• MONICA Z Chronicles Real-Life Triumphs and Tragedy of Swedish Jazz-Singer Monica Zetterlund | TRAILER

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    MONICA Z 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

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    LUCHA MEXICO 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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  • 2015 Los Cabos Film Festival Announces Films in the Horror, Environmental and American Specials Programs

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    TALE OF TALES 2015 Los Cabos International Film Festival revealed the films selected to screen in the After DARK, American Specials and Green programs. For the second year running, the Festival presents its After Dark program, with three films from prestigious festivals such as Sundance, Cannes and Fantastic Fest, that are on the borderlines between horror, science fiction and black comedy. TALE OF TALES (pictured above) Dir. Matteo Garrone (Gomorra, Reality) Cast: Salma Hayek, Vincent Cassel and Toby Jones Official Selection at Cannes Film Festival. THE WITCH, directed and written by Robert Eggers, THE WITCH (Latin American Premiere) Dir. Robert Eggers (The Tell-Tale Heart, Hansel and Gretel) Cast: Anya Taylor-Joy, Ralph Ineson and Kate Dickie Premiered at Sundance Film Festival. WHAT WE BECOME (Latin American Premiere) Dir. Bo Mikkelsen (First Feature) Cast: Mille Dinesen, Toels Lyby and Ole Dupont Premiered at Fantastic Fest The new American Specials program will feature the following American films that have won critical acclaim and set box-office records, among them the Mexican Premieres of: BLACK MASS (Mexican Premiere) Dir. Scott Cooper (Out of the Furnace, Crazy Heart) Cast: Johnny Depp, Benedict Cumberbatch and Dakota Johnson Premiered at Venice International Film Festival. The Diary of a Teenage Girl THE DIARY OF A TEENAGE GIRL (Mexican Premiere) Dir. Marielle Heller (First Work) Cast: Bel Powley, Alexander Skarsgård and Kristen Wiig Premiered at Sundance. In this fourth edition, Green is presented by Discovery Channel. In this program awareness-raising films prompt us to ponder on our responsibilities vis-à-vis the environment, and on the urgent need to establish a balance among all the links in the chain of life on our planet. The films in this program are: RACING EXTINCTION RACING EXTINCTION (Mexican Premiere) Dir. Louie Psihoyos (Oscar Winner for Best Documentary for The Cove, Chaising Ice, Dinosaur 13) Premiered at Sundance. HURRICANE 3D (Latin American Premiere) Dir. Cyril Barbançon y Andy Byatt LA GLACE ET LE CIEL (Mexican Premiere) Dir. Luc Jacquet This film was the closing gala at Cannes Film Festival.

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  • 2015 Chicago South Asian Film Festival Awards; THE CROW’S EGG Wins Best Film

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    Kaaka Muttai, The Crow's Egg The 2015 Chicago South Asian Film Festival, presented by Zee Cinema, announced the winners of Jury and Audience Awards for Best Feature and Short Films of the 2015 Festival and presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to Ms. Sharmila Tagore, an Indian cinema icon.

    The Jury Award for Best Feature Film was presented to “Kaaka Muttai (The Crow’s Egg)” (Director: M. Manikandan) / India / Chicago Premiere – When a pizza parlor opens on their playground, two carefree slum boys are consumed by the desire to taste this new-fangled dish called ‘Pizza’. Realizing that one pizza costs more than their family’s monthly income, they begin to plot ways to earn more money inadvertently beginning an adventure that will involve the entire city.

    The People’s Choice Awards for Best Feature Film was presented to “Dukhtar (Daughter)” (Director: Afia Nathaniel) / Pakistan/ Chicago Premiere – In the mountains of Pakistan, a mother and her 10 year-old daughter flee their home on the eve of the girl’s marriage to a tribal leader. A deadly hunt for them begins.

    The People’s Choice Awards for Best Feature Film was presented to “Sundar” (Director: Rohan Kanawade)/ India/ Chicago Premiere  – Bangles, jhumkas, bindi, lipstick, blouse, sari and attitude to carry; Jayu walked in public and played dandiya during Navratri (nine days Hindu festival). Onlookers laughed and whistled mockingly. It was just another reason to make fun of him. He didn’t care, because it was his happiness, he was living. Until, he laid his eyes on his mother, who stood in between those onlookers. She beat him up before the entire neighborhood… It’s Navratri, again. Tonight is the last night. But this year, all he could do is look at others as they marched towards the dandiya ground, all dolled up.

    The 2015 Chicago South Asian Film Festival Awards: The Jury Award for Best Feature Film was presented to “Kaaka Muttai (The Crow’s Egg)” (Director: M. Manikandan) / India/ CHICAGO PREMIERE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzOp7hRXOLo The Jury Award for Best Short Film was presented to “The Blue Sweater” (Director: Dhaneesh Jameson) /United States/ CHICAGO PREMIERE The Audience Award – People’s Choice Award for Best Feature Film was presented to “Dukhtar (Daughter)” (Director: Afia Nathaniel) / Pakistan/ CHICAGO PREMIERE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zo5xat8WLjU The Audience Award – People’s Choice Award for Best Feature Film was presented to “Sundar” (Director: Rohan Kanawade) / India/ CHICAGO PREMIERE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWJOUGcr55A The Chicago’s Choice Award for Best Short Film was presented to “The First Session” (Director: Ryan Logan) / United States/ CHICAGO PREMIERE  

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  • Chris Rock is Back …. to Host 2016 Oscars

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    Chris Rock Chris Rock who hosted the 77th Oscars telecast in 2005 will return to host the Oscars® for a second time, producers David Hill and Reginald Hudlin announced today. Rock will host the 88th Academy Awards® scheduled to be broadcast live on Oscar® Sunday, February 28, 2016, on the ABC Television Network. . “Chris Rock is truly the MVP of the entertainment industry,” said Hill and Hudlin. “Comedian, actor, writer, producer, director, documentarian – he’s done it all. He’s going to be a phenomenal Oscar host!” “I’m so glad to be hosting the Oscars,” said Rock. “It’s great to be back.” “We share David and Reggie’s excitement in welcoming Chris, whose comedic voice has really defined a generation,” said Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs. “He is certain to bring his amazing array of talents to this year’s show.” “Chris may be best known as a stand-up comic, but we think of him as a creative innovator in many other ways. He is unafraid in his artistry,” said Academy CEO Dawn Hudson. “We couldn’t be happier to welcome him back to the Oscars.” “Chris Rock is a comedic powerhouse who will bring tremendous energy to the event, and we’re honored to have him,” said Paul Lee, President ABC Entertainment Group. With a career spanning more than three decades, Rock most recently directed the comedy special “Amy Schumer: Live at the Apollo,” which premiered this month on HBO. In 2014 he wrote, directed and starred in the critically acclaimed feature “Top Five,” and in 2009 ventured into the documentary world as a writer, producer and star of “Good Hair.” Rock has enjoyed ongoing success in both film and television as a comedian, actor, writer, producer and director. His feature acting credits include “I Think I Love My Wife,” which he also wrote and directed, “Head of State” (writer, producer and director), “Death at a Funeral” (also producer), and the first three films in the blockbuster “Madagascar” series, as the voice of Marty. His other acting credits include “The Longest Yard,” “Nurse Betty,” “2 Days in New York” and “Lethal Weapon 4.” In 2011 Rock made his Broadway debut starring in “The Motherfucker with the Hat,” which was nominated for six Tony Awards®, including Best Play. In television, Rock created, executive produced and narrated the series “Everybody Hates Chris,” which ran from 2005 to 2009 and was inspired by Rock’s childhood. He was a cast member on “Saturday Night Live” from 1990 to 1993. Known internationally for his groundbreaking stand-up comedy, Rock has won four Emmy® Awards for his comedy series and specials, including “Chris Rock – Kill the Messenger,” “The Chris Rock Show” and “Chris Rock: Bring the Pain,” and has achieved record audience numbers around the world. He also has earned three Grammy® Awards for his comedy albums Never Scared, Bigger and Blacker and Roll with the New. The 88th Oscars will be held on Sunday, February 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, and will be televised live by the ABC Television Network at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.

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  • Date Revealed for 2016 Film Independent Spirit Awards

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    2016 Film Independent Spirit Awards The 2016 Film Independent Spirit Awards will be broadcast exclusively on IFC on February 27, 2016, LIVE at 2:00 pm PT / 5:00 pm ET. This year marks the 31st edition of the awards show that celebrates the best of independent film.  This year’s nominees will be announced at a press conference on Tuesday, November 24 at the W Hollywood and online at spiritawards.com. Joel Gallen of Tenth Planet Productions returns for his second year as executive producer of the show held in its usual tent on the beach in Santa Monica, in a new location this year just north of the Santa Monica Pier. Producer Shawn Davis returns for his 14th show and Rick Austin returns for his second year as producer. “After last year’s great show we are thrilled to have Joel Gallen back as our EP,” said Film Independent President Josh Welsh. “We are excited to be back on IFC, I can’t imagine better partners than Jen Caserta and her entire team.” “We are pleased to continue to partner with Film Independent as the irreverent and informal approach of the Spirit Awards is a seamless fit with our ‘always on, slightly off’ brand,” said Jennifer Caserta, IFC’s president. “We are excited to celebrate the best independent films and provide an exclusive platform for what has become Hollywood’s kick off to awards season.” Joel Gallen’s credits include the Emmy nominated specials Stand Up To Cancer (2014, 2012), the 25th Anniversary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Concert (2009), Hope For Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief (2010) and the Emmy and Peabody Award winning America: A Tribute to Heroes (2001). He produced the MTV Movie Awards for 12 consecutive years from 1995 to 2006. He has also produced the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony since 2003 and the Comedy Central Roasts for the last 11 years including the most recent roast featuring Justin Bieber. Gallen executive produced and directed the Concert for Valor for HBO. About his return to the Film Independent Spirit Awards, executive producer Joel Gallen had this to say, “I love producing the Spirit Awards, not just because of how much it means to the independent film community, but because it’s such a fun and relaxed vibe in the tent. Last year all the speeches were so spontaneous and ‘in the moment’, not one acceptance speech was read from a folded up piece of paper. That may have been the first time in award show history that happened!”

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  • 2015 Tallgrass Film Festival Awards, TAKE ME TO THE RIVER, ARMOR OF LIGHT Win Best Film Honors

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    TAKE ME TO THE RIVER, Matt Sobel The 2015 Tallgrass Film Festival announced their filmmaker awards during a rousing ceremony preceding their Closing Night Gala screening of Ian and Eshom Nelms’ WAFFLE STREET on Sunday, October 18 at the Orpheum Theater in Wichita, Kansas. Matt Sobel’s TAKE ME TO THE RIVER, (pictured above) was named “Best Narrative Feature,” and Abigail Disney & Kathleen Hughes’ ARMOR OF LIGHT, chosen as “Best Documentary Feature.” DOUBLE DIGITS: THE STORY OF A NEIGHBORHOOD MOVIE STAR Justin Johnson’s DOUBLE DIGITS: THE STORY OF A NEIGHBORHOOD MOVIE STAR (pictured above) got the nod for both “Best First Feature,” as well as the Golden Strands Vanguard Award for “Dedication to the Craft of Filmmaking” for the film’s subject, R.G. Miller. The Vimeo Audience Awards were led by Emily Ting, who added to her big night by receiving the $1000 Narrative prize for ALREADY TOMORROW IN HONG KONG. Producer Dennie Aig was on hand to accept the $1000 Documentary prize for Philllip Barbeau’s UNBRANDED. Benjamin Wolff’s BIS GLIECH took home the Audience Award and $500 prize for the short film category. The awards for Emily Ting provided a happy exclamation point to the filmmaker’s return to Tallgrass following her films MAN FROM RENO (2014), THE KITCHEN (2012), and BIG BAD SWIM (2005) (all of which she served as either a producer, associate producer or executive producer). 2015 Tallgrass Film Festival Filmmaker Awards Vimeo Audience Awards Audience Award Winning Narrative Film: ($1,000) IT’S ALREADY TOMORROW IN HONG KONG, Directed by Emily Ting Vimeo Audience Award Winning Documentary Film: ($1,000) UNBRANDED, Directed by Phillip Barbeau Vimeo Audience Award winning Short Film: ($500) BIS GLIECH (Germany), directed Benjamin Wolff Golden Strands Programming Awards Best Emerging Student Award: THE GIRL, WHO’S SHADOW REFLECTS THE MOON, Directed by Walaa Al Alawi (Syria) Best Kansas Short Film Award: EPIC OF HERSHEY, Douglas McGinness, New York/Wichita, KS Golden Strands Award, Outstanding Female Filmmaker: Emily Ting, IT’S ALREADY TOMORROW IN HONG KONG (Award is the Venus Award which is designed by Glass Artist Claire Anderson and is a representation of a Paleolithic Era Venus de Lespugue) Golden Strands Award for Courage in Filmmaking: PERVERT PARK, Directed by Frida & Lasse Barkfors of Sweden Golden Strands Award, Outstanding Cinematography: OMO CHILD: THE RIVER AND THE BUSH, Sebastian Humphreys Golden Strands Award, Outstanding Ensemble Cast: TANGERINE Golden Strands Vanguard Award for Dedication to the Craft Of Filmmaking: R.G. Miller, DOUBLE DIGITS (Award designed by Fisch Haus) Golden Strands Award, Best First Feature: DOUBLE DIGITS: THE STORY OF A NEIGHBORHOOD MOVIE STAR, Directed by Justin Johnson Golden Strands Award, Outstanding Documentary Short Film: LAST DAY OF FREEDOM, Directors Dee Hibbert-Jones/Nomi Talisman Golden Strands Award, Outstanding Narrative Short Film: GUEST ROOM, Directed by Joshua Tate Golden Strands Award, Outstanding Documentary Feature: ARMOR OF LIGHT, Abigail Disney & Kathleen Hughes Golden Strands Award, Outstanding Narrative Feature: TAKE ME TO THE RIVER, Directed by Matt Sobel

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  • Director Andrew Davis Presides Over 51st Chicago Int’l Film Fest Competition Jury

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    Andrew Davis The 51st Chicago International Film Festival announced its Competition Juries, with Director/Producer/Writer Andrew Davis serving as President of this year’s International Features Competition Jury. Davis directed the Academy Award®-nominated box-office hit The Fugitive (1993), Under Siege (1992), Collateral Damage (2002), Holes (2003), and The Guardian (2006). The Golden Globe®-nominated director was raised in Chicago and graduated from the University of Illinois. The International Features Competition Jury includes Iván Trujillo, Director General of the Guadalajara International Film Festival; Writer/Director Laura Astorga whose film Red Princess (2013) was Costa Rica’s official selection for the 87th Academy Awards; Actor/Director Nawaf Al-Janahi (The Circle, Sea Shadow); and Actor/Producer Jossie Harris, who was awarded the Best Supporting Actress award at the 45th Chicago International Film Festival for her role in Mississippi Damned. The Jury will present the Gold Hugo to the best of the 16 films in competition from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, Chile, Croatia, France, Israel, Iran, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, UK, and Uruguay. The Festival’s New Directors Competition Jury consists of Matt Fagerholm (Film Critic & Assistant Editor at Ebert Publishing), Claudia Landsberger (Senior Partner at BaseWorx for Film), and Diego Lerer (Film Critic, Acting President of FIPRESCI Argentina, the film critics’association). The Festival’s Documentary Competition Jury includes Eric Hynes (Columnist for Film Comment), Michelle Puetz (Curator of Media Arts at the Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art), and J.P. Sniadecki (director of the award-winning film The Iron Ministry). The 51st Chicago International Film Festival’s OUT-Look/Q Hugo Award Jury features Mihai Chirilov* (Film Critic, Director of Transylvania International Film Festival), Richard Knight, Jr. (Film Critic, Founder of the Queer Film Society and Programming Director for the Reeling Film Festival), and John Russell Taylor (critic and author whose books include “Hitch: The Life and Times of Alfred Hitchcock” and “Strangers in Paradise: The Hollywood Emigrés, 1933-1950”).

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  • HENERAL LUNA, Philippines Oscar Entry to Be Released in the US | TRAILER

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    Jerrold Tarog, HENERAL LUNA 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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  • WHERE TO INVADE NEXT, THE 33 Among New Films Added to 2015 AFI FEST

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    Where To Invade Next, Michael Moore Two more Centerpiece Galas, WHERE TO INVADE NEXT, directed by Michael Moore, and THE 33, directed by Patricia Riggen have been added to 2015 AFI FEST. WHERE TO INVADE NEXT, directed by Michael Moore, will screen on Saturday, November 7 at the Lloyd E. Rigler Theatre at the Egyptian. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ei747zi9iYY THE 33, directed by Patricia Riggen and starring Antonio Banderas, Rodrigo Santoro, Juliette Binoche, James Brolin, Lou Diamond Phillips, Mario Casas, Juan Pablo Raba, Adriana Barraza, Kate del Castillo, Cote de Pablo, Bob Gunton and Gabriel Byrne, will screen on Monday, November 9 at the TCL Chinese Theatre. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOoIBOYqHyw AFI FEST’s Special Screenings section will feature 45 YEARS (DIR Andrew Haigh); ANOMALISA (DIR Charlie Kaufman & Duke Johnson, AFI Class of 2006); CAROL (DIR Todd Haynes); LAST DAYS IN THE DESERT (DIR Rodrigo García); THE LOBSTER (DIR Yorgos Lanthimos); MACBETH (DIR Justin Kurzel); and QUEEN OF THE DESERT (DIR Werner Herzog). The full festival lineup and schedule will be unveiled on Wednesday, October 21. The 29th edition of AFI FEST will take place November 5–12, 2015, in the heart of Hollywood.

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  • Fia Sandlund’s SHE’S WILD AGAIN TONIGHT to World Premiere at Stockholm International Film Festival

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    Fia Sandlund, She’s Wild Again Tonight 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

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    Collide, Eran Creevy 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

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