‘BAD GENIUS’ (2024)A gripping thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

vertical films logoBAD GENIUS

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Several years after the college admissions scandal comes a film that will undoubtedly pique your interest. JC Lee‘s heart-pounding film BAD GENIUS follows overachiever scholarship student Lynn and her tight circle of elite private school classmates as they devise a way to cheat the biggest test in history.

BAD_GENIUS_Still 8What begins as a favor to one morphs into a financial opportunity for Lynn. Using her staggering math skills, Lynn initially creates a secret code to pass test answers to a small group of acquaintances. As the scheme grows, so does the danger. The stakes get even higher when the SATs come around. Lynn must recruit help from the only other student needing tuition funds. A borderline insane plan comes with a price tag bigger than any dollar amount.

The screenplay is fast-paced and undeniably thrilling. It constantly twists, leaving your heart in your throat. You will root for the morally ambiguous behavior, specifically in Bank and Lynn’s cases. I would love to see the storyboarding and progression of the story from its earliest conceptions. It is a skillfully crafted script by Lee and Julius Onah, working through tropes for an entirely engrossing narrative.

This cast is fantastic. Benedict Wong plays Lynn’s hardworking widower father. He is a lovely addition to the film. Performances from Jabari Banks and Callina Liang are the anchors. Banks delivers vulnerable energy that perfectly mirrors his character’s backstory. Liang effortlessly leads, giving Lynn a slick confidence from start to finish. Focusing on a whip-smart female lead is a winning strategy.

BAD_GENIUS_Still 2The script begs the broader question, “Why should three hours on a Saturday morning determine the rest of our lives?” In a system that is entirely rigged by and for the wealthy, why not beat them at their own game? Some systems deserve to break. BAD GENIUS will captivate audiences who have testing PTSD and parents who know it’s coming for their kids. It boasts a deliciously satisfying finale. Tens across the board. A must-see.

BAD GENIUS Trailer:

RELEASING THIS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11TH

DIRECTOR:

J.C. Lee

 

WRITER: 

J.C. Lee & Julius Onah

 

FEATURING:

Callina Liang (Tell Me Everything)

Benedict Wong (Avengers:Infinity War

Jabari Banks (Bel-Air)

Taylor Hickson (Motherland: Fort Salem)

 

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS

Julia Hammer
Sian McArthur
Pascal Breton
Lionel Uzan
Wesley R. Edens 
Benedict Wong 

 

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‘FALLING STARS’ (2024) Living lore and the consequences of disrespect.

XYZ logoFALLING STARS

Falling Stars poster

Witches are real in the feature debut of director/producer duo Gabriel Bienczycki and Richard Karpala‘s FALLING STARS. On the first night of Harvest, three brothers go to the desert to see a witch’s corpse.

The film exists in a world where deeply embedded folklore is canon. While our boys initially visit the site with an excited and carefree attitude, their fear becomes palpable when they accidentally desecrate the body.

Falling_Stars_03There is a reminiscent feeling in FALLING STARS, some that reminds me of 80s classics like The Gate and The Lost Boys, with the glow of red dashboard hues, flashlights, and the moon being the dominant lighting sources. The cinematography by Bienczycki has an intimacy to it. Karpala’s screenplay is just downright cool. It is genuinely refreshing to witness masculinity based on regret and an apologetic undertone.

This ensemble cast is fantastic. Diane Worman plays the boys’ mother, Danni. She delivers a magnificent arc. Rene Leech gives Adam authentic baby brother energy with a need to please and an impressionable mind.

Falling_Stars_01J. Aaron Boykin is the mainstay of this film. As radio DJ Barry, he opens the film and acts as a narrative conduit for Mike’s panic. Andrew Gabriel is Sal, the middle brother. His caring nature and fixer attitude beg your attention. Shaun Duke Jr. gives Mike a tentative bravery and a strong sense of responsibility. He is the protector, for better or for worse.

FALLING STARS is a unique revenge horror that digs into witch lore, respecting tradition and an immaculate political undertone. Boasting a jaw-dropping and cinematically stunning finale, it’s a bit of pure genre magic.


FALLING STARS Trailer:

The acclaimed folk horror film arrives on VOD and in select U.S. cinemas on Friday, October 11th!

 

FALLING STARS is the feature debut of director/producer duo Richard Karpala and Gabriel Bienczycki, featuring an original screenplay by Karpala and cinematography by Bienczycki.

Starring Rene Leech, Shaun Duke Jr., Andrew Gabriel, Diane Worman, and Greg Poppa, the film World Premiered on the Piazza Grande at the Locarno Film Festival and went on to screen at Fantastic Fest, Calgary Underground, Splat! Film Fest, and more.

 

About XYZ Films 
XYZ Films is an independent studio whose mission is to empower visionary storytellers from every corner of the planet. XYZ was founded in 2008 by Nate Bolotin, Nick Spicer, and Aram Tertzakian and has expanded in recent years into documentary, talent management, and distribution. Some of the company’s classic titles include THE RAID franchise, 2017 Sundance winner I DON’T FEEL AT HOME IN THIS WORLD ANYMORE, and Panos Cosmatos’ psychedelic revenge thriller MANDY.

 

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‘STOMACH IT’ (Screamfest 2024 short) The rot of trauma manifests in this affecting body horror

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Stomach It Poster

Peter Klausner‘s Screamfest 2024 short film STOMACH IT highlights the impossible nature of emotionally disconnecting from your job. Jon Lee Richardson holds us captive with a viscerally pained performance as a crime scene cleaner who experiences worsening digestive issues from one job to the next. 

STOMACH IT - Press Assets - Google Drive - drive.google.comIn the first two minutes, the most skin-crawling aspect of this short is not the horrifically laid out crime scenes but the images conjured in our imagination of the people involved. Cinematographer Emily Tapanes forces you into the ick.

STOMACH IT 2 - Press Assets - Google Drive - drive.google.comSpecial FX by Michael Dinetz’s Haunted Dreams Effects Studio are gagworthy. The use of the T-Bones song, “No Matter What Shape (Your Stomach’s In),” is particularly unhinged and most certainly genius. STOMACH IT is the physical manifestation and subsequent consequences of trauma monsters. Peter Klausner has a sick mind, and as a genre fan, I’m here for it.

ISOTRE Films announces the World, Los Angeles and Chicago premieres of STOMACH IT, the new psychological body horror film starring Jon Lee Richardson (BEVERLY HILLS COP: AXEL F), and written and directed by Peter Klausner (COASTING). The film was produced by Klauser and Torey Rubin (RWBY, Zall Good). STOMACH IT made its world premiere at the 55th annual Oscar-qualifying Nashville Film Festival last month and makes its Los Angeles premiere at Screamfest on Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at 9:30 PM at TCL Chinese 6 Theatres followed by a Q&A with the cast and crew.
 
In STOMACH IT, a crime scene cleaner struggles with emotionally detaching from the deceased’s personal possessions. While on a late night job, he convinces himself a monstrous presence is toying with him.
 
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‘SHADOWLAND’ (Beyond Fest 2024) A shapeshifting doc from filmmaker Otso Tiainen


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SHADOWLAND

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WORLD PREMIERE / RELEASED IN: 2024 / 98 MINUTES / DIRECTED BY: OTSO TIAINEN

Beyond Fest 2024 documentary SHADOWLAND, filmmaker Otso Tiainen sets out to the French Pyrenees to explore an area known as “The Zone,” a place famous for embracing the occult, supernatural happenings, religious experience, and the home of cult director Richard Stanley. This documentary takes a dark turn during filming when domestic abuse allegations surface for Stanley, tainting his position in the community.

Shadowland-002Shadowland’s initial 38 minutes drag with long, meandering shots, particularly of Iranon (“chaos magician) doing what I would lovingly refer to as “witchy shit.” As a self-professed spooky girl, I mean no disrespect by that term. Frankly, it’s narratively monotonous.

It only piqued my genuine interest when Stanley’s Color Out Of Space appeared. After its success, additional Lovecraftian films were greenlit until the other shoe dropped. Fifty-five minutes in, the gut punch as Stanley’s former partner recalls her terror when, in 2014, he beat her and threatened to kill her. Turns out she was not the last partner to experience such abuse. SpectreVision immediately cut ties with Stanley.

Shadowland-004Stanley’s response is to call the women hysterical and spew conspiracy theories rather than take accountability for his actions. Iranon reenters the fray to detail when he discovers Richard’s allegations and their ensuing physical confrontation. It’s damning.

Shadowland-003As a contrary view, Richard’s sycophant protege and priestess, Anaiya, believes that baptism will cleanse his past. Witnessing these women embrace him feels icky. It is challenging to know if her intentions are pure or an act. But Anaiya’s journey does not end there.

When we finally see his accuser, writer Scarlett Amaris, her insight into Richard’s present-day mythology brings everything home. As it stands, the doc feels incredibly disjointed. Understanding that the Shadowland‘s original intent was obliterated, I think a recut with explanations added earlier would greatly benefit the flow.



Directed by: Otso Tiainen
Written by: Otso Tiainen, Kalle Kinnunen
Story Contribution: Panu Hietaneva
Produced by: Kalle Kinnunen
Cinematography by: Max Smeds, Peter Flinckenberg F.S.C.
Edited by: Jussi Heikkinen, Mikko Sippola F.S.E.
Sound Design: Svante Colérus
Music: Timo Kaukolampi, Tuomo Puranen

Year: 2024
Country: Finland
TRT: 98 min
Language: English, French w/English subtitles

For more Beyond Fest 2024 coverage, click here!

‘ZERO’ (Beyond Fest 2024) A dark, pulse-pounding thriller, that excites in every second.

Beyond_Fest_2024_1920x1080-H-202ZERO

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WORLD PREMIERE / RELEASED IN: 2024 / 83 MINUTES / DIRECTED BY: JEAN-LUC HERBULOT


Jean Luc Herbulot brings Beyond Fest 2024 audiences a heartpounder in ZERO. Two Americans in Senegal wake up to discover bombs strapped to their chests and an unknown man speaking in their ear. They have ten hours to complete seemingly unrelated tasks before they explode. Can they beat a madman at his own game? This stealthy geopolitical thrill ride does not disappoint.

At first glance, our leading men appear opposites, but the script slowly reveals their motivations are the same. ZERO is a game of cat-and-mouse on an entirely new level. A surprising philosophical angle is carefully crafted into the screenplay, branding a message into the audience’s psyche.

zero 2Fast-paced editing and augmented sound effects keep you engaged from the first frame. The concept combines the adrenaline of SAW and SPEED, but it’s funnier and inevitably much darker. The soundtrack is fantastic. Gregory Turbellier‘s camerawork is immersive and sharp.

Performances are outstanding. Unmistakable icon Willem Dafoe is the mysterious voice over the phone. There is something about his tone and rhythm that hypnotizes the viewer. Gary Dourdan adds a voice of enlightenment. His calm, powerful demeanor sets a tone against the tumultuous pacing.

zero 3Leading players Hus Miller (who also co-writes) and Cam McHarg have fiery chemistry, each delivering fully flushed-out characters even if we know the most basic information about them. They make a great on-screen team. I would love to see this entire crew create more projects together.

Jean Luc Herbulot delivers a winner in ZERO. Its bold messaging and fearless choices make it one of the year’s most shocking thrillers.

DIRECTOR: Jean Luc Herbulot
WRITERS: Jean Luc Herbulot, Hus Miller
CAST: Hus Miller, Cam McHarg, Gary Dourdan, Moran Rosenblatt, Annabelle Lengronne, Jessica Lorraine, Roger Sallah

For more Beyond Fest 2024, click here!

‘ABOVE THE KNEE’ (Beyond Fest 2024) This visceral ride into madness is body horror at its finest

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ABOVE THE KNEE

WORLD PREMIERE / RELEASED IN: 2024 / 76 MINUTES / DIRECTED BY: VILJAR BØE

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Norwegian filmmaker Viljar Bøe brings his psychological thriller ABOVE THE KNEE to Beyond Fest 2024. The film follows Amir, a man who has a rare psychological disorder called BID (Body Integrity dysmorphia). It is the desire to have a sensory or physical disability or discomfort with being able-bodied.

The film is one of the most anxiety-inducing watches I’ve experienced in a long time. Amir has to hide his plans from his longtime living girlfriend, Kim. He also uses his friend, Jonas, as a cover, taking advantage of his kindness.

His accelerated timeline and subsequent countdown appear on the screen. With each passing day, Amir’s visions of the gnarly deterioration of his leg haunt us, and so does his gross manipulation of those who care for him most.

Above the knee still 1His only outlet is Rikke, a woman whose own BID diagnosis manifests as self-induced blindness. As his accomplice, she offers him emotional and physical support and lines are easily blurred.

An incredibly effective transition device is the jarring image of a bloodied saw accompanied by viscerally augmented audio of cutting. This image repeats from slightly different angles and undeniably induces a shiver each time.

The one hour and twelve on my minute runtime is more than enough, with Viljar Bøe carefully crafted script. The film is based on a story concept by Bøe and leading man Freddy Singh. Singh delivers an award-worthy turn, existing a in morally gray area. ABOVE THE KNEE takes us into the darkest corners of the mind, boasting a shockingly sinister finale. You won’t be the same.


WRITER/DIRECTOR: Viljar Bøe
CAST: Freddy Singh, Julie Abrahamsen, Louise Waage Anda, Viggo Solomon

For more Beyond Fest 2024 coverage, click here!

 

‘BAAL’ (Beyond Fest 2024) Nonlinear familial horror show.

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WORLD PREMIERE / RELEASED IN: 2024 / 97 MINUTES / DIRECTED BY: JOSEPH SIMS-DENNETT

BAAL - Grace 8Joseph Sims-Dennett brings BAAL to Beyond Fest 2024. Upon hearing the news of her father’s death, Grace finds her estranged brother missing from their hometown. Following a strange lead and ignoring the ominous warnings from her remaining family members, she takes a journey into the wilderness, only to be tested mentally, physically, and spiritually in the worst ways possible. 

Nonlinear storytelling keeps you in a dizzying state. Characters know more than they reveal, which ultimately becomes frustrating. BAAL is a story of haunting extremes and estrangement. Sims-Dennett slowly reveals a shocking familial wound that, considering its heaviness, should have been a larger part of the narratives. The script predominantly features Meg Clarke as Grace. She has the difficult task of guiding us through mystery-laden chaos. Clarke is undeniably captivating despite the storytelling style. 

BAAL - Mask 3BAAL explores the devastating effects of unresolved trauma and guilt. As the film ended, I found myself scratching and shaking my head. Even after the final scene, I am unsure what was real and what wasn’t. I have so many questions. Sims-Dennett combines multiple tropes but never quite makes a cohesive product.


CAST: Meg Clarke, Leighton Cardno, Gautier Pavlovic-Hobba, Tony Hughes, Diane Smith

For more Beyond Fest 2024 coverage, click here!

‘THE OUTRUN’ (2024) Stunning page to screen memoir of addiction and redemption.

THE OUTRUN

The Outrun poster

Based on journalist and author Amy Liptrot’s 2016 memoir, Nora Fingscheidt‘s THE OUTRUN stars Saoirse Ronan as a young woman who returns home to Orkney after completing an alcoholic rehabilitation program in London.

The editing by Stephan Bechinger is a triumph. The structure bounces from before, during, and after rehab, often noted by Rona’s dye-dipped locks and general demeanor. The film delves into the outside judgment of those who have never experienced addiction.

the outrunSaoirse Ronan narrates the constant temptation in scientific terms while scenes of alcoholic behavior play against her words. Rona’s work in rehab is beautifully juxtaposed with her nature work in Orkney. This narrative device becomes a repeated reprieve from her reality. It feels poetic.

The dizzying handheld camera work while Rona is intoxicated mirrors her physical state. Paired with sprawling cliffs and coastlines of Orkney, it is stunning cinematography by Yunus Roy Imer. John Gürtler and Jan Miserre‘s collaborative score is beautiful.

the outrun 2Saoirse Ronan is spectacular, delivering a raw portrait of a fractured and flawed woman. Rona is incredibly lonely, seeking genuine human connection. When drunk, she is emotionally abusive. Saoirse explores every facet of sickness and redemption. It is a nuanced turn. Give her an Oscar already.

Perhaps the most heart-wrenching part of THE OUTRUN is the study of cyclical addiction and the loss of youth. It is a magnificent portrait of interconnected self-reflection, healing, and forgiveness.

THE OUTRUN Trailer:

In Theaters October 4, 2024

Starring Saoirse Ronan, Paapa Essiedu, Stephen Dillane, Saskia Reeves
 Directed by Nora Fingscheidt
 Screenplay by Amy Liptrot & Nora Fingscheidt
Produced by Sarah Brocklehurst, Dominic Norris, Jack Lowden, Saoirse Ronan
Executive Produced by: Claudia Yusef, Kieran Hannigan, Maria Logan, Anne Sheehan, Luane Gauer, George Hamilton, James Pugh, Janina Vilsmaier


Based on the memoir by Amy Liptrot

After a decade away in London, 29-year-old Rona (Saoirse Ronan) returns home to the Orkney Islands. Sober but lonely, she tries to suppress her memory of the events which set her on this journey of recovery. Slowly the mystical land enters her inner world and – one day at a time – Rona finds hope and strength in herself among the heavy gales and the bracingly cold sea. Based on the bestselling memoir by Amy Liptrot, who co-wrote the screenplay with Fingscheidt, THE OUTRUN is an acutely honest drama about addiction and recovery.

RT: 118 Minutes

 

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‘ME, MYSELF, & THE VOID’ (2024) Comedy, mental health, and a mystery.

ME, MYSELF, & THE VOID

me Myself & the Void poster

Tim Hautekiet‘s Me, Myself, & the Void follows comedian Jack after one bad night on stage morphs into an out-of-body experience when he wakes up in a rudimentary version of his apartment, looking over his body on the bathroom floor, with no idea what’s going on. Alongside the manifested versions of his best friend and ex-girlfriend, Jack must navigate through his issues and fading memories to figure out how he got there before it’s too late.

me Myself & the Void still 2The film boasts visually engaging elements, including a stage production style set, black-and-white flashback moments, and a halo effect when Jack and Chris step into a memory. The editing is as fast-paced as the dialogue. Hautekiet and co-writer Nik Oldershaw never give you a minute to breathe but certainly laugh. Jack and Chris’ chemistry is dazzling. The entire film plays out like a live improv show, and it’s electric.

me Myself & the Void still 3The entire cast nails each beat. Kelly Marie Tran oozes charm as Mia. She is so watchable and gives Mia a genuine heart. Chris W. Smith delivers honest best-friend vibes. He’s got that sitcom aura in the best way possible. Jack De Sena is spectacular, running through the emotional gambit. He reminds me of Jack Black, with a loveable quality that draws you in. Discovering that Smith is De Sena’s comedy partner in their popular sketch comedy channel Chris and Jack and now the world makes more sense.

me Myself & the Void still 4The script is whip-smart. It is a ping-pong match of wits between best friends through self-doubt, anxiety, and depression. The film is a dizzying whirlwind of meta-purgatory, tackling the incredible nuance in relationships and the importance of communication. It’s about owning your shit. Me, Myself, & the Void is one of the best indie gems of the year.

ME, MYSELF, & THE VOID Trailer:

Out of Body Indie Dramedy Me Myself & The Void
Starring Jack De Sena, Chris W. Smith, & Kelly Marie Tran
Debuts October 1, 2024 from Echobend Pictures
Streaming on Major VOD Platforms Worldwide

 

Me Myself & The Void world premiered at Dances with Films and went on to screen at fests around the world. At FilmQuest, Me Myself & The Void won the award for Best Ensemble Cast and scored nominations for Best Screenplay, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Editing and Best Score.

A down on his luck stand-up finds himself in a void world, hovering precariously between life and death. It is in this void that our hero, Jack, must discern how he ended up face down on his bathroom floor and find a way out before it’s too late.

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‘GIRL INTERNET SHOW: A KATI KELLI MIXTAPE’ (Fantastic Fest 2024) An experimental greatest hits documentary of a pioneering goddess.

FantasticFest_2024_Poster (GIRL INTERNET SHOW: A KATI KELLI MIXTAPE

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This brand-new feature-length “mixtape” unearths and reintroduces a stunning, singular body of work by the enigmatic Kati Kelli, an outsider video artist and digital native whose subversive online uploads push at the seams of the digital form. For nearly a decade before her passing in 2019, Kati ran “Girl Internet Show,” a YouTube channel, parasocial experiment, and epically deranged one-woman universe built from scratch in her bedroom. This hand-made mixtape by Jane Schoenbrun and Jordan Wippell features a lovingly curated selection of Kati’s online work, unreleased videos, and her first (and final) short film opus Total Body Removal Surgery.

girl internet show Kati Kelli still 1

Kelli’s videos range from character work, songs, artistic interpretation, and brief mundane behind-the-scenes footage, almost always direct to the camera. She is effortlessly funny, undeniably weird, and an improv queen. Her editing skills are mind-blowing.

girl internet show kati kelliKelli is a star. She has that sardonic wit you see in Aubrey Plaza. Frankly, if you told me they were blood relatives, I would accept that as fact. Also, it’s impossible to ignore how stunning she is.

I found myself mesmerized, even as some of Kelli’s sketches stretch on well past a comic norm. You just keep watching. Girl Internet Show is equal parts entertainment and voyeuristic pleasure. Teaming Jordan Wippell (who was also Kati’s partner) and Jane Schoenbrun makes so much sense. It is a creative marriage of deeply like-minded genius, and I know Kati would approve.

girl internet show: a kati Kelli Mixtape bannerThe film ends with Kati’s short film, finished three days before her passing. The subject is both ironic and eerie. Going in with the understanding that Kati is no longer with us weighs heavy in the back of your mind. Knowing what a massive star she was and how much bigger she could have been leaves a sting, but GIRL INTERNET SHOW: A Kati Kelli Mixtape celebrates an artist in all her magnificence. It’s an unforgettable film. Kelli lives forever, an eternal celluloid angel. She flies.

https://fantasticfest24.eventive.org/schedule/66cfc89c908740004850cb0e


Director Biography – Kati Kelli

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Kati Kelli is a Los Angeles-based experimental video artist known for her surrealist approach to online media and cutting-edge, culture-jamming satire. Using baby dolls, caricatures, and maximalist editing techniques, Kati Kelli deconstructs her online identity while reveling in the toxic allure of social media.

She passed away in 2019 shortly after completing her first short film.

 

 


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For all things Fantastic Fest 2024, click here!

‘AJ GOES TO THE DOG PARK’ (Fantastic Fest 2024) An odyssey of the absurd.

FantasticFest_2024_Poster (AJ GOES TO THE DOG PARK


AJ GOES TO THE DOG PARK posterToby Jones’ Midwestern Comedy AJ Goes to the Dog Park

to World Premiere at Fantastic Fest September 23rd

Fargo Man Goes on an Odyssey in Burnt Ends Selection

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Toby Jones‘ Fantastic Fest 2024 absurd comedy AJ GOES TO THE DOG PARK had me giggling nonstop at its wholly silly dialogue and slapstick comedy. Poor AJ is having a really crappy week. After his local dog park gets shut down, he takes his grievance to the Mayor. She shoos him away, suggesting he could make all the decisions if he were the Mayor. Thus begins a hilarious rivalry for Fargo’s highest office. But that’s only the start.

The plot gets weirder and weirder, and that is entirely the point. The dialogue is an improv enthusiast’s wet dream. Filmmakers utilize 2D animation, greenscreen, and miniatures to push their unique brand of comedy. With its endless visual gags and shamelessly meta jokes, AJ GOES TO THE DOG PARK is like nothing else.

aj goes to the dog park still 2The local talent does a fantastic job settling into the film’s rhythm. Special shout-out to Crystal Cossette Knight for her amusing portrayal of The Mayor, akin to a cartoon villain. AJ Thompson gives the titular role an undeniable likeability, leading a cast of fully committed ensemble players. Thompson carries each scene effortlessly. He is authentically charming.

The film twists and turns in entirely unpredictable ways. AJ GOES TO THE DOG PARK should resonate with fans of Robot Chicken and Kids in The Hall. It is gleefully foolish fun.

Festival & Screening Details

AJ Goes to the Dog Park was written and directed by Toby Jones, best known for his work with Cartoon Network. Jones’s childhood friend, AJ Thompson stars in the cinematic gem as a mediocre man on an odyssey to protect the comforts of his routine life. The film, shot in Fargo with local talent in front and behind the camera, features a new original song by Rebecca Sugar (“Steven Universe”, “Adventure Time”) and a guest sequence directed by Owen Dennis (“Infinity Train”).

As he prepares to share the film with the world, Jones said, “AJ Goes to the Dog Park was initially conceived with a seemingly modest ambition: bring more comedies into the world by any means necessary. For me, this meant returning to my hometown of Fargo, North Dakota and bringing together a cast and crew of friends and family to create the project totally independently.”

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‘LYVIA’S HOUSE’ (2024) *Sigh* Too much and not enough.

LYVIA’S HOUSE

Lyvia's House poster

Inspired by true events, LYVIA’S HOUSE follows a young journalist who, after moving to a new home with her new lover, begins an investigation into the disappearance of an Italian artist with links to murders that happened 20 years ago.

Danielle Octavien Lyvia's HouseDanielle Octavien plays Tara’s best friend, Helen. She is incredibly natural, and I enjoyed every minute of her screen time. Georgie is the most intriguing character. Andrew Diego‘s commitment to the character’s PTSD and/or neurodivergence is applause-worthy, even if writer Patricia V. Davis writes him as a borderline offensive stereotype.

lyvia's house still 1Johnny is toxic as hell. Joshua Malekos gives audiences an extremely unlikable and manipulative character. He is a gaslighting master, and I wanted nothing more than for him to find a tragic end, regardless of his backstory. Tara Nichol Caldwell is perfectly passable as Tara. Unfortunately, the script does nothing for her, leaving a mediocre and likely forgettable turn.

lyvia's house still 2The script never hides Johnny’s shady leanings. Having masks appear everywhere ends up coming off as hokey. The costumes also make little sense in specific scenes. Honestly, the fact that Tara sticks around is utterly preposterous. The amount of tropes all smashed together makes for a messy finished product. LYVIA’S HOUSE ends up being an overly long, frustrating watch.

LYVIA’S HOUSE Trailer:

Stonecutter Media will release LYVIA’S HOUSE on Vudu/Fandango at Home and local cable & satellite providers, iTunes/Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Google Play, October 1.

 

Directed by: Niko Volonakis

Written by: Patricia V. Davis

Starring: Tara Nichol Caldwell, Joshua Malekos, Danielle Octavien,

Ann Marie Gideon, Andrew Diego, Deborah Tucker, Brit Zane, Cami Oh

Produced by: Patricia V. Davis

Executive Produced by Pete Davis, Nicholas Levis,

Joni Cuquet

Cinematography by: Cody Martin

Edited by: Niko Volonakis

Music Composed by: Niko Volonakis

USA I 2024 I Thriller, Mystery I 116 minutes | NR

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‘PÁRVULOS’ (Fantastic Fest 2024) An exquisite wow and one of the year’s best films.

FantasticFest_2024_Poster (PÁRVULOS 

US Premiere

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Filmmaker Isaac Ezban brings Fantastic Fest 2024 PÁRVULOS, the story of three siblings surviving in the woods by scavenging in a virus-ravaged world. The dangerous secret they harbor in the basement may be their undoing.

The cinematography is something to behold. The sepia-toned lens locks you into a compelling plot. It creates this magical, borderline eerie feeling. The production design team is aces with children’s drawings and makeshift inventions. The post-apocalyptic aspects are relatively subtle but incredibly effective. The end credits are outstanding. The original song “Our People Need Our Help” is a certified banger.

PÁRVULOS_StillTwo surprising performances will blow you away, but I won’t spoil that with specifics. I will only say that Norma Flores and Horacio Lazo give us everything they’ve got. Our three young brothers are magnificent. Mateo Ortega Casillas gives Benny the right amount of innocence and rebellion. Leonardo Cervantes delivers vulnerability and compassion as Oliver. Farid Escalante Correa gives Salvador a perfect mix of resentment and raging hormones. Together, they warm and break your heart.

The film’s tone takes an unexpectedly amusing twist once Benny learns the secret that Oliver and Salvador keep in the basement. Benny convinces his brothers that normalcy can return if they try hard enough. Their unrelenting determination hits a snag when a young woman crashes their holiday plans. The film takes another turn during its nearly two-hour run. A wildly dark finale holds you captive.

PÁRVULOS has enough meat on the bone for a series. Visually striking, beautifully acted, and ceaselessly compelling. Is it not only a highlight of Fantastic Fest, but one of the year’s best films, period.


Fantastic Fest Website:

https://fantasticfest24.eventive.org/films/66bd75c881b0b4003a7b9cc1

Synopsis: In the aftermath of the Omega Pandemic, a devastating global catastrophe, teenage Salvador has assumed the role of caretaker for his younger siblings, Oliver and Benjamin. Equipped with a host of survivalist skills, Salvador harvests resources from the forest nearby and hunts small game for their table while trying to instill a sense of normalcy through routine, games, storytelling, and holiday celebrations.

Director: Isaac Ezban

Cast: Carla Adell, Leonardo Cervantes, Felix Farid Escalante, Norma Flores, Noe Hernandez, Horacio Lazo, Mateo Ortega

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‘HAYRIDE TO HELL’ (2024) Hallmark meets horror and becomes my new annual Halloween comfort film.

BreakingGlassFilmsLogoHAYRIDE TO HELL

Hayride to Hell poster

As someone who has participated in an annual haunted hayride as both a viewer and a performer, Dan Lantz‘s HAYRIDE TO HELL opens in the perfect, immersive fashion. The plot begins as a classic story of a beloved farmer on the verge of bankruptcy and the curmudgeonly and corrupt small-town authority figures who want to take him down. Farmer Sam makes them a bet; if he can scare them on his new and improved hayride, they leave him in peace. 

Hayride to Hell (2022) - Bill MoselyThe cast delivers solid Hallmark energy, and that is a total compliment. The dialogue is laugh-out-loud hilarious the entire run. The script solidly shifts into the horror realm halfway through, and you easily root for our band of heroes turned vengeful villains.

A special shout-out to Peter Patrikios for his pristine character work. Kane Hodder plays villainous Sheriff Jubel like a pro. You 110% want to punch him in his racist, power-hungry face. Graham Wolfe does a fantastic job as Deputy Nixler, a dopey MF you’ll love watching go down. 

Hayride to Hell (2022) Kane HodderBill Moseley gives Sam an equal parts sweet and sarcastic edge. The more agitated he becomes, the funnier he gets. Moseley is a legend, and he must be protected at all costs. 

The film also continues the trope of casting full-grown men as teenagers, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. The graphic novel transition swipe is reminiscent of Tales From The Crypt goodness. A quick reference to Stephen King‘s Christine is a fun Easter Egg. The hayride ingenuity makes my Halloween heart so happy. It’s probably the best I’ve ever seen.

Hayride to Hell (2022) - www.imdb.comHAYRIDE TO HELL is homegrown horror at its finest. Featuring some of the genre’s greats doing what they do best, fans cannot help but be enchanted by the Halloween fun and clever kills. It’s a beautiful marriage of everything that makes the season fun. HAYRIDE TO HELL is the perfect film to watch on a chilly Autumn afternoon with some homemade cider and popcorn in hand.


Official Trailer: https://youtu.be/KX3I4AfqOvE



Breaking Glass Pictures is proud to announce the upcoming digital release of HAYRIDE TO HELL starring KANE HODDER and BILL MOSELEY

Official Synopsis

Set on the Coxe Family Farm in rural Willis County, Farmer Sam (Bill Moseley) exacts his bloody revenge on unscrupulous local town-folk, including Sheriff Jubel (Kane Hodder) , who menace him and attempt to steal the farm that has been in his family for 200 years.


Director: Dan Lantz
Writer: Kristina Chadwick, Robert Lange


Cast: Graham Wolfe, Mario Mosley, Allyson Malandra, Denise Parella McDonald, Jared Michael Delaney, Shelby Hightower, Melanie Martyn, Brooke Stacy Mills, Aaron Dalla Villa, and Cedric “Budge” Casimiro

ABOUT BREAKING GLASS PICTURES

Founded in 2009, Breaking Glass Pictures is a film distribution and media company that focuses on releasing unique and visionary independent films, inclusive of all genres, from around the world. In addition to theatrical, DVD, digital, and Video-on-Demand releases in North America, Breaking Glass functions as an international sales agent in all film markets, as well as a production company dedicated to creating compelling independent cinema. Breaking Glass also facilitates festival, theatrical, and special event bookings, and offers a full-service marketing team (marketing strategy, artwork and trailer creation, PR, social media) to independent filmmakers.

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‘HEADS OR FAILS’ (Fantastic Fest 2024) Lenny and Harpo Guit take a gamble on one disarming dame.

FantasticFest_2024_Poster (HEADS OR FAILS

FANTASTIC FEST 2024 World Premiere

BURNT ENDS

Heads or FailsMasterfully absurd, Lenny and Harpo Guit’s latest film, HEADS OR FAILS, introduces Fantastic Fest 2024 to the ceaselessly irresponsible and eternal hustler, Armande. Down on her luck and owing money to everyone in her path in Belgium, risky wagers are her bread and butter. Whether they pan out is another thing entirely.

Immersive handheld cinematography heightens the silliness. Quick takes follow the Guit’s style of fast-paced, chaotic dialogue. You immediately recognize it from their 2021 film MOTHER SCHMUCKERS. A recurring gag is that men seem to fall head over heels for Armande, and she could not be less interested. She is a magnet for all sorts.

Maria Cavalier-Bazan is undeniably charming as Armande. Her give no fucks personality is smirk-inducing. Cavalier-Bazan’s take on Lenny and Harpo Guit’s script begs your attention. Much like the plot, she is an Energizer Bunny. Living inside the nonstop whirlwind storyline, Cavalier-Bazan effortlessly carries HEADS OR FAILS. Leaving audiences dizzied and amused, she is one disarming dame. Lenny and Harpo Guit’s gamble pays off.

https://www.fantasticfest.com/film-guide


Belgium, France

2024 – 86m – Color

French with English subtitles

Produced By:

Roue Libre Production, Fair Play Production, Clubb Guitos



Armande Pigeon is the queen of shenanigans. In Brussels, she struggles to make ends meet because she can’t stop gambling on everything, always ending up on the wrong side of luck. When she teams up with Ronnie one night, everything changes – they win it all. And when you hit a winning streak, you have to know when to stop.


Lenny and Harpo Guit Heads or Fails

About Lenny and Harpo Guit

Like the Lumière brothers, the Dalton brothers and the Grimm brothers, Lenny and Harpo Guit are brothers. Born in Paris in the ’90s, they founded Clubb Guitos with their sister Lulma Guit in 2000. In the 2010s, they went to university in Belgium and made a number of self-produced short films, including NATHALIE F*** YOU ALL (2016), LA SEMAINE EST ENCORE LONGUE (2016) and RADIO KIFF (2018). In the 2020s, Lenny and Harpo made their first feature film, MOTHER SCHMUCKERS produced by Roue Libre Production. The film had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in 2021.

©CLUBB GUITOS

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‘BONE LAKE’ (Fantastic Fest 2024) Diabolical and sexy cat-and-mouse game.

FantasticFest_2024_Poster (BONE LAKE

World Premiere

Bone Lake poster

Fantastic Fest alum Mercedes Bryce Morgan brings her latest in BONE LAKE, a psychosexual game of sex, lies, and videotape. Two very different couples find themselves double booked at a palatial lakeside Airbnb. Sage and Diego are in a relationship rut, while Cin and Will are hot and heavy. Awkwardness turns into friendship. When the four unlock three mysterious rooms, each has a theme that spurs trouble and begins a game of cat-and-mouse that turns the tables on everyone. BONE LAKE is here to titillate and transfix even the hardest-to-please genre fan.

Performances are fantastic across the board. Marco Pigossi and Maddie Hasson have an organic chemistry that draws you in. Their relatable personalities and quiet conflicts are perfect foils for Will and Cin. Andra Nechita and Alex Roe are master manipulators playing Will and Cin. They tap into Diego’s insecurities and Sage’s emotional/sexual frustration. Writer Joshua Friedlander gives them a divide-and-conquer playbook that will infuriate audiences, which is a compliment. This diabolical dynamic is juicy.

Clever camera work connected to the locks acts as a subconscious double entendre. The editing is a triumph. The FX team deserves a standing ovation. Genre fans might think they’ve caught on halfway through the film, but the reveal is clever, and it won’t be the last. BONE LAKE is a solid erotic thriller that pushes all the boundaries and buttons. Fantastic Fest 2024 is ready.


Fantastic Fest Website:
 
Remaining Screenings:
 
Logline: When two young couples are mistakenly double-booked into the same vacation rental their romantic weekend becomes a twisted maze of sex, lies, and survival.

Director: Mercedes Bryce Morgan
Written by: Joshua Friedlander
Cast: Alex Roe, Marco Pigossi, Maddie Hasson, Andra Nechita
 
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‘A MISTAKE’ (2024) Elizabeth Banks stars in a tense medical drama based on the best-selling novel.

Quiver LogoA MISTAKE



AMistake_Theatrical_KeyArt_SmallChristine Jeffs writes, directs, and produces the adaptation of the best-selling novel by Carl Shuker, A MISTAKE. The film follows Dr. Elizabeth Taylor, a teaching surgeon whose resident falters during a routine cut. The script jumps right into the case in question. The next morning’s death of the patient begins an avalanche of questions, accusations, and steering misogyny. We witness the systematic attempt at taking down a successful female surgeon who challenges power.

A_MISTAKE-Clean-16x9-02Elizabeth Banks starts as a confident and calming presence in the OR. Amid the chaos, Banks walks a tightrope of mothering Richard through his doubts and defending her skills and judgment. As circumstances spiral, her protective, almost cold exterior begins to crack, and mistakes manifest outside the hospital. One scene with a dog will bring you to tears and puts Banks’s character on the other side of loss. It’s a subtly powerful performance.

A MISTAKE-Clean-16x9-03-copyThe cinematography, especially the quiet moments, has an emotional impact. Jeffs masterfully captures the nuance of being a woman, particularly in any position of power. Words and actions somehow have an entirely different meaning if you are female. Jeffs highlights the infuriating double standards. A MISTAKE delves into the wildly erratic medical field, the human element of playing God, and noble pursuits.

A Mistake Trailer:

Opens in Theaters this Friday September 20 from Quiver Distribution

 

Based on the page-turning novel by Carl Shuker, A MISTAKE is a thrilling exploration of the dangerous ripple effects that can be triggered by a single human error. 

When expert surgeon Elizabeth Taylor (Banks) makes the decision to allow her young registrar, Richard Whitehead, to take charge of one small but delicate step during a routine surgery on a very sick young woman, a mistake is made that can’t be undone. Elizabeth’s efforts to protect Richard and herself come into conflict with the desperate need for black and white answers from the patient’s parents and the hospital’s single-minded attempts to protect their reputation. A film about human fallibility, and forgiveness.

Starring three-time Emmy Award nominee Elizabeth Banks, Simon McBurney, Mickey Sumner and Rena Owen. 
Written, Directed & Produced by Christine Jeffs (Rain, Sylvia, Sunshine Cleaning) 
 
Produced by Matthew Metcalfe 
Cornerstone’s Alison Thompson and Mark Gooder served as executive producers.

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Fantastic Fest 2024 is genre heaven. 6 films we are psyched for.

FANTASTIC FEST 2024FantasticFest_2024_Poster

Our merry band of misfits, muckrakers, and miscreants is making it’s way to Austin, TX, for an 8-day carnival of cinematic delights – Fantastic Fest is back on Sept. 19th – 26th, taking place at the Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar cinema.


Fantastic Fest 2024 is upon us! The entire lineup is spectacular. Here are 6 films we are stoked for this year.

 

You can find the full Fantastic Fest 2024 Film Guide here!

PÁRVULOS

Director: Isaac Ezban (LOVED The Similars & Parallel)

PÁRVULOS_Still
Three young brothers living in a cabin in the middle of the woods hide a dark, disturbing secret in their basement.
  • Year:
    2024
  • Runtime:
    119 minutes
  • Language:
    Spanish
  • Country:
    México
  • Premiere:
    US

TERRIFIER 3
Director: Damien Leone

Terrifier 3

After surviving Art the Clown’s Halloween massacre, Sienna and her brother struggle to rebuild their shattered lives. As the holiday season approaches, they try to embrace the Christmas spirit and leave the horrors of the past behind. However, just when they think they’re safe, Art returns, determined to turn their holiday cheer into a new nightmare.

IN THEATERS: October 11, 2024

  • Year:
    2024
  • Runtime:
    125 minutes
  • Language:
    English
  • Country:
    USA
  • Premiere:
    World

FRANKIE FREAKO

Director: Steven Kostanski

FRANKIE_FREAKO_Still

After calling a late-night party hotline that promises out-of-this-world fun, uptight yuppie Conor Sweeney must battle the pint-sized forces of evil that get unleashed through his phone line, led by the maniacal rock ‘n’ roll goblin Frankie Freako.

  • Year:
    2024
  • Runtime:
    82 minutes
  • Language:
    English
  • Country:
    Canada
  • Premiere: International

THE LIFE AND DEATHS OF CHRISTOPHER LEE

Director: Jon Spira

THE LIFE AND DEATHS OF CHRISTOPHER LEE
Follows fresh interviews, archival footage, and various animation techniques like marionation to recreate one of the world’s leading actors on screen, bringing them back to life through innovative methods.
 

  • Year:
    2024
  • Runtime:
    103 minutes
  • Language:
    English
  • Country:
    UK
  • Premiere:
    North American

STRANGE HARVEST: OCCULT MURDER IN THE INLAND EMPIRE

Director: Stuart Ortiz

STRANGE_HARVEST_Still

A faux true-crime documentary about two detectives’ pursuit of an infamous serial killer named Mr. Shiny, who terrorized Southern California for almost two decade

  • Year:
    2024
  • Runtime:
    94 minutes
  • Language:
    English
  • Country:
    USA
  • Premiere:
    World
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‘WINNER’ (2024) A sharp biopic of America’s rebel sweetheart.

vertical films logoWINNER

Winner poster

Filmmaker Susanna Fogel (CAT PERSON) tells the true story of NSA contractor Reality Winner discovering the classified document that Russia interfered with in the 2016 election and then leaked it to the press. WINNER is a black comedy biopic in a league of its own. The whistleblower story we’ve been waiting for.

The military exploited Reality’s extraordinary language abilities, critical thinking skills, and sheer humanity for more violent means. The argument about whether the end justifies the means remains open-ended. It depends on your overall opinion of the military-industrial complex. The guilt from her job translates to excessive workouts and do-gooder activities that no one else wants. Truthfully, Reality was thinking about the country when she broke protocol and then punished by the one person it affected most. It’s pretty gross, if not entirely expected.

Winner-Day15-031Zach Galifianakis is Reality’s activist-minded father, Ron. He plays a proud papa with a brilliant mind and passion for justice. The apple did not fall far. Galifianakis brings the sass in all the right ways. Connie Britton is Mom Billie Winner-Davis, someone I greatly admire. I followed her on social media once the story broke, urging others to retweet and signing petitions for the Biden administration to pardon Reality. Britton delivers a pitch-perfect performance as a Texas mother with the typical priorities before Reality’s arrest.

Emilia Jones expertly shows us what a phenom Reality is, doing justice to her activist heart and take-no-shit attitude. Jones nails each beat with heart and humor. Making grown men cry in her breakout role in CODA, she once again owns the screen.

WINNER_Vertical (1)It’s an entire hour before we even touch on the infamous Russia document. The front end of the film gives us foundational reasons to root for Winner. Fogel skillfully injects humor into a story that appears authentically absurd from any sane outsider’s perspective. Jones’ narration sets the tone for the entire film. If you know Reality’s story, you understand what an indisputable hero she is. How this story got buried as quickly as it did will never cease to baffle me.
WINNER is wildly entertaining.

WINNER Trailer:

In Select Theaters and On Demand September 13, 2024

 

DIRECTED BY:  Susanna Fogel

WRITTEN BY:  Kerry Howley and Susanna Fogel

STARRING:  Emilia Jones, Connie Britton, Danny Ramirez, Kathryn Newton, and Zach Galifianakis

RUN TIME:  103 minutes

RATING:  Not Rated

GENRE:  Comedy, Biography

SYNOPSIS:  Based on a true story, Reality Winner (Emilia Jones) is a brilliant young misfit from a Texas border town who loves her pink gun almost as much as helping others. After teaching herself Arabic in high school so she can be of service in the Middle East, Reality is recruited by the Air Force but quickly becomes disillusioned when she finds her morals challenged. After transitioning to a money gig as an NSA contractor, Reality stumbles upon government secrets regarding Russia’s election hacking during the 2016 Presidential campaign. Does she expose the truth or keep quiet? Ultimately, she decides to leak the truth leading to her trial and historic sentencing for espionage. The film also stars Connie Britton, Danny Ramirez, Kathryn Newton, and Zach Galifianakis.

For more films Based on a True Story, click here!

‘SUPERBOYS OF MALEGAON’ (TIFF 2024) A jubilant celebration of film and friendship

tiff 2024bannerSUPERBOYS OF MALEGAON

Superboys-of-Malegaon_01Director Reema Kagti brings TIFF ’24 audiences a dramatized version of the 2008 documentary Supermen of Malegaon. The film begins in 1997 and follows aspiring amateur filmmaker Nasir Shaikh and fellow hometown artists in Malegaon, India. SUPERBOYS OF MALEGAON is a story of small-town dreams coming true. Get ready to feel all the feels.

Learning editing techniques from local VHS sellers, Nasir makes unique splices to films, selling more and more tickets to his small movie house. But the police halt the illegal viewings, alongside the customary cultural bribe, leaving Nasir and his friends with little hope. Genius sparks when they realize they can make parody versions of their favorite films.

From conception to writing, casting to makeup, dialogue memorization to shooting, SUPERBOYS OF MALEGAON delivers every moment of revelry, hardship, and passion. Egos clash, promises and hearts get broken, hard truths are exposed, and betrayals break friendships. How can such deep-felt hurt heal?

The story jumps to 2004, only to find Nasir’s original success waning. His crew of friends finally grasp how he has coveted the spotlight and the money. When loyalty and interest in Nasir’s parodies wear thin by 2010, devastating news prompts cinematic and relationship magic.

The cinematography by Swapnil S. Sonawane is stunning. Accompanied by Sachin Jigar‘s infectious original score, it establishes the tone immediately. Performances are spectacular across the board. Each cast member gives audiences the full spectrum of their emotional range, and it is damn impressive.

It celebrates the art of indie filmmaking, the community it builds, and how many hands and minds go into the creative process. SUPERBOYS OF MALEGAON is a joy-filled watch, perfectly balanced with hard-hitting emotional journeys. It honors dreamers and doers alike. It is an undeniable crowd-pleaser.


Reema Kagti

WORLD PREMIERE

India | 2024 | 127m | Hindi

Helmed by Reema Kagti (Talaash: The Answer Lies Within) in her latest collaboration with producer Zoya Akhtar (Gully Boy), this uplifting story chronicles the life of Nasir Shaikh, whose no-budget, community-sourced movies turned his hometown into an unlikely dream factory.

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