as a limited series, are coming back for second seasons.
Fifth Season is also now looking at new fronts including a growing international business, with the opportunity for global co-productions, and moving into new genres such as romance with the likes of Amy Adams, and searching for its own version of...
- 12/12/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
Art
1341 Frames of Love and War (Yes Docu)
In celebrating the work of acclaimed Israeli war photographer Micha Bar-Am, director Ran Tal’s 1341 Frames of Love and War offers a meditation on photography, political violence and identity through an exclusive (and exhaustive) deep dive into Bar-Am’s expansive artistic archives over the past five decades.
All the Beauty and the Bloodshed (Neon)
Laura Poitras (an Oscar winner for 2014’s Citizenfour) directs this portrait of renowned photographer Nan Goldin, one that offers intimate access to her suburban upbringing and experiences living among marginalized communities and artistic scenes in New York City. It also depicts the downfall of the Sackler family, a target of Goldin’s activism and whose company Purdue Pharma created and marketed OxyContin — the root cause of the American opioid epidemic.
Art & Krimes by Krimes (MTV Documentary Films)
While serving a six-year prison sentence for drug possession,...
Art
1341 Frames of Love and War (Yes Docu)
In celebrating the work of acclaimed Israeli war photographer Micha Bar-Am, director Ran Tal’s 1341 Frames of Love and War offers a meditation on photography, political violence and identity through an exclusive (and exhaustive) deep dive into Bar-Am’s expansive artistic archives over the past five decades.
All the Beauty and the Bloodshed (Neon)
Laura Poitras (an Oscar winner for 2014’s Citizenfour) directs this portrait of renowned photographer Nan Goldin, one that offers intimate access to her suburban upbringing and experiences living among marginalized communities and artistic scenes in New York City. It also depicts the downfall of the Sackler family, a target of Goldin’s activism and whose company Purdue Pharma created and marketed OxyContin — the root cause of the American opioid epidemic.
Art & Krimes by Krimes (MTV Documentary Films)
While serving a six-year prison sentence for drug possession,...
- 12/8/2022
- by Tyler Coates, Beatrice Verhoeven and Hilton Dresden
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
When Ramin Bahrani came on board to direct “2nd Chance,” about Richard Davis, the project’s producers, Johnny Galvin and Daniel M. Turcan had a much different idea as to what it was going to be. “When I saw the material and the archives of Richard, they wanted to make a fiction film and I said that this is, to me, very interesting as a documentary. I had done two short docs but never a feature doc,” he tells Gold Derby during our recent webchat (watch the exclusive video interview above).
Even with Davis already on board, Bahrani made sure to communicate to his son Matt about what he envisioned for the movie. “I let Matt know I am not coming there to make a vanity film about his father, but I’m also not coming there to do a takedown movie. I hoped his father would be truthful and honest and open about things.
Even with Davis already on board, Bahrani made sure to communicate to his son Matt about what he envisioned for the movie. “I let Matt know I am not coming there to make a vanity film about his father, but I’m also not coming there to do a takedown movie. I hoped his father would be truthful and honest and open about things.
- 12/7/2022
- by Charles Bright
- Gold Derby
This review originally ran January 22, 2022, in conjunction with the film’s premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.
If, at the end of your days, you were shown a nifty graph determining the average of all the positive deeds and negative acts you inflicted on others during your life, would you be considered more of a hero or villain?
Pointing his camera along the narrow divide that sometimes exists between the two ends, Ramin Bahrani’s brilliantly inquisitive documentary “2nd Chance” explores the mythos of a self-made tycoon allergic to accountability, but whose proud creation has undeniably saved numerous lives.
This remarkably balanced non-fiction piece takes its multi-layered title from the name of the once prosperous company founded by Richard Davis, the infamous inventor of the modern bulletproof vest. Bahrani, whose narrative work centers individuals on the overlooked margins of society, finds in Davis a subject worthy of ambivalent scrutiny through...
If, at the end of your days, you were shown a nifty graph determining the average of all the positive deeds and negative acts you inflicted on others during your life, would you be considered more of a hero or villain?
Pointing his camera along the narrow divide that sometimes exists between the two ends, Ramin Bahrani’s brilliantly inquisitive documentary “2nd Chance” explores the mythos of a self-made tycoon allergic to accountability, but whose proud creation has undeniably saved numerous lives.
This remarkably balanced non-fiction piece takes its multi-layered title from the name of the once prosperous company founded by Richard Davis, the infamous inventor of the modern bulletproof vest. Bahrani, whose narrative work centers individuals on the overlooked margins of society, finds in Davis a subject worthy of ambivalent scrutiny through...
- 12/2/2022
- by Carlos Aguilar
- The Wrap
A platoon of titles hits the specialty circuit this weekend, getting in ahead of steamroller Avatar: Way of Water and the year-end deadline for Oscar eligibility. This is a soul-searching, what-lies-ahead moment for a market still much too inconsistent for comfort, but that can be pondered later. At the moment, indie distributors are quite busy “with all these movies, and these plans to release theatrically. We are not going anywhere,” said one executive.
The Gotham Awards earlier this were were a shot of goodwill. Focus Features chairman Peter Kujawski recalled “the mandate that all of us share in the specialty film business” at the ceremony in NYC, kicking off awards season.
“To all our friends at A24, at Neon, at Searchlight, Sony Pictures Classics, IFC, Bleecker Street, FilmNation, Cinetic, Participant and so many other wonderful companies,” he said — accepting an industry tribute with vice chairman Jason Cassidy – “We are in there together,...
The Gotham Awards earlier this were were a shot of goodwill. Focus Features chairman Peter Kujawski recalled “the mandate that all of us share in the specialty film business” at the ceremony in NYC, kicking off awards season.
“To all our friends at A24, at Neon, at Searchlight, Sony Pictures Classics, IFC, Bleecker Street, FilmNation, Cinetic, Participant and so many other wonderful companies,” he said — accepting an industry tribute with vice chairman Jason Cassidy – “We are in there together,...
- 12/2/2022
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
As we enter the final month of the year, much of our focus will be on wrapping up 2022 in cinema with a number of features. In terms of new releases, there are a number of notable offerings sneaking in at the end of the year and we’ve rounded up the essentials.
There are also a few caveats: we didn’t include a handful of stellar films that have qualifying runs and will be properly released in 2023—including One Fine Morning, Return to Seoul, and Saint Omer. And a number of Netflix titles will arrive on their platform this month, but received theatrical releases beginning last month, so they were featured on our November list.
Check out our December picks to see below.
12. The Whale (Darren Aronofsky; Dec. 9)
After wildly divisive reactions since its Venice premiere, A24’s tepid marketing for The Whale suggests they hope awards voters recognize Brendan Fraser...
There are also a few caveats: we didn’t include a handful of stellar films that have qualifying runs and will be properly released in 2023—including One Fine Morning, Return to Seoul, and Saint Omer. And a number of Netflix titles will arrive on their platform this month, but received theatrical releases beginning last month, so they were featured on our November list.
Check out our December picks to see below.
12. The Whale (Darren Aronofsky; Dec. 9)
After wildly divisive reactions since its Venice premiere, A24’s tepid marketing for The Whale suggests they hope awards voters recognize Brendan Fraser...
- 12/2/2022
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Richard Davis achieved redneck nirvana. The crude and quotable subject of 2nd Chance, Davis transformed in the 1970s from bankrupt pizzeria owner to small-town kingpin after inventing the bulletproof vest. The phrase “redneck nirvana” had a particular meaning for him: It meant he could suddenly afford to buy anything at the local KMart. Success soon unleashed his inner manchild. Davis devoted his leisure time to blowing shit up, burning through wives and producing straight-to-vhs movies that valorized police violence. “Redneck Nirvana,” it turns out, could serve as an alternate title for a film about Davis, a larger-than-life figure whose story […]
The post “Copaganda,” Herzog and Punisher Comics: Ramin Bahrani on 2nd Chance first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post “Copaganda,” Herzog and Punisher Comics: Ramin Bahrani on 2nd Chance first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 12/2/2022
- by Soheil Rezayazdi
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Richard Davis achieved redneck nirvana. The crude and quotable subject of 2nd Chance, Davis transformed in the 1970s from bankrupt pizzeria owner to small-town kingpin after inventing the bulletproof vest. The phrase “redneck nirvana” had a particular meaning for him: It meant he could suddenly afford to buy anything at the local KMart. Success soon unleashed his inner manchild. Davis devoted his leisure time to blowing shit up, burning through wives and producing straight-to-vhs movies that valorized police violence. “Redneck Nirvana,” it turns out, could serve as an alternate title for a film about Davis, a larger-than-life figure whose story […]
The post “Copaganda,” Herzog and Punisher Comics: Ramin Bahrani on 2nd Chance first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post “Copaganda,” Herzog and Punisher Comics: Ramin Bahrani on 2nd Chance first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 12/2/2022
- by Soheil Rezayazdi
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
One of the chapter headings within Ramin Bahrani’s documentary “2nd Chance,” which profiles the eccentric and controversial inventor of the bulletproof vest Richard Davis, is “Print the Legend,” a line drawn from John Ford’s American classic “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.” Time and again in the film, Bahrani probes Davis for the truth, to own up to misgivings or inflated stories in his life, only to find him unwilling — or incapable — of admitting otherwise.
But rather than view Davis’ frequent stonewalling as a roadblock, Bahrani, who made his feature documentary debut with “2nd Chance,” saw it as an opportunity to embrace the myth of Richard Davis and unpack the contradictions of the man and the America he influenced with his invention.
“There seemed to be the possibilities of dealing with someone stuck with a real cognitive dissonance about who he is, what he’s done and the...
But rather than view Davis’ frequent stonewalling as a roadblock, Bahrani, who made his feature documentary debut with “2nd Chance,” saw it as an opportunity to embrace the myth of Richard Davis and unpack the contradictions of the man and the America he influenced with his invention.
“There seemed to be the possibilities of dealing with someone stuck with a real cognitive dissonance about who he is, what he’s done and the...
- 12/1/2022
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Richard Davis is a complicated figure. As an out-of-work pizzeria owner who then invented the modern-day bulletproof vest, his larger-than-life personality led to marketing campaigns where he’d shoot himself (192 times!) in the chest to prove the quality of his product. His life and career then takes a turn of contradictions and falsities and, in his first documentary feature, Ramin Bahrani speaks to the man and those closest to him to try finding some truth.
Ahead of the theatrical release of 2nd Chance this Friday, December 2 from Bleecker Street and Showtime, I had the opportunity to speak with Bahrani about his uniquely American tale of mythmaking, diving into his first feature-length documentary, unreliable narrators, and the documentarians he looks up to and collaborates with.
The Film Stage: How did you come across the story of Richard Davis, and what was the process knowing this would be your first feature-length documentary?...
Ahead of the theatrical release of 2nd Chance this Friday, December 2 from Bleecker Street and Showtime, I had the opportunity to speak with Bahrani about his uniquely American tale of mythmaking, diving into his first feature-length documentary, unreliable narrators, and the documentarians he looks up to and collaborates with.
The Film Stage: How did you come across the story of Richard Davis, and what was the process knowing this would be your first feature-length documentary?...
- 11/28/2022
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Fifth Season, the company formerly known as Endeavor Content, is bulking up its non-scripted and documentary business.
It has hired former Blumhouse exec Mary Lisio in the newly created role of EVP, Non-Scripted, Development & Production. She will build out the company’s non-scripted slate across streaming, linear and theatrical distribution and will work closely with Kevin Iwashina, who heads up the company’s documentary investment and sales business.
Lisio, who left Blumhouse last year, oversaw series such as Netflix’s Worst Roommate Ever and doc Pray Away, CNN series The People v. The Klan, HBO Max’s What Happened, Brittany Murphy? and HBO’s The Anarchists. She also oversaw the development and sales of podcasts such as Revelations and The Oval Office Tapes.
Prior to joining Blumhouse, Lisio was at Ridley Scott’s Scott Free and Rsa Films, where she worked on Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives for Apple Music,...
It has hired former Blumhouse exec Mary Lisio in the newly created role of EVP, Non-Scripted, Development & Production. She will build out the company’s non-scripted slate across streaming, linear and theatrical distribution and will work closely with Kevin Iwashina, who heads up the company’s documentary investment and sales business.
Lisio, who left Blumhouse last year, oversaw series such as Netflix’s Worst Roommate Ever and doc Pray Away, CNN series The People v. The Klan, HBO Max’s What Happened, Brittany Murphy? and HBO’s The Anarchists. She also oversaw the development and sales of podcasts such as Revelations and The Oval Office Tapes.
Prior to joining Blumhouse, Lisio was at Ridley Scott’s Scott Free and Rsa Films, where she worked on Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives for Apple Music,...
- 11/17/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Fifth Season (formerly Endeavor Content) has hired Mary Lisio for the newly created position of executive vice president of non-scripted development and production.
In her new role, Lisio will work to expand Fifth Season’s slate of non-scripted content across all platforms. She will collaborate with Kevin Iwashina, Fifth Season’s head of documentary.
“Mary is an exceptional producer and a wonderful human,” said Graham Taylor and Chris Rice, co-CEOs of Fifth Season. “Her deep experience and great taste make her the perfect person to build our non-scripted and documentary development & production business.”
Lisio joins Fifth Season from Blumhouse Television, where she oversaw the company’s unscripted slate. Her work there included projects like “Worst Roommate Ever,” “The People v. The Klan,” “Pray Away,” “The Anarchists,” and “What Happened, Brittany Murphy?”
“I’m thrilled to join this extraordinary and visionary group of people at Fifth Season,” Lisio said. “We share...
In her new role, Lisio will work to expand Fifth Season’s slate of non-scripted content across all platforms. She will collaborate with Kevin Iwashina, Fifth Season’s head of documentary.
“Mary is an exceptional producer and a wonderful human,” said Graham Taylor and Chris Rice, co-CEOs of Fifth Season. “Her deep experience and great taste make her the perfect person to build our non-scripted and documentary development & production business.”
Lisio joins Fifth Season from Blumhouse Television, where she oversaw the company’s unscripted slate. Her work there included projects like “Worst Roommate Ever,” “The People v. The Klan,” “Pray Away,” “The Anarchists,” and “What Happened, Brittany Murphy?”
“I’m thrilled to join this extraordinary and visionary group of people at Fifth Season,” Lisio said. “We share...
- 11/17/2022
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
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