The official trailer was released today for the documentary The Babushkas of Chernobyl, directed by Holly Morris and Anne Bogart, and World Premiering at the 2015 Los Angeles Film Festival.
For nearly 30 years a community of unlikely heroines have lived in Chernobyl’s post-nuclear disaster “dead zone.” Stylish and stubborn, these fascinating women have survived, and even thrived, on some of the most toxic land on Earth. They arethe last survivors of a community who refused to leave their ancestral homes after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in 1986. But the babushkas aren’t the only risk-takers: scientists, bureaucrats and even young men and women called “Stalkers” (who break in illegally to pursue their video game-inspired fantasies) explore the dystopian Zone and seek out its radioactive grandmas. First-time feature documentary filmmakers Holly Morris and Anne Bogart’s portrait of a community tells a remarkable tale about the pull of home, the Films
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Watch Official TRAILER for Documentary The Babushkas of Chernobyl
The official trailer was released today for the documentary The Babushkas of Chernobyl, directed by Holly Morris and Anne Bogart, and World Premiering at the 2015 Los Angeles Film Festival.
For nearly 30 years a community of unlikely heroines have lived in Chernobyl’s post-nuclear disaster “dead zone.” Stylish and stubborn, these fascinating women have survived, and even thrived, on some of the most toxic land on Earth. They arethe last survivors of a community who refused to leave their ancestral homes after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in 1986. But the babushkas aren’t the only risk-takers: scientists, bureaucrats and even young men and women called “Stalkers” (who break in illegally to pursue their video game-inspired fantasies) explore the dystopian Zone and seek out its radioactive grandmas. First-time feature documentary filmmakers Holly Morris and Anne Bogart’s portrait of a community tells a remarkable tale about the pull of home, the healing power of shaping one’s own destiny and the subjective nature of risk. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5pLPUH5eDs&feature=youtu.be
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Showtime Acquires NFL Legend Tony Gonzalez Documentary PLAY IT FORWARD | TRAILER
The documentary PLAY IT FORWARD, an intimate portrait on the life, family and career of legendary NFL tight end and future Hall of Fame inductee Tony Gonzalez, and his relationship with his older brother Chris, has been acquired by Showtime Networks.PLAY IT FORWARD premiered as the Opening Gala of the 2015 Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival – which screens sports movies as part of the annual Tribeca Film Festival. The documentary was the only non-ESPN film in the festival’s nine-year history to win the coveted opening gala spot. PLAY IT FORWARD was written and directed by Oscar(R) nominee Andrea Nevins.
PLAY IT FORWARD, which the Los Angeles Times calls “remarkable, intimate and moving,” tells the compelling story about the relationship between two brothers, the football star, Tony, and his older brother and wingman, Chris, whose heart’s desire was to play the game as only his little brother could. The film follows the Gonzalez brothers over the course of a pivotal year as Tony’s career is winding down, as are his chances of finally getting to a Super Bowl. During this time, Chris, who first taught Tony how to play the game, and always stood by him throughout his college and professional football journey, now chases his own mid-life ambition to become a firefighter. This candid, heartfelt film explores brotherhood, sacrifice and what it takes to achieve greatness, on or off the field.
“I’m so appreciative of Tony and his family who were open and honest in what proved to be such an emotional series of events we bore witness to,” said director Andrea Nevins. “We’re so excited to share the Gonzalez family’s very human story of dreams deferred, loss, and ultimately triumph.”
“The Gonzalez’s story in PLAY IT FORWARD resonates with the love, joy, loss, struggle and sacrifice it takes to hold a family together and achieve success,” said executive producer Michael Strahan. “Whether you’re a player in the NFL or chasing a dream to be a firefighter the one central theme is family. As executive producers, Constance Schwartz and I are thrilled that SHOWTIME has joined us on this journey to take this film to audiences in hopes that they will be as inspired by this story as we are.”
Former Kansas City Chiefs and Atlanta Falcons All-Pro tight end Tony Gonzalez now serves as a CBS Sports analyst for the NFL pre-game show, THE NFL TODAY, alongside James Brown, Boomer Esiason, Bill Cowher and Bart Scott. Gonzalez also contributes across multiple CBS platforms including INSIDE THE NFL on SHOWTIME and CBS Sports Network’s Sunday pre-game show, THAT OTHER PREGAME SHOW (TOPS). Gonzalez’s NFL career spanned 17 years, 12 with Kansas City after being their first-round pick in 1997, and five with Atlanta before his retirement in 2013. He is the NFL’s all-time leader in touchdowns (111) and yards (15,127) by a tight end. He also is the NFL’s all-time leader in consecutive starts (120) and Pro-Bowl appearances (14) by a tight end, and ranks second overall among all players in catches with 1,325. Known for his strength and durability, Gonzalez missed only two games during his 17-year career.
Academy Award(R) nominee Andrea Nevins has produced, directed and written for documentary film, television news, public radio and newspapers for over 25 years. She produced critically-acclaimed and award-winning documentaries for Peter Jennings: Reporting, which earned her an Emmy(R) Award for her work on an ABC News/Time forum on the issue of gun control in America. Nevins’ first independent documentary project, Still Kicking, earned her an Academy Award nomination. The short, which she produced and wrote, chronicled the experiences of former dancers getting back on stage in their golden years. Following this, she co-produced the award-winning Tom Brokaw special, “Why Can’t We Live Together,” about a town south of Chicago that was “tipping” from white to black. Nevins partnered with producer Cristan Reilly to tell the story of aging punk rockers turned fathers in “The Other F Word,” which served as the genesis of their company Rare Bird Films. Her most recent piece with her team at Rare Bird Films was on HBO’s STATE OF PLAY. Titled HAPPINESS, this film explored the career transitions of football greats Brett Favre, Tiki Barber and Wayne Chrebet.
PLAY IT FORWARD will also be uniquely supported by the National Football League’s Legends program. The Legends Community connects and celebrates all who have played in the NFL. Its mission is to bring opportunities and information to retired players through other members of the Legends Community and to help them stay connected with former teammates, clubs, and the league.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSjWfGYG7YA
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LA Premiere of DOPE at 2015 Los Angeles Film Festival
The official Los Angeles premiere of the film DOPE took place on Monday night at Regal Cinemas L.A. Live as a pre-festival screening at the 2015 Los Angeles Film Festival.
EXCLUSIVE – Co-Executive Producer Sean Combs and Executive Producer Pharrell Williams seen at Open Road Films Los Angeles Premiere of “Dope” in partnership with the LA Film Fest on Monday, June 8, 2015, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Invision for Open Road Films/AP Images)
Cast members in attendance included Shameik Moore, Kiersey Clemons, Kimberly Elise, Quincy Brown, Chanel Iman, A$AP Rocky, Tyga, Tony Revolori, Blake Anderson, and Kap G. Also in attendance was director/writer Rick Famuyiwa, producers Forest Whitaker and Nina Yang Bongiovi, executive producer Pharrell Williams, co-executive producer Sean Combs and co-producer Mimi Valdes.
EXCLUSIVE – A$AP Rocky seen at Open Road Films Los Angeles Premiere of “Dope” in partnership with the LA Film Fest on Monday, June 8, 2015, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Invision for Open Road Films/AP Images)
DOPE premieres nationwide on June 19.
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Clean Energy Documentary CATCHING THE SUN to World Premiere at LA Film Festival | TRAILER
The documentary CATCHING THE SUN, directed by Shalini Kantayya, which explores the global economic race to lead the the clean energy future, will World Premiere in Documentary Competition at the 2015 LA Film Festival.
Director Kantayya uses interwoven character dramas spanning the US and China to tell the story of the global energy transition from the perspective of workers and entrepreneurs building solutions to income inequality and climate change with their own hands.
Catching the Sun is anchored on the hope and heartbreak of unemployed American workers seeking jobs in the solar industry. An unlikely ensemble of characters contrast with preconceived notions about who is at the forefront of a transition to clean energy: Eddie Wiltz, a college dropout with few job opportunities who seeks training as a solar installer; Debbie Dooley, a Green Tea Party activist who takes on Georgia’s utility monopoly; Van Jones, a Bay Area activist who goes to Washington to elevate the national conversation on green jobs and implement policy, and; Wally Jiang, an ambitious Chinese CEO pursuing global markets in this rapidly growing industry.
“I set out to do a small film about American workers, and ended up telling a global story unfolding in real time,” says director Kantayya. “The story took me through innumerable twists and turns as I tried to understand the larger global economics that impact whether American workers get jobs in the clean-tech industries of the future. Catching the Sun is a global documentary and reflects my point of view as a global citizen.”
With countries like China investing in innovative technologies and capitalizing on this trillion-dollar opportunity, the documentary has already caught the attention of government officials and leaders in the industry. Kantayya hopes the film will serve as the catalyst to propel America as frontrunner in this industrial race.
Director Kantayya adds, “The oil economy has created monopolies and concentrated wealth and power in the hands of the few. I was fascinated by the idea that solar power could democratize and decentralize energy in a way that rebuilds the ladder of economic opportunity in the U.S.”
The film’s World Premiere will take place on Thursday, June 11, 2015 at the Regal Cinemas LA Live (1000 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FzqgS-M5Eo
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Restored THE THIRD MAN Starring Orson Welles to Get Two Week Theater Run |TRAILER
Carol Reed’s Film Noir masterpiece THE THIRD MAN (1949), starring Joseph Cotten, Alida Valli, and Orson Welles, will run at Film Forum from Friday, June 26 through Thursday, July 9 (two weeks), in a new 4K restoration – its first major restoration ever.
In rubble-strewn postwar Vienna, pulp Western writer Holly Martins (Joseph Cotten) arrives to meet up with his old friend Harry Lime (Orson Welles), only to find that he’s dead — or is he? As the supremely naïve Cotten descends through the levels of deception, and discovers his friend’s corruption, the moral choices loom. A triumph of atmosphere — with its Vienna locations (including the gigantic Riesenrad Ferris Wheel and the dripping sewers), its tilted camera angles, shadows, and unforgettable zither theme — and with its stars in perhaps their most iconic roles: bereted Trevor Howard at his most Britishly military; Alida Valli, truly enigmatic and Garboesque; and Welles, arriving in one of the greatest star entrances ever (he added the famous “cuckoo clock” speech to Graham Greene’s original script); and topped by its legendary, almost endlessly drawn-out final shot.
A rare collaboration of legendary producers Alexander Korda and David O. Selznick, THE THIRD MAN was Reed’s second collaboration with novelist/screenwriter Greene. An instant critical and commercial sensation, it won the Palme D’Or at Cannes, the British Film Academy’s Best British Film award, and three Oscar nominations: for director Reed, editor Oswald Hafenrichter, and cinematographer Krasker, with a win for the latter’s expressionist, now iconic b&w cinematography. Anton Karas’ haunting “Third Man Theme,” performed by the composer on a zither, was a worldwide hit.
THE THIRD MAN remains the only movie on both the American Film Institute and British Film Institute Top 100 lists of, respectively, the greatest American and British films of all time (the Brits named it their Number One), as well as being as well as being named The Greatest Foreign Film of All Time… by the Japanese.
The award-winning team at Deluxe Restoration carried out the new 4K digital restoration of THE THIRD MAN on behalf of Studiocanal. Following rigorous comparison of different available elements, the 4K scan was done from a fine grain master positive struck from the original camera negative.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-QWLAndD1E
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Official Poster and Watch Trailer for UNEXPECTED, in Theaters July 24
Here is the poster and trailer for UNEXPECTED, the debut pic from writer-director Kris Swanberg that premiered in the U.S. Dramatic competition section at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival. The film is executive produced by Peter Gilbert (Hoop Dreams) and Chris Webber. UNEXPECTED is in theaters and on demand July 24, 2015.
Samantha Abbott (Cobie Smulders), is a dedicated and passionate teacher at an inner-city Chicago high school. Just as she is coming to terms with her school closing, Samantha faces some life-changing and unexpected news: she is pregnant. After breaking the news to her supportive live-in boyfriend John (Anders Holm) and opinionated mother (Elizabeth McGovern), Samantha learns that one of her most promising students, Jasmine (newcomer Gail Bean), has landed in a similar but very different situation. As the women navigate their ambitions for the future, whether tackling the painfully hilarious realities of pregnancy or challenging each other to think beyond motherhood, Samantha and Jasmine forge an unlikely friendship that will challenge their perspectives and leave a lasting impact on one another.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9ANgqpiIzU
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Victoria Siegel, Daughter in QUEEN OF VERSAILLES Documentary, Found Dead
Victoria Siegel, the 18-year-old daughter of David and Jackie Siegel who were featured in the 2012 documentary Queen of Versailles, died Saturday after being found unresponsive in their Windermere home, Orange County sheriff’s spokesman Jeff Williamson said.
Jackie Siegel posted on Facebook and Instagram on Sunday, “It is with great sadness that we ask you to respect our privacy during this tragic time and the loss of our beloved daughter, Victoria. Thank you all for your prayers and for your support.
As more information comes out the family will share it, until that time there is no comment.”
Williamson said the medical examiner was still determining the cause and manner of death. The Queen of Versailles directed by Lauren Greenfield, is a character-driven documentary about a billionaire family and their financial challenges in the wake of the economic crisis. With epic proportions of Shakespearean tragedy, the film follows two unique characters, whose rags-to-riches success stories reveal the innate virtues and flaws of the American Dream. The film begins with the family triumphantly constructing the largest privately-owned house in America, a 90,000 sq. ft. palace. Over the next two years, their sprawling empire, fueled by the real estate bubble and cheap money, falters due to the economic crisis. Major changes in lifestyle and character ensue within the cross-cultural household of family members and domestic staff. According to the NY Times, in 2012, David Siegel sued Ms. Greenfield for defamation. His original complaint focused on the Sundance publicity materials, which inaccurately described his company as collapsing. But even after Ms. Greenfield and Sundance tweaked the language, Mr. Siegel didn’t drop the lawsuit. Instead he filed a broader complaint, alleging that “The Queen of Versailles” depicts Westgate Resorts “in an array of defamatory, derogatory and damaging. A year later, in 2013 Lauren Greenfield scored a big legal victory in Florida federal court. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYOnT3Gqe9U
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See Poster, Watch Trailer for Horror Film CREEP Starring Mark Duplass
Here is the poster and trailer for CREEP, directed by and starring Patrick Brice, arriving on Itunes on June 23rd and to Netflix on July 14th.
Looking for work, Aaron (Patrick Brice) comes across a cryptic online ad: “$1,000 for the day. Filming service. Discretion is appreciated.”
Low on cash and full of naiveté, he decides to go for it. He drives to a cabin in a remote mountain town where he meets Josef (Mark Duplass), his cinematic subject for the day. Josef is sincere and the project seems heartfelt, so Aaron begins to film. But as the day goes on, it becomes clear that Josef is not who he says, and his intentions are not at all pure.
The directorial debut of Patrick Brice and produced by Jason Blum (PARANORMAL ACTIVITY, INSIDIOUS) and Mark Duplass (SAFETY NOT GUARANTEED), CREEP’s intense interplay between its two protagonists upends expectations at every turn.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBR8VcdpE4Y
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Rose McGowan To Release Short Film Directorial Debut DAWN on Youtube
After the critically acclaimed world premiere at Sundance Film Festival and theatrical run, DAWN, the short film directorial debut from Rose McGowan, will debut this month on YouTube.
“I’m so pleased to be able to share my Sundance Grand jury prize nominated film, Dawn, on my Youtube page. I want to promote thought and art, free of charge. I hope you’ll enjoy”, said Rose.
Realizing that her passion lies in filmmaking, Rose McGowan’s breakthrough directorial debut, DAWN, is a disturbing tale of a young girl’s budding sexuality and one’s desire to experience the unknown. Dawn (Tara Barr) is a quiet young teenager living in Kennedy era America who longs for something or someone to free her from her sheltered life. When she strikes up an innocent flirtation with the boy who works at her local gas station (Reiley McClendon), she thinks that he is perhaps the answer to her teenage dreams. Though when she invites the boy and his friends into her otherwise cloistered world, she gets a lot more than she bargained for.
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Strand Releasing Grabs Puerto Rican Transgender Documentary MALA MALA For Release in U.S. | TRAILER
Strand Releasing is acquiring North American rights to Antonio Santini and Dan Sickles’ critically acclaimed documentary MALA MALA. A celebration of the trans and drag communities in Puerto Rico, the film made its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival and will have its highly anticipated debut in theaters on July 1st at the IFC Center.
Strand has a rich history of distributing a wide array of LGBT films from around the world, including Gregg Araki’s MYSTERIOUS SKIN, Daniel Ribeiro’s THE WAY HE LOOKS, James Franco’s INTERIOR. LEATHER BAR., and Hong Khaou’s LILTING. They are also distributing the upcoming Alanté Kavaïté’s THE SUMMER OF SANGAILÉ, Anucha Boonyawatana’s THE BLUE HOUR, and Dean Francis’ DROWN.
MALA MALA is a unique exploration of self-discovery and activism, featuring a diverse collection of subjects that include LGBTQ activists, business owners, sex workers, and a boisterous group of drag performers who call themselves The Doll House, MALA MALA portrays a fight for personal and community acceptance paved with triumphant highs and devastating lows. Filmed over the course of a historic three-year period, MALA MALA records the beginning of a new transliberation movement in Puerto Rico, as trans people came out of the shadows and into the spotlight. Through riveting cinematography that encapsulates the candy-colored, vivacious personalities as well as their frequently dark personal experiences, directors Santini and Sickles dynamically present the passion and hardships reflective of this distinctly binary human experience.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzEy6pJ80nw
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Award-Winning Thriller TWO STEP Sets Release Date, Opens July 31st | TRAILER
Director Alex R. Johnson’s award-winning thriller TWO STEP begins its limited theatrical release in New York City and Los Angeles, premiering on July 31st at the Village East Cinema, and opening in LA the following week. TWO STEP will be available across major iVOD/cVOD platforms starting on September 1st.
TWO STEP is a throwback Texas thriller in which the lives of James, a directionless college dropout, and Webb, a career criminal with his back against the wall, violently collide. Kicked out of college, James visits Grams, his only remaining family, who dies shortly after his arrival. He finds consolation in the company of Grams’ neighbor, Dot, a dance teacher, as he figures out his next move. While settling Grams’ affairs, James learns she’s been the victim of the ‘Grandparent Scam’, in which someone posing as James has been slowly bilking her out of thousands. But before James can go looking for the culprit, he shows up at the front door, desperate for money. The culprit, Webb, has his own problems in the form of Duane, who has ordered Webb to pay an old debt or else. And if Webb can’t get it from Grams, James will have to do – no matter who stands in his way.
Jason Tyrrell, Director of Acquisitions and Distribution for Traverse Media said, ‘TWO STEP is one of the most riveting films to come out of the festival circuit in 2014, and every moment of the fantastic imagery and powerful performances stick with you long after the credits roll. We are thrilled to be bringing Alex’s vision to a wider audience this summer’.
After premiering at the 2014 SXSW film festival, TWO STEP went on to win the Grand Jury Prize at the New Hampshire International Film Festival and the Best Narrative Feature award at the Flyaway Film Festival. It has also played at the International Film Festival of India, Cucalorus Film Festival, Vancouver International, Reykjavik International and many more.
https://vimeo.com/93220155
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Cinedigm to Release LIFE Starring Robert Pattinson in Fall 2015 | VIDEO
Following its premiere at the Berlin Film Festival, Cinedigm has acquired all U.S. distribution rights to Anton Corbijn’s LIFE, starring Dane DeHaan (Life After Beth; Kill Your Darlings; Place Beyond The Pines), Robert Pattinson (Twilight, Cosmopolis, Maps To The Stars), and Ben Kingsley (Gandhi, Sexy Beast, Schindler’s List ). LIFE will open with a theatrical, digital and television VOD release beginning in Fall 2015.
Corbijn’s follow-up to A Most Wanted Man, LIFE captures the nuances and complexities of the relationship between photographer and subject in a way rarely seen or understood by someone outside the business. In a nod to Corbijn’s own past experience, the film is told from the perspective of the Life photographer Dennis Stock (played by Pattinson) who meets and profiles Dean (DeHaan) for the magazine, turning out some of Dean’s most iconic photographs.
“Life gorgeously chronicles the back story behind the 1955 photo spread that brought moody young heartthrob James Dean to the attention of the American public seven months before his death,” said Yolanda Macias, Cinedigm’s Executive Vice President of Acquisitions. “Beautiful to look at, powerful to experience, Life, using an Eisenhower-era America as prism, brilliantly presages America’s coming celebrity culture.”
The film was produced by Iain Canning’s See-Saw Films (The King’s Speech, Slow West), and is the second project in an ongoing collaboration between Corbijn and Canning, following their work together on Control. The script was written by Luke Davies (Candy, Lion).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-0Zym0vFWw