Tag Archives: spotlight pictures

Spotlight Pictures secure international sales rights for ‘Courage’ starring Aaron Eckhart

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Courage1Spotlight Pictures has acquired international sales rights for the ports drama, COURAGE, based on an inspirational true story and the novel “Courage Beyond the Game: The Freddie Steinmark Story” by Jim Dent.  Written and directed by Angelo Pizzo, who also wrote the iconic sports films Hoosiers and Rudy, COURAGE stars Aaron Eckhart (The Dark Knight), Finn Wittrock (Unbroken), Robin Tunney (Hollywoodland), and Sarah Bolger (The Spiderwick Chronicles).  The film was produced by Paul Schiff and executive produced by Bud Brigham. COURAGE received a wide U.S. theatrical release with significant P & A in November 2015 under the title My All American.  Spotlight Pictures CEO Matt McCombs made the announcement today.

“We are excited and enthusiastic to work with Bud and Paul on this remarkable motion picture,” said McCombs. “We are confident distributors worldwide will connect to the universal story of spirit and courage.”

“We are thrilled to have Spotlight on board selling our film around the world,” said Schiff.  “They are passionate, diligent and smart;  we are in good hands.”

COURAGE tells the inspirational true story of Freddie Steinmark (Finn Wittrock). While playing sports at university, the small but scrappy athlete Freddie suffers an injury that leads to a shocking diagnosis.  The young man must utilize his indomitable spirit and courage to rise to the challenge like a true champion.

Ryan McCombs, vice president of Spotlight Pictures and Producer Paul Schiff with attorney Lawrence Kopeikin negotiated the deal on behalf of the filmmakers.

Review: Shedding Light on ‘Chloe and Theo’

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Chloe and Theo posterIt all began with a dream. A dream that the world would receive a fatal kiss from the sun and the ice in the north would retreat. Director and screenwriter, Ezna Sands exhibits the concerns for our environmental well-being in his heartfelt cli-fi (climate change fiction), Chloe and Theo.

Theo (Theo Ikummaq), an Arctic Inuit man, was told about this dream from his elders, and if the “south” did not change their ways, destruction will overcome the earth. He was then sent to New York City to shed light on the world’s end, and he is immediately overwhelmed by the environment. The sun was blocked out by the skyscrapers, people constantly on the move; there was not a single moment of silence. This is where he meets Chloe (Dakota Johnson), a young runaway, and Bruce Lee devotee. “Together they will change the world.”

Dakota Johnson and first time actor Theo Ikummaq did a fantastic job with their roles as Chloe and Theo. The film brings a different side to storytelling, with both characters playing a sort of narrative role. Theo telling the story as it was occurring, and Chloe telling the story as though it already had happened. Mira Sorvino as Monica and Andre De Shields as Mr. Sweet, played crucial characters to Chloe and Theo’s story by showing how hard it is to get something globally recognized. Mr. Sweet, a man who Chloe is close friends with on the streets, opens Chloe and Theo’s eyes to the difficulty of getting people with power to listen. Although the sound mixing could have used more work, the shots and occasional use of animation were beautifully implemented throughout.

Overall, Chloe and Theo is a simple film, with a powerful message. Through a story of unlikely friendships, it brings light to our climate changes and their impact on our world. You can watch Chloe and Theo in select theaters and on VOD September 4th.

3 1/2 out of 5 stars.