For those of us who couldn’t make it to the West Coast for Comic Con this year, BBC America has given us the official gift of the entire Orphan Black panel from H Hall! Woo Hoo!
PS- We’re still torn up that Tatiana Maslany has not yet won an Emmy for this show! I mean, really?! This must be made right… The Clone Club demands it.
“Though it was canceled by NBC in 2000 before the completion of its lone season, frequent Apatow collaborator Paul Feig’s series—executive-produced by Apatow and featuring many of the performers (Seth Rogen, James Franco, Jason Segel, Martin Starr) who would go on to comprise his stock company—has become one of the key texts of recent pop culture. The show’s rabid following has only increased in the years since its cancellation, and it now ranks among the most beloved television series of all time. Simply put, few works of art have captured the uncertainty, frustration, and absurdity of the American high-school experience with so much sophistication, honesty, and sweetness, wondrously embodied by its sibling protagonists, Lindsay (Linda Cardellini) and Sam Weir (John Francis Daley). The Film Society is pleased to present every episode of Freak and Geeks in our Amphitheater.”
The Freaks and Geeks marathon will be FREE to the public and tickets will be distributed at the Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center box office on a first-come, first-served basis starting one hour prior. Limit one ticket per person, subject to availability.
Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center, Location: New York NY, Architect: Rockwell Group
These are the other screenings with tickets on sale now as part of ‘I Found This Funny: The Comedy World of Judd Apatow.’
Twentieth Century Fox today announced a very special event for its upcoming Paper Towns: “Night on the Towns,” where fans will be the first to see the film and be included in a live simulcast experience of an exclusive Q&A with Paper Towns stars Nat Wolff, Cara Delevingne, Halston Sage, Justice Smith and Jaz Sinclair; author John Green, upon whose bestseller the film is based; director Jake Schreier; and producer Wyck Godfrey.
There will also be acoustic performances by Saint Motel and Nat & Alex Wolff, plus a few surprises to be unveiled that evening.
This very memorable evening will unfold on hundreds of movie screens across the U.S. and Canada. Attendees will also receive a beautiful commemorative locket and an exclusive poster from the film.
“Night On The Towns” will take place on July 23rd, 8:30pm Eastern / 7:30pm Central / 6:30pm Mountain / 5:30pm Pacific, ahead of the film’s opening in theaters everywhere on July 24th.
Premium ticket sales for the event begin today, June 24th, at 9am EDT. General advance tickets go on sale Wednesday, July 1st. Please visit PaperTownsMovie.com for more information.
Taylor Schilling (Emily) in a scene from THE OVERNIGHT.
Photograph by John Guleserian
Q&A with director Patrick Brice, actors Adam Scott, Jason Schwartzman, Judith Godreche, and producer Naomi Scott
8pm – Walter Reade Theater, Lincoln Center, New York, NY – Buy tickets here
Seattle transplants Alex and Emily (Parks and Recreation’s Adam Scott and Orange Is the New Black’s Taylor Schilling) are settling into their new Los Angeles life with some difficulty (their young son makes friends more easily than they do). The two are overjoyed when outgoing fellow parent Kurt (Jason Schwartzman) invites them over for a dual playdate—one for the kids and one for the adults. Things take a turn for the bizarre when Kurt and his elegant French wife Charlotte (L’Auberge Espagnole’s Judith Godrèche) suggest putting the children to bed and continuing their couples date. The rare contemporary comedy that does not outstay its welcome, writer/director Patrick Brice’s second feature (after last year’s found-footage thriller Creep) capitalizes on Scott’s proven straight-man abilities and Schwartzman’s patented confidence, with art-house darling Godrèche more than holding her own amid seasoned comics. A The Orchard release.
MARVEL’S ANT-MAN MICRO-TECH CHALLENGE
SEEKING CREATIVE TECH-SAVVY GIRLS TO FIND THEIR INNER SUPER-HERO BY CREATING SOMETHING “BIG” FROM something VERY SMALL!
Disney, Marvel Studios, Dolby Laboratories, Visa Signature and Raspberry Pi® are proud to unite to sponsor a nationwide MARVEL’S ANT-MAN MICRO-TECH CHALLENGE in conjunction with the July 17th release of Marvel’s Ant-Man, starring Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Corey Stoll, Bobby Cannavale, Michael Peña, Tip “T.I.” Harris, Wood Harris, Judy Greer, David Dastmalchian and Michael Douglas as Dr. Hank Pym.
Building on the success of the Ultimate Mentor Adventure, Guardians of the Galaxy: Guardians of Good, Marvel is launching, ANT-MAN MICRO-TECH CHALLENGE with Raspberry Pi. The challenge invites girls nationwide, ages 14 –18, in grades 9-12, to design and build a DIY project using at least one readily available micro-technology component, which can enable tinkerers, makers, builders and future Imagineers to execute big ideas with a board that fits intheir pocket and costs less than a video game. The projects can be utilitarian, artistic or just plain fun.
After completing a project, applicants will be asked to submit a short video demonstrating the project and explaining how it will inspire other girls to pursue interests in science, technology, engineering, or math.
The five winners will each receive: Two round-trip tickets to Southern California, including hotel accommodations, from June 28 through June 30, 2015, to be on the red carpet at the World Premiere of Marvel’s Ant-Man at the Dolby Theatre® in Dolby Atmos® on June 29, 2015; attend a special “The Evolution of Technology” workshop on June 30 at The Disneyland® Resort where they will meet Walt Disney Imagineers who will introduce them to the broader scope of technology and how innovation is inspired during a behind-the-scenes tour of The Disneyland® Resort; and receive a tour of the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California.
Upon completion of the challenge, a STEM-based girls program in each winner’s hometown will be selected to receive “re-create” instructions for each project. Each winner will have the opportunity to lead a workshop in building herproject with the girls in the selected program in her community. By sharing their work, the winners will accomplish big things from small beginnings by inspiring other young girls to follow their interests in computing, technology, andengineering.
Entries will be accepted from May 21, 2015 through June 11, 2015. For application forms, eligibility requirements, official contest rules and more information about MARVEL’S ANT-MAN MICRO-TECH CHALLENGE, please visit www.Ant-ManChallenge.com
About the Contest:
No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Contest commences on or about 9AM PT on May 21, 2015 and ends at 11:59 PM PT on June 11, 2015. Open only to girls who are 14-18 years of age on May 20, 2015 andlegal residents of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia and not employees of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, Marvel, Dolby Laboratories, Visa Signature and Raspberry Pi, or any of their parent, related oraffiliated companies nor members of their households or immediate families. Limit one (1) entry per person. Winners must be able to travel on June 28, 2015. See Official Rules at www.Ant-ManChallenge.com for full eligibilityand entry requirements, prize description, conditions and limitations. The official contest sponsor is Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.
About Marvel’s Ant-Man
The next evolution of the Marvel Cinematic Universe brings a founding member of The Avengers to the big screen for the first time with Marvel Studios’ Ant-Man. Armed with the astonishing ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength, master thief Scott Lang must embrace his inner hero and help his mentor, Dr. Hank Pym, protect the secret behind his spectacular Ant-Man suit from a new generation of towering threats. Against seemingly insurmountable obstacles, Pym and Lang must plan and pull off a heist that will save the world.
Marvel’s Ant-Man stars Paul Rudd as Scott Lang aka Ant-Man, Evangeline Lilly as Hope Van Dyne, Corey Stoll as Darren Cross aka Yellowjacket, Bobby Cannavale as Paxton, Michael Peña as Luis, Tip “T.I.” Harris as Dave, Wood Harris as Gale, Judy Greer as Maggie, David Dastmalchian as Kurt, and Michael Douglas as Hank Pym.
Peyton Reed directs Marvel’s Ant-Man with Kevin Feige, p.g.a. producing and Louis D’Esposito, Alan Fine, Victoria Alonso, Michael Grillo, Stan Lee and Edgar Wright serving as executive producers. The story is by Edgar Wright & Joe Cornish and the screenplay is by Edgar Wright & Joe Cornish and Adam McKay & Paul Rudd. Marvel’s Ant-Man delivers a high-stakes, tension-filled adventure on July 17, 2015.
About Marvel Entertainment
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 charactersfeatured in a variety of media over seventy-five years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing. For more information visit marvel.com. © 2015 MARVEL
About Dolby Atmos:
Dolby Atmos delivers moving audio—sound that can be precisely placed and moved anywhere in three- dimensional space, including overhead. It brings entertainment alive all around the audience in a powerfully immersive and emotive experience.
Since its introduction in the cinema in 2012, Dolby Atmos has been embraced by all the major Hollywood studios, 14 Academy Award® winning directors, and 27 Academy Award winning sound mixers, among others.
To learn more about Dolby Atmos, visit dolby.com/Atmos.
About Dolby Laboratories:
Dolby Laboratories (NYSE: DLB) creates audio, video, and voice technologies that transform entertainment and communications in mobile devices, at the cinema, at home, and at work. For nearly 50 years, sight and sound experiences have become more vibrant, clear, and powerful in Dolby®. For more information, please visit www.dolby.com.
About Visa Signature:
Visa Signature is a proud sponsor of the theatrical release of Marvel’s “Ant-Man”. Visa Signature cardholders get access to movie ticket offers to movies like Marvel’s “Ant-Man” www.Fandango.com/VisaSignature.Visa Signature is a premium consumer payment card bringing cardholders benefits and perks that are important to them, and provide everyday value to enhance cardholder experiences. Benefits include complimentary 24-hour Visa Signature Concierge service, travel perks from the Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection, special fine wine and food experiences, and discounts at premium retailers. For more information, visitwww.visa.com/signature.
About Raspberry Pi:
The Raspberry Pi is a low cost, credit-card sized computer that plugs into a computer monitor or TV, and uses a standard keyboard and mouse. It is a capable little device that enables people of all ages to explore computing, and tolearn how to program in languages like Scratch and Python. It’s capable of doing everything you’d expect a desktop computer to do, from browsing the internet and playing high-definition video, to making spreadsheets, word-processing, and playing games.
What’s more, the Raspberry Pi has the ability to interact with the outside world, and has been used in a wide array of digital maker projects, from music machines and parent detectors to weather stations and tweeting birdhouseswith infra-red cameras. We want to see the Raspberry Pi being used by kids all over the world to learn to program and understand how computers work. Raspberry Pi is a trademark of the Raspberry Pi Foundation.
Red Nose Day, the U.K.’s #1 television fundraising event, is coming to America in a spectacular live star-studded special Thursday, May 21 (8-11 p.m. ET) on NBC.
Hollywood’s biggest stars, including Julia Roberts, Will Ferrell, Jack Black, Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Jodie Foster and more, are coming together to have fun, raise money and change lives in an incredible “fun-raising” special. Featuring great comedy, videos produced by Funny Or Die, incredible music performances and Hollywood’s favorite stars, the benefit event will help 12 charity organizations lift children and young people out of poverty, in the U.S. and throughout the world.
Julianne Moore, Jack Black, Coldplay and Neil Patrick Harris will also appear, along with John Krasinski, Emily Blunt, Michelle Rodriguez, Gwyneth Paltrow and music sensations John Legend and “Voice” coaches Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, Christina Aguilera and Pharrell Williams. Sienna Miller, Paul Rudd, Olivia Wilde, Eddie Redmayne, Benedict Cumberbatch, Sir Ian McKellen, Orlando Bloom, Leslie Mann, January Jones and Simon Cowell will also be joining the fun, as well as Matt Lauer, Carson Daly, Nick Offerman, Elizabeth Banks, Chris Pine, Jeff Goldblum, Billy Eichner, Martin Short, Laura Linney, Anna Kendrick, Sean “P. Diddy” Combs, John Michael Higgins, Bill and Melinda Gates, Stephen Merchant, Naomi Campbell, Anna Camp, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Yvette Nicole Brown, Retta, Natalie Morales, Danny Pudi and Rob Huebel.
In addition, the star-studded event for charity will feature “Game of Thrones” cast members Kit Harington, Peter Dinklage, Iwan Rheon, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Emilia Clarke, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Mark Addy, John Bradley, Rose Leslie, Alfie Allen and Charlotte Hope. “Orange is the New Black” cast Dascha Polanco, Samira Wiley, Yael Stone, Selenis Leyva, Lea DeLaria, Adrienne C. Moore and Jackie Cruz will also be part of the charity special.
Nick Cannon will kick off the festivities for NBC’s broadcast of “Red Nose Day” with “Red Nose Day Danceathon with Nick Cannon,” streaming live on NBC.com beginning Wednesday, May 20. “America’s Got Talent” host Nick Cannon will attempt to dance non-stop for 24 hours in honor of the inaugural Red Nose Day celebration in the United States, leading into the “Red Nose Day” telecast on Thursday, May 21. Streamed live from the NBC Experience Store at Rockefeller Center in New York City, the day of dance will be filled with guest DJs and musicians, celebrity drop-ins, and a variety of dance acts and troupes. Viewers can support Cannon’s endeavor through sponsorship and donation.
The money raised during Red Nose Day will be used to fund programs that address the immediate needs of children and young people living in poverty in the U.S. and internationally in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The money will be split between domestic and international poverty issues. The pre-selected charity partners are Boys & Girls Clubs of America; charity: water; Children’s Health Fund; Feeding America; Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance; the Global Fund; LIFT; National Council of La Raza; National Urban League; Oxfam America; Save the Children and United Way.
In the U.K., Red Nose Day has been a tradition for 30 years and is an inspiring cultural phenomenon that unites people from all walks of life in the interest of saving and changing lives across the globe. With superstar presenters and comedians, original sketch comedy, hilarious film parodies and amazing musical performances, Red Nose Day has been one of the BBC’s highest-rated Friday night shows for many years and raised more than $1 billion in donations so far for organizations addressing poverty.
Created in 1985 by Oscar nominee and Emmy Award-winning writer-director-producer Richard Curtis (“Four Weddings and a Funeral,” “Bridget Jones Diary,” “Notting Hill”), Red Nose Day was built upon the foundation that mass media and celebrities can help raise money and increase awareness of poverty in order to save and change millions of lives.
Curtis is an executive producer for the NBC telecast (a Universal Television production), along with Hamish Hamilton and Ian Stewart of Done + Dusted Productions. Henrietta Conrad and Lily Sobhani will also serve as executive producers, as will Mike Farah, Anna Wenger and Joe Farrell from Funny Or Die. Hamilton is set to direct.
Some of my fondest memories as a kid are family game nights, Sunday breakfasts, and dancing in the kitchen. All of these things we still do. We try to outplay each other. We make fun of the everyone’s ever changing diets. We choreograph the best and worst dance moves in the universe. Being the first of 4 children ignites a fire that never quite goes away. ‘Look At Me Syndrome” is something I live and die by. Young performers are like sponges. They listen to every word as a kid. They are bright and observant, perhaps not coming alive at that age, but letting it all seep into what shapes their humor. *And yes, I did just allude to how awesome I have always been. But enough about me.* Kevin Pollak has created one hell of a documentary to share with the planet, MISERY LOVES COMEDY. Rounding up over 60 comedians, both stand up or just plain funny people in the industry, including the likes of Amy Schumer, Tom Hanks, Judd Apatow, Kevin Smith, Christopher Guest, Lisa Kudrow, Bob Saget, Chris Hardwick, and Kathleen Madigan, just to name a few. Pollak poses the question that performers know to be true; “Do you have to be miserable to be funny?” The answers comes in form of intimate sit down interviews with a cast only someone with Pollak’s clout could get to say yes so quickly. Filmed over the course of 4 weeks in L.A. and NYC, we are privy to family photos, childhood inspirations, and all the mess in between. Pollak even edited the film himself, sharing that experience was eye-opening and surprisingly enjoyable. This film is non-stop funny. I loved every moment of it. Jim Gaffigan sums up the need to entertain others perfectly, it’s a ‘Narcissists Fantasy’. Question it, accept it, then own it. I do. It’s the only way to live.
When Kevin Pollak offers to take a picture with you, you take a picture. Because Kevin Pollak.
In honor of the masterful director himself, and the over 600 hours of interviews he had conducted, in true Kevin Pollak Chat Show style, I give you the audio from our roundtable with this comic genius. Welcome to a slice of MISERY LOVES COMEDY.
Misery Loves Comedy is available on iTunes !! *Ps- it’s #1 right now* Opens today in NYC (IFC Center) with a national release to follow.
Lindsey and Dave
Love is something we cannot explain. It is like magic. Isn’t is difficult enough to find love for two average people? What if you were not considered to be average? It can be torturous to express how we feel. What if you add autism into the mix? Autism is on a wide spectrum. Autistic adulthood is not a common topic of conversation. Director Matt Fuller brings us into the world of 4 extraordinary people; Lenny, Stephen, Lindsey and Dave in the new documentary Autism in Love.
Lenny
Lenny is an unemployed young man, living with his immensely supportive mother. He has a fondness for video games and longing for a girlfriend. He is extremely aware of his autism and believes that it impedes him from finding love. Highly emotional, Lenny’s struggles have a visceral affect on even Fuller. In a moment of breaking the wall, even with the director out of sight, Lenny is visibly upset and tells Fuller not to cry. He says, “I would rather be a normal man than an autistic person with a million dollars.”
Geeta and Stephen
Stephen is a middle aged savant who knows every answer on Jeopardy before we’ve even finished reading the clue, makes hot dogs for his parents every Sunday, and has a distinct cadence reminiscent of Dustin Hoffman in Rain Man. Married to a lovely woman named Geeta, he has a routine that he lives by that has only recently been disrupted by the fact that after 17 years with Geeta, she has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. While Stephen’s autism is much more obvious, you can see the adoration in his eyes even if he is unable to express it verbally.
Dave and Lindsey
Lindsey and Dave have been dating for years. Labeled “High-functioning”, the two are an endearing match. Both are ready to take the next step, with Lindsey being the more verbal on the subject and Dave taking a seemingly more intellectual route. You instantly fall in love with this couple and cheer them on from the get go. The juxtaposition of these four individuals is a beautifully crafted story. The added struggle of being on the spectrum is something not many of us consider when searching for a mate. I think that Autism in Love is an important doc that let’s us gaze into a world often fraught with misconception, without gawking.
Here is a clip from Autism in Love:
Gennadiy Mokhnenko is a pastor in Mariupol, Ukraine. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, hundreds, if not thousands of children have become homeless and addicted to a deadly mixture of cold medicine and alcohol that they are injecting like herion. Gennadiy has taken it upon himself to rescue these children, small groups at a time and bring them to his rehabilitation center called Pilgrim Republic. An accomplished and eloquent orator, this strong headed and passionate pastor, sometimes forcibly removes children from sewers, or other filth ridden settings, to set them on the straight and narrow. His aim is to improve their alcohol recovery timeline, get these kids healthy and make them want to be functioning members of society. Confronting abusive parents and taking on the government, Gennadiy is a saint. He has 11 children, most of them adopted from the lot that he has saved over the years. He has a wit and charm that make him one of the most approachable men, and yet he has a tenacity that is also threatening when it needs to be.
This documentary from Steve Hooper is beautifully inter-cut with a Soviet animated TV show, Crocodile Gennadiy from which our pastor gets his nickname. The parrallels between Gennadiy and the cartoon are almost unbelievable. The methods this man uses are far from what would be acceptable for any church in the United States, and as far as I am concerned, we should be taking a page from his playbook when fighting for good. 
I was able to sit down with Steve Hoover and producer Danny Yourd. Find out some of the crazy story behind the making of this film.
Crocodile Gennadiy Teaser from Crocodile Gennadiy Documentary on Vimeo.
You can still catch CROCODILE GENNADIY at this year’s festival:
CARTEL LAND
From poverty comes desperation and opportunistic turn. The mentality of, “If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em,” could not be more true in a new doc from director Matthew Heinman, Cartel Land. Mexican drug cartels are running rampant, killing innocent people in their wake, wreaking havoc on what would otherwise be hard working, peaceful folk. Infuriated by the circumstances forced up them, townspeople have taken up arms of their own and formed a group named the Autodefensa. They side step the government, who deny there is a problem at all, and capture cartel members to be handed immediately to the police. We also meet a group called the Arizona Border Recon. Mostly comprised of neo-con, anti-immigration minded men, they are able to put their politics aside to police human trafficking and cartel scouting groups. 
The most unprecedented footage is when the filmmakers were allowed access inside the cartels themselves. The saddest past of the doc, a lot of the present cartel members are former members of the Autodefensa. Money begets power. It remains a vicious cycle. Cartel Land gives us a real time look into the everyday struggle of the Mexican people. While constantly in true physical peril, Heinman and his crew present us with outstanding production value, balanced storytelling, and an insight to what most of us turn a blind eye to.
INDIAN POINT
As a New Yorker, post-9/11, we want to believe that we’re safer. We want to think that the heightened presence of armed guards at Grand Central means something. But, it’s the forces we don’t see that should freak us out. Did you know that just 35 miles north of Times Square is an aging nuclear power plant called Indian Point? I sure didn’t. Not scary enough for you? Alright, the government has down graded evacuation plans since the Fukushima melt down. Still no? 6% of the country’s population lives with 50 miles of the plant. You cannot outrun radiation. 
The plant was built in the 1950’s and has not been sufficiently updated since. This is not a one off for the plants across the country. Old technology cannot be applied fast enough for the amount of old cores we are storing on site (encased in cement). The volatility of this waste is unbelievable. When the earthquake and tsunami hit Japan, Fukushima’s waste was jostled enough to cause multiple reactor meltdown, something that the industry claims is impossible in the US. That radiation has traveled across the ocean and is now causing birth defects in California. Indian Point shows this issue from all sides; activists, journalists, plants supervisors, residents, and the former chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. This is an eye-opening doc about money Vs power. When you get the end of the film, the information provided will downright piss you off more than you ever thought possible. Indian Point should stand as a warning for us all. Complacency is the way we power our planet is no longer an option.
TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RIFLE
In the wake of so many tragic police shootings, I posed a question to my husband, “Why don’t they just use tasers anymore?!” I recalled the infamous YouTube video “Don’t Tase Me Bro!”. Without giving much weight to the incident, when that video went viral, I, like most Americans, brushed it off as internet fodder. What I didn’t realize was just how serious this issue actually was and continues to be. In the doc Tom Swift and His Electric Rifle we learn about the origin of the one single company that created and trains law enforcement on the proper use of Tasers. These “weapons” are meant to incapacitate a subject. Unfortunately, for brother Tom and Rick Smith, tasers also kill people. The two founded Taser International in 1993 and have sold their stun gun to almost every one of the US’ 18,250 law enforcement agencies.
The updated Taser targeting guide issued by Taser International.
Between 2001 and 2012, there were 500 taser related deaths reported in the U.S. There are no regulations on the use of tasers. In the film, we are privy to dash cam footage of 23 year old Stanley Harlan. Pulled over in front of his house, the reason still unclear, he is seen complying with officers and then suddenly, off camera, he is tasered 3 times, causing him to go into cardiac arrest. As his parents look on is sheer terror, we witness Harlan’s death. In a deposition following a string of additional deaths, the Smith brothers sit smugly testifying that they have no scientific knowledge that their product contributes to anyone’s death. Ironically, in 2009, Taser International updated their training guide to reflect what they claimed they did not believe. These gentlemen and this company know they are wrong. They know the dangers of their product, but for them, their monopoly grows in spite of the deaths.
Tom Swift and His Electric Rifle is raw and shocking. You will walk out shaking your head. All of that being said, this documentary is incredibly informative and well structured. On the surface, it may appear to be a propaganda piece, so let me assure it, it is well researched and definitely worth your time.
You can still catch Tom Swift and His Electric Rifle at the fest!
Few movies have been able to take over an entire multiplex – every screen, every seat; only major blockbusters. But now an independent film, LITTLE BOY, is taking over entire multiplexes in 20 cities on Thursday April 23, before it opens in theaters nationwide April 24 (Open Road Films).
With support from celebrities, business leaders, sports stars, and others, multiplexes in 20 communities are playing LITTLE BOY on ALL their screens on the evening of April 23. “We’re excited to see this level of excitement around the movie,” says Elliot Slutzky, EVP of Distribution at Open Road Films. “We’ve confirmed many buyouts, takeovers and pre-sales for LITTLE BOY in theatres across the country. People are really passionate about this movie.”
Theater Takeovers (wherein EVERY screen in the multiplex is showing LITTLE BOY) are happening in Los Angeles, San Diego, Boston, Miami, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Oklahoma City, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Colorado Springs and Connecticut.
Tickets are being sponsored for groups as diverse as AYSO, Big Brothers Big Sisters, military families, churches, schools and other non-profits, with the goal of generating “Acts of Kindness,” a central theme of LITTLE BOY.
Hundreds of sponsors are supporting the effort, including Business, Civic, Sports, and Entertainment Leaders (see quotes below).
In addition to entire Theater Take-Overs, LITTLE BOY events nationwide include:
LITTLE BOY is a powerful and moving, utterly unique story that will capture your heart and lift your spirits. Little Boy tells the heartwarming story of a little boy who is willing to do whatever it takes to bring his dad home from World War II alive. The story reveals the indescribable love a little boy has for his father and the love a father has for his son. Set in the 40’s, Little Boy is a cinematic classic that captures the wonder of life through the eyes of an 8-year-old little boy.
From the filmmakers who won the prestigious Toronto Film Festival People’s Choice Award for the movie Bella, Little Boy features two Oscar nominated actors (Emily Watson and Tom Wilkinson), and is directed by Smithsonian Institute Award Winning Director Alejandro Monteverde; produced by Eduardo Verastegui and Leo Severino. Executive Producers include Mark Burnett (The Voice, Shark Tank, Survivor, The Bible) and Roma Downey (Touched By an Angel, The Bible).
LIST OF THEATER TAKE-OVERS (all screens in multiplex playing LITTLE BOY April 23):
Austin – Texas – Moviehouse & Eatery
Boston – Massachusetts – AMC Burlington Cinema 10
Chicago – Illinois – AMC Yorktown 18
Colorado Springs – Colorado – Regal Cinemas Interquest 14
Connecticut – Ridgefield Playhouse
Dallas – Texas – AMC Northpark 15
Houston – Texas – Edwards Houston Marq’E 23
Los Angeles – California – Muvico 14 Thousand Oaks, LA Live
Miami – Florida – Regal South Beach, Regal Oakwood 18, Cinepolis Coconut Grove
Oklahoma City – Oklahoma – Warren Theater
Philadelphia – Pennsylvania – UA Riverview Plaza 17, UA King of Prussia Stadium 16
San Antonio – Texas – Santikos Palladium At The Rim
San Diego – California – AMC Mission Valley 20 (April 22), AMC Otay Ranch, Regal Oceanside, Cinepolis La Costa, Cinepolis Del Mar
OFFICIAL FILM SITE: http://LittleBoyMovie.com
OFFICIAL FACEBOOK: http://Facebook.com/LittleBoyMovie
OFFICIAL TWITTER: http://Twitter.com/LittleBoyFilm
Experience Specialists, Inc. (GES) announced today a partnership with Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products to develop and tour an exhibition based on James Cameron’s Avatar. The state-of-the-art global touring exhibition, which will kick off in the fall of 2016, is inspired by the amazing creatures and environments of the world of Pandora first introduced in the record-breaking film. Fox and GES are developing the interactive attraction in consultation with James Cameron and Jon Landau’s Lightstorm Entertainment.
“This unprecedented global exhibition will create a truly memorable experience for fans,” said Jeffrey Godsick, president of Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products. “Bringing the world of Pandora to life and comparing it to the wonders of our own planet, the AVATAR exhibition will bring together immersive new storytelling and science in a tangible, engaging forum.”
“We have been longtime fans of James Cameron’s visionary work and this is a unique opportunity to showcase AVATAR to fans around the world,” said Eddie Newquist, chief creative officer and executive vice president of GES. “We are thrilled to be able to provide visitors the opportunity to learn more about the wonders of Pandora through this exhibition.”
“The world of AVATAR, made possible by James Cameron’s vision and ingenious technological advancements, fits perfectly with GES’ philosophy of storytelling through art and science,” said Steve Moster, president of GES and president and CEO of Viad. “We couldn’t be more excited to present Cameron’s world of Pandora to film fans, school groups and families around the world.”
“As we expand the AVATAR story world, we look for compelling ways to connect with our current – and future – fans. This exhibition is an ideal way to share new and exciting insights into life on Pandora that we hope will inspire guests during their visit and beyond,” added Kathy Franklin, president of franchise development for Lightstorm Entertainment.
The Avatar exhibition will include immersive, interactive displays that highlight Pandora, the alien world created by James Cameron, putting it in the context of science here on Earth. The exhibition will treat Pandora as a real place that can be studied and visited. The 10,000 square foot experience will allow for a dynamic 45-minute guest engagement offering a wide range of exciting explorations and captivating environments highlighting bioluminescence, connectivity among Pandora’s living things as well as its incredible and diverse flora and fauna. A unique look at the complexity of indigenous peoples and cultures through the lens of the Na’vi, Pandora’s native inhabitants, will be a key component of the exhibition. By showcasing the science and wonder of Pandora, the exhibition will allow guests to better understand the beauty – and fragility – of our own planet Earth.
Highlights of the 10,000-square-foot exhibition include:
GES, producer of blockbuster touring-themed attractions and world-class live events across the globe, will design, produce and tour the Avatar exhibition to multiple global markets to be announced at a later date.
Released in 2009, James Cameron’s Avatar is the highest-grossing film in motion picture history, with a box office gross of nearly $2.8 billion. Mesmerizing all ages across the globe with its otherworldly visuals and groundbreaking special effects, the film quickly became a worldwide phenomenon so popular it will be followed by three sequels, with the first sequel due for release in late 2017. Avatar was named best drama at the Golden Globes and won Academy Awards for cinematography, visual effects and art direction.
Some of us have a some pretty wild dreams. Maybe monsters are chasing us, maybe we fly like superman, or just maybe, we kill someone. What if someone else’s dream affected your life? What if their dream took away your freedom. This is was happened to 19 year old Ryan Ferguson. After a friend has a nightmare about a murder case that happened two years prior, he calls 911 to “confess” and once in custody, puts Ryan at the scene. Director Andrew Jenks, brings us a fascinating new documentary called Dream/Killer. Ryan is convicted of murder and sentenced to 40 years in prison. Let’s be clear, there is zero evidence that Ryan was even in the area at the time. The entire case, if you can call it such a thing, is based upon a coerced confession of another young man with some serious issues. This is the tragic story of how the American judicial system is beyond broken. We’ve seen numerous young men convicted based on socio-economic background or the color of their skin, but it is still very unlikely that a middle-class white man would be in the same boat.
We follow Ryan’s entire journey, with the help of his extraordinary parents, Bill and Leslie. Bill does everything in his power, including tours of the crime scene to anyone and everyone that will walk with him and listen to the evidence, setting up social media pages in support of Ryan, and tracking down one the most renowned lawyers in the country, Kathleen Zellner. Roadblocked at every turn, this documentary is full of twists and turns in the wake of shockingly awful work by The Ferguson’s first lawyer, witnesses fabricating stories, and the dubious practices of District Attorney-turned-Judge Kevin Crane. If there is one criminal in this entire story, it may be the one presently on a bench in Missouri.
Bill Ferguson‘s tireless efforts are rewarded after his son spends 9 1/2 years in prison. Kathleen Zellner is finally able to get Ryan released. Through years of exasperating setbacks, Bill and Leslie keep up Ryan’s spirits and lead his charge to freedom. Dream/Killer is an eye opening film. The scales of justice are definitely waited against the truth and they need to be fixed. Andrew Jenks agrees that the film is emotionally enraging. As an audience member, you walk away shaking your head and fuming. These are both compliments to the story Jenks is is trying to tell. He and The Fergusons have developed a genuine friendship. Jenks calls Ryan “A bit of a Gandhi figure” for his ability to stay so positive throughout this entire ordeal. The Fergusons love for each other is certainly unconditional. Never once did Bill or Leslie question Ryan’s innocence. Jenks says that he doesn’t think this story is over. There is still a murderer on the loose. 
With the popularity of the Serial podcast and HBO‘s The Jinx, there could not be a more timely introduction for Dream/Killer. Jenks also attributes the growing intrigue surrounding documentaries to Netflix. He believes it’s interface and the artistry in docs movie posters are attracting a newer, and perhaps younger audience.
I was fortunate enough to sit down with Ryan and Bill and discuss this film and their extraordinary family. Here is the audio from that interview. *At the very end, you’ll hear my private thoughts as I left the recorder on longer than intended.* I actually ran into Ryan the following day. He remembered me, asked me how I was doing, and we chatted like old friends. Welcome to The Ferguson family. Enjoy.
You can still catch two more screenings of Dream/Killer at the fest.
dream/killer Trailer from Andrew Jenks Entertainment on Vimeo.
To find out more information, you can click the Tribeca Film Festival Guide 2015.
INSIDIOUS: CHAPTER 3 “INTO THE FURTHER 4D EXPERIENCE”
HORROR AND VIRTUAL REALITY IMMERSION COMING TO A CITY NEAR YOU
WITH FREE ADMISSION; HOME VERSION AVAILBLE VIA GOOGLE CARDBOARD
Across the country, fans of the Insidious franchise will get to experience the world of Insidious like never before, as the “Into The Further 4D Experience” physically and virtually thrills them at every step of a horrifying and fully immersive trip unlike any other horror experience. Cutting-edge Oculus Rift (virtual reality) technology is being fused with horror for the first time as part of a mobile tour that is traveling to different cities in the lead-up to the June release of Insidious: Chapter 3. Admission is free, and no purchase is required.
In the specially designed and uniquely intense 4D experience, the haunted house evolves into a place where analog meets digital. “Into The Further 4D” is a scary trip – where the visitor is subject to virtual and physical scares and surprises at any time! The Experience will prime fans for Insidious: Chapter 3, the scariest chapter yet from the popular franchise.
For those who can’t attend one of the tour stops, The Further can haunt fans at home; the virtual reality portion of “Into The Further 4D” will be released as a downloadable application on iOS and Android devices. To access the Experience at home, consumers must use a Google Cardboard virtual reality headset. Headsets will be given away for free through www.facebook.com/insidiousmovie and through select promotional partners.
The Experience will next take hold in Chicago, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas, and New York. Visit http://www.intothefurther.me/ for more information on the live events including exact dates, times, and unique set-up locations; to find out about the Google Cardboard headset giveaways; and to check out fans’ reactions to the scares of the Experience from previous tour stops. Additional Insidious social media hubs are listed below.
Blumhouse Productions’ Insidious: Chapter 3, the newest chapter in the terrifying horror series, opens domestically nationwide on Friday, June 5th, 2015. MPAA-rated “PG-13,” Insidious: Chapter 3 stars Dermot Mulroney, Stefanie Scott, Angus Sampson, Mr. Whannell, and Lin Shaye, with the latter trio reprising their roles from the first two movies in the franchise. Insidious: Chapter 3 is written and directed by Mr. Whannell. This chilling prequel, set before the haunting of the Lambert family, reveals how gifted psychic Elise Rainier (Ms. Shaye) reluctantly agrees to use her ability to contact the dead in order to help a teenage girl (Ms. Scott) who has been targeted by a dangerous supernatural entity.
#Insidious Facebook/Instagram/Twitter: @InsidiousMovie
Music is part of our souls. It can heal, it can hurt, it’s like a sense memory. We’ve lost great artists in their prime like, Leonard Cohen, Kurt Cobain, and Elliot Smith. The impact of their death is felt each time we hear one of their songs. Imagine, for a moment, that your very favorite artist suddenly dies. Now imagine you were married to them. This is the very premise of TUMBLEDOWN. Hannah is the widow of indie folk singer Hunter Miles. She is hounded by gossip seekers on a daily basis. When Hofstra professor and true fan Andrew tries to get in touch with her, she brushes him off… and brushes him off again… and again. Only until realizing that her dream of writing Hunter’s story is one she cannot accomplish on her own, does she let her highly guarded heart open just a crack. Andrew and Hannah strike a deal; Andrew writes a biography on her terms for $50k. With the encouragement of his music industry girlfriend Finley, Andrew drives from NYC to Maine and moves into Hannah’s guest bedroom. He is then exposed to a world a true fan can only dream of, with one massive catch. Hannah will not stop mourning her late husband. Can fan and family see eye to eye. Can trust break down the walls of Hannah’s suffering? Will intellect stifle healing. In a film where it’s head vs heart, who wins?
Rebecca Hall is flawless as Hannah. Witty, independent, strong headed, Hall plays a woman unwilling to move on with her life. Jason Sudeikis as Andrew is unstoppable. Smart, and quippy as ever, this role is something new for Sudeikis. I love this side of him and hope that the industry, and more writers, take note of his innate ability to be funny in a non-slapstick kind of way. These two are an absolute powerhouse as they match wits with one another in each scene. Rounding out an incredible cast is Dianna Agron as Finley. Life after GLEE fame should treat her well if she keeps up such a strong, believable presence on the big screen. Blythe Danner and Richard Masur play Hannah’s parents. Deeply supportive and yet totally realistic, these two are the perfect counter balance to Andrew’s inability to let go of presumption. Finally, Griffin Dunne plays Hannah’s editor and owner of the town beloved book shop. He brings warmth and charm only a small town holds.
The film was 8 years in the making. Writer Desi Van Til thoughtfully crafted this story partly as a personal healing piece for a lost friend. She skillfully captures the heart of New England, the desperation of grief, and the hold that music has on everyone’s heart. For Director Sean Mewshaw, his first feature length film is a total success. It’s shot in such a way that truly shows the quaintness of the area. Finding “Hunter Miles” or singer Damien Jurado was one of his triumphs. He perfectly encapsulates the feel of the character that was created by Desi, Rebecca, Jason, and Sean. Coming in after the film was already in the can, with his music and lyrics, he “created” a musician we’re all discovering for the first time, but feel like we’ve now lost as well. It might also help that Sean and Desi are husband and wife! This team is a real tour de force and without any solid knowledge (only mere mentions) I predict many captivating projects coming down the pipeline from these two.
Grief is something so personal. No matter how big the hit we feel, it still leaves a hole in our hearts and souls. Sometimes music helps. Sometimes it’s a trigger. Either way, the songs live on long after we’re gone. So sing, I say. TUMBLEDOWN is easily in my top three narrative selections to come out the this year’s festival. It is a must see and definitely a must hear.
I was fortunate enough to attend a roundtable interview with Dianna Agron, Jason Sudeikis, Desi Van Til and Sean Mewshaw. We talk issues from the film, insight into the project’s journey, as well as Jason and Dianna’s other releases at the fest. Take a listen to the absolute joy around the table: *You can hear me ask a question about journalistic responsibility and one about Dianna’s similarities to the character of Hannah.* Enjoy the voices of TUMBLEDOWN!
You can still catch a screening of TUMBLEDOWN at the fest this Thursday!! I cannot imagine this film not getting distribution. We will most certainly keep you updated here at RND.
ADD $13.50
Once you find out that a film is based on true events, it tends to enter a different realm. What happens when the usual teenage fair in your new town is one of depression and morbidity? Bridgend captures the imagination and haunts the mind long after you leave the theater. It’s a mysterious and ethereal film, from the locations, to the performances, until the very last scene. Hannah Murray talks about what is was like to be in an area where teens feel so hopeless and trapped that suicide is a logical solution. Passionate about a deadly pact, call it peer pressure or perhaps mob mentality, her character Sara is lured into this strange arena. Can she hold onto herself long enough? That’s the ultimate question. Hannah gives us one of most intriguing performance so far. This is not easy material to tackle, but a real success by director Jeppe Rønde and the entire cast. Take a listen to her thoughts on this unusual phenomenon, what’s it like to be part of one of the biggest shows on television, and what she’s filming right now. For you listening pleasure, we give you a special edition of Girls On Film.
SYNOPSIS: When a police investigator is tasked with investigating a recent string of unexplained tragedies, he arrives in the notorious Welsh county of Bridgend with his daughter Sara (Hannah Murray). Naïve and curious, Sara slowly works her way in with a clique of wild teenagers and discovers what bonds them together so tightly—the ritualistic celebration of their friends’ suicides. Initially frightened by the revelation, her eventual participation in this peculiar observance is cemented when she falls in love with Jamie (Josh O’Connor), another member of the menacing group. The unrelenting darkness that engulfs her peers encroaches on Sara, tainting her relationship with her father and threatening her sanity.
Director Jeppe Rønde‘s debut film is based on a real-life town, which has baffled the world by recording at least 79 suicides since 2007. Darkly lush scenes set in the Welsh countryside are juxtaposed with claustrophobic village twists and turns, creating a sophisticated and gothic depiction of the Bridgend mystery.
You can catch the last screening of BRIDGEND at the festival and read more on the film here: Tribeca Film Festival Guide 2015
Kids are cruel. No matter what socio-economic background they come from, children can be just as vindictive and creative in their torture of one another as grown adults. In Felix Thompson‘s new coming of age narrative KING JACK, we route for one boy in particular. Pushed around by school bullies and antagonized by his older brother, Jack is a typical teenager simply trying to find his place in the world like any other. When Jack’s aunt becomes ill, a cousin moves into the house, displacing any sense of privacy. Given the task of looking after his younger relative only lessens his already weak facade of coolness. Stalked by one serious older bully and his cronies, Jack must come to terms with the cycle of hereditary violence and find out what courage and manhood truly mean.
Felix Thompson‘s does double duty as writer and director. Organically shot and tenderly written, Thompson brings real truth to a script that could have easily been formulaic. Moments of real fear and embarrassment come to life on screen. These are the moments that bring us back to a time that may not have been our favorite but were essential in shaping who we became as adults.
Young lead Charlie Plummer is a phenomenon. One would almost think this was a documentary with a performance so incredibly natural. It’s a gutsy role for an actor his age to take on, and he absolutely nails it. In fact, the entire cast is top notch. Not a single beat is missed. Again, a huge nod to Thompson’s ability to direct a cast mainly comprised of teens. Cory Nichols, as cousin Ben, gives a noteworthy performance. Cute, funny, and honest, I hope we see much more of him in the future.
KING JACK is successful on so many levels. Though, admittedly, at moments it is hard to watch. The film will resonate with anyone who has come home crying, anyone who has been called names, anyone who has felt alone. What makes KING JACK difficult to watch is the very thing that makes it great. I highly recommend you take the entire family to see this feature. Parents: It’s a great insight into what your kids experience with the added complication of technology. Kids: You might just find that Mom and Dad can relate to your life in ways you never thought possible.
You can still catch two more screenings of KING JACK at the festival!!
Stephen Elliott (James Franco) and Neil Elliott (Ed Harris)Anna Kooris
Liz: Just saw the movie and I really liked it. How did you happen upon Stephen’s novel?
Pamela: Well, there are two parts to this story. I first happened upon it because I live near a really great independent bookstore called “Word” in Greenpoint. I saw it in the window and that is often how I buy books, ” What does Word have?” So I just read it as a casual reader and loved it, thought about it a lot, it really stayed with me. It’s the kind of story that takes a lot of processing. Then separately from that, James Franco and I went to grad school together and are good friends and we hadn’t worked together yet. Then I had the opportunity to make the short with him for The Color of Time. We had a great creative connection and a great time working together. James approached me with The Adderall Diaries. I actually just found out yesterday that it was the first book he optioned.
L: He is such a fan of page to screen, all of which so far have been really successful. It’s such a bold move because it can go so wrong.
P: He picks Difficult books.
L: He really does.
P: It was a really great moment of synchronicity. He wanted to help me make my first feature and with a book we both loved.
L: I think his performance was one of his best and so clearly has a lot to do with your relationship. You had such a great cast full of talent. Ed Harris, what a juicy role for him. I also really enjoyed the juxtaposition of memories talk to me about the editing choices.
P: I developed the visual style with my DP who was also a collaborator from grad school. I met a lot of my people there. Bruce also shot my piece for The Color of Time so we had already talked about how to approach memories cinematically. We used steady cam alot because it felt organic. This is a character who is always in motion, and practically it allowed us to shoot quickly, to be intuitive, to find shots within the scene as we went. And the use of slow motion… you know memory is such a hard thing to describe to someone else but to me, the things that you tend to recall over and over are these small moments and details so it almost like you’re seeing it in slow motion.
L: it is incredibly effective. It is so aesthetically beautiful.
Did you guys have a lot of rehearsal time? Everything feels really organic. Yet there are some truly physically demand scenes.
P: I think as is often in indie film, but I had the advantage of knowing a lot of these actors and Ed, I met at the Sundance Directors Lab.
L: Had he been cast already or did he just come in and read for you?
P: No, he was my advisor at the lab. Coincidentally he was also the person I wrote this role for! His photo was on my writing board the whole time but I never actually thought I was going to get a chance to meet him. So when we were at Sundance, low and behold Ed Harris walks in and I was like ” Oh my God, Ed Harris is here!” It just happened that he was there, it just happened that he was my advisor, and it just happened to be the week I was shooting my father/son scene. So when he was leaving I had to tell him, “You know, thank you so much for helping me and so I wrote this role for you and I don’t know if you’d ever think about doing it but I am gonna keep asking you forever.” And truthfully I didn’t have a back-up plan, I didn’t see anyone else playing this role. It took me 9 months to talk him into it. So I had a lot of time to talk it over with him. It was the same with all the other actors. Rehearsal is really important so right before we would shoot each scene I would kick everyone out and we would run the scene through.
L: As soon as I walked out of the theater I said, “I have to buy this book now. I am completely intrigued. I have to read it.” It has so many relevant issues that even if you’ve never experienced them personally, you would gravitate towards this story. We all have our own way to interpret what our memories are. And I think the older you get and the longer you live with your interpretation, that becomes your truth. It was beautiful to see that on screen. Thank you so much for talking with me.
P: Thank You! Enjoy the rest of your fest!
L: You too! I look forward to talking to you for whatever comes next.
THE ADDERALL DIARIES ticket and showtime information can be found here in the Tribeca Film Festival Guide 2015.
Release Year: 2015
Runtime: 87 minutes
Directed By: Pamela Romanowsky
Country: USA
COME DOWN MOLLY– Narrative, Drama, Comedy
While I have never done mushrooms, myself, I do know a few people who have. I’ve heard it all. “I was chased by giants bugs!”, “I felt one with nature.”, “It’s totally backed by science now.” While the plot of Come Down Molly does revolve around a new mom taking a much deserved break to munch on some serious vegetation, honestly, the film isn’t really about drugs at all. It is is completely about identity. Oftentimes, new moms aren’t given a voice of their own. Feeling pressured by society to be perfect and to adore every single minuscule moment of their child’s life, they are merely human beings. Every mother needs time to herself to maintain a sense of sanity and a sense of self. Molly takes the day to reconnect with her key group of male childhood friends. Just before venturing out into the vast wilderness of The Rocky Mountains, the group partakes in some recreational mushroom delicacies. Most of the movie is spent wandering the open fields and streams laughing and reminiscing.
The dialogue feels super natural most likely due to the casting choices of Writer/Director Gregory Kohn. Molly’s friends consist of Greg’s closest actor buddies. The seemingly improvised, hilariously witty repartee is key in convincing the audience to go along with a documentary style narrative. Eléonore Hendricks‘ performance is beautiful and down to earth. She has an easy likability about her. Surrounded by the gentleman in the cast, sparks fly. The setting itself, is glorious. The quiet moments are some of the most prolific. Regardless of life experience, this film gives a solid voice to everyone struggling to maintain a sense of who they are and where they thought they’d be by now. Come Down Molly is a cinematic dream.
Directed by: Gregory Kohn
In this expressionist odyssey exploring the lonely side of entering adulthood, struggling new mother Molly (Eléonore Hendricks) joins her old high school group of guy friends at a secluded mountain home. Amidst tears, laughter, and mushrooms, they connect with nature, one another, and themselves.
Find out more about Come Down Molly at Tribeca Film Festival Guide 2015
Aziz testing a young student on his “studies”.
AMONG THE BELIEVERS– Documentary
9/11 turned the world on it’s head. What we think we know about religion has been bundled into talking points by one side of the coin. Captured by fear and ignorance we label quickly but never rush to understand. Among the Believers is a riveting documentary that takes the audience inside the infamous Red Mosques and into the mind of Abdul Aziz Ghazi, ISIS supporter, Taliban ally, and teacher of the jihadist movement to children all over Pakistan. Acting a s “dean” Aziz takes children from poor Pakistani families under the guise that he will house, clothe and educate their children for them. What’s really going on is the indoctrination of oftentimes infantile members of a society that doesn’t know any better. These children “study” the Quran from sunrise until 9pm everyday. Not until they are deemed worthy do they even understand the verses they are forced to memorize and chant incessantly. Religion does funny things to people and, no matter which religion, extremists are out there.
Young girls have few choices in Pakistan. If she is not educated, she is often married off.
This documentary is beautifully balanced with open minded Muslims living in the surrounding neighborhoods of the madrassah (Islamic seminaries) locations. Advocates like Dr. Pervez Hoodbhoy, speak out in public platforms, such as mass media outlets and lectures. The majority of Pakistan’s population is vehemently against the imposition of Sharia law throughout the country. The question continues to be; How do you fight religion? 
As an audience member you will endure a visceral reaction to the ideas onscreen. You will feel a passionate push back in one way or another. Among The Believers is sometimes difficult to watch, but I understand that it is a rather important film.
To Learn More About Screenings of Among The Believers, visit
Tribeca Film Festival Guide 2015
Directed By: Hemal Trivedi and Mohammed Ali Naqvi
An unsettling and eye opening exploration into the spread of the radical Islamic school Red Mosque, which trains legions of children to devote their lives to jihad, or holy war, from a very young age. With incredible access and chilling footage, Among the Believers is a timely and relevant look into the causes that have led to the growth of radical Islam in Pakistan and around the world.
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