The Poet of Havana which pulls back the curtain on internationally renowned Cuban singer, songwriter, and lyricist Carlos Varela as he celebrates his 30th anniversary as an artist, will air on October 23, 2015 at 8PM ET/7PM CT on HBO Latino. Filmed in Havana, this moving documentary reveals how Varela was influenced by his country, politics and people, and how he has influenced them in return through his music.
Featuring exclusive access and backstage moments during a variety of concerts, the film includes interviews with Jackson Browne, Benicio del Toro, Ivan Lins, Luis Enrique, and more as they discuss one of the most beloved artists of our time – some even joining him on stage. Also featured throughout the special are many of his emotionally-charged performances and songs.
Having endured many censorship battles with the Cuban government, Varela’s music is personal, poignant, and poetic; he has even been called “Cuba’s Bob Dylan” and a voice of his generation. That voice has loudly struggled for the individual freedoms of his homeland and has gone through great effort to build bridges between Cuba, the US, disenfranchised Cubans and the people of the world.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0mLUQ4PMtQFilms
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THE POET OF HAVANA Documentary on Cuban Singer Carlos Varela to Air on HBO Latino
The Poet of Havana which pulls back the curtain on internationally renowned Cuban singer, songwriter, and lyricist Carlos Varela as he celebrates his 30th anniversary as an artist, will air on October 23, 2015 at 8PM ET/7PM CT on HBO Latino. Filmed in Havana, this moving documentary reveals how Varela was influenced by his country, politics and people, and how he has influenced them in return through his music.
Featuring exclusive access and backstage moments during a variety of concerts, the film includes interviews with Jackson Browne, Benicio del Toro, Ivan Lins, Luis Enrique, and more as they discuss one of the most beloved artists of our time – some even joining him on stage. Also featured throughout the special are many of his emotionally-charged performances and songs.
Having endured many censorship battles with the Cuban government, Varela’s music is personal, poignant, and poetic; he has even been called “Cuba’s Bob Dylan” and a voice of his generation. That voice has loudly struggled for the individual freedoms of his homeland and has gone through great effort to build bridges between Cuba, the US, disenfranchised Cubans and the people of the world.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0mLUQ4PMtQ
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Israeli Music Documentary ROCK IN THE RED ZONE Sets Fall 2015 Release Date | TRAILER
The Israeli documentary Rock In The Red Zone will be released in the U.S. in the Fall 2015 via Abramorama. The film will open on November 12 in New York, followed by Los Angeles December 2, with additional cities to follow.
Rock In The Red Zone chronicles the experience of filmmaker Laura Bialis, who in the Israeli city of Sderot encounters a creative community that captivates her to love and changes the course of her life. The city of factory workers and rock musicians – the children of refugees from North Africa and the Middle East, despite being pummeled for years by homemade rockets, persevere, enjoying raucous Moroccan celebrations, embracing newcomers while creating a unique Sderot musical sound that has transformed Israeli music by injecting Middle Eastern influences into Western Rock.
Rock In The Red Zone features the people and the musicians of Sderot, including Avi Vaknin, Robby Elmaliah, Hagit Yaso (who won the Kohav Nolad TV competition, a show based on the British Pop Idol) and Micha Biton, as well as the music of Kobi Oz & The Teapacks, Knesiyat Hasechel, Sfatayim, Micha Biton and Avi Vaknin.
Bialis wrote and directed the film, and produced it along with Elana Horwich, Korelan Matteson and Ravit Markus. Her previous films include Refusenik, View from the Bridge: Stories from Kosovo, and Tak for Alt: Survival of a Human Spirit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnSEMvfBTJM
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Award-Winning MY SKINNY SISTER Tackles Eating Disorders and Love-Hate Relationship Between Sisters | TRAILER
Winner of the Crystal Bear (Best Film, Children’s Jury, Berlin), as well as an audience award at the Goteborg Film Festival, MY SKINNY SISTER tells the insightful story of two sisters: chubby Stella and teenage Katja. Like many siblings, they have a humorous, love-hate relationship, with squabbles over belongings and personal space. Katja is an obsessive ice-skater, out on the rink day and night preparing for performances. Stella tries to emulate her big sis but spends most of the time butt down on the ice. Beneath Katja’s bright success, however, is the onset of an eating disorder, something her troubled parents ignore and her little sister frets about.
The feature debut of writer-director Sanna Lenken takes a unique approach to the issue of eating disorders, observing the moral dilemma facing an awkward 12-year-old girl when she discovers that her older sister, a beautiful competitive figure skater, has been starving herself in her quest for excellence.
In this assured feature debut, writer-director Sanna Lenken continues on the theme of her 2013 short film Eating Lunch, exploring the subject of eating disorders through a unique lens. Rather than focussing on the affected individual, My Skinny Sister unfolds through the eyes of the protagonist’s sibling.
Like many sisters, Stella (Rebecka Josephson) and Katja (Amy Deasismont) share a nuanced and complicated relationship. Katja, a beautiful and successful competitive figure skater, is disciplined both on and off the ice in order to maintain excellence and the praise of her busy parents. Awkward twelve-year-old Stella is struggling to come into her own as she begins to explore her sexuality, which has manifested in a crush on Katja’s skating coach.
Stella endures the pressures of early adolescence in the shadow of her older sister, who teases her endlessly. Yet when Katja’s moody behaviour intensifies around mealtimes, Stella can’t help but be suspicious about her unhealthy eating habits. When confronted, Katja threatens to reveal Stella’s own secret and puts their sisterly bond on the line in order to keep their parents in the dark. The girls’ bickering and their love for one another intersect as they struggle to maintain outward appearances. Ultimately, Stella is forced to weigh her loyalty against Katja’s deteriorating health as their secret threatens to fracture their already-fragile family.
Newcomer Josephson is a true delight to watch as her Stella subtly shifts from asserting herself amongst her peers to the more timid, yet perceptive, role she assumes around her family. This is complemented by Deasismont’s fine performance as Katja. The dynamic of their onscreen relationship addresses a very crucial issue with warmth and sensitivity. Toronto International Film Festival
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dh0tbzLia_8
MY SKINNY SISTER is being presented as part of the Northwest Film Center’s New Scandinavian Cinema series, running October 23 through November 1. Northwest Film Center’s Whitsell Auditorium Portland Art Museum-1219 SW Park Avenue
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Bollywood Wedding Comedy SHAANDAAR Opens In Theaters Today, October 22nd | TRAILER
Wedding planners and insomniacs come together for the outrageous new Bollywood comedy SHAANDAAR which opens in theaters worldwide today Thursday, October 22. Directed by Vikas Bahl (“Queen”), the quirky England-set film features A-listers Shahid Kapoor and Alia Bhatt together for the first time and will release in over 130 theaters across North America including the AMC Empire in NYC.
A big fat “Shaandaar” Indian wedding, which is actually a business merger between two of the biggest business families of India, is happening at an exotic castle in Europe. Mrs. Kamla Arora, the grandmother of the Arora family, the sole owner of the billion-dollar business and the property, has planned their wedding. Kamla Arora treats everyone like her servants including her three sons, Bipin (the eldest), Vipul and Vinay. Mr. Fandwani, the groom’s father, is a loud Sindhi businessman who is the counter to Kamla Arora: The Fandwanis dress in gold, accessorize in gold and if possible they drink and eat gold.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3__UBLHHhs
Based against the backdrop of the Shaandaar wedding is a love triangle between the protagonists – Alia and Jagjinder Joginder and Bipin (Alia’s father). Bipin believes there’s no guy that will be good enough for his daughter while Alia is a dreamer but her dreams are whacked out and Jagjinder Joginder is a doer, he can make anything happen! And for obvious reasons, Bipin hates Jagjinder Joginder. The journey of Alia, Jagjinder Joginder and Bipin in the chaotic and lavish wedding is the story of Shaandaar. It’s a fairy tale love story that everyone has always dreamt of.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIvVcW2_CIs
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SPEED SISTERS on Middle East’s First All-Female Car Racing Team to US Premiere at DOC NYC 2015 | TRAILER
SPEED SISTERS, a new feature documentary following the Middle East’s first all-female car racing team, will have its US premiere at DOC NYC 2015. SPEED SISTERS provides a rare, unfiltered look into the daily lives of a group of extraordinary Palestinian women. The film follows Marah, Mona, Betty, Noor and their manager Maysoon – fearless women who overcome community expectations and politics as they compete for both the title of “Fastest Woman Driver” and the right to race against men.
Strap on your helmet and buckle up! This high-octane film stars the Middle East’s first all-women race car team. Marah, Mona, Betty, Noor and their manager Maysoon—each bold, fearless and charismatic in their own unique way—are part of an emerging speed racing scene that has seen contests between cities on the West Bank and drawn thousands of avid spectators, despite the constant danger from the Israeli occupation. The women compete against each other for both the title of “Fastest Woman Driver” and the right to race against the men. Overcoming social expectations, community politics and family dynamics—not to mention movement restrictions and checkpoints from the Israeli military—these women shatter stereotypes about Arab women and offer a source of inspiration for girls and women around the world.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLV3zITXLJo
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Industry Satire Film ACTOR FOR HIRE Slated for January 1st, 2016 VOD Premiere | TRAILER
Gravitas Ventures will release writer/director Marcus Mizelle’s industry satire feature film ACTOR FOR HIRE. The film, slated for a January 1st, 2016 VOD premiere, is currently enjoying its nationwide rollout with engagements in over 20 locations following its debut at the TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood.
Actor For Hire is produced by Mizelle alongside independent film producer Jillian Longnecker for Forte Pictures, with Dustin Taylor as Executive Producer. The film stars Jesse O’Neill (Ted 2), Jandres Burgos (Reclaim), Jesse C. Boyd (The Walking Dead), Greg Perrow (Anger Management), Najee De-Tiege (Power Rangers Samurai), JT Alexander (10 Cent Pistol) and newcomers Hollie Shay, Cynthia Bravo and Joel Hogan.
“Actor for Hire” tells the tale of Jesse, an aspiring out of work actor desperate to be seen, who thinks he’s not landing parts because he’s bald. After several failed auditions he decides to pawn his “craptop” for a cheap wig, and immediately books a small role on a TV pilot. As new opportunities are suddenly presented, keeping up his new wigged persona becomes a hairy business.
“A laugh out loud comedy, a big part of “Actor For Hire” is about the various absurdities and clichés of LA and celebrity culture, which I find endlessly interesting,” commented Mizelle. “I have a fascination with Hollywood culture – status, hierarchy, and contrasts of all sorts have become themes I find a great deal of in my own work. I’m hoping audiences continue to find it as entertaining as I do,” he added.
Mizelle is a multi-faceted LA based director, writer, producer and editor. He has directed music videos for Interscope recording artist Aloe Blacc, Atlantic artist Kevin Gates, Kreayshawn, Poet of the Black Eyed Peas, Dag Savage and more. He has directed over 30 short films, including award winning The Reliever, The Last Gift, & The Buck Johnson Story as well as the award-winning crime comedy feature film Half Empty.
“Actor For Hire” has attracted much acclaim on the festival circuit – it was named ‘Staff Pick’ at the Virginia Film Festival and sold out its screening a month in advance, won Best Comedy at the Temecula Film Festival, won the Best Music Award (Jeremy Nathan Tisser) at the Laugh or Die Comedy Festival, and was Opening and Closing night film at several festivals. “Actor for Hire” had its international premiere at Europe’s biggest comedy festival, Comedy Cluj International in Romania.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVyN0WsUb3k
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Fox Searchlight to Remake MEET THE PATELS
Fox Searchlight will remake MEET THE PATELS, the documentary that won the Audience Award at the Los Angeles Film Festival, reports Deadline. The remake will be written and co-directed by the original brother and sister team of Geeta V. Patel and Ravi V. Patel.
MEET THE PATELS is a laugh-out-loud real life romantic comedy about Ravi Patel, an almost-30-year-old Indian-American who enters a love triangle between the woman of his dreams … and his parents. Filmed by Ravi’s sister in what started as a family vacation video, this hilarious and heartbreaking film reveals how love is a family affair.
Fresh out of a breakup with his secret white girlfriend, who his parents knew nothing about, and freaked out that he’s almost 30 and single, Ravi goes on a family vacation to India with his head and heart spinning.
Ravi is willing to do whatever it takes to find love—but there’s one tricky detail to consider: In his family, everyone has the last name Patel. Patels marry other Patels. It’s not incest, it means they are from the same 50-square mile radius in India. Struck with how overwhelmingly happy the marriages are of his Patel family and friends, Ravi enters a fool-proof Patel matchmaking system and embarks on a worldwide search for another American Patel just like him.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7litSYXbpRs
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MONICA Z Chronicles Real-Life Triumphs and Tragedy of Swedish Jazz-Singer Monica Zetterlund | TRAILER
Winner of Guldbagge Awards for Best Direction, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor and Best Costume Design, MONICA Z chronicles the real-life triumphs and tragedy of popular Swedish jazz-singer Monica Zetterlund, played by an enchanting Edda Magnason who sings her own smoky, elegant vocals. MONICA Z is directed by Per Fly and stars Edda Magnason, Sverrir Gudnason, Kjell Bergqvist
Monica, a young, rebellious small town girl, is determined to make it as a singer in the vibrant sixties jazz clubs of Stockholm, and even New York City. Beautiful and sensual, she embarks on the singing career of her dreams and evolves as an exquisite singer and actress in the golden era of jazz. But behind all the glamour, Monica struggles to face the dark side of fame and success. The jazz life can take its toll, and with a string of broken love affairs, a father she can never please, and a daughter to whom she’ll never be the perfect mother, Monica finds herself living the blues.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNqP4B1Ba_A
MONICA Z is being presented as part of the Northwest Film Center’s New Scandinavian Cinema series, running October 23 through November 1. Northwest Film Center’s Whitsell Auditorium Portland Art Museum-1219 SW Park Avenue.
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LUCHA MEXICO to US Premiere at DOC NYC 2015 | TRAILER
LUCHA MEXICO will have its US PREMIERE at the upcoming DOC NYC 2015. Directed by Ian Markiewicz & Alexandria Hammond (Better Than Something: Jay Reatard), the ultimate look behind the mask, LUCHA MEXICO documents the joyous spectacle of Lucha Libre, which has thrilled fans in Mexico for generations.
The film gives the audience the ultimate access to these legendary masked wrestlers, in the ring and beyond the lights of the stadium.
Born into the entertainment business, ‘El 1000% Guapo’ SHOCKER is one of the most successful Luchadores of the modern era. His life is consumed by a need to be in the ring. As tag team partner with extreme American strength competitor JON ‘STRONGMAN’ ANDERSON, Shocker also becomes a guide to working in Mexico City. After long days of body building at Fabian’s Gym, owned and operated by their masked wrestler colleague FABIAN “EL GITANO,” these uniqueentertainers headline events around the country. Injuries and death eventually threaten to endthese thriving careers, forcing each performer to search for what truly matters in their lives.
A supporting cast of fan-favorites further reveal Lucha Libre from the inside, with BLUE DEMON JR discussing life behind a legendary mask, the tragic HIJO DEL PERRO AGUAYO pursuing violent creative change, and veterans like TONY SALAZAR and ARKANGEL teaching the new generation. These stars and more illuminate the physical and emotional challenges they face in the constant fight to stand between the ropes and thrill every last fan. With an unprecedented level of access to the top Lucha promotions and performers in the world, LUCHA MEXICO steps into the ring, pulls back the mask, and reveals a powerful look into the beating heart of Mexico.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POs2psGsCE0
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HENERAL LUNA, Philippines Oscar Entry to Be Released in the US | TRAILER
Jerrold Tarog’s HENERAL LUNA the Philippines’ submission for 2015 Foreign Language Film Oscar category for the 88th Academy Awards, will be released in theaters nationwide in Fall 2015, via Abramorama. Heneral Luna will open in New York on October 30, followed by Los Angeles and other markets on November 6.
Set during the Philippine-American war, a short-tempered Filipino general faces an enemy more formidable than the American army: his own treacherous countrymen.
In 1898, General Antonio Luna ( John Arcilla ), commander of the revolutionary army, is spoiling for a fight. The Philippines, after three hundred years as a Spanish colony, has unwillingly come under American rule. General Luna wants to fight for freedom but members of the elite would rather strike a deal with the United States. The infighting is fierce in the new cabinet but General Luna and his loyal men forge ahead even as his military decisions are met with resistance from soldiers who are loyal only to President Aguinaldo ( Mon Confiado ). Ultimately, it is the general’s legendary temper and pride that bring him to his death when a pack of presidential guards assassinate him in broad daylight. While American newspapers are quick to point the blame to Aguinaldo, the mystery has never been completely solved and the General’s killers were never put to justice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_T1ykhy3Fg
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Fia Sandlund’s SHE’S WILD AGAIN TONIGHT to World Premiere at Stockholm International Film Festival
SHE’S WILD AGAIN TONIGHT, Fia Sandlund’s contemporary interpretation of the play, Miss Julie, will world premiere at Stockholm International Film Festival on November 12, 2015
Two young artists meet in New York to work on a radical version of the Swedish classic Miss Julie. Instead of a professional meeting between the politically conscious artists, they become involved in a twisted game of power relations.
Starring the Swedish actor Shima Niavarani as Julie and Mando Diao’s former lead singer Gustaf Norén as Jean, SHE’S WILD AGAIN TONIGHT is, in the director’s words “an operation on Strindberg.” The story blends the borders of reality, acting and fiction in a reflection on the complexity of contemporary society and gender roles.
SHE’S WILD AGAIN TONIGHT is the final part of the director’s trilogy inspired by Strindberg’s play Miss Julie, preceded by She’s Blonde Like Me and She’s Staging It. The script is written by Sandlund in collaboration with Josefine Adolfsson, winner of the Guldbagge Award in 2012, and produced by Tobias Janson.
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COLLIDE Starring Nicholas Hoult, Felicity Jones, Anthony Hopkins Sets 2016 Release Date
The thriller COLLIDE, originally titled Autobahn, directed by Eran Creevy, and starring Nicholas Hoult, Academy Award nominee Felicity Jones, and Academy Award winners Anthony Hopkins and Ben Kingsley will be released in theaters nationwide on April 1, 2016 via Open Road Films.
After a heist goes terribly wrong, Casey Stein (Nicholas Hoult) finds himself on the run from a ruthless gang headed by mob boss Hagen (Anthony Hopkins). Now Casey has precious cargo that belongs to Hagen, who will stop at nothing to retrieve it. Left with no choice, Casey calls his former employer and drug smuggler Geran (Ben Kingsley) to protect his long-time girlfriend Juliette before Hagen gets his hands on her. Casey sets out on an adrenaline-fueled car chase on the German highways to save the love of his life before it’s too late.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evxOIzaYUrY