The Whistler Film Festival (WFF) will shine the spotlight on actress and producer Kyra Sedgwick, and actor Bill Pullman, in it’s Signature Series, which features events that recognize distinguished artists of our time and honors them with an award and or intimate on-stage interview complemented by a feature presentation of their most recent film premiering at the fest.
For its 17th edition, WFF celebrates Kyra Sedgwick, who is attending the festival with her directorial debut and Canadian premiere of STORY OF A GIRL and as the Artist Spotlight and Luminary Award honoree. WFF will also honor acclaimed Bill Pullman, who is attending with the Canadian premiere of THE BALLAD OF LEFTY BROWN and as the Artist Tribute and Career Achievement Award honoree. Sedgwick and Pullman join this year’s Variety 10 Screenwriters to Watch as well as actors Amanda Crew, Kevin Zegers, Rossif Sutherland and Shiva Negar who will be featured in a new Canada 150 Spotlight on Talent conversation to mark the centennial hosted by Canadian television and radio personality, George Stroumboulopoulos.
“WFF’s 2017 honorees represent notable talent at different stages of their careers. Some have created the most memorable stories and characters in recent decades and others have careers about to burst,” says Whistler Film Festival’s Director of Industry Programming, Angie Nolan. “It is such an honor to celebrate this diverse group of inspiring artists at all phases of their creative journey.”
Award winning actor Kyra Sedgwick has conquered stage, screen and television. Sedgwick is WFF’s Artist Spotlight honoree and will be receiving a Luminary Award, which recognizes a sublime artist whose body of work continues to inspire while shining a light on meaningful storytelling. Sedgwick has received multiple Golden Globe nominations (2007 win for THE CLOSER), Emmy nominations (2010 win for THE CLOSER), 7 SAG nominations as well as two Independent Spirit Award nominations, a Theater Award, Los Angeles Drama Desk Critics Circle Award and a Dramalogue Award. She is currently starring in and producing ABC’s limited series TEN DAYS IN THE VALLEY. She recently appeared in THE EDGE OF SEVENTEEN, written and directed by Kelly Fremon Craig, in which she co-stars opposite Woody Harrelson and Hailee Steinfeld, produced by James L. Brooks. Sedgwick is attending WFF with the Canadian premiere and her directorial debut, STORY OF A GIRL. The feature, which stars Ryann Shane alongside Sedgwick’s husband and daughter Kevin and Sosie Bacon, was originally produced for Lifetime and is based on a novel by Sara Zarr. With this film, Sedgwick tackles the very topical subject of online shaming and bullying with tact and sensitivity. A tale of personal courage and triumph, STORY OF A GIRL is a coming of age story about a young woman who finds the inner strength to overcome her past in order to become the author of her own future. Sedgwick displays a delicate sensitivity directing a young cast that has to deal with sensitive material at a time when stories like these are more important than ever.
Beloved American actor, Bill Pullman of stage, screen and television is WFF’s Tribute guest and the recipient of its’ 2017 Career Achievement Award. This award recognizes a formidable talent in film and television, whose longevity in storytelling and artistic achievement has culminated in a most prolific and inspiring career. Bill Pullman had his film debut in the 1986 film RUTHLESS PEOPLE and has since gone on to star in a multitude of films and television series where he created some of the most memorable characters in recent times. He is most known for his role as President Thomas J. Whitmore in INDEPENDENCE DAY as well as his role as Lone Starr in SPACEBALLS. Pullman can currently be seen on the hit USA television show, THE SINNER, which has been this summer’s highest rated show. Other notable film credits include: TROUBLE, WALKING OUT, INDEPENDENCE DAY: RESURGENCE, THE EQUALIZER, SURVEILLANCE, THE COVE, BOTTLE SHOCK, SCARY MOVIE 4, THE GRUDGE, WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING, THE LAST SEDUCTION, MR. JONES, MALICE, SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE, A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN, SINGLES, NEWSIES and LOST HIGHWAY. Additional television credits include 1600 PENN, TORCHWOOD and REVELATIONS. Current film releases include Fox’s BATTLE OF THE SEXES, appearing alongside Emma Stone and Steve Carrell, as well as Electric Entertainment’s LBJ in which he appears opposite Woody Harrelson. He is attending the Whistler Film Festival with A24’s western movie and the Canadian premiere of THE BALLAD OF LEFTY BROWN.
The Whistler Film Festival will host the Variety 10 Screenwriters to Watch for the sixth consecutive year as the final event in its Signature Series program.
To celebrate Canada’s 150, WFF’s presents a new event, Canada 150 Spotlight on Talent featuring four Canadian actors to watch who are attending the fest with their latest films in conversation with George Stroumboulopoulos. The roster includes Rossif Sutherland (TRENCH 11), Kevin Zegers (SOMEONE ELSE’S WEDDING), Amanda Crew (JUGGERNAUT), and Shiva Negar (BECOMING BURLESQUE), all of which are WFF Alumni having attended previous fests except for Shiva Negar. The event will be hosted by George Stroumboulopoulos on December 2 at 1:30PM.-
Whistler Film Festival Signature Series to Honor Kyra Sedgwick and Bill Pullman
The Whistler Film Festival (WFF) will shine the spotlight on actress and producer Kyra Sedgwick, and actor Bill Pullman, in it’s Signature Series, which features events that recognize distinguished artists of our time and honors them with an award and or intimate on-stage interview complemented by a feature presentation of their most recent film premiering at the fest.
For its 17th edition, WFF celebrates Kyra Sedgwick, who is attending the festival with her directorial debut and Canadian premiere of STORY OF A GIRL and as the Artist Spotlight and Luminary Award honoree. WFF will also honor acclaimed Bill Pullman, who is attending with the Canadian premiere of THE BALLAD OF LEFTY BROWN and as the Artist Tribute and Career Achievement Award honoree. Sedgwick and Pullman join this year’s Variety 10 Screenwriters to Watch as well as actors Amanda Crew, Kevin Zegers, Rossif Sutherland and Shiva Negar who will be featured in a new Canada 150 Spotlight on Talent conversation to mark the centennial hosted by Canadian television and radio personality, George Stroumboulopoulos.
“WFF’s 2017 honorees represent notable talent at different stages of their careers. Some have created the most memorable stories and characters in recent decades and others have careers about to burst,” says Whistler Film Festival’s Director of Industry Programming, Angie Nolan. “It is such an honor to celebrate this diverse group of inspiring artists at all phases of their creative journey.”
Award winning actor Kyra Sedgwick has conquered stage, screen and television. Sedgwick is WFF’s Artist Spotlight honoree and will be receiving a Luminary Award, which recognizes a sublime artist whose body of work continues to inspire while shining a light on meaningful storytelling. Sedgwick has received multiple Golden Globe nominations (2007 win for THE CLOSER), Emmy nominations (2010 win for THE CLOSER), 7 SAG nominations as well as two Independent Spirit Award nominations, a Theater Award, Los Angeles Drama Desk Critics Circle Award and a Dramalogue Award. She is currently starring in and producing ABC’s limited series TEN DAYS IN THE VALLEY. She recently appeared in THE EDGE OF SEVENTEEN, written and directed by Kelly Fremon Craig, in which she co-stars opposite Woody Harrelson and Hailee Steinfeld, produced by James L. Brooks. Sedgwick is attending WFF with the Canadian premiere and her directorial debut, STORY OF A GIRL. The feature, which stars Ryann Shane alongside Sedgwick’s husband and daughter Kevin and Sosie Bacon, was originally produced for Lifetime and is based on a novel by Sara Zarr. With this film, Sedgwick tackles the very topical subject of online shaming and bullying with tact and sensitivity. A tale of personal courage and triumph, STORY OF A GIRL is a coming of age story about a young woman who finds the inner strength to overcome her past in order to become the author of her own future. Sedgwick displays a delicate sensitivity directing a young cast that has to deal with sensitive material at a time when stories like these are more important than ever.
Beloved American actor, Bill Pullman of stage, screen and television is WFF’s Tribute guest and the recipient of its’ 2017 Career Achievement Award. This award recognizes a formidable talent in film and television, whose longevity in storytelling and artistic achievement has culminated in a most prolific and inspiring career. Bill Pullman had his film debut in the 1986 film RUTHLESS PEOPLE and has since gone on to star in a multitude of films and television series where he created some of the most memorable characters in recent times. He is most known for his role as President Thomas J. Whitmore in INDEPENDENCE DAY as well as his role as Lone Starr in SPACEBALLS. Pullman can currently be seen on the hit USA television show, THE SINNER, which has been this summer’s highest rated show. Other notable film credits include: TROUBLE, WALKING OUT, INDEPENDENCE DAY: RESURGENCE, THE EQUALIZER, SURVEILLANCE, THE COVE, BOTTLE SHOCK, SCARY MOVIE 4, THE GRUDGE, WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING, THE LAST SEDUCTION, MR. JONES, MALICE, SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE, A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN, SINGLES, NEWSIES and LOST HIGHWAY. Additional television credits include 1600 PENN, TORCHWOOD and REVELATIONS. Current film releases include Fox’s BATTLE OF THE SEXES, appearing alongside Emma Stone and Steve Carrell, as well as Electric Entertainment’s LBJ in which he appears opposite Woody Harrelson. He is attending the Whistler Film Festival with A24’s western movie and the Canadian premiere of THE BALLAD OF LEFTY BROWN.
The Whistler Film Festival will host the Variety 10 Screenwriters to Watch for the sixth consecutive year as the final event in its Signature Series program.
To celebrate Canada’s 150, WFF’s presents a new event, Canada 150 Spotlight on Talent featuring four Canadian actors to watch who are attending the fest with their latest films in conversation with George Stroumboulopoulos. The roster includes Rossif Sutherland (TRENCH 11), Kevin Zegers (SOMEONE ELSE’S WEDDING), Amanda Crew (JUGGERNAUT), and Shiva Negar (BECOMING BURLESQUE), all of which are WFF Alumni having attended previous fests except for Shiva Negar. The event will be hosted by George Stroumboulopoulos on December 2 at 1:30PM.
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Anchorage International Film Festival Ten Days of “Films Worth Freezing For” Opens December 1
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Prison Dogs[/caption]
The Anchorage International Film Festival (AIFF) will open ten days of “Films Worth Freezing For” beginning Friday, December 1 and continuing through Sunday, December 10, 2017. This year’s festival, showcasing international and local Alaskan films, is the 17th annual iteration of the event. Over 130 films will be hosted at BearTooth Theatrepub, the Alaska Experience Theatre, and E Street Theater (formerly BearSquare Theater), with special events at Williwaw, 49th State Brewing Co. and the Anchorage Museum.
The AIFF will open on Friday, December 1, at the BearTooth Theatrepub, with a night of short films, one of the festival’s most popular programs. The showcase of shorts brings a gamut of talent to the screen for a celebration of independent filmmaking. This festive night will include champagne and desserts, the music of Blackwater Railroad Company who wrote the soundtrack for festival selection, Broken Ghost.
Said Festival Director, Rebecca Pottebaum, “We are very proud of our film festival, having chosen countless films that will challenge, endear and entertain audiences with their style and depth. Cinema is a gathering place, where we can connect audience members with filmmakers and to each other–and, in turn, to the world at large.”
Over three dozen filmmakers travel to Alaska to attend the festival, one of whom is Emmy Award-winning documentarian, Geeta Gandbhir, with her film Prison Dogs. Many AIFF screenings will have directors or cast present to engage with audiences and discuss the films afterward. Numerous filmmakers will visit high school classrooms around Anchorage as guest speakers and workshop providers.
Festival highlights include the 5-day Film Royal filmmaking competition, youth films showcase, Martini Matinee, family films, and numerous panels and workshops. Norwegian Sami rapper, Nils Utsi (who performs under the name SlinCraze), raps in a language only 20,000 people speak and he will join the AIFF for Arctic Superstar film screening and a performance. Numerous Alaskan filmmakers will grace the big screen in competition for audience and jury awards.
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Greenwich Entertainment to Release Matt Tyrnauer’s Documentary SCOTTY AND THE SECRET HISTORY OF HOLLYWOOD
Matt Tyrnauer’s documentary SCOTTY AND THE SECRET HISTORY OF HOLLYWOOD which premiered to strong reviews and sold-out crowds at the Toronto International Film Festival in September will be released theatrically in April of 2018 by recently formed NYC-based distributor Greenwich Entertainment.
Best known for his acclaimed films VALENTINO: THE LAST EMPEROR and CITIZEN JANE: BATTLE FOR THE CITY, Tyrnauer’s latest film tells the story of Scotty Bowers, a World War II Marine combat veteran who became a legendary bi-sexual male hustler and all-purpose date-arranger for Hollywood movie stars from the 1940’s through the beginning of the AIDS epidemic in the 1980’s.
The film has been called “the juiciest documentary in years” (Vulture), “criminally entertaining” (Vanity Fair ), and a “resonant and funny portrait of a larger-than-life character” (The Film Stage).
At the age of 89, Bowers’ 2012 tell-all biography “Full Service: My Adventures in Hollywood and the Secret Sex Lives of the Stars” (Grove Press) was a best-selling sensation, and offered a powerful counter-narrative of Hollywood, as well as a revised view of the intimate lives of many of the greatest names of Hollywood’s Golden Age. The cinema verite feature film contains a nuanced portrait of the now 94-year-old Bowers, and also contains fresh revelations, and a trove of newly discovered archival footage and photos of Bowers from the 40s, 50s and beyond. The film documents how Bowers became a confidante, aide de camp and lover to many of Hollywood’s greatest male–and female—stars. Out of a gas station in the shadow of the studio lots, he began connecting his band of friends from the military with those who had to hide their often complex true sexual identities from the public in the pre-Stonewall
era.
Prepare yourself for a different take on Cary Grant, Katherine Hepburn, Spencer Tracy, Lana Turner, Ava Gardner and many more icons from the Hollywood Golden Age. Bowers, with the vigor of someone decades younger is an unparalleled raconteur. Tyrnauer’s camera follows him over several months as he meets up with old colleagues—some of them from his L.A. Confidential-esque gas stations days–who corroborate his picaresque tales.
“Scotty is a classic American type: fun, happy-go-lucky, eager to please, big-hearted and literally up for anything – a “greatest generation” guy who was also perhaps was one of the great sexual athletes of his day. Matt captures the still-spry, and now 94-year-old Scotty brilliantly and uses his story as a jumping off place to evoke a secret bygone Hollywood and the pressure on that era’s film stars to conform publicly, at least, to the unvarying standard of monogamous heterosexuality,” said Greenwich co-managing director Ed Arentz. “We’re thrilled to have it as one of our inaugural releases.”
Tyrnauer, also a journalist (former editor-at-large of Vanity Fair) long heard about Bowers and his gas station in the course of reporting stores about the hidden history of Los Angeles. Eventually, he discovered that the elusive Scotty was still alive and living in Laurel Canyon. “From the moment I met Scotty, I felt he was one of the most extraordinary characters I’d ever come across. He’s one of the last living links to a very different time in Hollywood—and the rest of the world–when same-sexuality was an unmentionable taboo, punishable by prison sentences. Scotty allowed people to live more authentic lives by arranging liaisons for people who, by great necessity, had to hide their true identities to shield themselves from dire consequences,” Tyrnauer said. “I’m really looking forward to collaborating with Ed and the team at Greenwich Entertainment to share Scotty’s story and get this film seen by audiences across North America.”
SCOTTY AND THE SECRET HISTORY OF HOLLYWOOD had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, recently had its international premiere at the Rome Film Festival, and its U.S. premiere Saturday at DOC NYC.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FExFEVQyAw
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Anna Jadowska WILD ROSES Wins Stockholm Impact Award at Stockholm Film Festival
One of the world’s biggest cash prizes for film – the Stockholm Impact Award at Stockholm Film Festival went to Anna Jadowska for her film Wild Roses. Jadowska won the prize worth one million SEK and the award designed by the Chinese artist Ai Weiwei.
Ana Jadowska won “For the sensitive depiction of a mother who refuses to abandon her true self, for the portrait of a revolting child that questions an utterly conservative society, for the visually exquisite style that contrasts with a world plunged in prejudice and moral coercion, the Stockholm Impact Award goes to Anna Jadowska for Wild Roses, a metaphor for human resilience.”
“Thank you so much for this award, I’m very honored. A special thanks to the Stockholm International Film Festival, the festival director, organizers, the city, of Stockholm and members of the jury. I had a long and difficult journey with this movie and to receive this award means a lot to me since it will give me the opportunity to do another film” says winning director Anna Jadowska.
Director Anna Jadowska presents a powerful story about a woman facing the difficulties of following her own desires in a small, conservative and gossip-filled village. With striking forest imagery that beautifully captures light drizzling through branches, the film is an exceptional portrayal of a woman and her environment. While examining the plights of women in a conservative society, however, Wild Roses is also a touching depiction of the relationship between mother and daughter.
The other nominated movies and directors were:
Cardinals by Grayson Moore & Aidan Shipley
The Last Verse by Ying-Ting Tseng
My Pure Land by Sarman Masud
Searing Summer by Ebrahim Irajzad
The section Stockholm Impact Award is a collaboration between the Stockholm International Film Festival and the City of Stockholm with the purpose to highlight the possibility of film to create change and debate through the depiction of contemporary subjects. The prize amount of one million SEK will help the winner in the development of new film projects.
Last year the director Wayne Roberts (USA) won the award for Katie Says Goodbye.
2015 the director Leena Yadav (India) won the award for Parched.
Photo: Anna Jadowska – Wild Roses, (pictured center) 2017 Stockholm Impact Award Winner
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Michael Brewer’s THE LAST REVOLUTIONARY to Open 25th African Diaspora International Film Festival
The Last Revolutionary by Michael Brewer will open the 25th anniversary of the African Diaspora International Film Festival (ADIFF).
The festival will celebrate its 25th anniversary with a total of 64 films from 31 countries including 31 World, US and NY Premieres. Screenings will be held in three venues in Manhattan: Teachers College, Columbia University, Cinema Village and MIST Harlem.
The Last Revolutionary depicts two black men who came together as revolutionaries in the 1970s but whose lives took very different paths. They meet again in a Los Angeles throwback hideout during Obama’s presidency and debate and argue around how to best stop the ongoing attacks from the far right and racist groups around the country.
The Last Revolutionary is one of several films in the festival that deal with issues of social justice, activism and police brutality, issues that have been for a long time and continue to be of great concern to communities of colors worldwide.
Going back into history are films like Malcolm X : An Overwhelming Influence On The Black Power Movement! – to have its world premiere in ADIFF 2017; Winnie, the award-winning Sundance documentary about Winnie Mandela; Mama Africa: Miriam Makeba about the South African singer and activist Miriam Makeba, and Barrow: Freedom Fighter – about the man who led the struggle for Barbados independence after 300 years of British colonialism.
Addressing contemporary concerns are Black Cop, a searing political satire about a black cop who seeks revenge after being egregiously profiled and assaulted by his colleagues, Silas about a committed environmental activist from Liberia fighting against land grabbing and environmental destruction in his country. The Valley of the Black Descendants is a documentary about Chileans of African descent fighting to get official recognition from a State that has concealed their culture and African identity for more than 200 years.
“Who do we want in the seats” The Last Revolutionary director Brewer says “Anyone who is progressive and sees the need for change. The Last Revolutionary touches on many issues that are happening in the country (and asks): How have things really changed?”
“After 25 years of existence, the African Diaspora International Film Festival brings powerful films to New York that touch on many issues that are still very relevant today” says Dr. Reinaldo B. Spech, Co-Director and Chief Curator of ADIFF. “The Last Revolutionary was the perfect film to open our 25th edition. It takes us full circle.”
https://vimeo.com/241057946
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MOLLY’S GAME Replaces ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD As Closing Night Film of AFI FEST
Writer/director Aaron Sorkin will be honored by AFI FEST 2017 with a Tribute and his film Molly’s Game will be the new closing night film of the festival. Molly’s Game replaces All the Money in the World which was pulled after allegations of sex misconduct surrounding Kevin Spacey, one of the stars in the film.
The Tribute to Sorkin will celebrate his career with a moderated discussion of his work followed by the Gala premiere screening. Written and directed by Sorkin, Molly’s Game stars Academy Award® nominee Jessica Chastain and Idris Elba.
Oscar® nominee Jessica Chastain stars in Oscar®-winning screenwriter Aaron Sorkin’s directorial debut, set in the glamorous world of high-stakes underground poker games. DIR Aaron Sorkin. SCR Aaron Sorkin. CAST Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba, Kevin Costner, Michael Cera, Jeremy Strong, Chris O’Dowd, Bill Camp.
“Aaron Sorkin is an American master, and we are proud to shine a proper spotlight on his directoral debut, Molly’s Game, on AFI FEST’s Closing Night,” said Jacqueline Lyanga, AFI FEST Director. “As Sorkin embarks on this next chapter of his career, his talents are timely for a tribute as he brings his gift of crafting compelling narratives and complex characters to the story of female impresario Molly Bloom.”
One of our nation’s most acclaimed screenwriters, Aaron Sorkin has been honored with an Academy Award® for Best Adapted Screenplay for THE SOCIAL NETWORK (2010) and four Emmys® for THE WEST WING. Additional film credits include A FEW GOOD MEN (1992), MALICE (1993), THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT (1995), CHARLIE WILSON’S WAR (2007), MONEYBALL (2011) and STEVE JOBS (2015). Sorkin has also created and written THE NEWSROOM, SPORTS NIGHT, STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP and THE WEST WING for television.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vu4UPet8Nyc
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SKID ROW MARATHON and STUCK Win Top Prizes at Napa Valley Film Festival
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Skid Row Marathon[/caption]
The 7th Napa Valley Film Festival (NVFF) announced this year’s juried and audience award winners at the Uptown Theatre in Napa on Saturday, November 11, 2017. The Jury Award for Best Narrative Feature went to Stuck, and Skid Row Marathon snagged both the Jury and Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature .
“We applaud our award winners and thank all of this year’s filmmakers for sharing their beautiful stories with us,” said Festival Co-Founder and Artistic Director Marc Lhormer. “It has been a tough road getting to this year’s festival, but what a perfect way to celebrate great storytelling in all its forms and to showcase the strength and resilience of our Napa Valley community.”
2017 Napa Valley Film Festival Juried Awards
Jury Award for Best Narrative Feature: Stuck. Jury Award for Best Documentary Feature: Skid Row Marathon. Jury Award for Best Screenplay: The House of Tomorrow. Jury Award for Best Ensemble Cast: The Boy Downstairs. Jury Award for Best Narrative Short: The Dam. Jury Award for Best Documentary Short: The Tables. Jury Award for Best Lounge Feature: Quest. Jury Award for Best Lounge Short: The Arrival. Special Jury Award – For Depth and Grace in Documentary Filmmaking: The Untold Tales of Armistead Maupin. Special Jury Award – Best Breakout Performance in a Lounge Feature Film: Mackenzie Davis for her work in the film Izzy Gets the Fuck Across Town.2017 Napa Valley Film Festival Audience Awards
Audience Award for Favorite Actor: Gregory Kasyan for his work in the film Quest. Audience Award for Favorite Actress: Olivia Holt for her work in the film Class Rank. Audience Award for Favorite Documentary Feature: Skid Row Marathon. Honorable Mention goes to 40 years in the Making: The Magic Music Movie Audience Award for Favorite Documentary Short: Make It Work: The Idea. Audience Award for Favorite Narrative Feature: Quest. Honorable Mention goes to Stuck. Audience Award for Favorite Narrative Short: The Final Show Honorable Mentions go to Life Boat and Brothers. Audience Award for Favorite Short Feature: Taming Wild: A Girl and a Mustang.
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ROMAN J. ISRAEL, ESQ. Starring Denzel Washington Added to AFI FEST 2017
The final version of ROMAN J. ISRAEL, ESQ. has been added to the AFI FEST 2017 lineup and will screen in the Special Screenings section on Wednesday, November 15, at the TCL Chinese Theatre. The new film from director/writer Dan Gilroy, nominated for the Academy Award® for his screenplay for NIGHTCRAWLER, stars Academy Award winner Denzel Washington, Colin Farrell and Carmen Ejogo.
The screening will be preceded by Dan Gilroy’s Los Angeles, a conversation with the director/writer of ROMAN J. ISRAEL, ESQ. and NIGHTCRAWLER that will explore the extraordinary and personal way in which Gilroy brings Los Angeles to life as a character in his films.
In ROMAN J. ISRAEL, ESQ., Denzel Washington stars as a driven, idealistic defense attorney whose life is upended when his mentor, a civil rights icon, dies. When he is recruited to join a firm led by one of the legendary man’s former students — the ambitious lawyer George Pierce (Colin Farrell) — and begins a friendship with a young champion of equal rights (Carmen Ejogo), a turbulent series of events ensue that will put the activism that has defined Roman’s career to the test. Written and directed by Dan Gilroy, the film is produced by Jennifer Fox, Todd Black and Denzel Washington.
AFI FEST takes place November 9–16, 2017, in the heart of Hollywood.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGVIKqbEtdU
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Louis C.K. Admits “These stories are true”
Louis C.K. today released the following statement addressing the allegations of sexual misconduct that were published in yesterday’s New York Times article. In the wake of the report, the release of his upcoming film I Love You, Daddy was canceled by the distributor, The Orchard.
I want to address the stories told to the New York Times by five women named Abby, Rebecca, Dana, Julia who felt able to name themselves and one who did not.
These stories are true. At the time, I said to myself that what I did was okay because I never showed a woman my (penis) without asking first, which is also true. But what I learned later in life, too late, is that when you have power over another person, asking them to look at your (penis) isn’t a question. It’s a predicament for them. The power I had over these women is that they admired me. And I wielded that power irresponsibly.
I have been remorseful of my actions. And I’ve tried to learn from them. And run from them. Now I’m aware of the extent of the impact of my actions. I learned yesterday the extent to which I left these women who admired me feeling badly about themselves and cautious around other men who would never have put them in that position.
I also took advantage of the fact that I was widely admired in my and their community, which disabled them from sharing their story and brought hardship to them when they tried because people who look up to me didn’t want to hear it. I didn’t think that I was doing any of that because my position allowed me not to think about it.
There is nothing about this that I forgive myself for. And I have to reconcile it with who I am. Which is nothing compared to the task I left them with.
I wish I had reacted to their admiration of me by being a good example to them as a man and given them some guidance as a comedian, including because I admired their work.
The hardest regret to live with is what you’ve done to hurt someone else. And I can hardly wrap my head around the scope of hurt I brought on them. I’d be remiss to exclude the hurt that I’ve brought on people who I work with and have worked with who’s (sic) professional and personal lives have been impacted by all of this, including projects currently in production: the cast and crew of Better Things, Baskets, The Cops, One Mississippi, and I Love You Daddy (sic). I deeply regret that this has brought negative attention to my manager Dave Becky who only tried to mediate a situation that I caused. I’ve brought anguish and hardship to the people at FX who have given me so much The Orchard who took a chance on my movie and every other entity that has bet on me through the years.
I’ve brought pain to my family, my friends, my children and their mother.
I have spent my long and lucky career talking and saying anything I want. I will now step back and take a long time to listen.
Thank you for reading.
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26 Animated Feature Films Submitted for 90th Academy Awards
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Loving Vincent[/caption]
Twenty-six features have been submitted for consideration in the Animated Feature Film category for the 90th Academy Awards. Films submitted in the Animated Feature Film category also may qualify for Academy Awards in other categories, including Best Picture.
Nominations for the 90th Academy Awards will be announced on Tuesday, January 23, 2018. The 90th Oscars® will be held on Sunday, March 4, 2018, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center in Hollywood.
The submitted features, listed in alphabetical order, are:
The Big Bad Fox & Other Tales
Birdboy: The Forgotten Children
The Boss Baby
The Breadwinner
Captain Underpants The First Epic Movie
Cars 3
Cinderella the Cat
Coco
Despicable Me 3
The Emoji Movie
Ethel & Ernest
Ferdinand
The Girl without Hands
In This Corner of the World
The Lego Batman Movie
The Lego Ninjago Movie
Loving Vincent
Mary and the Witch’s Flower
Moomins and the Winter Wonderland
My Entire High School Sinking into the Sea
Napping Princess
A Silent Voice
Smurfs: The Lost Village
The Star
Sword Art Online: The Movie – Ordinal Scale
Window Horses The Poetic Persian Epiphany of Rosie Ming
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The Orchard No Longer Releasing Louis C.K.’s I LOVE YOU, DADDY
The Orchard will has dropped Louis C.K.’s latest film I Love You, Daddy, after the publication of yesterday’s disturbing bombshell New York Times report where five women accuse the comedian of inappropriate behavior, including the disturbing allegation that he masturbated in front of them. Last night’s premiere, along with a scheduled appearance on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert was also canceled.
The distributor’s statement read: “The Orchard will not be moving forward with the release of I Love You, Daddy.”
I Love You, Daddy, written, directed, produced and starring Louis C.K., premiered at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival in September. The film was acquired by The Orchard for a reported $5 million and was scheduled to be released in theaters on November 17.
Shot on 35mm in black and white, Louis C.K.’s I Love You, Daddy was filmed entirely in secret.
“Everything that’s difficult,” Louis C.K. once said, “you should be able to laugh about.” Don’t say you weren’t warned.
Written, directed, and edited by the comic genius The New York Times called a “stand-up Houdini,” I Love You, Daddy features the deft, conceptual acrobatics C.K.’s fans know best, but also a dive into moral hot water guaranteed to raise the temperature of any film lover. This is an edgy comedy pitched partway between the sharp social observation of his Horace and Pete series and the gasp-inducing laughs of his stand-up. And the less you know going in, the better.
As with Horace and Pete, I Love You, Daddy was made in secret, entirely off the film industry grid of development meetings, international financiers, studio production notes, and test screenings. It is pure, unfiltered Louis C.K., and shows him to be a ruthless observer of showbiz behind the scenes and human nature behind the masks. In addition to taking a central role, he has brought together a dream cast that includes Chloë Grace Moretz, Helen Hunt, Edie Falco, Rose Byrne, Pamela Adlon, Charlie Day, Ebonee Noel, and, in a role that may become one of his signatures, John Malkovich.
I Love You, Daddy also shows C.K. to be quite a cinephile. In an old-school stroke, he shot the film on 35mm, but not just any 35mm. This up-to-the-minute satire was shot on rich, timeless black-and-white film, in a throwback to the classics that inspired it. We don’t see this kind of movie anymore. As for the actions of the characters on display here, we’ll continue to see them so long as artists pursue their visions, and people their desires. [ Toronto International Film Festival]
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Sundance Selects will Release Rachel Dretzin’s Documentary FAR FROM THE TREE
Ahead of its world premiere today, November 10, at DOC NYC, Sundance Selects has acquired Rachel Dretzin’s documentary Far From the Tree, for a theatrical release in Summer 2018.
Based on the award-winning book by acclaimed author Andrew Solomon, Far From the Tree is an inspiring look at the difficulties and rewards of both raising and being a child whose life is vastly different from that of his or her parents. Directed and produced by Emmy®Award-winner Dretzin, the film follows several families as they cope with the challenges presented by Down syndrome, dwarfism, autism and even having a child in prison. The film shares their intimate stories with touching candor, and in doing so reveals basic truths about all parents and all children, truths of acceptance and love that feel especially urgent at this historic moment.
Solomon commented on the news, saying: “I was delighted to find in Rachel Dretzin a filmmaker who could translate my book into a gorgeous and compelling film, and now I’m thrilled that the film has found in Sundance Selects a distributor who shares our vision. This will be the perfect path for this deeply moving film to meet its audience.”
Dretzin added: “Sundance Selects has a fantastic track record and their plans for the film are very much in sync with what we had hoped for. It’s a delight and an honor to have them on board.”
“Far From the Tree is an inspiring and irresistibly moving journey into the differences that make us who we are. It builds on Andrew Solomon’s landmark book to paint a complex and universal portrait of acceptance with an empathy and scale that only true cinema can do,” said Jonathan Sehring and Lisa Schwartz, co-Presidents of Sundance Selects/IFC Films.