Tag Archives: sundance film festival

Free Film Festivals For Everyone! SXSW on amazon & Global Film Festival coming soon

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Even non-prime members can watch the SXSW films available on amazon. You just need an amazon account, no credit card needed! You’ve got through May 6th to watch. Each film has an introduction by the director, so you really get a festival feel. It’s a great way to see a perspective without leaving the house! https://www.amazon.com/adlp/sxsw

Although it doesn’t include festivals from South America or Africa, this “global” film festival is bringing programming from 20 festivals right to you also for free! I’m looking forward to seeing what programming they will have for us! May 29th to June 7th

https://www.youtube.com/weareone

  • Annecy International Animation Film Festival – Annecy, France
  • Berlin International Film Festival – Berlin, Germany
  • BFI London Film Festival – London, UK
  • Cannes Film Festival – Paris, France
  • Guadalajara International Film Festival – Mexico
  • International Film Festival & Awards Macao (IFFAM) – Macao (China)
  • Jerusalem Film Festival – Jerusalem
  • Mumbai Film Festival (MAMI) – Mumbai
  • Karlovy Vary International Film Festival – Czechia
  • Locarno Film Festival – Switzerland
  • Marrakech International Film Festival – Marrakech, Morocco
  • New York Film Festival – New York, NY
  • San Sebastian International Film Festival – Spain
  • Sarajevo Film Festival – Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Sundance Film Festival – Park City, UT
  • Sydney Film Festival – Sydney, Australia
  • Tokyo International Film Festival – Toyko, Japan
  • Toronto International Film Festival – Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  • Tribeca Film Festival – New York, NY
  • Venice Film Festival

Review: ‘AFTER THE WEDDING’ proves life never goes as planned.

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presents

Directed by: Bart Freundlich 
Starring: Michelle Williams, Julianne Moore, Billy Crudup, and Abby Quinn

** Opening Night Film 2019 Sundance Film Festival **

As if driven by an inescapable force, Isabel (Michelle Williams) has devoted her life to running an orphanage in a Calcutta slum. With funds running dry, a potential donor, who requires she travel from India to New York, to deliver a presentation in-person, contacts Isabel. At first, balking at the demand of an uncommitted philanthropist, she relents and travels to a city she deliberately hasn’t returned to in over two decades.

Once in New York, Isabel lands uncomfortably in the sightline of the orphanage’s possible benefactor, Theresa Young (Julianne Moore), a multi-millionaire media mogul accustomed to getting what she wants. From the glittering skyscraper where she runs her successful business, to the glorious Oyster Bay estate, where she lives happily with her artist husband, Oscar Carlson (Billy Crudup), 21-year-old daughter, Grace (Abby Quinn), and eight-year-old twins, Theo and Otto, Theresa’s life couldn’t appear to be more perfect and different from Isabel’s. But appearances are only skin deep and the two women have more in common than meets the eye.

While Isabel thinks she’ll soon be returning to her beloved orphanage, Theresa has other plans. She insists Isabel attend Grace’s wedding at the family’s estate. The joyful event becomes a catalyst for a revelation that upends the lives of both women, and the people who love them most.

This script is as beautifully complex as real life is. You can make all the plans in the world but life has a funny way of doing whatever it wants. A wedding is a huge event, not just for the bride and groom but their entire family. It comes with as much stress as it does joy. When key communication breaks down because there are secrets, all hell can break loose. There are so many secrets in AFTER THE WEDDING each character has the emotional right to spin out, be irrational, and even grieve what might have been. Steven Fleming also was known as “The Celebrant Guy” is one of the popular names in the wedding industry for being one of the few young, energetic and humorous list of wedding celebrants in Melbourne. As stated by a real bride, Rohanna, “It is easy to work with Steven. He is wonderful from the very beginning until our wedding day. He made sure that we understand everything in the process even the smallest details. He is friendly, and we had good communication with him on what we want for our ceremony.” If you book with Steven Fleming this 2018 through Easy Weddings, a 10% discount awaits you! Hi, I’m Steven Fleming and I am a registered Civil Celebrant in Australia. Originally from Brisbane, I moved to Melbourne around 10 years ago. I have a beautiful Kelpie named Phoenix, and am an incredibly open minded, outgoing and creative person.  Other than this, I don’t know what else to tell you, as I don’t want this to end up looking like a dating profile. So how about I just tell you how I began this journey, and a few things I have learned along the way.

Performances across the board are outstanding. Michelle Williams is stunning as she is forced to relive heartbreaking choices. Billy Crudup must come to grips with the lies he has perpetrated for love. Julianne Moore has to let go of the control she’s always not so secretly had. Abby Quinn has a vulnerability of a much more experienced actress. I look forward to seeing her (and hearing her sing) again soon. The entire cast gives truly nuanced performances that are vulnerable and raw.

The rich colors in the film wrap themselves around the viewer. The gorgeous opening and closing drone shots make a brilliant cyclical statement about life in general. AFTER THE WEDDING reminds us all that life is complicated and never neat. Take advantage of the time you have with the people you love the most.

Review: ‘Leaving Neverland’ exposes the man in the mirror. The two part doc airs this Sunday and Monday.

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PRESENTS

LEAVING NEVERLAND

Debuts on HBO March 3rd and 4th

This two-part documentary explores the separate but parallel experiences of two young boys, James Safechuck, at age ten, and Wade Robson, at age seven, both of whom were befriended by Michael Jackson. Through gut-wrenching interviews with Safechuck, now 37, and Robson, now 41, as well as their mothers, wives and siblings, the film crafts a portrait of sustained abuse, exploring the complicated feelings that led both men to confront their experiences after both had a young son of their own.

I’ve started this review many times in the past seven days. It’s been difficult to put into words how Leaving Neverland has made me feel. For my sixth birthday, I can only recall receiving one particular gift. It was Micheal Jackson’s Thriller on cassette. This was my very first album that was all mine, outside of Sesame Street or Disney songs. I had already been dancing for three years and MJ would influence my musical and performance taste going forward. In 2009, my husband and I were in the car and the radio came on with the breaking news on Michael’s death. We were stunned, devastated, conflicted. We’d lived through the accusations at the same time his accusers and fellow defenders had. Macaulay Culkin was my childhood crush and one of Jackson’s close friends. Culkin has categorically denied anything inappropriate ever happened. He and Wade Robson‘s testimony had a huge effect when Jackson went to trial. I was relieved when Michael was acquitted of all charges in the early 2000s. I wanted to believe that his hands were clean. Now, I think my idolization of this once in a lifetime artist is destroyed.

The personal risks for Wade Robson and Jimmy Safechuck coming forward now are immense. Hardcore fans are up in arms. Threatening to protest in droves at the film’s premiere at Sundance. But in the doc, we see and hear more evidence than ever before. Family photos, home video, faxes, and to top it off, voicemails, all from Michael. There is new video from inside Neverland. The sheer number of bedrooms hidden onsight should have been alarm enough. The pattern is laid out for us to see. The grooming is there. The gifts, the promises, and all the personal attention. But obviously most upsetting is the sexual abuse itself. Each act described in illicit detail. I want so badly for these stories to be lies. I do not think they are. In a time when victims’ voices are more important than ever, we have to respect Robson and Safechuck for finally feeling healthy enough, physically and emotionally, to share their stories. They are not being paid for the film. They have confronted the abuse that they were groomed to believe was love. Now, as father’s of little boys themselves, they have to come to terms with not only their hurt but the onus of their mothers who failed to protect them. There are no winners here. No amount of money can bring back the childhoods that were stolen. What emotion comes after denial? I think it’s anger. Now, after Leaving Neverland, I’m just really angry.

RT: Part 1: approx. 2 hours
Part 2 approx. 2 hours

Directed and Produced by Dan Reed
Edited by Jules Cornell
Featuring Wade Robson and James Safechuck

Review: ‘PIERCING’ is a kink roller coaster ride.

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UNIVERSAL PICTURES CONTENT GROUP

presents

SYNOPSIS:In this twisted love story, a man seeks out an unsuspecting stranger to help him purge the dark torments of his past. His plan goes awry when he encounters a woman with plans of her own. A playful psycho-thriller game of cat-and-mouse based on Ryû Murakami’s novel.

A premeditated murder plays out in an elaborate rehearsal, sound effects and all. An escort is the target of a clearly unhinged family man looking to complete his meticulous fantasy of violence. Piercing is a highly stylized and totally insane romp into madness.

Chris Abbott and Mia Wasikowska both play two distinct personalities. To go into any more detail would spoil the battle royale of bizarre that rolls out. Both are brilliant. Piercing is visually jarring and unapologetic in the surprises. Nothing goes right and it gets weirder and weirder by the minute. The tension is pretty palpable between a feeling of dread, “what the hell is happening?”, and routing for a potential villain. As the dominoes fall, and you pick your jaw up off the floor, you’ll laugh at the absurdity but go along for the ride, happily. Piercing possesses a grindhouse vibe from the titles to the music, to the very specific, almost Hitchcock-esque, shots into detailed miniatures. The fact that it’s based on a Ryû Murakami novel makes me want to read it immediately to see if the book is as messed up as the film. Because this version is nothing short of a complete mindfuck.

Universal Pictures Content Group will release the horror-suspense mystery film PIERCING in Theaters, On Demand and Digital HD on February 1, 2019.

Netflix News: Feel the hope from the trailer for ‘Joshua: Teenager vs Superpower’

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A Netflix original documentary directed by Joe Piscatella, Joshua: Teenager vs. Superpower, launches globally on May 26.

About Joshua: Teenager vs. Superpower: 

When the Chinese Communist Party alters its promise of autonomy to Hong Kong – handed back to the Chinese government from British rule in 1997 – teenager Joshua Wong decides to fight for his homeland.  Rallying thousands of kids to skip school and occupy the streets, and without a long-term plan but with passion to spare, Joshua becomes an unlikely leader in Hong Kong. A remarkable portrait of courage, resilience, and the propulsive power of youthful idealism, JOSHUA : TEENAGER VS. SUPERPOWER, the winner of this year’s Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival, is a chronicle of one young man risking his own future for a greater good.

The film won the Audience Award at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival (World Cinema Documentary Competition).

Netflix News: Netflix acquires 2 more films from Sundance Film Festival to be released this year

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The Incredible Jessica James

Netflix announced that it has acquired worldwide rights to writer/director Jim Strouse’s refreshing and heartfelt modern comedy, The Incredible Jessica James, prior to the film’s upcoming world premiere as the Closing Night film of the 2017 Sundance Film Festival. The movie will be branded as a Netflix original film and launch globally this year simultaneously to Netflix’s over 93 million viewers in 190 countries.

“We are honored to get to work with Jim Strouse as we introduce film lovers around the globe to The Incredible Jessica James, which marks the arrival of Jessica Williams, a true star in the making,” said Ted Sarandos, Chief Content Officer for Netflix.

“It feels nothing short of incredible to be working with the team at Netflix to bring our movie to their audience around the globe” said Strouse.

In a breakout performance, Jessica Williams (“The Daily Show,” “2 Dope Queens” Podcast) stars as a young, aspiring playwright in New York City who is struggling to get over a recent breakup. She is forced to go on a date with the recently divorced Boone, played by Chris O’Dowd (Bridesmaids) and the unlikely duo discover how to make it through the tough times in a social media obsessed post-relationship universe. Lakeith Stanfield (FX’s “Atlanta”, Straight Outta Compton) and Noël Wells (Netflix’s “Master of None”) co-star.  The film was produced by Michael B. Clark and Alex Turtletaub of Beachside and executive produced by Jessica Williams and Kerri Hundley.

Joshua: Teenager vs. Superpower

Netflix announced that the company has acquired worldwide rights to Joe Piscatella’s Joshua: Teenager vs. Superpower, which recently made its world premiere to critical acclaim at Sundance Film Festival. The film, which is a June Pictures production, will launch globally later this year, simultaneously to Netflix’s over 93 million members in 190 countries.

When the Chinese Communist Party threatens its promise of autonomy to Hong Kong, teenager Joshua Wong decides to save his homeland. Rallying thousands of kids to skip school and occupy the streets, Joshua becomes an unlikely leader in Hong Kong and one of China’s most notorious dissidents. A remarkable portrait of courage, resilience and youthful idealism, Joshua: Teenager vs. Superpower demonstrates how one young man mortgages his own future to try and save his city.

“Joshua: Teenager vs. Superpower is a filmmaking triumph,” says Lisa Nishimura, Netflix VP of Original Documentaries. “Piscatella has woven together the complex and inspirational story of an unlikely activist, whose acts of bravery and conviction need to be seen around the world. In an era where we are witnessing heightened civic participation and freedom of expression, we are pleased to offer a global platform for audiences to engage on these issues.”

“We could not be more thrilled to be in business with Netflix,” says Andrew Duncan, the film’s producer and Founder of June Pictures. “Their global platform will allow us to share Joshua’s message about the importance of due process of law and freedom of speech with a worldwide audience.”

“The Netflix partnership will also allow us to reach millions of young people who will find inspiration in Joshua’s story,” adds director Joe Piscatella.

Joshua: Teenager vs. Superpower is written and directed by Joe Piscatella (#chicagoGirl: The Social Network Takes on a Dictator). The film is executive produced by Alex Saks and produced by Andrew Duncan, Matthew Torne and Mark Rinehart.

Review: Jared Leto executive produced doc ‘HOLY HELL’ leaves a singed psyche.

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HOLY HELL

Opening Theatrically May 27th, 2016

HolyHell_Still1.jpg

A Film by Will Allen

Executive Produced by Jared Leto

*Sundance Film Festival – Official Selection*

What makes something a cult? According to the dictionary a cult is, “a system of religious veneration and devotion directed toward a particular figure or object.” If that’s so, then by definition aren’t most religions a cult? Can one individual spew crazy ideas and gather a following of people who seem to be functioning human beings despite the intrinsically ridiculous nature of the information they are being fed? Well, of course. Just ask Donald Trump. Executive Produced by Jared Leto, HOLY HELL takes us into a group defined by the outside as a cult. But what did the members believe then and now?

In 1985, Will Allen became a member of The Buddhafield, a Los Angeles area spiritual group. A recent film school graduate, Allen began to chronicle the group’s activities that centered on their leader, a mysterious individual they called The Teacher, or Michel. Over time, the group’s dark side began to surface, until finally, a shocking allegation against The Teacher tore the group apart – all in front of Allen’s camera. This incredible archive of video footage became the basis for HOLY HELL.

holy hellWill Allen‘s 22 years of footage appear, at first, to resemble a long-lost infomercial from the 80’s. It only takes a few minutes to realize that this is not VHS from our youth but the continuous documenting of a group of people seeking something different. What they ultimately find is a mysterious man who is nothing he claims to be. Utilizing intimate, present-day, sit down interviews with members of Buddhafield combined with Allen’s chronological documentation of the group’s daily activities, HOLY HELL is unlike anything we’ve seen before. To have such unguarded footage and insider knowledge is pretty unprecedented, especially for this length of time. From private therapy sessions to retreats, public outings and the eventual breakdown, each year is more shocking than the last. There are moments that will make you cringe, question your judgement, and certainly, times that will turn your stomach. HOLY HELL is as relevant today as it was when it began its seedling production. It will both open your eyes and terrify you.

Opening Theatrically May 27th, 2016

New Trailer for ‘Tickled’ – about competitive endurance tickling – looks surprisingly dark & mysterious

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TICKLED

One of the most talked-about films at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, TICKLED begins with reporter David Farrier stumbling upon a bizarre “competitive endurance tickling” video online, wherein young men are paid to be tied up and tickled, and reaching out to request a story from the company. But the reply he receives is shocking—the sender mocks Farrier’s sexual orientation and threatens extreme legal action should he dig any deeper. So, like any good journalist confronted by a bully, he does just the opposite: he travels to the hidden tickling facilities in Los Angeles and uncovers a vast empire, known for harassing and harming the lives of those who protest their involvement in these films. The more he investigates, the stranger it gets, discovering secret identities and criminal activity.

Discovering the truth becomes Farrier’s obsession, despite increasingly sinister threats and warnings. With humor and determination, Farrier and co-director Dylan Reeve summon up every resource available to get to the bottom of this tickling wormhole.

Rated R

“You’re going to love it. What begins as a profile of a quirky subculture becomes an online mystery-horror thriller, in which the bogeyman is everywhere.”

– Logan Hill, Esquire

“CAPTIVATING AND JAW-DROPPING. A fascinating, stranger-than-fiction exposé.”

– Sheri Linden. The Hollywood Reporter

“A surprisingly tense and increasingly weird detective story. Compelling, alternately painful and funny and deeply sad.”

– Lee Marshall, Screen Daily

“A must-see documentary. Tickled is not at all what it seems. A secret world full of villains and victims, power and deceit, and shocks and surprises—you just can’t make this stuff up.”

– Kevin Polowy, Yahoo Movies

 

For more info:

Official Site | Facebook