Somebody Clap For Me from Brazilian director Luciana Farah, will have its world premiere at the 20th edition of the Zanzibar International Film Festival taking place July 8 to 16, 2017.
A rollercoaster ride from grassroots poetry to the political heart of Uganda, this captivating labour of love provides a fascinating window into life in a country in which three-quarters of the population is under 25. Linking Uganda’s oral tradition to its 21st Century culture of hip-hop and slam poetry, the film brings its protagonists to the fore, providing a constantly shifting portrait of a Kampala-based youth movement that uses spoken word to challenge the oppressive restraints of Ugandan society and the increasing constraints on freedom of speech under current president Yoweri Museveni.
As Farah chronicles the resurfacing of village bonfire storytelling traditions in the form of open-mic poetry events, we meet some of the scene’s key actors, including Roshan, a mixed race Ugandan who has grown up in the UK, Ugly Emcee, a freedom-of-speech activist who reveals himself to be the grandson of Idi Amin, and Medals the Born Again Politician, who challenges the status quo with both his conviction and command of political pastiche.
The film, which was shot over the course of three years with a crew of East African film students, follows these and other poets as they go about their daily lives in Kampala, the eclectic individual portraits building to form a cross-sectional vision of a country trying to shed its past and create a more inclusive and democratic reality, despite the conservative forces that are attempting to hold on to power.
What begins as a documentary about a grassroots poetry collective, twists and turns unpredictably as it takes viewers into the political and cultural heart of contemporary Uganda. Fuelled by the universal themes of love and identity and made using unconventional filmmaking techniques, Somebody Clap for Me was produced with the support of Maisha Film Lab and the Doha Film Institute.
“I am extremely happy for Somebody Clap for Me to be premiering at ZIFF,” said Farah. “The festival has a long history of supporting independent African cinema and it is fitting that the film will receive its first public screening at one of Africa’s leading film festivals.”
Films
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Luciana Farah’s SOMEBODY CLAP FOR ME to World Premiere at Zanzibar International Film Festival | Trailer
Somebody Clap For Me from Brazilian director Luciana Farah, will have its world premiere at the 20th edition of the Zanzibar International Film Festival taking place July 8 to 16, 2017.
A rollercoaster ride from grassroots poetry to the political heart of Uganda, this captivating labour of love provides a fascinating window into life in a country in which three-quarters of the population is under 25. Linking Uganda’s oral tradition to its 21st Century culture of hip-hop and slam poetry, the film brings its protagonists to the fore, providing a constantly shifting portrait of a Kampala-based youth movement that uses spoken word to challenge the oppressive restraints of Ugandan society and the increasing constraints on freedom of speech under current president Yoweri Museveni.
As Farah chronicles the resurfacing of village bonfire storytelling traditions in the form of open-mic poetry events, we meet some of the scene’s key actors, including Roshan, a mixed race Ugandan who has grown up in the UK, Ugly Emcee, a freedom-of-speech activist who reveals himself to be the grandson of Idi Amin, and Medals the Born Again Politician, who challenges the status quo with both his conviction and command of political pastiche.
The film, which was shot over the course of three years with a crew of East African film students, follows these and other poets as they go about their daily lives in Kampala, the eclectic individual portraits building to form a cross-sectional vision of a country trying to shed its past and create a more inclusive and democratic reality, despite the conservative forces that are attempting to hold on to power.
What begins as a documentary about a grassroots poetry collective, twists and turns unpredictably as it takes viewers into the political and cultural heart of contemporary Uganda. Fuelled by the universal themes of love and identity and made using unconventional filmmaking techniques, Somebody Clap for Me was produced with the support of Maisha Film Lab and the Doha Film Institute.
“I am extremely happy for Somebody Clap for Me to be premiering at ZIFF,” said Farah. “The festival has a long history of supporting independent African cinema and it is fitting that the film will receive its first public screening at one of Africa’s leading film festivals.”
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Poster + Watch Trailer for South African Film THE WOUND (Inxeba)
The South African film The Wound (Inxeba) has won the Best Film Award in the International New Talent Competition, at the 2017 Taipei Film Festival ahead of its African premiere at the Durban International Film Festival on July 14.
The film, the first feature from writer-director John Trengove, stars musician and novelist Nakhane Touré as Xolani, a lonely factory worker who joins the men of his community in the mountains of the Eastern Cape to initiate a group of teenage boys into manhood. When Kwanda (Niza Jay Ncoyini), a defiant initiate from the city, discovers his mentor’s secret, Xolani’s entire existence begins to unravel.
The Wound which premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival and later opened Berlinale Panorama went on to win a string of awards.
At Cinema Jove, the Valencia International Film Festival, The Wound was awarded the Luna de Valencia for Best Feature Film, as well as the Best Actor Award for Nakhane Touré.
At one of the world’s longest-running film festivals, the Sydney Film Festival, The Wound won the Audience Award for Best Feature.
At the 41st Frameline, San Francisco’s international film festival, held from 15 to 25 June and where 147 films were screened, The Wound won the First Feature Award.
Shortly before that, it was awarded the prize for Best Feature Film at the 32nd Lovers Film Festival, an LGBTQI festival held in Turin, Italy.
In April, the film received the Jury Prize for Best Narrative at the 19th annual Sarasota Film Festival in Florida, in the US.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubSlj-G4P6I
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Human Trafficking Documentary Thriller THE WRONG LIGHT In Theaters July 14th | Trailer
The Wrong Light, a documentary thriller set in Northern Thailand on harrowing tales of girls rescued by hero that fall apart, will open in theaters on Friday, July 14th, 2017.in New York at Cinema Village, and on Friday, July 21, 2017 in Los Angeles at Laemmle’s Monica Film Center.
The film directed by Josie Swantek Heitz and Dave Adams won the Grand Jury Prize – NJ Films at the Montclair Film Festival.
Amidst growing international concern about human trafficking, a nonprofit organization named COSA was founded in 2005 by Mickey Choothesa with the stated mission of serving as a refuge for at-risk and trafficked girls in Northern Thailand. Mickey, a self-described war photographer-turned-activist with an “upstream” prevention approach to trafficking, promoted COSA as a sanctuary providing educational opportunities for young girls. His work drew international donors, a steady stream of western visitors, and global press attention.
Filmmakers Josie Swantek Heitz and Dave Adams were fascinated by the story of two young girls who had been sold into the sex trade by their parents and were later rescued by COSA. They believed they had found a harrowing and uplifting story of heroism worthy of a feature-length documentary. With this in mind, they traveled to Thailand where they interviewed many of the rescued girls at COSA and travelled to their villages to speak with their families.
Unexpectedly, their conversations with both the girls and their families contradicted Mickey’s version of their stories, making the truth that much more elusive. Reluctantly, they became subjects in the film, revealing the story as it unfolded for them. THE WRONG LIGHT is the fascinating and troubling account of their quest to find answers and tell the real story of COSA, its work, and its impact on the young girls.
Who is Mickey Choothesa? Who are these girls? And who is responsible for their representation and exploitation?
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30 for 30 Documentary GEORGE BEST: ALL BY HIMSELF Sets ESPN Air Date | Trailer
The 30 for 30 documentary, “George Best: All by Himself,” directed by BAFTA award-winning director Daniel Gordon (Hillsborough), recounts the tale of the beloved but bedeviled soccer superstar George Best.
The film will debut on Tuesday, July 20 at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN leading into the Manchester United vs Manchester City game.
He was one of the best soccer players of all time; a handsome, charismatic lad from Belfast, Northern Ireland, who worked wonders with the ball and thrilled Great Britain. But George Best was also the lead in a Shakespearean tragedy fueled by drink and excess and depression. This 30 for 30 film tells his story through evocative footage and testimony by those who knew him at his best – and at his worst.
There’s a lot of ground to cover – from his electric debut with Manchester United at the age of 17, through the glory years that brought ManU the 1968 European Cup, to his adventures in the North American Soccer League. “George Best: All by Himself” will make viewers understand why an estimated quarter million people lined the route of his funeral cortege in 2005.
“I wanted to make a film that dug beneath the surface of the caricature of ‘Britain’s First Pop Star Soccer Player’ and tell a tale of emotional depth that takes us on George’s rollercoaster journey of a life,” said director Daniel Gordon. “This is a cautionary tale. It is a story of addiction and what can happen to someone who has so much at such a young age, who reaches unimaginable heights – and then hits the ‘self-destruct’ button throughout the rest of his descent to rock bottom.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvU3xW1QjCY
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Poster + Watch Trailer for Award Winning Documentary ICARUS
Netflix has released the trailer and poster for Bryan Fogel’s award winning documentary Icarus, set to launch globally on Netflix on August 4, 2017.
In the audacious documentary Icarus, director Bryan Fogel’s bold gambit was this: to investigate doping in sports, Fogel (an amateur bike racer) would dope himself, observe the changes in his performance, and see if he could evade detection. In doing so, he was connected to a renegade Russian scientist, Dr. Grigory Rodchenkov, a pillar of his country’s “anti-doping” program. Over dozens of Skype calls, urine samples, and badly administered hormone injections, Fogel and Rodchenkov grow closer despite shocking allegations that place Rodchenkov at the center of Russia’s state-sponsored Olympic doping program.
When the truth is more complex than imagined, and accusations of illegalities run to Russia’s highest chains of command, the two realize they hold the power to reveal the biggest international sports scandal in living memory. Exemplifying the special bond between filmmaker and subject, this is a vital portrait of the sacrifice some people will make to stand up for truth. Icarus places you at the heart of an international game of cat and mouse, where a miscalculation can cost you your life.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXoRdSTrR-4
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Actress Kristen Bell Records New Song “Tell Me How Long” for CHASING CORAL
Actress and singer Kristen Bell has recorded a new song “Tell Me How Long” for the upcoming original documentary Chasing Coral, directed by Jeff Orlowski. Written by Dan Romer and Teddy Geiger, the song is a rousing plea about the climate crisis and the devastating phenomenon silently raging underwater – the global bleaching of coral reefs.
“I was moved and inspired by Chasing Coral and its message of hope for our planet’s future,” said Kristen Bell. “I feel a responsibility to care for the Earth in whatever way I can and I was honored to lend my voice to the original song. As we strive to make a better world for our children, I hope this film will ignite real action in advancing climate solutions in our global communities.”
Romer’s previous film scores include the Oscar-nominated Beasts of the Southern Wild, Gleason, Finders Keepers, and the Emmy-winning Jim: The James Foley Story. “Tell Me How Long” co-writer Teddy Geiger is a singer-songwriter and producer, known for his compositions “Stitches”, “Treat You Better”, “Mercy”, and “There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back”.
Orlowski’s previous film, Chasing Ice, received an Academy Award-nomination for Best Original Song for “Before My Time”, written by J. Ralph and performed by Scarlett Johansson and Joshua Bell.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6fHA9R2cKI
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10 Films Selected for 2017 European Parliament LUX Film Prize | Trailers
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SUMMER 1993[/caption]
The ten films selected for the 11th European Parliament’s LUX Film Prize were revealed on Sunday at the 52nd Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.
From the 10 films in the Official Selection, 3 entries will be selected and announced at the Venice Days press conference in Rome at the end of July 2017 as those taking part in the LUX Film Prize Competition. These films will compete to be the winner of the 2017 LUX Film Prize, and will become the core of the 2017 LUX Film Days.
The 2017 LUX Film Prize winner will be awarded on November 15 in Strasbourg.
The LUX FILM PRIZE Official Selection (in alphabetical order)
A CIAMBRA by Jonas Carpignano (Italy/Brazil/United States/France/Germany/Sweden)
BPM (BEATS PER MINUTE) by Robin Campillo (France)
GLORY by Kristina Grozeva and Petar Valchanov (Bulgaria/Greece)
HEARTSTONE by Guðmundur Arnar Guðmundsson (Iceland/Denmark)
KING OF THE BELGIANS by Peter Brosens and Jessica Woodworth (Belgium/Netherlands/Bulgaria)
SÁMI BLOOD by Amanda Kernell (Sweden/Denmark/Norway)
SUMMER 1993 by Carla Simón (Spain)
THE LAST FAMILY by Jan P Matuszyński (Poland)
THE OTHER SIDE OF HOPE by Aki Kaurismäki (Finland/Germany)
WESTERN by Valeska Grisebach (Germany/Bulgaria/Austria)
More about the 10 films…
SUMMER 1993 is an intimate, autobiographical study of how hard it can be to fit in; it portrays a child’s experience of learning to live with grief and harsh reality after she finds herself orphaned at just six years old.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAnezFuhUBs
HEARTSTONE tells the story of two teenagers from rural Iceland getting to grips with their own identity and sexuality, as well as with the delicate and cruel transition to adulthood.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9Tcw-_SrcA
A CIAMBRA traces the rite of passage to adulthood of a 14-year-old Roma boy living in the neighborhood of the same name in Calabria, a marginalized community described by journalists as a real ghetto.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cizugv2Y1AY
SÁMI BLOOD tells the vibrant tale of a young Lapp girl who dreams of a different life and distances herself from her community with great anguish because of the racist attitudes they have to face.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zpt2yf0nCM
BPM (BEATS PER MINUTE) follows a group of Act Up activists who fight to lend the AIDS problem more visibility in 1992 France and encourage faster progress to be made in terms of research and prevention.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fhO2A4SL24
WESTERN injects a story about German workers on a construction site for a hydroelectric power station in Bulgaria with ingredients from the cowboys-and-Indians classics, addressing the issues of economic immigration and integration.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8f8zHDwv_c
THE OTHER SIDE OF HOPE weaves together the stories of two men who have both struck out in search of a new life: an old Finnish man who buys a restaurant and a young Syrian immigrant who struggles to find a safe haven in Europe.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-I5Tnaf28kk
GLORY follows a poor, middle-aged linesman for Bulgaria’s national railway company, who decides to hand piles of banknotes he finds on the rails one day in to the police, triggering a fight against corruption, as well as one for justice and dignity.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeEs2_6-AXU
THE LAST FAMILY shows the lives of the family of Polish painter Zdzisław Beksiński, in what could be described as a compact version of a 28-year reality show, as he recorded most of his day-to-day life.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfFt9RfO9Bc
KING OF THE BELGIANS follows a fictitious King of Belgium forced to come back from an official trip when Wallonia suddenly declares its independence, while a solar storm causes communications to collapse and airspace to shut down.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NG9vmzUIOSk
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VIDEO: Watch Trailer for Award-Winning Indie Film SOME FREAKS, in Theaters on August 4
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SOME FREAKS[/caption]
The award winning indie film Some Freaks starring Thomas Mann (ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL) and breakout Lily Mae Harrington (“The Glee Project”) will open in theaters and On Demand on August 4, 2017.
Some Freaks, written by, and the directorial debut of Ian MacAllister-McDonald, follows one-eyed high school senior Matt (Thomas Mann) who meets plus size Jill (Lily Mae Harrington) and falls more in love than he ever thought possible. However, when graduation comes and Jill moves cross-country to go to college, she undergoes a major physical transformation – much to Matt’s surprise when he arrives to visit her. While Matt struggles to accept Jill’s new look, Jill begins to question whether Matt is really the man she thought she knew. As the distance widens between them, the characters are forced to confront who they are, who they were, and who everyone thinks they’re supposed to be.
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Justine Skye, Tyler Dean Flores and Seann William Scott to Star, Keanu Reeves to Exec Produce GREEN DOLPHIN
[caption id="attachment_22948" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]
Justine Skye, Tyler Dean Flores and Seann William Scott[/caption]
Justine Skye, Tyler Dean Flores and Seann William Scott will lead the cast of Green Dolphin, written and directed by Chris Kenneally. The film is produced by Russell Geyser of RainMaker Films, Jordan Yale Levine and Jordan Beckerman of Yale Productions, and Shruti Ganguly of Honto88. Keanu Reeves and Clay Pecorin serve as Executive Producers.
A dramatic coming-of-age road movie, Green Dolphin follows 15 year old Robinson (Tyler Dean Flores) and 20 year old Keesha (Justine Skye) as they venture cross-country in an attempt to escape the grasp of abusive foster parent and drug-dealer Martin (Seann William Scott). When they breakdown midway, Keesha and Robinson discover a new family that could turn their life around.
The film marks the narrative feature debut for writer/director Chris Kenneally. Kenneally previously directed the acclaimed feature documentary Side by Side, which featured interviews with iconic directors including Martin Scorsese, George Lucas, David Lynch and Richard Linklater. Keanu Reeves produced and narrated the film; Green Dolphin marks Reeves and Kenneally’s second collaboration.
Green Dolphin marks the feature film debut for rapidly rising R&B singer/songwriter Justine Skye. Signed to Roc Nation Records, Skye’s latest EP 8 Ounces combines the legendary songwriting skills of The Dream, award winning production of Tricky Stewart and Justine’s raw emotion and talent. Justine Skye is currently working on her debut album.
Lead actor Tyler Dean Flores previously appeared in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises and in television series including Blindspot and Chicago Fire. Seann William Scott has starred in many iconic hit films including Role Models, The Rundown, Old School, T, the critically acclaimed Goon and the billion dollar comedy American Pie franchise. Scott will next be seen starring in the sequel Goon 2: Last of the Enforcers, coming out this September.
“I could not be more pleased to have Justine and Tyler on board to bring our central characters Keesha and Robinson to life on film,” commented Kenneally. “They are remarkably gifted rising talents, and I can’t wait to see them work opposite Seann William Scott, whose challenging role allows him to show off his dramatic chops.”
Executive Producer Keanu Reeves added, “Chris and I first started discussing the concept for Green Dolphin when we worked together on Side by Side. This a true passion project for me and Chris and we’re so thrilled to get started on production.”
Justine Skye is represented by SupaNova Management and MBK Entertainment. Tyler Dean Flores is represented by CESD. Seann William Scott Scott is represented by ICM Partners, 3 Arts, and legal firm Sloane, Offer, Weber, and Dern.
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25 Independent Short Films in 2017 PBS Online Film Festival
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Black Hills Canyon Skating[/caption]
The Webby Award-nominated PBS Online Film Festival will return for a sixth year July 17 – July 28, 2017, featuring 25 short-form independent films.
Viewers are encouraged to vote for their favorite film to win the “Most Popular” award. And, for the first time ever, a panel of eight jury members will select their favorite film of the festival for the “Juried Prize”.
Short films featured in the PBS Online Film Festival include:
CAAM
“It Is What It Is”
Digging deep into family history for answers to questions about his identity, Cyrus finds some things might be better off left in the past.
Detroit Public TV WTVS
“Periphery”
A woman gets a new lease on life when she meets someone less fortunate.
ITVS
“Guns on Campus”
Fifty years after the first recorded mass shooting in U.S. history took place at the University of Texas in Austin, a new “campus carry” law allows people to carry concealed handguns on all public university campuses in Texas.
KLRU
“The Secession”
A story about two Texas boys, a secession, and egg rolls.
“U R a Dial Tone”
A sign language interpreter is emotionally and physically sucked into her clients’ lives.
KTTZ
“Lockbox”
A girl receives a mysterious gift that will unravel secrets from the past.
Latino Public Broadcasting
“Amigas with Benefits”
Amigas with Benefits is a short dramedy about an elderly bride-to-be who nearly has her wedding day ruined by an uninvited guest.
Louisiana Public Broadcasting
“Last Light”
On the verge of her mother’s death, Addie returns home to shed light on her dark past.
“Si”
Si, a temperamental six-year-old, gets a goldfish after begging for a puppy.
NALIP
“Dad”
In the course of a difficult day, Maria, a creative young girl, and her hardworking father must discover a way to mend love and memories while confronting loss.
NBPC
“Kojo”
A short profile piece that showcases the charismatic and talented drummer Kojo Odu Roney. In this exclusive interview Kojo offers his thoughts on Jazz, being home-schooled, traveling and his biggest influence, his father Antoine Roney.
“You Can Go”
A high school administrator talks down a troubled student.
PIC
“Maria”
When a family crisis strikes, an ailing Polynesian matriarch must find the strength to lead her family one last time.
POV
“Our Voices Are Rarely Heard”
A visceral snapshot of how inmates survive solitary confinement.
Reel South
“A Thousand Midnights”
Chronicles the contemporary manifestation of the economic and social histories of Black Americans who came to the north during the Great Migration in search of economic opportunities. The implications of their migration, and the lack of economic opportunity they encountered, has far reaching consequences for Black America today.
South Dakota Public Broadcasting
“Black Hills Canyon Skating”
While the Black Hills of South Dakota may lack the elevation and snow that makes for skiing, they make up for it with ice-providing intrepid winter explorers with miles of canyon streams on which to ice skate.
South Florida PBS
“SunGhosts”
A mini-documentary about SunGhosts, an up and coming indie rock band from Miami.
Twin Cities PBS
“Rogue Taxidermy Artist Sarina Brewer”
From goats with fishtails to cats with wings, Sarina Brewer celebrates animals in her art.
“Syrian Photographer Osama Esid”
Photographer Osama Esid seeks connection from his American neighbors to Syrian Refugees.
Vermont PBS
“The Collinwood Fire”
A news reporter and a filmmaker turn a 1908 elementary school fire into a media sensation.
“State Trooper”
A prisoner acts out his guilt, anger, and fear through dance.
Vision Makers Media
“Legacy”
Nikki Lowe’s journey of being a mother, daughter, sister, and Native warrior.
WHRO
“Our Nation”
An African-American boy in Norfolk, VA in 1915 confronts racism in The Birth of a Nation.
Wisconsin Public Television
“Little Man”
An animated spoken-word piece that tells Steven Rodriguez’s experiences of being an elder brother, son of a drug addicted mother and struggling but dedicated college student.
WORLD Channel
“Finding America: The Fresh Prince of Anacostia”
Kymone Freeman keeps his D.C. neighbors strong by helping them tell their stories.
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VIDEO: Watch Trailer for Netflix Docu Series DAUGHTERS OF DESTINY
Netflix has released the trailer for the documentary series Daughters of Destiny directed by Oscar(R) winning filmmaker Vanessa Roth, set to launch globally on July 28, 2017.
Daughters of Destiny is a 4-part Netflix original documentary series that chronicles the lives of five girls from Indian families who are among the so-called “Dalit” caste and most impoverished communities in the world. The series witnesses the girls grow up (ranging in age from 7 to 23 over the course of the 4 episodes) while they are raised at Shanti Bhavan, a unique co-ed residential school in Tamil Nadu. The expectation for these girls and all the children who attend Shanti Bhavan is that they must grow up to support themselves, lift their families and communities out of poverty and contribute to the larger world.
Directed by Academy Award(R) winning filmmaker Vanessa Roth (Freeheld, Best Documentary Short, 2007), the series highlights the struggle of students as they strive to define themselves, re-define gender and class and create a new future for the generations that will come after them. The strength and power of the girls’ own storytelling and dramatic experiences over the 7 years of filming from the gates of Shanti Bhav, into their homes brings viewers through their stories of family, love, loss, hard work and courage. An original music score by Academy Award(R) and Emmy winning composer A.R Rahman (Slumdog Millionaire, 2008), punctuates this emotional journey.
As we watch them grow up, they travel between home and school, and are forced to navigate the stark contrasts between family traditions and their modern and global views and knowledge. Daughters of Destiny highlights the journey of a generation of children on the precipice of a new life that is inconceivable to their ancestors, and brings into question the notions of fate, free will and the human longing for opportunity, purpose and meaning.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b49QEQsNUj0
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LeBron James is Producing NBA Documentary Film Series for Showtime
LeBron James along with Maverick Carter and award-winning filmmaker Gotham Chopra have begun production on a three-part documentary film series on the NBA that is slated to premiere on SHOWTIME in 2018.
The project will examine the modern history of the National Basketball Association and the league’s impact on global popular culture.
“We are thrilled to be collaborating with LeBron, Maverick and Gotham on what will be a comprehensive look at one of the most influential sports institutions in the world,” said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports. “This series of films will join a growing list of must-see documentaries on SHOWTIME, films that reveal the myriad ways sports and culture intersect and influence each other.”
“We developed the idea for these films because of the incredible, generational impact some of the NBA’s most successful players have had on every aspect of American culture,” said Maverick Carter, CEO of SpringHill Entertainment. “Gotham is the perfect filmmaker to bring these stories to life, and SHOWTIME is the right platform to showcase how they were able to transcend the game and shape the culture in an unprecedented way.”
“Despite the fact that I am a Boston Celtics fan to the bone, collaborating with Maverick and LeBron was an inspired opportunity,” added Chopra (“Kobe Bryant’s Muse”, “Religion of Sports”). “Sports in general and specifically the NBA provide a great backdrop for storytelling. But these films offer us a chance to go beyond that; to weave a broader cultural narrative in our current social climate. With the support of David Nevins and the progressive SHOWTIME team, we have a chance to say something truly resonant. That’s the goal.”
The documentary film series is a presentation of SHOWTIME Documentary Films and SHOWTIME Sports. The film project is directed by Gotham Chopra with executive producers LeBron James, Maverick Carter, Rich Paul, Gotham Chopra, Martin Desmond Roe, Chris Uetwiller and Datari Turner.