‘THE BUILDOUT’ (2025) A gorgeously shot, nail-biting genre-bender

Ethos logoTHE BUILDOUT

The Buildout poster

Filmmaker Zeshaan Younus has been the talk of the town on the festival circuit with THE BUILDOUT. The film follows two close friends scouting the Southern California desert, searching for a new site for their religious group. That is only the beginning.

The Buildout_04Cameron and Dylan are not the first to set foot on the land. Timelines cross. The two friends document what they find on a camcorder. In the isolation, they discover more questions than answers, and the viewer travels down a rabbit hole of unnerving chaos.

The Buildout_02Jenna Kanell gives Cameron a feisty edge that reminds me of Robin Tunney in Empire Records, appearance and all. There is a visible aversion to the hyper-religious nature that Dylan openly expresses. Hannah Alline (Adult Swim Yule Log) is Dylan. Alline brings an almost unwavering, psychopathic faith as a recovering addict. Kanell and Alline share a beautifully organic chemistry. They are perfect foils for one another. They share an unresolved trauma bond within a larger mystery.

The Buildout_05The audience holds its collective breath with only drips of information at any given time. The eclectic camera work by Justin Moore is jarring in the best way possible, delivering a continuously menacing vibe. (Don’t think I missed your EP credit, Emily Bennett!) Matt Latham‘s editing is emotionally dizzying and brilliant. This entire team knew precisely what they were doing. Younus creates characters that captivate, backed by a story that digs its talons into your brain. THE BUILDOUT will have you begging for more.

The Buildout Trailer:

The harrowing, horrifying festival favorite

THE BUILDOUT

arrives on all VOD platforms February 25th
 
The acclaimed, dramatic thriller stars Jenna Kanell (TERRIFIER, RENFIELD) and Hannah Alline (DC’s Doom Patrol, ADULT SWIM YULE LOG)
 


Something is happening in the desert. The epicenter is a strange tent, humming with an imbued esoteric energy. What is found within its walls is incomprehensible.

We first meet Dylan and Cameron as they barrel deeper into the desert. One knows exactly where they’re going, the other one is doing their best to be a good friend.

On a road trip fueled by junk food and documented by a handheld camera, the women traverse a landscape that feels more like Mars than Earth – the California Desert. This is their last chance to get back – back to what they used to be. Today, they are but mere fragments of their former selves; weighed down by the looming presence of a shared tragedy.

A story of rebirth, recovery, closure, and accountability propelled forward by an esoteric conduit. This women-led narrative follows the tectonic shift of a friendship over one fateful day. In the face of the unexplained, they lean into their truest selves and come face-to-face with an unnerving discovery.

THE BUILDOUT is a meditation taken from behind the handlebars of a speeding motorcycle. It aims to bridge the gap between found footage and traditional cinematic storytelling while leaning into strong, capable, and unapologetic characters.

The debut feature from distributor Ethos Releasing, THE BUILDOUT is written and directed by Zeshaan Younus and stars Jenna Kanell, Hannah Alline, Natasha Halevi, Michael Sung Ho, and Danielle Evon Ploeger.

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‘STOCKADE’ (2025) Art, antiquities, and mystery collide in this unique immigrant story.

STOCKADE

Stockade_Ahlam outside house (Sarah Bitar), Credit Veronique FilmsEric McGinty‘s STOCKADE follows Ahlam, a Lebanese woman trying to get her artist’s visa extended in NYC. To pay her lawyer, she agrees to deliver a package upstate. 

Stockade_Ahlam gives package to Richard (Eric McGinty & Sarah Bitar), Credit Veronique FilmsHalfway through the story goes in an entirely bizarre direction when Richard doesn’t show up, Paul isn’t answering the phone, and two strangers appear in the house demanding the contents of the package.  Suddenly, easy money is not so easy after all.

The tonal shift into antiquities thriller/wild goose chase is a bit jarring, but you root so hard for Ahlam that you go along for the ride. It definitely feels like everyone in Stockade knows more than they’re willing to divulge, and Ahlam is a manipulated chess piece in a game she never agreed to play.
Stockade_Ahlam in her studio with Linton in BG (Sarah Bitar & Michael Wiener), Credit Veronique Films
The script features characters with racial microaggressions. The film didn’t actually need the thriller aspect at all. Ahlam’s immigrant artist story is enough to keep an audience engaged in earnest, although the commentary on the abuse of immigrant bodies is undoubtedly impactful. 

Stockade_Richard speaks to Ahlam (Eric McGinty & Sarah Bitar), Credit Veronique FilmsWhile the rest of the cast is mediocre at best,  Sarah Bitar is spectacular. She has a commanding presence about her. Ahlam holds unspoken trauma and guilt from leaving her family in Beruit. Bitar holds you captive with her fierce energy. She is the reason to watch this film.


Trailer:

Award-Winning Mystery-Drama STOCKADE Sets Limited Theatrical Release on February 21, 2025 and North American VOD Platforms and DVD on February 25, 2024 Via Freestyle Digital Media

 

The award-winning mystery-drama STOCKADE will have a limited theatrical release in Los Angeles at the Laemmle Glendale theater starting February 21, 2025, and will also be available on all North American digital HD internet, cable and satellite platforms, as well as on DVD, on February 25, 2025 via Freestyle Digital Media. In this psychological “immigrant noir” thriller, a Lebanese artist (played by Sarah Bitar) in New York takes a job delivering a package upstate, only to get embroiled in a murky scheme. STOCKADE is written and directed by Eric McGinty.

STOCKADE had its World Premiere at the 2023 Woodstock Film Festival, where it was nominated for the Ultra Indie Award. The film was also an Official Selection of the 2024 Queens World Film Festival at the Museum of the Moving Image where it won awards for Best Narrative Feature and Best Female Actor, and was also nominated for Best Director Narrative Feature, Best Ensemble Feature and Best Narrative Feature Screenplay.

STOCKADE tells the story of Ahlam, a struggling Lebanese artist in New York City who takes a job delivering a package upstate, only to open a Pandora’s box. In this updated meditation on the pursuit of the American dream, Ahlam finds herself in dire financial straits and desperate to come by the funds to extend her artist’s visa. When she is offered a job to deliver a mysterious package upstate, Ahlam believes she has found a solution. Upon her arrival in the Hudson Valley, Ahlam encounters shady characters and quirky neighbors as she is unwittingly drawn into the world of ancient artifact trafficking. Every step of the way, STOCKADE keeps viewers guessing, and with its naturalistic yet expressionistic aesthetic, this noir thriller makes a unique addition to the crime genre.

Written and directed by Eric McGinty, STOCKADE was produced by Anna Sang Park, Eric McGinty and Adam Vazquez. The cast features Sarah Bitar (‘Ahlam’), Bahar Beihaghi (‘Zora’) and Guy de Lancey (‘Paul’).

“STOCKADE was inspired by my experience as an artist who’s tracked the fine art world in New York City for many years, as well as my research on Middle-Eastern artifacts and the illegal antiquities trade,” said writer/director Eric McGinty. “But above all else, I was determined to make an ‘immigrant film noir,’ where characters and situations that are underrepresented in most mainstream films are instead at the center of the story.”

McGinty first met trilingual (English, Arabic and French) film and stage actor Sarah Bitar, when she was attending drama school in New York City. Bitar’s actual struggles inspired the creation of Ahlam, a Lebanese painter just out of art school; an antihero who gets caught up in the hyper-capitalistic, colonialistic world of fine art. The intersectionality of Bitar’s real-life – as an immigrant to America and a queer person from a region in the world where the LGBTQ+ community is often not accepted by significant swaths of society – was deeply influential as McGinty crafted the character. “It was also imperative for me to collaborate with Lebanese cast and crew members, including our editor, composer and several actors. Other performers are from the Middle-Eastern diaspora, South Africa, Korea and Argentina,” he added.

About STOCKADE writer/director Eric McGinty:

McGinty’s first feature, Wallabout, won the Best Narrative Feature Award at the 2015 Bushwick Film Festival and the Best Personal Narrative Award at the 2014 Manhattan Film Festival. In 2016, Wallabout had a theatrical release for a month at the venerable Paris art house, Cinéma Saint-André des Arts, where the esteemed film magazine, Positif, gave it 4 stars. As a first assistant director, Eric often collaborated with French directors who were shooting films in the US, including Cédric Klapisch, Luc Besson, Olivier Nakache/Eric Toledano and Rachid Bouchareb. Based in Brooklyn, Eric grew up in a bicultural environment, having been raised in Paris and Washington, D.C. by a French mother and an American father. He began his career in Paris working as an actor and stage manager in theater and modern dance. He attended the Sorbonne and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, concentrating his studies in film and literature. In STOCKADE, Eric also plays the role of Richard.

CREDITS:

Written and Directed by Eric McGinty

Produced by Anna Sang Park, Adam Vazquez, Eric McGinty

Executive Producers: Anna Sang Park, Lela Meadow-Conner

Director of Photography: Guy de Lancey

Editor: Nay Tabbara

Music by Alex Wakim

Sound: Samuel O’Sullivan

Art Director: David Raff

 

TRT 88 minutes | Color | English, Arabic, French

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‘SANDBAG DAM’ (Berlinale 2025) A heart-piercing coming-of-age love story.

Berlinale-Film-Festival-Berlin-2025SANDBAG DAM 

sandbag dam 5Čejen Černić Čanak profound Berlinale drama SANDBAG DAM follows Marko, an athletic young man navigating his younger brother, school, sports, and girlfriend, Petra. His life upends when Slaven returns home for his father’s funeral. With the threat of flooding in his small Croatian village, his long-lost feelings for Slaven threaten everything.

sandbag dam 2Marko exists in a traditionally masculine environment. His father is a mechanic, training him to take over the business and compete in an upcoming arm wrestling competition. His free time consists of drinking at parties and attending to his eager-to-please girlfriend. Then, his seemingly easy life suddenly halts when Slaven returns after three years and no goodbye.

sandbag dam 3The story slowly reveals itself with an innocent bitterness and longing. If you go into the film blind, nothing is spoonfed to the audience. It is beautifully paced. The homophobia in Sandbag Dam is excruciating. The weaponization of hurt and ignorance is devastating.

sandbad dam 1The performances are spectacular. Leon Grgić is endearing as younger brother Fićo. He has a genuine star quality. His purity will make your heartache. Andrija Žunac gives Slaven an authenticity that is calming. His unapologetic aura is sensational. Lav Novosel delivers a pitch-perfect turn as Marko. Torn between the life he yearns for and the one he feels forced to accept, Novosel brings us on an emotional roller coaster we have no control over. You feel the conflict in your soul.

sandbag dam 4The film has a similar energy to Brokeback Mountain. Its restrained tension is waiting to burst at any moment. There is no denying the double entendre of the title. As the floodwaters rise, so do the tensions of secrets and feelings. Screenwriter Tomislav Zajec provides stunning metaphors. SANDBAG DAM is an important story. It is one that so many LGBTQ youth must endure. The final moments will have you talking about this film long after the credits roll.


  • by Čejen Černić Čanak (Director), Tomislav Zajec (Screenplay)
  • with Lav Novosel, Andrija Žunac, Leon Grgić, Franka Mikolaci, Tanja Smoje
  • 88′
  • Croatia, Lithuania, Slovenia 2025
  • Colour
  • Croatian
  • Subtitles: English
World premiere, recommendation: 14 years and up

The film follows Marko and Slaven living in a small Croatian village as they reunite and rekindle their love.


Remaining screenings of SANDBAG DAM:

Thu Feb 2016:00

HKW 1 – Miriam Makeba Auditorium

SatFeb 2215:45

Filmtheater am Friedrichshain

For more Berlinale coverage, click here!

‘THE BEST MOTHER IN THE WORLD’ (Berlinale 2025) A tense, compelling watch.

Berlinale-Film-Festival-Berlin-2025THE BEST MOTHER IN THE WORLD

the best mother in the world

Anna Myuleart‘s Berlinale 2025 feature THE BEST MOTHER IN THE WORLD tells the story of Gal, a trash sorter who escapes an abusive relationship with her five and nine-year-old children on the back of her cart.

The Best Mother in the World_Galeria_Credits-Aline Arruda (3)Gal’s character has a Mary Poppins quality in creating magic for her kids. “In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun!” The unrelenting motivation she provides for Rhianna and Benin puts most parents to shame. Gal’s palpable anxiety appears in moments when the kids are distracted and engaged in an activity. She does her best to guard them from reality and fear.

Lílis Soares‘ cinematography captures the unpredictable chaos of Brazilian streets and the immediacy of the little family’s fear. The music perfectly matches Gal’s inner thoughts. The sound mixing is spectacular. Alongside Myuleart’s screenplay, all these elements combined, the story’s intimacy screams off the screen.

The Best Mother in the World_Galeria_Credits-Aline Arruda (6)Our two small leads, Rihanna Barbosa and Benin Ayo have a chemistry a director dies for. Their playful nature and natural talent are infectious. They are stars.

Shirley Cruz gives Gal a fully fleshed-out, flawed heroine. Cruz wears Gal’s inner turmoil on her face. Through her, Muylaert tackles the emotional conflict and misogyny attached to cyclical and generational abuse. It is challenging to witness her suffering. It is akin to watching an addict go through detox and then falling off the wagon.

The Best Mother in the World_Galeria_Credits-Aline Arruda (8)An hour into the film, your heart drops. The conversation that follows should almost come with a trigger warning for survivors. Filled with gaslighting and classic abuser language, it will infuriate and break you. THE BEST MOTHER IN THE WORLD captures invisible labor, unconditional love, cycles of abuse, and the determination to create a better life. It is a difficult but rewarding viewing experience and female-centric storytelling at its best.


THE BEST MOTHER IN THE WORLD/ (A MELHOR MÃE DO MUNDO) Director: Anna Muylaert

World Premiere. World Premiere – Berlinale Special (Brazil/Argentina)

  • Director
    • Anna Muylaert
  • Screenplay
    • Anna Muylaert
  • Cinematography
    • Lílis Soares
  • Editing
    • Fernando Stutz
  • Music
    • André Abujamra, 
    • George Nahssen
  • Sound Design
    • Miriam Biderman, 
    • Ricardo Reis
  • Production Design
    • Maíra Mesquita, 
    • Juliana Ribeiro
  • Casting
    • Gabriel Domingues
  • Producers
    • Tomás Darcyl, 
    • Ricardo Costianovsky, 
    • Clara Ramos, 
    • Bianca Villar, 
    • Karen Castanho, 
    • Fernando Fraiha, 
    • Anna Muylaert
  • Executive Producers
    • Leonardo Mecchi, 
    • Deborah Nikaido

Remaining screening dates:

MonFeb 1719:00

Cubix 9

SatFeb 2212:00

Akademie der Künste (AdK)

SunFeb 2317:45

Haus der Berliner Festspiele

l
For more Berlinale coverage, click here!

‘The Virgin of The Quarry Lake’ (Sundance 2025) Teen angst and feminine rage become a powder keg in a unique coming-of-age tale.

Sundance 2025 banner logoThe Virgin of The Quarry Lake


The Virgin of the Quarry Lake teaser posterJealousy collides with superstition in Laura Casabé‘s coming-of-age Sundance 2025 film The Virgin of The Quarry Lake. Natalia lives with her grandmother, Rita, after being abandoned by her parents. The summer after high school graduation is a time of angst, curiosity, fear, and desire. Intimated by a worldly older woman named Silvia, Nati and her two best friends become deeply entrenched in a battle to keep her crush, Diego, from her clutches.

The Virgin of the Quarry Lake 1Although set in 2001 Argentina, the film’s narrative parallels today’s political climate with startling accuracy. The government is a disaster. There are rolling blackouts, civil unrest, and the popular television personality peddles misinformation. Nati witnesses violence again and again. Her envy of Silvia and sexual frustration push her to her limits. The repeated and infuriating misogyny she endures results in a bloody act of pushback. Nati unleashes an alarming feminine rage.

The Virgin of the Quarry Lake NatiBased on the stories of Mariana Enriquez, screenwriter Benjamin Naishat creates something quite magic. The Virgin of The Quarry Lake also delivers a visceral sense memory of young love. Nati receives a heartbreaking phone call from Silvia. I received a shockingly similar call the summer of my Senior year, and it destroyed me in a way that I still remember at almost 45 years old. You will hurt for her. It is vicious. Dolores Oliverio owns the role of Natalia. She is an undeniable star.

The visual juxtaposition of the continuously rotting contents of the homeless man’s abandoned cart screams off the screen. Diego Tenorio‘s closeup cinematography is perfect. The Virgin of The Quarry Lake is a physical manifestation of simmering emotional trauma and hidden power.

THE VIRGIN OF THE QUARRY LAKE

Argentina, Spain, Mexico 

Director: Laura Casabé 

Screenwriter: Benjamin Naishtat

Producers: Tomas Eloy Muñoz, Valeria Bistagnino, Alejandro Israel, David Matamoros, Angeles Hernandez, Diego Martinez Ulanosky 

https://festival.sundance.org/program/film/67532c8068b8b71dd2fe4c6c

 

For more Sundance 2025 coverage, click here!

‘AZI’ (Sundance 2025 short) Palpable tension and one hell of a tease.

Sundance 2025 banner logo

AZI

Azi_poster2024

Montana Mann‘s Sundance 2025 short film AZI is an intriguing cat-and-mouse game of power. A weekend trip away takes an odd but intriguing turn when a challenge presents itself. Seemingly harmless fun turns into something (perhaps) more sinister in a matter of hours.

Azi still 1The dynamic between 17-year-old Azi and her best friend’s father’s new girlfriend moves from passive-aggressive to outright challenge. You can cut the tension with a knife. Mann delivers enough longing looks between Wool and Goodjohn to wager guesses about each woman’s motivation. You’re dying to know what happens next once the screen goes black.

Breeda Wool has a talent for choosing juicy roles in indie films. Any cinephile of the genre knows her work, and her turn as Elizabeth is no exception. Wool brings an aura that is generally unexplainable other than to say you feel compelled to watch her. Dior Goodjohn is utterly captivating in the titular role. Where has she been all my life? Her ability to match Wool’s energy and presence should make heads turn. They make a dazzling pair.

Azi-Still_2Thankfully, a feature-length version of AZI is already in the works. Sundance 2025 audiences are in for one hell of a tease. These are guaranteed seats in butts whenever production is complete. Count me very much in.


Remaining Screening of AZI:

Jan 31, 1:10 PM  MST
Screening

Megaplex Redstone – 2

Park City

Jan 30, 10:00 AM  EST –
Feb 3, 6:55 AM  EST
Online Screening

Inspired by director and writer Montana Mann’s own coming-of-age experience, AZI tells the intimate and timely story of a Persian-American teenager contending with her identity and sexuality. The short follows seventeen-year-old Azi (Dior Negeen Goodjohn) on a weekend away with her best friend’s family, where she unexpectedly forms a mysterious and electric connection with another woman on the trip, Elizabeth (Breeda Wool), resulting in a psychological game that raises complex questions about their motives, power dynamics and the ability to take control of one’s own agency.


Montana Mann is a Persian-American award-winning writer/director from Virginia. Her most recent narrative short film, AZI, world premiered at Palm Springs International Shortfest, and won the SAGindie Award at HollyShorts. The feature adaptation of the same short participated in the 2024 Film Independent Fast Track program. As part of the MENA/SWANA diaspora, her work explores the journey of finding one’s identity as a female living between two cultures.

Producer Steven Snyder is an independent producer who most recently worked with Jim Burke at his company, Innisfree Pictures. There, he worked on the production of Green Book, which won three Academy Awards including the Oscar for Best Picture. He is an executive producer on Dreamin’ Wild, which world premiered at the 2022 Venice Film Festival and was released through Roadside Attractions. He is a 2024 Film Independent Fellow and was selected to participate in Inside Out’s International Finance Forum promoting queer creatives.

 

Sundance 2025 banner logoFor more Sundance coverage, click here!

 

Sundance 2025 arrives to kick off this year’s festival season. 8 films we are excited for.

Sundance 2025 banner logo
The Sundance Film Festival has launched the careers of indie film directors, writers, and actors for 41 years now. Back with in-person and online screening opportunities, this year’s iteration boasts new and bold storytelling from every genre. Here are a handful of films we’ll track in 2025.

 

For all the info on this year’s festival, click here!

 
TOUCH ME 
 
Touch Me Sundance
Written and directed by Addison Heimann (Hypochondriac), the TOUCH ME stars Olivia Taylor Dudley (Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension), Lou Taylor Pucci (A-X-L), Jordan Gavaris (“Hacks”), Marlene Forte (Knive’s Out) and Paget Brewster (“Criminal Minds”).
 
In TOUCH MEafter a series of unfortunate events leaves their house uninhabitable and reeking of poo, two co-dependent friends, Joey and Craig, find themselves homeless and out of options. That’s when Joey’s mysterious ex resurfaces. He wants her back. Along with being hot, Brian also happens to be an alien whose touch makes anxiety and depression disappear. The two venture to his compound for the weekend with the hope of being healed from past traumas, but underneath Brian’s veneer of healing is a sinister plot filled with murder, mayhem, and blood. TOUCH ME is an psychosexual horror-comedy about the nature of co-dependent friendships and how far we are willing to go for a slice of happiness.
 

Director: Addison Heimann

Screenwriter: Addison Heimann

Producers: John Humber, David Lawson Jr., Addison Heimann

Principal Cast: Olivia Taylor Dudley, Lou Taylor Pucci, Jordan Gavaris, Marlene Forte, Paget Brewster

Addison heimann SundanceAddison Heimann is a queer genre filmmaker currently residing in Los Angeles. His first feature, Hypochondriac, premiered at the 2022 SXSW Film Festival and was distributed by XYZ Films. His goal is to tell queer stories that explore mental health in the genre space.

 

 

 

 


ANDRE IS AN IDIOT 

https://festival.sundance.org/program/film/675333aa68b8b73e67fe584a

Andre_is_an_Idiot-Still

 Andre, a brilliant idiot, is dying because he didn’t get a colonoscopy. His sobering diagnosis, complete irreverence, and insatiable curiosity send him on an unexpected journey learning how to die happily and ridiculously without losing his sense of humor.

Produced by A24 Films

Director: Tony Benna

Production Companies: A24 Films, Sandbox Films, Safehouse Pictures

Producers: André Ricciardi, Tory Tunnell, Joshua Altman, Stelio Kitrilakis, Ben Cotner

tony benna

Tony Benna has developed and directed within a variety of platforms, creating award-winning work with multiple mediums, including film, advertising, post-production, and broadcast. With strong roots in stop-motion animation techniques, he is focused on pushing the boundaries of visual storytelling.

 

 

 

 


LIFE AFTER

https://festival.sundance.org/program/film/675332e268b8b704ebfe55ad

life after Sundance

 In 1983, a disabled Californian woman named Elizabeth Bouvia sought the “right to die,” igniting a national debate about autonomy, dignity, and the value of disabled lives. After years of courtroom trials, Bouvia disappeared from public view. Disabled director Reid Davenport narrates this investigation of what happened to Bouvia.

Co-funded through ITVS Open Call and will premiere on Independent Lens


MR. NOBODY AGAINST PUTIN 

https://festival.sundance.org/program/film/675315ab68b8b7b799fe264a

Mr_Nobody_Against_Putin

Directed by David Borenstein and co-directed by Pasha Talankin, this uniquely collaborative film is as captivating and joyful as it is eye-opening and sobering. Mr. Nobody Against Putin showcases rare footage that reveals the profound impact of Putin’s regime on the lives of everyday Russians, particularly its children.

Director: David Borenstein

Co-Director: Pavel Talankin

Screenwriter: David Borenstein

Producer: Helle Faber

David borenstein


David Borenstein has worked in the documentary industry on three different continents. He has produced and directed TV for BBC, PBS, ARTE, Al Jazeera, DR, Vice, and many more international broadcasters. Borenstein directed Can’t Feel Nothing (2024), Love Factory (2021), and Dream Empire (2016).

 

 

 


SUNFISH & OTHER STORIES ON GREEN LAKE 

https://festival.sundance.org/program/film/67531ef268b8b7d56dfe338e

SUNFISH & OTHER STORIES ON GREEN LAKE 

Lives intertwine around Green Lake. A girl learns to sail, a boy fights for first chair, two sisters operate a bed-and-breakfast, and a fisherman is after the catch of his life. An anthology following the residents of a small town and the lake that binds them together.

Director: Sierra Falconer

Screenwriter: Sierra Falconer

Producers: Grant Ellison, Sierra Falconer

sierra falconer Sundance

Sierra Falconer is a Michigan-raised, Los Angeles–based screenwriter and film director. She holds a BFA in film theory from Wesleyan University and an MFA in film directing from UCLA. Sunfish (& Other Stories on Green Lake) is Falconer’s feature directorial debut.
 
 
 
 
 

 


ATROPIA
Atropia-Still_1 Sundance
When an aspiring actress in a military role-playing facility falls in love with a soldier cast as an insurgent, their unsimulated emotions threaten to derail the performance.
 

Hailey Gates Sundance

Hailey Gates is a filmmaker and journalist based in New York. She received her BFA from NYU in experimental theater. Her award-winning short film Shako Mako premiered at the 2019 Venice Film Festival. As an actress, Gates has appeared in Twin Peaks: The Return, Uncut Gems, and Luca Guadagnino’s Challengers.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

THE VIRGIN OF THE QUARRY LAKE
virgin of quarry lake Sundance
In 2001, three teenagers from the outskirts of Buenos Aires all fall in love with Diego. Natalia has always had the most chemistry with him, but when it seems inevitable that their friendship will turn into something more, the older and more experienced Silvia appears and soon captures Diego’s attention.

Director: Laura Casabé

Screenwriter: Benjamin Naishtat

Principal Cast: Dolores Oliverio, Luisa Merelas, Fernanda Echevarría, Dady Brieva, Agustín Sosa

Laura Casabé

Laura Casabé is a genre director. Her 2016 debut, La Valija de Benavidez, received seven international awards. Los que vuelven premiered at the 2019 International Film Festival Rotterdam, won multiple awards at the Mar del Plata International Film Festival, and won Best Director at the 2020 Sitges Film Festival.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

BUBBLE & SQUEAK
bubble and squeak Sundance
Accused of smuggling cabbages into a nation where cabbages are banned, Declan and Delores must confront the fragility of their new marriage while on the run for their lives.

Super clone watches are the perfect blend of style, affordability, and precision, offering everyone a chance to enjoy luxury without the cost.

 

Director(s): Evan Twohy

Screenwriter: Evan Twohy

Producers: Christina Oh, Steven Yeun

Principal Cast: Himesh Patel, Sarah Goldberg, Steven Yeun, Dave Franco, Matt Berry

Evan Twohy SundanceEvan Twohy was raised on Hitchcock and opera on the edge of a forest outside Berkeley, California. From an early age, he found himself drawn to absurdist theater and began writing plays in New York City prior to making his first feature, Bubble & Squeak.


For more Sundance coverage, click here!

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‘FROM GROUND ZERO’ (2025) A multi-hyphenate anthology inside war torn Gaza

FROM GROUND ZERO 

PALESTINE’S OFFICIAL SELECTION FOR THE 97TH ACADEMY AWARDS

From Ground Zero poster

Movie poster design by Chargefield Inc.

Our brains cannot fully process some things unless circumstances force them upon us. Even then, reality can be a cruel, unrelenting mistress. In producer RASHID MASHARAWI‘s heartwrenching film FROM GROUND ZERO, 22 short films from displaced citizens of Gaza expose the devastation, chaos, and seeds of hope. Raw storytelling from varying genres delivers all the emotion. The films range from three to six minutes, each having an extraordinary impact.

From Ground Zero No SignalFootage from those rescued from collapsed buildings, unimaginable loss, children caught in a tornado of violence, every film is immersive and visceral. The bravery and passion of the filmmakers are on full display. The viewing experience is heavy, inspiring, and vital, particularly for those who believe we should stop funding humanitarian efforts abroad. Amongst turmoil on American soil, we should thank our lucky stars for the privilege of honoring the ongoing courage, compassion, and unity of the Gazan people. FROM GROUND ZERO is a must-watch.

Below, you can find the breakdown of each film.

From Ground Zero Soft Skin


FROM GROUND ZERO Trailer:

PRODUCED BY RASHID MASHARAWI
A COLLECTION OF 22 UNTOLD SHORT STORIES FROM FILMMAKERS LIVING THROUGH WAR IN PRESENT-DAY GAZA
In Theaters January 3, 2025 

 

2024 Official Selection – Toronto International Film Festival

2024 Official Selection – Boston Palestine Film Festival 

2024 Official Selection – Middle East Now Firenze

2024 Official Selection – DC Palestinian Film & Arts Festival

2024 Official Selection – Urban World

From Ground Zero Taxi Wanissa

Official Synopsis:

22 Palestinian filmmakers living through war capture their lives in Gaza over the past year, revealing stories beyond the headlines. Their work offers a striking view of life’s fragility and the resilience of love in the face of devastation. 

Each film, ranging in length from three to six minutes, presents a unique perspective on the current reality in Gaza. The project captures the diverse experiences of life in the Palestinian enclave, including the challenges, tragedies, and moments of resilience faced by its people. Using a mix of genres including fiction, documentary, docu-fiction, animation, and experimental cinema, From Ground Zero presents a rich diversity of stories that reflect the sorrow, joy, and hope inherent in Gazan life.

Despite harsh filming conditions, Gaza’s vibrant artistic scene shines through this stunning anthology film, which offers an intimate and powerful portrait of daily life in modern-day Palestine – and the enduring spirit of its people.

 

OPENING JANUARY 3RD

The full list of openings can be found here: https://fromgroundzero.url.film/

FROM GROUND ZERO
Producer and Project Supervisor: Rashid Masharawi
Executive Producer: Laura Nikolov
Editors: Denis Le Paven, Pauline Eon
Editor and Post-Production Supervisor: Denis Le Maven
Sound Designer and Mixer: Sarah Fasseur-Leroux
Production Coordinator (Gaza): Yafa Masharawi
Production Coordinator (France): Alexis Auffret
Graphic Designer: Ala’ Abu Ghoush
Music By: Naseer Shamma
Produced by: Masharawi Fund for Films and Filmmakers in Gaza and Coorigines Production
Language: Arabic with English Subtitles
Genre: Documentary
Country: Palestine, France, Qatar, Jordan
Distributor: Watermelon Pictures
Run Time: 112 minutes

The Filmmakers
PART ONE
Reema Mahmoud – “Selfie” 
Reema Mahmoud, a Palestinian film director specializing in women’s and youth issues, has directed over twenty films. With a BA in Media and Communication and diplomas in Palestinian Studies and film production, she has won several awards, including the 2020 Creative Woman Award and the 2021 Best Short Film Award.
 
Muhammad Al Sharif – “No Signal” 
Muhammad Al Sharif, based in Gaza, holds a Business Administration degree and a Cinema Diploma. He is an actor and director, known for the short film Min Wen Lawen, hosting Shobak Al-Balad, and acting in Chi Ann Blaze of Fury. He has extensive training in acting, cinematography, and film production.
 
Ahmed Hassouna – “Sorry Cinema” 
Ahmed Hassouna, a film director under siege and bombardment in northern Gaza, was a cinema buff before the war, passionately working in the industry, following it, and studying it closely. He made many feature and short films, earning the nickname “Cinema Marathon” due to his restless pursuit of cinematic art.
 
Islam Al Zeriei – “Flashback” 
Islam Al Zeriei, born in Gaza, is a skilled TV and documentary filmmaker with a diploma in TV Arts from Palestine College. She has extensive experience in video and photo editing, and has worked with various organizations including Ashtar for Theatre Productions and the Women’s Affairs Center. Al Zeriei is proficient in Adobe software and active in media advocacy.
 
Mustafa Kolab – “Echo”
He was born in September 1972. He is a professional with fifteen years of experience in the production of animated films. He uses animation methods for psychosocial interventions with children. He ran the Fekra Arts Institute in Gaza for ten years and worked in theatre productions.
 
Nidal Damo – “All is Fine”
Nidal Damo, born in 1971 in Nuseirat, Gaza, is a theatre director and actor. He directed several children’s plays and acted in notable works like All is Well and Sarah. He holds a BA in Social Work from Al-Quds Open University and trains in drama and psychological
support.
 
Khamis Masharawi – “Soft Skin” 
Khamis has worked on numerous films in the field of decoration. He is a set designer and children’s animation trainer. He is one of the founders of the Fekra Foundation in Gaza, which trains children to engage with the film industry as a form of art therapy.
 
Bashar Al Balbisi – “Charm” 
Bashar Al Balbisi, a Palestinian from Gaza, is an accomplished dance trainer. He coordinates cultural initiatives and choreographs performances, specializing in traditional and contemporary dance. With experience in educational and cultural institutions, he actively promotes Palestinian heritage through dance and community engagement.
 
Tamer Nijim – “The Teacher” 
Born in Gaza in 1991, Tamer is a theatre and television artist at Ashtar for Theatre Productions and Training. He holds a BA in Media from Al-Azhar University and a diploma in Acting and Theatre Training. He has participated in numerous local and international theatre productions and festivals.
 
Ahmed Al Danaf – “A School Day” 
Ahmed Al Danaf, born in Gaza in 1999, is a Palestinian videographer and photographer. He holds a degree in Multimedia from Al-Azhar University and has worked with numerous media organizations including the BBC, ABC News, and Oxfam. Ahmed specializes in documentary filmmaking and media production.

 

Alaa Islam Ayoub – “Overload” 
Alaa Islam Ayoub, a Gaza-based content writer and filmmaker, holds a bachelor’s degree in physiotherapy from IUG. Experienced in SEO, literary content, and documentary scripts, Alaa also works as a podcast host and voiceover artist, contributing to various media and academic projects.
 
PART TWO
Karim Satoum – “Hell’s Haven” 
Karim Satoum was born and lives in Gaza. He has taken many courses in theatre and has been working as an actor for five years. He has taken part in many plays. Heaven’s Hell
is his first short film.
 
Alaa Damo – “24 Hours” 
Alaa Damo, a Palestinian from Gaza, has a BA in Public Relations. With seven years’ experience in the arts, he specializes in therapeutic art for children and has worked extensively with local institutions to promote creative expression and peace building through the arts.
 
Aws Al Banna – “Jad and Natalię”
Aws Al Banna, 26, from Gaza, is a television and theatre actor, drama teacher, playwright, and director. He studied theatre and his notable works include the series Milad Al-Fajr, Shuhud, and Darb Al-Fida and plays such as Al-Ramadiyun and Rashomon Gate. He has received awards for his children’s theatre projects.
 
Rabab Khamis – “Recycling”
Rabab Khamis, born in Gaza in 1997, is a multimedia specialist with a diploma in digital media. She has directed children’s plays and worked as a drama and psychological support trainer. Khamis has acted in various productions and has skills in Adobe, Microsoft Office, CorelDRAW, and others.
 
Etimad Washah – “Taxi Wanissa”
Based in Gaza, Palestine, Etimad Washah was the Video Program Coordinator at the Women’s Affairs Centre (2001-2018). She is a director of documentary and fiction films on women’s issues, a trainer in cinematography and editing, and has directed women’s film festivals and student film projects.
 
Mustafa Al Nabih – “Offerings” 
Mustafa, a Palestinian writer and director, has published novels and plays, directed 25 plays for children and adults, and created numerous documentaries. He has collaborated with various international channels, won 25 awards, and served as a jury member in many film festivals.
 
Hana Eleiwa – “No”
Hana, a passionate journalist from Gaza City, is the founder and director of Hana Agency, specializing in visual, audio, digital and multimedia services. She manages the digital channel Hona Al Dafa, advises The Al-Fakhoura\Project, and lectures at the University College of Applied Sciences.
 
Wissam Moussa – “Farah and Myriam”
Wissam, born in 1981 in Deir Al Balah, Gaza, is a Palestinian filmmaker and public relations manager at Fursan Al Erada Radio. He has directed several acclaimed films, including 15 in Gazafor Al-Jazeera English, and has participated in numerous international film festivals and conferences.
 
Basel El Maqousi – “Fragments” 
Born in Gaza in 1971, Basel is a visual artist and freelance photographer. He studied art at the YMCA Gaza and attended the Daratal Fununsummer academy. Winner of the Charles Asprey Award and a UNESCO scholarship, he has exhibited internationally and teaches at the Jabalia Rehabilitation Society.
 
Neda’a Abu Hasna – “Out of Frame” 
Neda’a, an experienced Palestinian news editor and presenter, holds a Masters Degree in Audiovisual and Cinema from Carthage University and a Bachelors Degree in Mass Communication from Al-Aqsa University. She has extensive experience in radio, film, and news editing.
 
Mahdi Kreirah – “Awakening” 
Mahdi is a puppet maker and puppeteer who runs a puppet theatre in Gaza. He has produced many plays for children and his productions have been featured on many television programs. He conducts workshops for children to train them in puppet-making and puppeteering.
 
 
MORE ABOUT FROM GROUND ZERO
 
THE INITIAL CONCEPT
From Ground Zero was created by filmmaker Rashid Masharawi and designed to give a voice to the people of Gaza and to document their day-to-day experiences, many of which often go unheard by the outside world



In a war-torn society, where artistic creation is extremely complex, the project sought to capture the diversity of perspectives of Gazans through slice-of-life short films, ranging anywhere from three to six minutes in length. Filmmakers were allowed to tell their story through any genre and cinematic storytelling platform, from fiction to documentary to animation.


SELECTION AND CREATION OF THE FILMS
In order to ensure quality and coherence, a dedicated selection committee was set up to ensure the viability of the short films pitched to be included in the From Ground Zero Project. The committee evaluated every project submitted, giving priority to personal, original stories that focused on the project’s overall message.

Once the 22 projects had been selected, the committee worked closely with the filmmakers to ensure their proper development, from concept to production – tackling real-world obstacles that filmmakers outside of Palestine would never have to consider.

The creation of From Ground Zero required meticulous organization. Tutors based in the Middle East and Europe supervised the projects, while experienced coordinators on the ground in Gaza ensured the technical and human resources needed for filming.

For more film festival favorite features, click here!

‘CANCHAS’ (DWF NY 2024) A poignant short and snapshot of our collective trauma

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From the moment it begins, DWF NY 2024 short film CANCHAS perfectly captures the chaos, fear, and unresolved trauma of COVID-19. The story follows a dermatologist who has become a vital frontline worker. The intimate hand camera work immerses the audience in those new and meticulous routines we created in masking, social distancing, sanitizing, and disinfecting.

Watching brings back all the PTSD for this writer of having a three and four-year-old in Manhattan during those days. Unlike so many of our lifelong city dwellers, we did not flee. It was an experience entirely different from suburban living.

CANCHAS is a beautiful platform for leading lady Anuska Martínez. She is equal parts vulnerable, strong, stoic, and resilient. Like NYC, Madrid’s nightly applause from windows and balconies in support of frontline workers felt like a single moment in the day to live in the hope of survival as a human race.

In seventeen minutes, Paula Blanco Pérez delivers a raw and personal short film that hits every emotional note, returning us to the days that challenged the globe in ways I hope we never experience again. It deserves your applause and perhaps a feature-length version.

DWF NY 2024 selection

CANCHAS Trailer: https://vimeo.com/934664452

CANCHAS will have its world premiere at DANCES WITH FILMS NYC on Sunday, December 8. The film follows Bárbara, a dermatologist turned frontline worker in Madrid during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, who endures exhaustion and heartbreak as she fights for her patients against the virus. CANCHAS offers a poignant glimpse into her journey of quiet courage amid an overwhelming crisis.

The film is very personal to Paula, as Bárbara is based on her mother’s experience during the COVID-19 pandemic. She can discuss her creative process and insights on capturing the essence of a global crisis through the lens of an intimate, personal story.

 

PAULA BLANCO PÉREZ – Director / Writer / Co-Editor

Paula Blanco Pérez is an award-winning filmmaker from Madrid, Spain, who has been making movies in Arkansas for eight years. She has a bachelor’s degree in digital filmmaking and a master’s in film from the University of Central Arkansas. She was Director of Education at Fayetteville Public TV and won a Telly Award for the “Cinematic Rig FPTV Promo” she directed. She has also directed and produced several short films like “Dust,” “Mirona,” and “Dandelion,” which won Best Student Film at the Freedom Festival International 2022 and Best International Film at The Continental Film Festival-Tokyo Edition 2022. She has also directed music videos like “Mistakes & Dear Shadow,” which was nominated for Best Student Film at the California Music Video and Film Awards 2023, commercials, and much more! Her latest film, “Canchas,” was the first international production at the University of Central Arkansas, where she shot it in Spain. She is ambitious and motivated to continue making films that combine her Spanish and American culture!

DWF NY laFor more DWF coverage, click here!

‘DOUBLE EXPOSURE’ (DWF NY 2024) Guilt, regret, time loss, and ghosts from the past.

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Double Exposure still 1

Filmmaker Howard Goldberg brings DWF NY 2024 audiences a tale of emotional torture. When Peter’s (Alexander Calvert) ex-girlfriend Sara (Caylee Cowan) shows up in his life unexpectedly, the past and present mysteriously collide. The struggling artist grapples with guilt over what happened to his first love. Opening with a Sondheim quote was undeniably clever, but this puzzle is missing at least half its pieces.

I’m not sure where to begin with DOUBLE EXPOSURE. The opening scene had such potential, but the film quickly goes off the rails into a nonsensical oblivion of unresolved trauma and supernatural bafflement. 

Caylee Cowan is… not great. She doesn’t respond to her castmates. She recites words. It’s naive to the point of mugging. Simon Kim delivers an over-the-top cliche of toxic masculinity. I’m blaming Goldberg here for the entirely gross and offensive dialogue. The rest of the cast is fantastic. Alexander Calvert and Kahyun Kim hold it together. Unfortunately, they are fighting an uphill battle with an incredibly confusing screenplay. 

The story is all over the place. It genuinely felt like there was no script supervisor on set. I could not keep overlapping timelines straight at all. The Wizard of Oz-esque finale is just as messy. DOUBLE EXPOSURE cannot decide what kind of film it wants to be. 


DOUBLE EXPOSURE

North American Premiere

USA, 2024, 93 min.
FRI DEC 6 @ 8PM

WRITER/DIR: Howard Goldberg
PRODS: Julia Verdin, Howard Goldberg
CAST: Alexander Calvert, Caylee Cowan, Kahyun Kim

DWF NY 2024 selectionFor more DWF coverage, click here!

‘THE SHADE’ (2024) A slow burn of manifested grief and reclamation of power.

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Filmmaker Tyler Chipman brings us the tale of a young man reeling in the aftermath of unresolved childhood trauma. THE SHADE is a slow spiral into darkness. 

Ryan is the middle child and the man of the house since his father’s death. He is someone who tries and fails to hide all the pain. Upon the unscheduled return of his older brother into the house, Ryan must confront the demons lurking just beneath the surface or else.

It’s so nice to see Brendan Sexton III again. He is such a force of nature and a fantastic addition. Germain Arroyo is Ryan’s best friend, Nicholas. His energy is a much-needed break from the sullen overtone. He is a star. 

TheShade_Still06_1920x1080Laura Benanti plays the family matriarch, Renee. She adds authentic warmth to every role. Even if her scenes are few and far between, she steals every single one. Dylan McTee plays the eldest brother, Jason. He exudes hurt with an overly aggressive demeanor that perfectly suits the role. 

Chris Galust gives Ryan a wounded exhaustion that pours off him. Suffering from unspeakable childhood trauma all while trying to keep his chaotic family together, Galust delivers an emotional rollercoaster, panic attacks and all. 

TheShade_Still07_1920x1080There are a few particularly memorable shots by cinematographer Tom Fitzgerald. Heather Benson and the makeup department give us startling work. They deserve all the applause. 

The film is a slow burn with a tense low vibration under each beat. It is 45 minutes until the menace manifests outside the immense toxicity between the two eldest brothers. Ten minutes later, a chill goes down your spine. 

TheShade_Still01_1920x1080What gets the pulse-pounding is undeniably well done. Chipman and cowriter David Purdy use dreams as a gateway to terror. Perry Blackshear‘s WHEN I CONSUME YOU would be a great companion watch for THE SHADE. Similar themes weave throughout both films. Come to think of it, add Jennifer Kent’s THE BABADOOK to that list. 

Mental health, anguish, and horror combined to create a unique narrative approach. My advice to audiences is to be patient. Focus on the performances and the underlying metaphor. It is a powerful payoff.

The Shade Trailer:

THE SHADE

AVAILABLE ON DEMAND

11.22.24



127 MIN | THRILLER | HORROR | DRAMA | PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER | NR TV-14



MULTIPLE FESTIVAL AWARD WINNER!

WINNER Best Special Effects – Days of the Dead Film Festival

WINNER Best Directing – Days of the Dead Film Festival

WINNER Best First Time Filmmaker – Days of the Dead Film Festival

WINNER Jury Award Best Feature Film – Snowdance Independent Film Festival

WINNER Silver Audience Award – Brooklyn Horror Film Festival

WINNER Jury Prize Best Feature Film Director – FogFest

WINNER Jury Prize Best Actor in a Feature Film Chris Galust – FogFest

WINNER Jury Prize Best Feature Film – FogFest

NOMINATED Best Feature Film, Best Villain, Best in Show, Best Actor Chris Galust,

Best Stunts, Best Cinematography, Best Ensemble Cast, Best Production Design – Days of the Dead Film Festival

NOMINATED Best Writing – FogFest



Directed by

Tyler Chipman



Written by

Tyler Chipman and David Purdy



Produced by

David Purdy



Director of Photography

Acton Fitzgerald


Starring

Chris Galust, Laura Benanti, Dylan McTee, Mariel Molino, Germain Arroyo, Brendan Sexton III, Sam Duncan, Michael Boatman


SYNOPSIS

Ryan Beckman, a 20-year-old college student from a declining town in the northeast, struggles with a debilitating anxiety disorder following his father’s death. His older brother, Jason, returns home unexpectedly while battling his own demons. Together with his younger brother James, Ryan struggles to break the destructive cycle threatening their family as an ancient darkness closes in on them.




RATING: NR TV-PG

RUN-TIME: 127 minutes

THEATRICAL RELEASE: September 20th

DIGITAL RELEASE: November 22nd

STUDIO/DISTRIBUTOR: Level 33 Entertainment

GENRE: Drama, Thriller, Psychological Thriller, Horror

For more horror coverage, click here!

‘HIPPO’ (2024) Weirdness overdrive with a side of satire.

Kinematics logoHIPPO

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Mark H. Rapaport‘s curious tale of two step-siblings struggling to come of age amongst sexual urges for each other. HIPPO is a deadpan satire is like nothing else.

Rapaport and star Kimball Farley serve as co-writers. They give Hippo a precocious vernacular similar to the dialogue in Dawson’s Creek but with a darker edge. The absurdity of the narrative works because the siblings are homeschooled. It’s genuinely perfect in this era of online indoctrination of our male youth. It is incel heaven.

(L
-
R) Kimball Farley as “Hippo” and Lilla Kizlinger as “Buttercup” in the
dark
comedy,
HIPPO
, a
Kinematics
release. Photo courtesy of Kinematics.

(L-R) Kimball Farley as “Hippo” and Lilla Kizlinger as “Buttercup” in the dark comedy, HIPPO, a Kinematics release. Photo courtesy of Kinematics.

Eliza Roberts, wife of our narrator Eric Roberts, is hilarious as mother Ethel. Her eternally optimistic attitude is incredible. Jesse Pimentel is ceaselessly smarmy as Craigslist predator Darwin.

Lilla Kizlinger as “Buttercup” in the
dark
comedy,
HIPPO
, a
Kinematics
release. Photo
courtesy of Kinematics.

Lilla Kizlinger as “Buttercup”  Photo courtesy of Kinematics.

Lilla Kizlinger delivers a delightfully morose performance as 17-year-old, Buttercup. Desperate for physical connection, her urges bend in a dangerous direction. Kizlinger is flawless.

Kimball Farley gives the titular role a quirky and dramatic overtone that captures the unfiltered chaos of a teenage boy’s mind. He bleeds toxic masculinity that is so over the top it is humorous. It reads incel. He is fantastically punchable.

Kimball Farley as “Hippo” in the
dark
comedy,
HIPPO
, a
Kinematics
release. Photo
courtesy of Kinematics.

Kimball Farley as “Hippo” Photo courtesy of Kinematics.


The film occurs in 1994, and the production team nails the aesthetic with wardrobe and props. The delicious black-and-white cinematography and the cartoon-like score are perfection. Overall, HIPPO is an irreverent look at adolescence and a hyper-antiquated personification of gender roles. Also, it’s weird as hell.

Trailer:

HIPPO will be available in select Theaters on Nov. 8.

 

The film was written by Mark H. Rapaport (The Scary of Sixty-First) and Kimball Farley (Andronicus) and was directed by Mark H. Rapaport. It stars Kimball Farley, Lilla Kizlinger (Semmelweis), Eliza Roberts (National Lampoon’s Animal House), and Eric Roberts (Runaway Train).

It examines the coming-of-age of two step-siblings: Hippo, a video-game-addicted teenager, and Buttercup, a Hungarian Catholic immigrant with a love of classical music and Jesus. Like the Ancient Greek Aphrodite, Buttercup’s love is unrequited by a brother who prefers to indulge in the art of war and chaos. The result is a hormone-fueled, tragicomic waking nightmare that must be seen to be believed. 

Run Time: 100minutes | Rating: Not Rated

For more black-and-white films, click here!

‘DARUMA’ (2024) The healing power of kindness and the importance of representation shine bright.

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Director Alexander Yellen and writer Kelli McNeil expand their 2018 short film of the same name to glorious big screen life. DARUMA tells the story of, Patrick, a bitter wheelchair user, discovering he has a four-year-old daughter from a forgotten fling. He quickly learns that he cannot parent her as she needs and enlists the help of his cantankerous neighbor Robert (double amputee) to transport her to live with her maternal grandparents on the other side of the country.

daruma PatrickDaruma deals with addiction, PTSD, and redemption in an honest way. There is zero sugarcoating. Immersive camera work helps place the viewer in Patrick’s emotionally injured mindset by placing the camera in his lap whenever he gets intoxicated in a club. Yellen’s overall cinematography is spectacular. His choice to mix follow shots, close-ups, and stunning drone footage while our players embark on their road trip captures Daruma’s vulnerability and heart.

Little Victoria Scott gives Camilla authentic sweetness. She’s a lovely addition to this cast. Barry Bostwick lends his unassailable talent to Daruma. Whatever role he plays, you can bet on some seriously affecting moments.

daruma RobertJohn W. Lawson is undeniably charming as curmudgeonly neighbor Robert. His nuanced backstory is the perfect foil for Tobias Forrest. You’ll fall in love with him. Forrest gives his all, leaning into Patrick’s flaws and working to find his suppressed humanity. Forrest nails each beat. He and Lawson share relatable chemistry. It’s a dramedy duo you didn’t know you needed.

Yellen and McNeil deliver a genuine road movie with struggles and hopeful healing vibes. If you aren’t welling up by the film’s ending, check your pulse. Representation is vital to authentic storytelling. The world needs more films like DARUMA. The film will be honored at the Directors Guild of America on Dec. 9th at the first-ever Indie Awards. It is much-deserved recognition.

The film will be screening for a week in theaters in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, DC, and Minneapolis Nov 15 – 21, 2024.  

 

 
ABOUT THE FILM: 
Executive produced by 2X Oscar winner Peter Farrelly, DARUMA tells the story of, PATRICK, a bitter wheelchair user, discovering he has a four-year-old daughter from a forgotten fling. He quickly learns that he cannot parent her as she needs and enlists the help of his cantankerous neighbor ROBERT (double amputee) to transport her to live with her maternal grandparents on the other side of the country.
 
CNN said the film is the first authentically cast film in US film history to star two leads with disabilities in a narrative not about overcoming disability and on September 9th, our filmmaking team was invited to an event at the White House to celebrate the 34th signing of the ADA. 
 
For more drama coverage, click here!

‘MAX DAGAN’ (Tuscan Film Festival 2024) Compelling performances drive this drama home.

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MAX DAGAN

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Terre Weisman brings festival audiences MAX DAGAN, the story of a father convicted of manslaughter and a son who works tirelessly to get him out, wading through years of secrets, lies, and corruption.

The cast is fantastic. Jay Mohr makes a particularly smarmy appearance. Michael Madsen is perfect as a corrupt cop. Lisa Roumain is spectacular as Ilene. She brings unresolved trauma to the screen in a visceral way.

Max Dagan still from DP Tim BanksRob Morrow gives Albert a down-to-earth quality that we’ve come to love about him. I’ve been a solid fan since he starred in NUMB3RS with David Krumholtz. Morrow’s humanity is quintessential for the heaviness of Albert’s circumstances.

Zachary Gordon is the highlight of the film. Get him in more leading roles at this stage of his career. His effortlessly strong presence fills each scene. Gordon begs your attention.

The script is relatively predictable, except for one late reveal that had me simultaneously yelling, “WTF?”. It’s something you’ll have to witness to understand. Overall, the editing and storytelling style feels disjointed. Even at only an hour and thirty-plus minute run, the cuts feel like snippets of a Law & Order series rather than a single film.

That said, the performances are top-notch. They earn your views. The underlying message of hope, resilience, and redemption will undoubtedly resonate with a broad audience.

You can get tickets to Max Dagan at the Tuscan Film Festival Here

 

Max Dagan (Zachary Gordon) strives to exonerate his father, Albert (Rob Morrow), who has been wrongfully sentenced to 15 years for the manslaughter of a State Trooper. Armed with a vintage Fender guitar, Max faces a corrupt detective (Michael Madsen) and must confront painful family issues, including reconciling with his estranged uncle (Rob Brownstein) and collaborating with the daughter (Lindsey Dresbach) of the deceased trooper. As he seeks evidence for his father’s compassionate release, both families discover unexpected connections in their shared struggles.

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For more drama reviews, click here!

‘CELLAR DOOR’ (2024) A solid thriller with a killer ending.

lionsgate logoCELLAR DOOR

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Director Vaughn Stein brings us CELLAR DOOR. Following a loss, couple John and Sera seek a new beginning. A mysterious man offers to gift them his elegant home. But, it comes with one unusual caveat. They must never open the cellar door.

Laurence Fishburne is Emmett Claymore. His iconic presence and voice offer equal parts comfort and sinister edge. Scott Speedman is John. This anxiety-soaked performance keeps you on the edge of your seat, reeling you into the slow-creeping plot. Jordana Brewster is Sera. She offers enthusiasm and hope through her grief, which feels wholeheartedly inspiring. Writers allow her to pull off an illusion that makes the film something special. Speedman and Brewtser’s chemistry is solid.

Cellar Door Pictures - Rotten Tomatoes - www.rottentomatoes.comThe set is marvelous. Wood-paneled rooms mixed with modern updates, a sprawling terrace, and an exterior straight out of Great Expectations, the audience falls in love with the house at first glance.

Screenwriters Sam Scott and Lori Evans Taylor toy with our emotions. The mystery simmers, and what we don’t see creates a boundless tension. The plot has sprinkles of What Lies Beneath and Gone Girl, focusing on themes of temptation, betrayals, secrets, and boundaries. CELLAR DOOR delivers a classic, tense build-up of scenarios, boasting a delicious final twist. It’s the best of the Faustian subgenre.

Cellar Door Trailer:

In Select Theaters and On Digital November 1st

Directed by: Vaughn Stein

Written by: Sam Scott & Lori Evans Taylor

Starring: Jordana Brewster, Scott Speedman, Laurence Fishburne

Produced by: Tom Butterfield, John Papsidera, Craig Perry, Sheila Hanahan

~

Rating: R
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Runtime: 97 Mins

Looking for a fresh start after a miscarriage, a couple (Brewster and Speedman) find themselves being gifted the house of their dreams from a wealthy homeowner (Fishburne) with one caveat – they can never open the cellar door. Whether they can live without knowing triggers shocking consequences.

For more thrillers, click here!

‘Me, Myself & The Void’ (2024) Interview with filmmaker Tim Hautekiet about his mind-bending indie gem.

Me, Myself & The Void

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ME, MYSELF & THE VOID is one of the year’s most inventive films. I got to chat with filmmaker Tim Hautekiet about the entire process. You can find a few Behind-The-Scenes photos and our conversation below. Do not miss this one. You have no excuse since the film is on VOD right now!! 

Synopsis: Trapped in a mysterious void outside the bounds of time and space, a struggling stand-up comedian must investigate how his body wound up motionless on his bathroom floor and wake himself up before it’s too late.


Tim! Congratulations on such a unique, engaging, and endlessly funny film. What sparked this screenplay and where did you start? The mystery aspect is delicious. You had me think everyone was guilty at any given time. 


My co-writer Nik Oldershaw and I spent a long time trying to figure out how to crack the hook of the film. We knew we liked the idea of a film set in a void world with minimalistic props and set design portraying the locations to the audience but we didn’t have a story that tied it all together. Once we landed on the idea that it was going to be about a character who was trapped inside a void world and was going to have to investigate his own memories to identify how he wound up there, that’s when we first saw the true shape of the story. We’re so glad to hear you enjoyed the mystery aspect as that’s definitely what compelled us to write the story and figure out who Jack really was. me Myself & the Void still 22. The varying visual aspects are so cool, from the black and white to the halo effect. Those specificities keep the audience relatively grounded in Jack’s chaotic “space and time.” What did this storyboarding look like? With all the elements involved, I imagine it was a huge wall or an entire room.


We used a variety of different techniques to visualize everything. We had a very tight shot list and I got to collaborate with Conor Fitzgerald to create certain key frames from the film in order to be able to better communicate with our various department heads. For some of the more complicated sequences, I worked with a storyboard artist called Sam Vest. In particular, sequences where Jack tries to move his body in the void world and that then causes movement in the real world.

3. How many days did you shoot for, and (speaking of visuals) how long did the editing take? 


We shot for 15 days in November 2021 and then did a single pick up day the following summer. We started editing as soon as the film was wrapped and the edit took approximately a year because it was a small team of myself, Ryan Turner, and Ryan Blewett jumping in whenever we could. The process worked quite well to keep things fresh, you’d hand over the edit and then get to see it again with fresh eyes after the next editor put their spin on it.me Myself & the Void still 14. Can you tell us about casting Kelly Marie, Chris, and Jack? Their chemistry is magic. Did you let them play with dialogue during the shoot?


I’d been a fan of Chris and Jack for a long time and had enjoyed the pleasure of working with them on two different short sketch projects prior to reaching out to them about Me, Myself & The Void. They are incredibly gifted improvisers so if time allowed on set, we’d let them run with a couple of alternative takes if we already had a take that was true to the production script.

As for Kelly, I hadn’t worked with her before but she and Jack briefly shared a scene in “Sorry For Your Loss” and I remember thinking they performed so well together. She’s also got incredible comedy chops and watching her bounce off Chris and Jack in a scene was always fun to watch.

I’m so proud of the entire cast. Jack, Chris, Kelly, Akilah Hughes, James Babson, Kristin Carey, and Darren Durpree Washington… Not to forget Gio Randazzo who played Jack’s body double. We couldn’t have made this film without them.BTS 1 Me, Myself, & the Void5. The set is incredible. As a theatre nerd, it was immersive enough for the imagination to fill in the blanks and for the cast to play on. How did you decide on a unit set?


Thank you so much! Our production designer Katie Theel, art director Bethany Struble, and their entire team really outdid themselves. They had to build the full apartment set first and then slowly strip it away as we entered the void. We thought it could present an interesting opportunity to make various set design elements crucial to the story. What pieces need to remain in order for the audience to still grasp the shape of where our characters are in the void.


BTS 2 Me, Myself, & the Void6. Would you and Nik consider a franchise with new characters? I would be the first person watching the interactions of other people’s minds swirling with what-ifs!


Haha! I’ll confess we conceived of this project as a one-off but never say never. We loved making this film and if the opportunity to do another psychological “void” deep dive into a character presented itself, we’d certainly consider it.


Thank you so much for chatting about Me, Myself, & the Void. It’s a total gem, that took me off guard in all the best ways, so all my applause to you!

Me, Myself, & The Void Trailer:

You can check out Me, Myself & The Void on VOD now!!

 

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‘BA’ (Screamfest 2024) A deal with the devil and desperation.

Screamfest 2020 banner logoBA

BA - 2024 Screamfest Horror Film Festival - screamfest2024.eventive.orgYou’re damned if you do, and you’re damned if you don’t. In Benjamin Wong‘s Screamfest 2024 film BA, a father in dire straights makes a supernatural bargain with hideous consequences. On a mission to provide a better life for his young daughter, Daniel must reap souls until he settles his debt. His appearance is a decaying skeleton, names carved into his skin, and physical touch kills any living thing. But, if he breaks the otherwordly agreement, it could be deadly.

ba still 1Daniel’s challenges are plenty. Besides the Faustian bargain, he must keep his features hidden from his daughter. If she comes in contact with her, she will perish. He makes extra cash by working nights for a near-blind convenience store owner. He walks in the daylight draped in clothing to conceal his literal Death mask. With Collette missing school, Daniel must also dodge child services.

Ba still 2The FX makeup is sleek and scary, and the team matches Daniel’s reflection moments. Kai Cech delivers a lovely performance as Collette, giving her natural innocence and an appropriate fear of abandonment. Lawrence Kao gives a relatable turn, making impossible decisions that any parent would replicate in his position. It is a nuanced role, and Kao brings us along on his emotional rollercoaster with gentle hands.

The film is an intriguing mix of desperate times call for desperate measures, and a unique canon. There is enough meat on the bone to expand the film into a series. It’s not gruesome and nails the fantasy aspect. BA is a PG-13 graphic novel foray into the genre.

BA Trailer:

  • Director:
    Benjamin Wong
  • Screenwriter:
    Benjamin Wong
  • Producer:
    Elizabeth Ai
  • Cast:
    Lawrence Kao, Kai Cech, Brian Thompson, Michael Paul Chan, Shelli Boone, Jonathan Medina
  • Sound Design:
    Sung Rok Choi
  • Year:
    2024
  • Runtime:
    1:19:00
  • Language:
    English
  • Country:
    United States
  • Premiere:
    LA Premiere
  • Rating:
    Unrated
  • Genre:
    Fantasy, Horror, Drama, Supernatural, Thriller, Genre-Bending, Asian American, Magical Realism, Dark Fantasy

SCREAMFEST 2024 banner

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‘LA COCINA’ (2024) As complex as Shakespeare and an ode to those behind the scenes.

Willa logoLa Cocina

La Cocina poster(2024) - www.imdb.comBased on the 1957 stage play The Kitchen by Arnold Wesker, filmmaker Alonso Ruizpalacios brings LA COCINA to the big screen. This exquisite drama follows the staff at a restaurant in Times Square and the coordinated (and uncoordinated) chaos behind the scenes. It is a beautiful character study that will punch you in the gut.

The black and white cinematography from Juan Pablo Ramirez screams stage play in all the best ways. Mixed with intimate closeups and follow shots, it is an intricately choreographed dance boasting framing that will linger long after the credits roll. 

The opening monologue sets the scene for the city’s chaotic reality. The dialogue is funny, authentic, and brutal. Performances are top-notch across the board. The delicious ensemble cast nails every beat. 

Motell Foster plays dessert chef, Nonzo. His philosophical kindness makes him something like the Gandolf of the kitchen. Foster is magnificent. Oded Fehr plays The Grill’s owner with an overbearing swagger that slowly spoils as the plot thickens. Fehr delivers the irony of the American Dream. 

La Cocina still

Laura Gómez lives in her role as a waitress on her first day. Gómez’s intensity is transformative. Anna Diaz gives Estela the wide-eyed, tentative nature that represents the inner voice of the entire staff. 

Rooney Mara plays Julia with a fiery sass and life-weathered exhaustion. Raúl Briones delivers humor and depth as Pedro. His cheeky personality is a facade for unresolved trauma. Mara and Briones have a fierce chemistry akin to Beatrice and Benedick in Shakespeare‘s Much Ado About Nothing. But it is Raúl Briones who owns the heart of this brilliant film. This performance is nothing short of award-worthy.

LA COCINA confronts racism and socioeconomic privilege head-on. The script challenges cultural boundaries. The characters are a melting pot that perfectly captures the true essence of the city and, quite frankly, America. Any real New Yorker will tell you that at any given moment, LA COCINA is happening in real time. It’s an unforgettable emotional rollercoaster

A Film by Alonso Ruizpalacios 

Starring Rooney Mara and Raúl Briones 

  October 25 / Angelika, NY
November 1 / Laemmle Monica, LA
followed by a national theatrical release

La Cocina Logo 7T095119.060SYNOPSIS: It’s the lunch rush at The Grill in Manhattan, and money has gone missing from the till. All the undocumented cooks are being investigated, and Pedro (Briones) is the prime suspect. He’s a dreamer and a troublemaker, and in love with Julia (Mara), an American waitress who cannot commit to a relationship. Rashid, The Grill´s owner, has promised to help Pedro with his papers so he can “become legal”. But a shocking revelation about Julia compels Pedro to spiral into an act that will stop the production line of one of the city’s busiest kitchens once and for all.

La Cocina is a tragic and comic tribute to the invisible people who keep our restaurants running and our stomachs full, whilst chasing a perhaps unreachable version of the American dream.

WRITER & DIRECTOR: Alonso Ruizpalacios, based on the play “The Kitchen”, by Arnold Wesker
PRODUCERS: Ramiro Ruiz, Gerardo Gatica, Alonso Ruizpalacios, Lauren Mann, Ivan Orlic
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: Juan Pablo Ramírez
CAST: Raúl Briones, Rooney Mara, Anna Diaz, Motell Foster, Oded Fehr, Eduardo Olmos
U.S. Distributor: Willa
Mexico, U.S. / English and Spanish / 139min


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

vertical films logoBAD GENIUS

Bad-Genius_Theatrical_Onesheet_V2_FINAL

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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‘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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