The lineup for the 28th edition of the American Black Film Festival continues to get more star studded with the world premiere of the second season of Kerry Washington’s Hulu series “UnPrisoned.”
Washington will attend the Miami Beach-based festival to celebrate the premiere and sit for a fireside chat with fellow executive producer Tracy McMillan, who created the series based on her life.
The Special Screenings lineup also features world premieres of documentaries “Ol’ Dirty Bastard: A Tale of Two Dirtys,” about the Wu-Tang Clan founding member, and “Down in the Valley,” inspired the world of the hit Starz series “P-Valley,” plus a screening of the classic “Devil in a Blue Dress,” as part of the Denzel Washington Retrospective.
The HBO Short Film Award Showcase will kick off the film festival program on June 12, hosted by Sirius Xm’s Bevy Smith (“Bevelations”). Five filmmakers are selected as finalists, and...
Washington will attend the Miami Beach-based festival to celebrate the premiere and sit for a fireside chat with fellow executive producer Tracy McMillan, who created the series based on her life.
The Special Screenings lineup also features world premieres of documentaries “Ol’ Dirty Bastard: A Tale of Two Dirtys,” about the Wu-Tang Clan founding member, and “Down in the Valley,” inspired the world of the hit Starz series “P-Valley,” plus a screening of the classic “Devil in a Blue Dress,” as part of the Denzel Washington Retrospective.
The HBO Short Film Award Showcase will kick off the film festival program on June 12, hosted by Sirius Xm’s Bevy Smith (“Bevelations”). Five filmmakers are selected as finalists, and...
- 5/15/2024
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
“Fremont” made quiet waves at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival this year, a Jim Jarmusch-esque, laconic black-and-white dramedy about an Afghan woman making her way in the San Francisco Bay Area after working as a translator for the U.S. military. Directed by Babak Jalali, “Fremont” stars real-life Afghan refugee Anaita Wali Zada in a breakout, first-time role, along with the likes of comedian Gregg Turkington and “The Bear” Emmy nominee Jeremy Allen White in a small but smoldering role. IndieWire shares the exclusive trailer for the Music Box Films release below.
Wali Zada plays Donya, who works for a Chinese fortune cookie factory in San Francisco while living in the East Bay city of Fremont. Formerly a translator for the U.S. military in Afghanistan, the 20something struggles to put her life back in order while living in an apartment complex with other Afghan immigrants. In a moment of...
Wali Zada plays Donya, who works for a Chinese fortune cookie factory in San Francisco while living in the East Bay city of Fremont. Formerly a translator for the U.S. military in Afghanistan, the 20something struggles to put her life back in order while living in an apartment complex with other Afghan immigrants. In a moment of...
- 8/2/2023
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
On the Come Up, directed by actress-turned-director Sanaa Lathan and written by Zora Howard (Premature) and Kay Oyegun, is based on the book by acclaimed author Angie Thomas (The Hate U Give). The film explores the many facets of Black girlhood through hip-hop music and the general music industry. The novel is 464 pages, and the movie tries to cram all that information into two hours, which sometimes overshadows the messaging. But what works is that it speaks to a demographic that is often ignored and the culture of rap that is seldom explored from a woman’s perspective.
The film starts with Bri (Jamila Gray) being abandoned by her drug-addicted mother Jay (Lathan). The memory traumatizes her throughout her adolescence until the point she’s introduced as a 16-year old She’s also mourning the death of her father, a former rapper called Law from the Garden Heights. She wants...
The film starts with Bri (Jamila Gray) being abandoned by her drug-addicted mother Jay (Lathan). The memory traumatizes her throughout her adolescence until the point she’s introduced as a 16-year old She’s also mourning the death of her father, a former rapper called Law from the Garden Heights. She wants...
- 9/9/2022
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
The Scene 2 Seen podcast is back to regularly scheduled programming–publishing episodes on the first, second, and third Tuesday of the month unless otherwise specified.
On this episode, I discuss documentary, A Woman on the Outside. The film premiered at SXSW in March 2022, won Best Documentary Feature at the American Black Film Festival, and won Best North American Documentary Feature at the Mammoth Lakes Film Festival.
Filmed over more than four years, the story follows Kristal Bush, a young Philadelphia woman who saw nearly every man in her life disappear to prison. She goes out on the road, driving for her van service, which takes families to visit their incarcerated loved ones in prisons hundreds of miles from the city. She lives that life too – her father has been locked up most of her life, her middle brother has been in prison more than a decade, and her oldest brother...
On this episode, I discuss documentary, A Woman on the Outside. The film premiered at SXSW in March 2022, won Best Documentary Feature at the American Black Film Festival, and won Best North American Documentary Feature at the Mammoth Lakes Film Festival.
Filmed over more than four years, the story follows Kristal Bush, a young Philadelphia woman who saw nearly every man in her life disappear to prison. She goes out on the road, driving for her van service, which takes families to visit their incarcerated loved ones in prisons hundreds of miles from the city. She lives that life too – her father has been locked up most of her life, her middle brother has been in prison more than a decade, and her oldest brother...
- 8/16/2022
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
Rashaad Ernesto Green will direct “’68,” a biopic about the careers and lives of Olympic runners and activists Tommie Smith and John Carlos for MGM, Participant and MacRo.
MGM announced news of the project Thursday, which tells the story of Smith and Carlos from their first meeting on the track team at San Jose State to the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City. As the two received medals for the 200 meter race, they raised their fists in salute and silent protest during the American national anthem. The event caused widespread controversy at the time, and is still regarded as one of the most political moments in the history of the Olympics.
“Still incredibly powerful and relevant, I’m honored for the opportunity to bring Tommie and John’s riveting story to life; to portray the weight of the world these two giants had on their shoulders and the self-determination, courage and sacrifice...
MGM announced news of the project Thursday, which tells the story of Smith and Carlos from their first meeting on the track team at San Jose State to the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City. As the two received medals for the 200 meter race, they raised their fists in salute and silent protest during the American national anthem. The event caused widespread controversy at the time, and is still regarded as one of the most political moments in the history of the Olympics.
“Still incredibly powerful and relevant, I’m honored for the opportunity to bring Tommie and John’s riveting story to life; to portray the weight of the world these two giants had on their shoulders and the self-determination, courage and sacrifice...
- 3/31/2022
- by Wilson Chapman
- Variety Film + TV
Premature filmmaker Rashaad Ernesto Green is set to helm Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM), Participant and MacRo’s feature movie ’68 inspired by the true story of Olympians Tommie Smith and John Carlos. The track athletes from San Jose State rose to become Olympic medalists and activists at the 1968 Games in Mexico City. That’s where they both raised their fists in solidarity and in support of human rights.
The screenplay is by Oscar nominated scribe Billy Ray. Participant and MacRo will produce the project, along with Stacy Sherman.
Participant will be incorporating ’68 into its ongoing impact work dedicated to civil rights and social justice. Carlos’ nephews, Airrion and Shaun McCoy, and DeLois Smith, the wife of Tommie Smith, are co-producing.
Bronx-born filmmaker Green received the Independent Spirit Someone to Watch Award in 2020 for his second feature directorial, Premature, which premiered at Sundance Film Festival to rave reviews. Shot in Harlem, New York entirely on 16mm film,...
The screenplay is by Oscar nominated scribe Billy Ray. Participant and MacRo will produce the project, along with Stacy Sherman.
Participant will be incorporating ’68 into its ongoing impact work dedicated to civil rights and social justice. Carlos’ nephews, Airrion and Shaun McCoy, and DeLois Smith, the wife of Tommie Smith, are co-producing.
Bronx-born filmmaker Green received the Independent Spirit Someone to Watch Award in 2020 for his second feature directorial, Premature, which premiered at Sundance Film Festival to rave reviews. Shot in Harlem, New York entirely on 16mm film,...
- 3/31/2022
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Rashaad Ernesto Green will direct the feature film “68,” inspired by the true story of the Olympians who gave the black power salute on the podium, MGM, Participant and MacRo announced on Thursday.
Academy Award-nominated screenwriter Billy Ray wrote the script that centers on sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos and chronicles their lives from track athletes at San Jose State to Olympic medalists and activists at the 1968 Games in Mexico City, where Smith and Carlos both raised their fists in solidarity and in support of human rights.
“Still incredibly powerful and relevant, I’m honored for the opportunity to bring Tommie and John’s riveting story to life; to portray the weight of the world these two giants had on their shoulders and the self-determination, courage and sacrifice it took for them to stand up for all of us,” Green said in a statement.
Participant and MacRo will produce the project,...
Academy Award-nominated screenwriter Billy Ray wrote the script that centers on sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos and chronicles their lives from track athletes at San Jose State to Olympic medalists and activists at the 1968 Games in Mexico City, where Smith and Carlos both raised their fists in solidarity and in support of human rights.
“Still incredibly powerful and relevant, I’m honored for the opportunity to bring Tommie and John’s riveting story to life; to portray the weight of the world these two giants had on their shoulders and the self-determination, courage and sacrifice it took for them to stand up for all of us,” Green said in a statement.
Participant and MacRo will produce the project,...
- 3/31/2022
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
Carlos’s nephews Airrion and Shaun McCoy to co-produce with Smith’s wife DeLois Smith.
MGM, Participant and Macro have hired Rashaad Ernesto Green to direct ’68 inspired by the true story of Tommie Smith and John Carlos, the Olympians who raised black-gloved fists on the winners’ podium in support of Black Power and the broader human rights movement.
Billy Ray, whose credits include Captain Phillips, The Hunger Games, Shattered Glass and TV show The Comey Rule, will write screenplay. Green directed Gun Hill Road and his second film Premature won the 2020 Independent Spirit Someone to Watch Award.
Participant and Marco...
MGM, Participant and Macro have hired Rashaad Ernesto Green to direct ’68 inspired by the true story of Tommie Smith and John Carlos, the Olympians who raised black-gloved fists on the winners’ podium in support of Black Power and the broader human rights movement.
Billy Ray, whose credits include Captain Phillips, The Hunger Games, Shattered Glass and TV show The Comey Rule, will write screenplay. Green directed Gun Hill Road and his second film Premature won the 2020 Independent Spirit Someone to Watch Award.
Participant and Marco...
- 3/31/2022
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: After teaming with Netflix on his most recent film A Fall From Grace, Tyler Perry is making his return to the streamer for his next film and has found his two leads in the process. Sources tell Deadline that Perry will direct A Jazzman’s Blues, with Joshua Boone and Solea Pfeiffer on board to star. Perry will also write and produce the pic, with Michelle Sneed executive producing.
The film is a passion project for Perry that he has been trying to make for more than two decades and was the first screenplay he ever wrote — originally penning it 26 years ago. Set from 1937-87, the story follows an investigation into an unsolved murder unveiling a story full of forbidden love, deceit and a secret that has been held for 40 years. The film primarily will shoot at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta and be released on Netflix this year.
The film is a passion project for Perry that he has been trying to make for more than two decades and was the first screenplay he ever wrote — originally penning it 26 years ago. Set from 1937-87, the story follows an investigation into an unsolved murder unveiling a story full of forbidden love, deceit and a secret that has been held for 40 years. The film primarily will shoot at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta and be released on Netflix this year.
- 3/23/2021
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Myha’la Herrold knows a thing or two about being a fish out of water. The recent Carnegie Mellon graduate left the U.S. for the first time to test for a job. But not just any job: her first series regular role as the lead in “Industry,” a major new drama for HBO. Now she texts with Lena Dunham, who directed the show’s first episode.
“Her spirit was a through line,” Herrold beams, speaking to Variety from New York. “I was always talking to Lena because we’re like homies. I want to create things in the way she does.”
The young actor’s character, Harper, is the driving force behind the Bad Wolf-produced drama, one of the rare shows to make “sexy banking drama” not sound like such an oxymoron. Rich with fresh new faces and shot between Wales and London, the slick series follows a new batch...
“Her spirit was a through line,” Herrold beams, speaking to Variety from New York. “I was always talking to Lena because we’re like homies. I want to create things in the way she does.”
The young actor’s character, Harper, is the driving force behind the Bad Wolf-produced drama, one of the rare shows to make “sexy banking drama” not sound like such an oxymoron. Rich with fresh new faces and shot between Wales and London, the slick series follows a new batch...
- 11/14/2020
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
"When I close my eyes, you are there..." Signature Ent. UK has debuted a trailer for an indie romance titled Premature, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival last year - one year ago. It went on to play the San Francisco, Dallas, Montclair, Seattle, London, Denver, and Hawaii Film Festivals in 2019. Premature a romantic drama in the vein of If Beale Street Could Talk or Blue Valentine. Set in Harlem, Zora Howard stars as a young woman who meets "handsome and mysterious outsider" Isaiah, played by Joshua Boone. Then "her entire world is turned upside down on her path towards self-discovery as she travails the rigorous terrain of young love the summer before she leaves for college." Of course. Also starring Michelle Wilson, Alexis Marie Wint, Imani Lewis, & Tashiana Washington. I dig the grainy, old school look and feel. Here's the official UK trailer for Rashaad Ernesto Green's Premature,...
- 1/9/2020
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
“First Cow” director Kelly Reichardt has been given a $50,000 Film Independent Spirit Awards Filmmaker Grant designed to recognize a mid-career female director.
Reichardt won the third annual Bonnie Award, named for Bonnie Tiburzi Caputo, who became the first woman to pilot a major U.S. airline when she joined the award’s sponsor, American Airlines, in 1973.
Actress Alfre Woodard and filmmaker Jon M. Chu presented the award, one of four grants given out by Film Independent at its nominees brunch at the Boa Steakhouse in West Hollywood on Saturday.
Also Read: 'The Lighthouse,' 'Uncut Gems' Lead Nominees at Independent Spirit Awards
In addition to the $50,000 Bonnie Award, $25,000 unrestricted grants were given to an up-and-coming producer (Molly Asher), director (Rashaad Ernesto Green) and documentary director (Nadia Shihab).
Winners in the rest of the Spirit Awards categories will be announced during the main Spirit Awards show on Saturday, Feb. 4.
The...
Reichardt won the third annual Bonnie Award, named for Bonnie Tiburzi Caputo, who became the first woman to pilot a major U.S. airline when she joined the award’s sponsor, American Airlines, in 1973.
Actress Alfre Woodard and filmmaker Jon M. Chu presented the award, one of four grants given out by Film Independent at its nominees brunch at the Boa Steakhouse in West Hollywood on Saturday.
Also Read: 'The Lighthouse,' 'Uncut Gems' Lead Nominees at Independent Spirit Awards
In addition to the $50,000 Bonnie Award, $25,000 unrestricted grants were given to an up-and-coming producer (Molly Asher), director (Rashaad Ernesto Green) and documentary director (Nadia Shihab).
Winners in the rest of the Spirit Awards categories will be announced during the main Spirit Awards show on Saturday, Feb. 4.
The...
- 1/4/2020
- by Steve Pond and Thom Geier
- The Wrap
Best international film nominees include Parasite, Portrait Of A Lady On Fire and The Souvenir.
Uncut Gems has emerged as the top contender among nominees for this year’s Film Independent Spirit Awards, with the Adam Sandler drama getting nominations in five categories including best feature.
Other best feature nominees are A Hidden Life, Clemency, The Farewell and Marriage Story.
The Lighthouse also got five Spirit Award nominations and other films with multiple citations included Give Me Liberty and Honey Boy with four each and Clemency, Hustlers, The Last Black Man In San Francisco, Luce, Marriage Story and The Third Wife with three each.
Uncut Gems has emerged as the top contender among nominees for this year’s Film Independent Spirit Awards, with the Adam Sandler drama getting nominations in five categories including best feature.
Other best feature nominees are A Hidden Life, Clemency, The Farewell and Marriage Story.
The Lighthouse also got five Spirit Award nominations and other films with multiple citations included Give Me Liberty and Honey Boy with four each and Clemency, Hustlers, The Last Black Man In San Francisco, Luce, Marriage Story and The Third Wife with three each.
- 11/21/2019
- ScreenDaily
The 2020 Independent Spirit Awards nominations were announced Thursday, November 21. So who made the cut at these kudos, which celebrate the best in American independent films? Scroll down to see the full list of nominees for the 2020 Indie Spirits. Remember, only American-made movies with budgets under $20 million were eligible for consideration.
These Spirit contenders were decided by nominating committees that included film critics, film programmers, producers, directors, writers, cinematographers, editors, actors, past nominees and winners, and members of Film Independent’s Board of Directors.
Winners will be chosen by all of Film Independent’s eligible members, including industry insiders and any movie fans who sign up for membership starting at $95 per year.
These awards have come to be a significant preview of the Oscars as the motion picture academy embraces more independent films. Five of the last six Spirit champs for Best Feature went on to win the Oscar for Best Picture.
These Spirit contenders were decided by nominating committees that included film critics, film programmers, producers, directors, writers, cinematographers, editors, actors, past nominees and winners, and members of Film Independent’s Board of Directors.
Winners will be chosen by all of Film Independent’s eligible members, including industry insiders and any movie fans who sign up for membership starting at $95 per year.
These awards have come to be a significant preview of the Oscars as the motion picture academy embraces more independent films. Five of the last six Spirit champs for Best Feature went on to win the Oscar for Best Picture.
- 11/21/2019
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
Two dark and unruly films released by A24, Robert Eggers’ “The Lighthouse” and the Safdie brothers’ “Uncut Gems,” led all films in nominations for the 2020 Film Independent Spirit Awards, Film Independent announced on Thursday.
In the Best Feature category, “Uncut Gems” was joined by Lulu Wang’s “The Farewell,” Terrence Malick’s “A Hidden Life,” Chinonye Chukwu’s “Clemency” and Noah Baumbach’s “Marriage Story.”
“Uncut Gems” was the only film nominated in both the Best Feature and Best Director categories, though “Marriage Story” was nominated in the former category and was also voted the special John Cassavetes Award, which goes to a film’s director, cast and casting director.
Also Read: 'Marriage Story,' 'The Farewell,' 'Uncut Gems' Top Gotham Award Nominations
“Honey Boy” and “Give Me Liberty” received four nominations each, while “Hustlers,” “Clemency” and “Luce” received three.
As usual, the Spirit Awards’ system of...
In the Best Feature category, “Uncut Gems” was joined by Lulu Wang’s “The Farewell,” Terrence Malick’s “A Hidden Life,” Chinonye Chukwu’s “Clemency” and Noah Baumbach’s “Marriage Story.”
“Uncut Gems” was the only film nominated in both the Best Feature and Best Director categories, though “Marriage Story” was nominated in the former category and was also voted the special John Cassavetes Award, which goes to a film’s director, cast and casting director.
Also Read: 'Marriage Story,' 'The Farewell,' 'Uncut Gems' Top Gotham Award Nominations
“Honey Boy” and “Give Me Liberty” received four nominations each, while “Hustlers,” “Clemency” and “Luce” received three.
As usual, the Spirit Awards’ system of...
- 11/21/2019
- by Brian Welk and Steve Pond
- The Wrap
The 28th Annual Whitaker St. Louis International Film Festival (Sliff) — held Nov. 7-17 — provides St. Louis filmgoers with the opportunity to view the finest in world cinema: international films, documentaries, American indies, and shorts that can only be seen on the big screen at the festival. Sliff will screen 389 films: 81 narrative features, 63 documentary features, 227 shorts, and 18 film programs exclusive to the Cinema for Students program. The fest also will feature 12 special-event programs, including our closing-night awards presentation. This year’s festival has 63 countries represented.
Sliff will present our usual array of fest buzz films and Oscar contenders, including “The Apollo,” “Atlantics,” “The Chambermaid,” “Clemency,” “Cunningham,” “A Faithful Man,” “Frankie,” “A Hidden Life,” “Just Mercy,” “The Kill Team,” “Little Joe,” “Marriage Story,” “Nomad,” “Olympic Dreams,” “Portrait of a Lady on Fire,” “Premature,” “The Report,” “The Rest,” “Seahorse,” “The Song of Names,” “Sorry We Missed You,” “Synonyms,” “A Tramway in Jerusalem,” “The Traitor,...
Sliff will present our usual array of fest buzz films and Oscar contenders, including “The Apollo,” “Atlantics,” “The Chambermaid,” “Clemency,” “Cunningham,” “A Faithful Man,” “Frankie,” “A Hidden Life,” “Just Mercy,” “The Kill Team,” “Little Joe,” “Marriage Story,” “Nomad,” “Olympic Dreams,” “Portrait of a Lady on Fire,” “Premature,” “The Report,” “The Rest,” “Seahorse,” “The Song of Names,” “Sorry We Missed You,” “Synonyms,” “A Tramway in Jerusalem,” “The Traitor,...
- 10/15/2019
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
The film, directed by Gillies MacKinnon, is produced by Sol Papadopoulos and Roy Boulter at Hurricane Films
Thierry Wase-Bailey’s Celsius Entertainment has closed multiple pre-sales on its new Gillies MacKinnon drama, The Last Bus, starring Timothy Spall (Mr Turner) and Downton Abbey’s Phyllis Logan
The film, produced by by Sol Papadopoulos and Roy Boulter at Hurricane Films, has gone to Australia/Nz (Roadshow), Spain (DEA Planeta), UK and Ireland (Parkland Entertainment), Switzerland (Filmcoopi), Japan (L.D.H), Greece/Cyprus (Odeon), Airlines (Jaguar), Canada (MK2 Mile End) and Gravel Road (South Africa).
The Last Bus, which starts shooting this week,...
Thierry Wase-Bailey’s Celsius Entertainment has closed multiple pre-sales on its new Gillies MacKinnon drama, The Last Bus, starring Timothy Spall (Mr Turner) and Downton Abbey’s Phyllis Logan
The film, produced by by Sol Papadopoulos and Roy Boulter at Hurricane Films, has gone to Australia/Nz (Roadshow), Spain (DEA Planeta), UK and Ireland (Parkland Entertainment), Switzerland (Filmcoopi), Japan (L.D.H), Greece/Cyprus (Odeon), Airlines (Jaguar), Canada (MK2 Mile End) and Gravel Road (South Africa).
The Last Bus, which starts shooting this week,...
- 10/8/2019
- by 57¦Geoffrey Macnab¦41¦
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Signature Entertainment has struck a deal with Xyz Films for UK and Irish rights to the sci-fi film Synchronic starring Jamie Dornan and Anthony Mackie.
Directed by Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead (The Endless), the Toronto and London film fests title follows two New Orleans paramedics who encounter a series of horrific deaths linked to a designer drug. Katie Aselton and Ally Ioannides are among supporting cast.
The deal was negotiated by Tatyana Joffe, President, International Sales & Distribution at Xyz, and Signature’s Head of Acquisitions & Development Elizabeth Williams.
Pic was produced by Patriot Pictures, Rustic Films and Xyz, with finance from Michael Mendelsohn’s Union Patriot Capital Management. UK release, which will include a limited theatrical run, will come in late 2020.
Signature’s CEO Marc Goldberg said, “We were blown away when we screened Synchronic in Toronto, the film hits the mark on every level and we are...
Directed by Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead (The Endless), the Toronto and London film fests title follows two New Orleans paramedics who encounter a series of horrific deaths linked to a designer drug. Katie Aselton and Ally Ioannides are among supporting cast.
The deal was negotiated by Tatyana Joffe, President, International Sales & Distribution at Xyz, and Signature’s Head of Acquisitions & Development Elizabeth Williams.
Pic was produced by Patriot Pictures, Rustic Films and Xyz, with finance from Michael Mendelsohn’s Union Patriot Capital Management. UK release, which will include a limited theatrical run, will come in late 2020.
Signature’s CEO Marc Goldberg said, “We were blown away when we screened Synchronic in Toronto, the film hits the mark on every level and we are...
- 10/4/2019
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
In today’s film news roundup, “After the Wedding,” “Premature” and “Encounter” get distribution, Jacqueline Lyanga gets a new gig, Quiver Distribution launches and “The Aeronauts” sets an Imax release.
Acquisitions
Sony Pictures Classics has acquired all rights in North America, France, India and several other Asian countries to “After the Wedding,” starring Julianne Moore and Michelle Williams.
Directed by Bart Freundlich, “After the Wedding” is an adaptation of Susanne Bier’s Academy Award-nominated Danish film of the same name. It premiered as an opening night selection at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival.
Williams portrays a woman who has dedicated her life to working with the children in an orphanage in Calcutta. She travels to New York to meet her benefactor, played by Moore.
Sony Classics is planning an August release. The distributor released “Still Alice,” for which Moore received a best actress Academy Award. The news was first reported by Deadline.
Acquisitions
Sony Pictures Classics has acquired all rights in North America, France, India and several other Asian countries to “After the Wedding,” starring Julianne Moore and Michelle Williams.
Directed by Bart Freundlich, “After the Wedding” is an adaptation of Susanne Bier’s Academy Award-nominated Danish film of the same name. It premiered as an opening night selection at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival.
Williams portrays a woman who has dedicated her life to working with the children in an orphanage in Calcutta. She travels to New York to meet her benefactor, played by Moore.
Sony Classics is planning an August release. The distributor released “Still Alice,” for which Moore received a best actress Academy Award. The news was first reported by Deadline.
- 5/15/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
One of New York City’s best summertime diversions for cinephiles, Rooftop Films has unveiled its current slate for its 2019 Summer Series, presented by SundanceTV. This year’s series will take place May 17 – August 23, featuring more than 45 outdoor screenings in more than a dozen spectacular outdoor venues, with live music, filmmaker appearances, and special enhanced screenings of the best, new, independent films from around the world.
The series will kick off on Friday, May 17 at Green-Wood Cemetery with This is What We Mean by Short Films, Rooftop’s annual collection of some of the most innovative short films from the past year. The 23rd Summer Series will continue through August with screenings of new indies and festival favorites, including “Brittany Runs a Marathon,” “My Days of Mercy,” “Mickey and the Bear,” “Saint Frances,” “The Sound of Silence,” “Pink Wall,” “Premature,” “Sister Aimee,” and “Greener Grass.”
“Last year, all of us...
The series will kick off on Friday, May 17 at Green-Wood Cemetery with This is What We Mean by Short Films, Rooftop’s annual collection of some of the most innovative short films from the past year. The 23rd Summer Series will continue through August with screenings of new indies and festival favorites, including “Brittany Runs a Marathon,” “My Days of Mercy,” “Mickey and the Bear,” “Saint Frances,” “The Sound of Silence,” “Pink Wall,” “Premature,” “Sister Aimee,” and “Greener Grass.”
“Last year, all of us...
- 5/10/2019
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Bam has released the full lineup for its 11th annual BAMcinemaFest, a “platform for both emerging and established filmmakers as well as unconventional and often overlooked films,” which will run this year from June 12 — 23. This year’s 12-day festival includes 18 NY premieres, one U.S. premiere, and three world premieres.
Gina Duncan, Associate Vice President of Film, told IndieWire of the programming picks, “We have the same goal every year: to present the best American independent cinema being made today. But this is the first year that I’ve felt the films fit together as a cohesive whole; they are linked by a naturalness, an intimate focus, and boundless creativity. As the larger film conversation continues to focus on record-breaking box offices, it feels defiant to present a program that centers film as art.”
This year’s festival will open on June 12 with the New York premiere of Lulu Wang...
Gina Duncan, Associate Vice President of Film, told IndieWire of the programming picks, “We have the same goal every year: to present the best American independent cinema being made today. But this is the first year that I’ve felt the films fit together as a cohesive whole; they are linked by a naturalness, an intimate focus, and boundless creativity. As the larger film conversation continues to focus on record-breaking box offices, it feels defiant to present a program that centers film as art.”
This year’s festival will open on June 12 with the New York premiere of Lulu Wang...
- 5/2/2019
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
‘Premature’ Clip: Sundance Drama Unpacks Gender Semantics And Treatment Of Black Men Vs. Black Women
Exclusive: In a new clip from the Rashaad Ernest Green-directed film Premature, we are thrown into a heated debate about gender semantics and the treatment of Black men and Black men.
The film, which is co-written by Green and star Zora Howard, follows Ayana (Howard), who is making the most out of her last summer in Harlem before heading to college. She’s bold, confident, and not really looking for love — until she meets the slightly older Isaiah. After one of those rare first dates that lasts for hours, she knows there’s something different about him. Ayana has found herself at an intimidating crossroads: one foot is still under her mother’s roof, while the other is primed to step out on her own with Isaiah.
The film also stars Joshua Boone, Michelle Wilson, Alexis Marie Wint, Imani Lewis, and Tashiana Washington. Premature screens under Sundance’s Next banner...
The film, which is co-written by Green and star Zora Howard, follows Ayana (Howard), who is making the most out of her last summer in Harlem before heading to college. She’s bold, confident, and not really looking for love — until she meets the slightly older Isaiah. After one of those rare first dates that lasts for hours, she knows there’s something different about him. Ayana has found herself at an intimidating crossroads: one foot is still under her mother’s roof, while the other is primed to step out on her own with Isaiah.
The film also stars Joshua Boone, Michelle Wilson, Alexis Marie Wint, Imani Lewis, and Tashiana Washington. Premature screens under Sundance’s Next banner...
- 1/26/2019
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
After 10 years of acting, Carlson Young had a story she just wanted to tell herself. The star of MTV’s Scream TV series and Groundhog Day sex comedy Premature, Young wrote, directed and starred in the short The Blazing World which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. In The Blazing World, Young plays Margaret, a high school girl plagued by nightmares of a swirling black hole and a mysterious old man. The visions get stronger and more consuming as Young envisions them on screen. Shot for two days (with an extra half day pickup), two months of post and two...read more...
- 1/29/2018
- by Fred Topel
- Monsters and Critics
Scream: The TV Series (season 1) Trendy Series Arrives on DVD May 10, 2016
Adapted from the late Wes Craven’s iconic film Scream, MTV’s popular teen slasher series, “Scream: The TV Series” Season 1 arrives on DVD May 10 from Anchor Bay Entertainment and Dimension TV. The series premiered on MTV on June 30, 2015 and featured today’s hottest young actors including Bella Thorne (The Duff), Willa Fitzgerald (For the Love of a Dog), Bex Taylor-Klaus (The Last Witch Hunter), Carlson Young (Premature), and Jason Wiles (“Third Watch”). “Scream: The TV Series” …
Hnn | Horrornews.net - Official News Site...
Adapted from the late Wes Craven’s iconic film Scream, MTV’s popular teen slasher series, “Scream: The TV Series” Season 1 arrives on DVD May 10 from Anchor Bay Entertainment and Dimension TV. The series premiered on MTV on June 30, 2015 and featured today’s hottest young actors including Bella Thorne (The Duff), Willa Fitzgerald (For the Love of a Dog), Bex Taylor-Klaus (The Last Witch Hunter), Carlson Young (Premature), and Jason Wiles (“Third Watch”). “Scream: The TV Series” …
Hnn | Horrornews.net - Official News Site...
- 3/22/2016
- by Horrornews.net
- Horror News
Adapted from the late Wes Craven’s iconic 1996 film, MTV’s first season of the TV take on the slasher series, Scream: The TV Series Season 1 arrives on DVD May 10 from Anchor Bay Entertainment and Dimension TV.
The series premiered on MTV on June 30, 2015 and featured hot young actors including Bella Thorne (The Duff), Willa Fitzgerald (For the Love of a Dog), Bex Taylor-Klaus (The Last Witch Hunter), Carlson Young (Premature), and Jason Wiles (“Third Watch”).
“Scream: The TV Series” returns for a second killer season May 31, 2016 on MTV.
Synopsis:
In “Scream: The TV Series” Season 1, what starts as a YouTube video going viral, soon leads to problems for the teenagers of Lakewood and serves as the ca [Continued ...]...
The series premiered on MTV on June 30, 2015 and featured hot young actors including Bella Thorne (The Duff), Willa Fitzgerald (For the Love of a Dog), Bex Taylor-Klaus (The Last Witch Hunter), Carlson Young (Premature), and Jason Wiles (“Third Watch”).
“Scream: The TV Series” returns for a second killer season May 31, 2016 on MTV.
Synopsis:
In “Scream: The TV Series” Season 1, what starts as a YouTube video going viral, soon leads to problems for the teenagers of Lakewood and serves as the ca [Continued ...]...
- 3/16/2016
- QuietEarth.us
It was recently announced that season 2 of the Scream TV series will premiere on May 31st. If you’re looking to catch up on the first season, Anchor Bay Entertainment and Dimension TV have announced the DVD-only release of Season 1 on May 10th:
Press Release: Beverly Hills, Calif. – (March 15, 2016) – Adapted from the late Wes Craven’s iconic film Scream, MTV’s popular teen slasher series, “Scream: The TV Series” Season 1 arrives on DVD May 10 from Anchor Bay Entertainment and Dimension TV. The series premiered on MTV on June 30, 2015 and featured today’s hottest young actors including Bella Thorne (The Duff), Willa Fitzgerald (For the Love of a Dog), Bex Taylor-Klaus (The Last Witch Hunter), Carlson Young (Premature), and Jason Wiles (“Third Watch”). “Scream: The TV Series” returns for a second killer season May 31, 2016 on MTV.
In “Scream: The TV Series” Season 1, what starts as a YouTube video going viral, soon...
Press Release: Beverly Hills, Calif. – (March 15, 2016) – Adapted from the late Wes Craven’s iconic film Scream, MTV’s popular teen slasher series, “Scream: The TV Series” Season 1 arrives on DVD May 10 from Anchor Bay Entertainment and Dimension TV. The series premiered on MTV on June 30, 2015 and featured today’s hottest young actors including Bella Thorne (The Duff), Willa Fitzgerald (For the Love of a Dog), Bex Taylor-Klaus (The Last Witch Hunter), Carlson Young (Premature), and Jason Wiles (“Third Watch”). “Scream: The TV Series” returns for a second killer season May 31, 2016 on MTV.
In “Scream: The TV Series” Season 1, what starts as a YouTube video going viral, soon...
- 3/15/2016
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
Read More: 'Premature' Director Dan Beers on Wooing Bill Murray, Lessons Learned from Wes Anderson and Finding Heart in Hard-On Jokes National Octopus Day is upon us and with it comes a charming short film written and directed by Dan Beers featuring indie darlings Kate Lyn Sheil and Abbie Cornish. Setting the record straight on the plural of "octopus," (it's "octopuses," not "octopi") Olivia (Sheil) is a biology-obsessed loner who far prefers cold cephalopod connection to those of a more mammalian bent. But when Olivia finds herself pulled out of her comfort zone, she soon finds that friends don't have to come with tentacles. "Octopus'" is Beers' follow-up to his feature comedy "Premature," and is presented in conjunction with At&T and Vice. Read More: SXSW: Indie Maverick Kate Lyn Sheil on Going Big With 'House of Cards' & Making Movies with Exes...
- 10/8/2015
- by Aubrey Page
- Indiewire
It shouldn't be an insult to call a film 'crude', but it's the first one that comes to mind when considering the film Premature, and not in a good way. No one expects for teens to be anything less than obsessed with sex (or for films about them to be any more high-minded), but one would hope that they're not the incorrigible little bastards that writer/director Dan Beers suggests that they are. It's not unbelievable that a high school senior would abandon dignity or decency in the pursuit of getting laid, but one can't expect it to be funny at the same time without a decent sense of timing.
Read more...
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- 12/2/2014
- by Anders Nelson
- JustPressPlay.net
Some quick casting news is here for the upcoming MTV series based on the Scream franchise as THR is reporting that four more actors have signed on for active duty, one of whom will be replacing the previously announced Amy Forsyth.
Willa Fitzgerald will star as Emma Duvall, a classic beauty whose looks and popularity hide a natural shyness and intellectual nature. Her new life with the “in crowd” leaves her estranged from her childhood best friend, Audrey.
Emma is the lead in MTV’s "Scream" take and bears a resemblance to Neve Campbell’s tortured high school student Sidney Prescott in the 1996 feature film.
Bex Taylor-Klaus, who has been recurring on The CW’s "Arrow" as DC Comics character Sin and whose credits also include "The Killing" and "House of Lies," will replace Forsyth in role of Audrey, the daughter of a Lutheran pastor. She’s described as an...
Willa Fitzgerald will star as Emma Duvall, a classic beauty whose looks and popularity hide a natural shyness and intellectual nature. Her new life with the “in crowd” leaves her estranged from her childhood best friend, Audrey.
Emma is the lead in MTV’s "Scream" take and bears a resemblance to Neve Campbell’s tortured high school student Sidney Prescott in the 1996 feature film.
Bex Taylor-Klaus, who has been recurring on The CW’s "Arrow" as DC Comics character Sin and whose credits also include "The Killing" and "House of Lies," will replace Forsyth in role of Audrey, the daughter of a Lutheran pastor. She’s described as an...
- 8/15/2014
- by Steve Barton
- DreadCentral.com
The televisual remake of Scream brings in Jamie Travis, Willa FitzGerald and more…
Remaking Scream for TV is an intriguing choice – with terrifying telly sometimes feeling like a thing of the past, it could be really enjoyable if done right.
Today we learnt that the director and cast have now been confirmed for the pilot episode. Behind the camera is Jamie Travis, director of five Faking It episodes and 2012 feature For A Good Time, Call. It’ll be interesting to see what he brings to the show.
Willa Fitzgerald, of Royal Pains and Alpha House, will play Emma – described as “a classic beauty whose life with the in crowd leaves her estranged from childhood best friend Audrey”. This jilted Bff and wannabe filmmaker will be played by Amy Forsyth (who has decent horror chops from Torment and the upcoming A Christmas Horror Story.)
Additionally, Premature’s John Karna has been...
Remaking Scream for TV is an intriguing choice – with terrifying telly sometimes feeling like a thing of the past, it could be really enjoyable if done right.
Today we learnt that the director and cast have now been confirmed for the pilot episode. Behind the camera is Jamie Travis, director of five Faking It episodes and 2012 feature For A Good Time, Call. It’ll be interesting to see what he brings to the show.
Willa Fitzgerald, of Royal Pains and Alpha House, will play Emma – described as “a classic beauty whose life with the in crowd leaves her estranged from childhood best friend Audrey”. This jilted Bff and wannabe filmmaker will be played by Amy Forsyth (who has decent horror chops from Torment and the upcoming A Christmas Horror Story.)
Additionally, Premature’s John Karna has been...
- 8/6/2014
- by rleane
- Den of Geek
What's your favorite scary movie? If the answer to that question is Scream, then you're no doubt excited about the upcoming MTV series based on the films; and on tap for you today is the latest casting news along with a bummer of a director change. Read on!
Per Variety, Wes Craven will no longer be directing the pilot episode of the series with MTV officially tapping “Faking It” helmer Jamie Travis to take his place. It was originally reported that Craven would be handling directing duties for the pilot, and it's no doubt a disappointment that he's now off the project.
Actors cast in key roles for the reboot of the Wes Craven film franchise about a murder spree among teenagers are Willa Fitzgerald (“Alpha House,” “Royal Pains”), Amy Forsyth (Torment, “Reign”), John Karna (Premature, “The Neighbors”), Carlson Young (“Key and Peele,” “The Kroll Show”), and Amadeus Serafini.
Young...
Per Variety, Wes Craven will no longer be directing the pilot episode of the series with MTV officially tapping “Faking It” helmer Jamie Travis to take his place. It was originally reported that Craven would be handling directing duties for the pilot, and it's no doubt a disappointment that he's now off the project.
Actors cast in key roles for the reboot of the Wes Craven film franchise about a murder spree among teenagers are Willa Fitzgerald (“Alpha House,” “Royal Pains”), Amy Forsyth (Torment, “Reign”), John Karna (Premature, “The Neighbors”), Carlson Young (“Key and Peele,” “The Kroll Show”), and Amadeus Serafini.
Young...
- 8/5/2014
- by John Squires
- DreadCentral.com
The Sitges Film Festival is typically a feast for horror fans, and this year's event looks to be no different as a big batch of new genre movies has been added to the lineup that's sure to make you drool.
From the Press Release:
The 47th Sitges Film Festival, to be held from 3 to 12 October, will be loaded with films that are all eagerly awaited by fantastic and, especially, horror genre film lovers. Festival Director Àngel Sala has announced the names of a good handful of new films that will be included in Sitges 2014.
These new Festival incorporations have been added to the lineup of an edition that will be opening with Jaume Balagueró’s [Rec] 4: Apocalypse, presenting its Grand Honorary Award to Roland Emmerich, and including presentations of the latest productions from important directors like Jean-Luc Godard, David Cronenberg, Kim-ki Duk, and Takashi Miike. See more details on those...
From the Press Release:
The 47th Sitges Film Festival, to be held from 3 to 12 October, will be loaded with films that are all eagerly awaited by fantastic and, especially, horror genre film lovers. Festival Director Àngel Sala has announced the names of a good handful of new films that will be included in Sitges 2014.
These new Festival incorporations have been added to the lineup of an edition that will be opening with Jaume Balagueró’s [Rec] 4: Apocalypse, presenting its Grand Honorary Award to Roland Emmerich, and including presentations of the latest productions from important directors like Jean-Luc Godard, David Cronenberg, Kim-ki Duk, and Takashi Miike. See more details on those...
- 8/4/2014
- by Debi Moore
- DreadCentral.com
Following previous announcements of their film lineup, the Fantasia International Film Festival has released their full lineup of movies to be shown at the 18th Annual festival, starting July 17.
New additions to the lineup include 2014 Cannes Selection When Animals Dream, directed by Jonas Alexander Amby and the return of Fantasia’s showcase of animated films, Axis.
Tickets for the festival go on sale starting July 16, and the festival runs through August 5.
View the whole press release of additional announcements below:
Fantasia Celebrates Its 18th Birthday
With Over 160 Feature Films Montreal, Thursday July 10, 2014 – 2014 is the year that Fantasia turns 18. We can’t believe it either. Fantasia’s 18th birthday means over 160 features and something in the neighborhood of 300 shorts, many being shown for the first time on this continent, a good number screening here for the first time anywhere in the world.In addition to being stacked with a multitude of breathtaking debut filmmaker discoveries,...
New additions to the lineup include 2014 Cannes Selection When Animals Dream, directed by Jonas Alexander Amby and the return of Fantasia’s showcase of animated films, Axis.
Tickets for the festival go on sale starting July 16, and the festival runs through August 5.
View the whole press release of additional announcements below:
Fantasia Celebrates Its 18th Birthday
With Over 160 Feature Films Montreal, Thursday July 10, 2014 – 2014 is the year that Fantasia turns 18. We can’t believe it either. Fantasia’s 18th birthday means over 160 features and something in the neighborhood of 300 shorts, many being shown for the first time on this continent, a good number screening here for the first time anywhere in the world.In addition to being stacked with a multitude of breathtaking debut filmmaker discoveries,...
- 7/10/2014
- by Brian Welk
- SoundOnSight
I can say without hesitation that Premature is the best movie about ejaculation-triggered time travel that I have ever seen. Sure, that compliment doesn’t really mean much, but you have to admire a flick that takes that ridiculous, gross set-up and really runs with it – all the while building an endearing cast of characters and handing each of them consistently raucous, over-the-top material. To put it another way, Premature is far, far better than a film mashing together Groundhog Day and American Pie has any right to be, and I commend it for that.
We owe a debt of gratitude to Dan Beers, making his feature directorial and screenwriting debut, for looking past the immature surface of Premature to find the belly laughs and ample heart hiding just underneath. Everyone remembers what a rough time high school was, and Beers captures that remarkably well, from the useless school nurses...
We owe a debt of gratitude to Dan Beers, making his feature directorial and screenwriting debut, for looking past the immature surface of Premature to find the belly laughs and ample heart hiding just underneath. Everyone remembers what a rough time high school was, and Beers captures that remarkably well, from the useless school nurses...
- 7/8/2014
- by Isaac Feldberg
- We Got This Covered
Losing your virginity may or may not be the day to re-live over again and again.
In “Premature,” the story follows a young teenager who gets stuck in a time loop over his orgasms. The teen is forced to live in this “Groundhog Day”-like scenario on the important day of his college interview and losing his virginity.
John Karna (“Bindlestiffs”) stars as the title character with Craig Roberts and Katie Findlay as his best friends. Alan Tudyk is also in the film as the hilarious Georgetown admissions officer.
Latino-Review had an exclusive phone interview with writer-director Dan Beers on his feature directorial debut of “Premature.” He talked with us about the challenges, humor and the casting for this production.
“Premature” is in limited release in theaters today and currently available on demand.
Read our interview below.
Latino-Review: Where did you come up with the story for “Premature?”
Dan Beers...
In “Premature,” the story follows a young teenager who gets stuck in a time loop over his orgasms. The teen is forced to live in this “Groundhog Day”-like scenario on the important day of his college interview and losing his virginity.
John Karna (“Bindlestiffs”) stars as the title character with Craig Roberts and Katie Findlay as his best friends. Alan Tudyk is also in the film as the hilarious Georgetown admissions officer.
Latino-Review had an exclusive phone interview with writer-director Dan Beers on his feature directorial debut of “Premature.” He talked with us about the challenges, humor and the casting for this production.
“Premature” is in limited release in theaters today and currently available on demand.
Read our interview below.
Latino-Review: Where did you come up with the story for “Premature?”
Dan Beers...
- 7/2/2014
- by Gig Patta
- LRMonline.com
Porky's, the first of Bob Clark's two enduring coming-of-age films (along with A Christmas Story), was once considered notorious and is now weirdly archetypal. The tits-and-zits genre, revived by American Pie, is fundamentally masculinist in way that feels uncomfortable post-Isla Vista, portraying a world in which the problems of men don't just supersede those of women; it's a world in which only men have problems, of which women are one.
Premature, you will be exhausted to hear, is a teen sex comedy with the plot of Groundhog Day, its supernatural comedy hearkening more to Scott Baio's Zapped! than to Porky's.
Uptight Ron (John Karna) keeps reliving the same day, waking up on the morning of his college entrance i...
Premature, you will be exhausted to hear, is a teen sex comedy with the plot of Groundhog Day, its supernatural comedy hearkening more to Scott Baio's Zapped! than to Porky's.
Uptight Ron (John Karna) keeps reliving the same day, waking up on the morning of his college entrance i...
- 7/2/2014
- Village Voice
Losing your virginity can be traumatic enough the first time, but imagine having to suffer that humiliation over and over again? That's the premise of “Premature,” a teen sex comedy that marks the directorial debut of Dan Beers. Like this summer's Tom Cruise vehicle “Edge of Tomorrow,” the film employs a “Groundhog Day”-esque structure to tell the tale of a high school senior who, on the day of his college interview for top-choice Georgetown, is forced to relive his failed attempt at losing his virginity repeatedly until he gets it right. John Karna (“Bindlestiffs”) stars as the horny protagonist,...
- 7/1/2014
- by Jeff Sneider
- The Wrap
This is a red-band trailer to a new raunchy high school teen comedy called Premature that mixes together elements from Groundhog Day and American Pie. In the film the main character relives one of his most embarrassing days ever over and over again. It looks like it could be a really funny flick.
The movie stars John Karna (Bindlestiffs), Craig Roberts (Submarine, The First Time), Katie Findlay (The Philosophers, The Killing), and Alan Tudyk (Dodgeball, Wreck It Ralph). Here's the synopsis:
You’re in highschool. Facing the biggest day of your life. You need to nail a college interview ensuring your admittance to your parents’ beloved alma mater. To keep cool when your life-long crush finally seems to show interest. And then you wake up one morning and realize someone’s playing a sick joke, because you’re reliving the day’s events over and over…and over again. Are you A.
The movie stars John Karna (Bindlestiffs), Craig Roberts (Submarine, The First Time), Katie Findlay (The Philosophers, The Killing), and Alan Tudyk (Dodgeball, Wreck It Ralph). Here's the synopsis:
You’re in highschool. Facing the biggest day of your life. You need to nail a college interview ensuring your admittance to your parents’ beloved alma mater. To keep cool when your life-long crush finally seems to show interest. And then you wake up one morning and realize someone’s playing a sick joke, because you’re reliving the day’s events over and over…and over again. Are you A.
- 6/24/2014
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
The Groundhog Day formula got the sci-fi treatment again this summer with Edge of Tomorrow, an action-packed fun flick that more audiences should have taken a chance on. Now the same concept is being applied to the high school sex comedy with Premature. Surprisingly enough, this looks pretty damn funny, featuring what might be a star-making turn from John Karna, and amusing supporting performances from Craig Roberts (Submarine, Neighbors) and Alan Tudyk (Dodgeball, Wreck-It Ralph). I'll pretty much watch any film using the Groundhog Day conceit, and this red band trailer makes it look like a real winner. Here's the red band trailer for Dan Beers' Premature from SlashFilm: And here's the first poster for the film, with a great yearbook design: You’re in high school. Facing the biggest day of your life. You need to nail a college interview ensuring your admittance to your parents’ beloved alma mater.
- 6/24/2014
- by Ethan Anderton
- firstshowing.net
/Film is proud to exclusively debut the red-band trailer for Premature. Co-written and directed by Dan Beers, Premature opens in theaters and On Demand on July 2. In the mold of another big summer film, Premature takes the time travel conceit made popular by Groundhog Day and grafts it onto another genre. Edge of Tomorrow did […]
The post ‘Premature’ Red Band Trailer: ‘Groundhog Day’ Meets ‘American Pie’ In This Indie Comedy [Exclusive] appeared first on /Film.
The post ‘Premature’ Red Band Trailer: ‘Groundhog Day’ Meets ‘American Pie’ In This Indie Comedy [Exclusive] appeared first on /Film.
- 6/24/2014
- by Germain Lussier
- Slash Film
In Groundhog Day, Bill Murray wakes up every day in the same Pennsylvania hamlet to repeatedly endure the most provincial of American holidays. In Edge of Tomorrow, Tom Cruise’s day is reset every time he takes a bullet in the head or gets killed by invading aliens. In the new comedy Premature, a teenager is stuck in a similar time loop, but his reset button might be the most excruciating yet: failed—but extremely close!—attempts to lose his virginity.
Dan Beers, who famously landed Murray for his 2008 short, Fcu: Fact Checkers Unit, came up with the idea for Premature with co-writer Mathew Harawitz.
Dan Beers, who famously landed Murray for his 2008 short, Fcu: Fact Checkers Unit, came up with the idea for Premature with co-writer Mathew Harawitz.
- 6/24/2014
- by Jeff Labrecque
- EW - Inside Movies
Last weekend, Tom Cruise kept dying over and over again as he tried to figure out how to save the world, but it's not the only movie coming around the bend to borrow the conceptual framework of "Groundhog Day." The template has been applied to the forthcoming comedy "Premature," and we have the exclusive trailer for the film that first unspooled for audiences at this spring's SXSW. Co-written and directed by Dan Beers, and starring John Karna, Craig Roberts, Katie Findlay, Alan Tudyk, Adam Riegler, Carlson Young and Elon Gold, the film follows one high schooler who keeps repeating the biggest day of his life. It's 24 hours that finds having to nail a college entrance exam, deal with his concerned parents, all while trying to get the girl of his dreams. But can he make the right choices so he's not perpetually on the edge of tomorrow? Find out when...
- 6/10/2014
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
Dan Beers’ filmed premiered at SXSW and stars John Karna, n, Craig Roberts and Alan Tudyk. FilmNation handles international sales.
Premature centres on a high school student who must relive losing his virginity until he gets it right. AI Film co-financed with FilmNation, who also produced.
Beers and Mathew Harawitz wrote the film and Aaron Ryder and Karen Lunder produced. Glen Basner, Aviv Giladi, Vince Holden and Len Blavatnik are the executive producers.
IFC Films brokered the Us deal with FilmNation.
Premature centres on a high school student who must relive losing his virginity until he gets it right. AI Film co-financed with FilmNation, who also produced.
Beers and Mathew Harawitz wrote the film and Aaron Ryder and Karen Lunder produced. Glen Basner, Aviv Giladi, Vince Holden and Len Blavatnik are the executive producers.
IFC Films brokered the Us deal with FilmNation.
- 5/5/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Dan Beers' comedy "Premature" could be described as "American Pie" meets "Groundhog Day." All Us distribution rights for this teen sex flick (written by Dan Beers and Mathew Harawitz) were just acquired by IFC Midnight, following the film's world premiere at this year's South By Southwest Film Festival. "Premature" stars newcomer John Karna, who navigates the most important day of his life coming up on the end of his senior year in high school. But as the day progresses, an odd turn of events causes him to relive the day over and over again. Indiewire's Eric Kohn called the comedy "a gross-out farce that's consistently down to earth." You can read the review here. Beers' comedy also stars Katie Findlay, Craig Roberts and Alan Tudyk. No release date has been announced yet. ...
- 5/5/2014
- by Taylor Lindsay
- Indiewire
Dan Beers’ sex comedy “Premature” is coming to IFC Midnight following its well-received debut at SXSW. IFC Midnight is acquiring U.S. rights to the film, which stars John Karna, Katie Findlay, Craig Roberts and Alan Tudyk. Also read: Phase 4 to Release ‘Bindlestiffs’ Under Kevin Smith SModcast Banner Beers and Mathew Harawitz co-wrote the film, which was produced by FilmNation's Aaron Ryder and Karen Lunder and executive produced by Glen Basner, Aviv Giladi, Vince Holden and Len Blavatnik. “Premature” follows Rob (Karna) on the most important day of his life — he has to nail a college interview, keep his cool when his life-long crush Angela.
- 5/5/2014
- by Jeff Sneider
- The Wrap
Melora Walters, Anna Hutchison and John Karna have joined the cast of Yellow Brick Films’ Sugar Mountain, currently in production.
The trio joins a previously announced cast including Cary Elwes, Game Of Thrones’ Jason Momoa, Drew Roy, Haley Webb and Pretty Little Liars’ Shane Coffey.
Sugar Mountain is a dark comedy-thriller about love, greed, family and a hoax that goes terribly wrong.
Walters is best known for her roles in Magnolia and Big Love, Hutchison for her role in The Cabin In The Woods and Karna for the film Premature.
The trio joins a previously announced cast including Cary Elwes, Game Of Thrones’ Jason Momoa, Drew Roy, Haley Webb and Pretty Little Liars’ Shane Coffey.
Sugar Mountain is a dark comedy-thriller about love, greed, family and a hoax that goes terribly wrong.
Walters is best known for her roles in Magnolia and Big Love, Hutchison for her role in The Cabin In The Woods and Karna for the film Premature.
- 3/26/2014
- ScreenDaily
I interviewed a trio of native-Texas actors at SXSW for the comedy Premature, which premiered at the fest (my review). Alan Tudyk was born in El Paso and grew up in Plano. The veteran of Juilliard has a hefty list of credits in both television and film including roles in Serenity, Tucker & Dale vs. Evil, Suburgatory, Arrested Development, Firefly, Dollhouse and V as well as voice performances in the animated films Ice Age (and its sequels), Wreck-It Ralph and Frozen. Due to time constraints, Laurie Coker of True View Reviews and I interviewed Tudyk together.
True View Reviews: First time at SXSW?
Alan Tudyk: No, I've been here before. I worked in the music festival a few years ago. I have a good friend who lives in town. I used to come to Austin all the time. I used to spend every New Years here. This is where you...
True View Reviews: First time at SXSW?
Alan Tudyk: No, I've been here before. I worked in the music festival a few years ago. I have a good friend who lives in town. I used to come to Austin all the time. I used to spend every New Years here. This is where you...
- 3/19/2014
- by Mike Saulters
- Slackerwood
I interviewed a trio of Texans at SXSW for the comedy Premature, which premiered at the fest (my review). One was Carlson Young, who's a native of Fort Worth. Her first role was on the Austin-shot TV series As the Bell Rings, and her career has included among others, roles in Heroes, Pretty Little Liars, True Blood, The League and Key and Peele.
[Note: Due to technical issues, we were not able to see Premature before interviews.]
Slackerwood: Why don't you tell me a little about your part in the film?
Carlson Young: Initially reading the script, I thought I could do something really different with the character, like I feel like she could come off as the stereotypical popular chick, you know? But I saw her as a lot more than that because I think she's the kind of girl who's like "I'm a badass" to be honest, and sees something she wants and she takes it. It's not about being popular or having friends,...
[Note: Due to technical issues, we were not able to see Premature before interviews.]
Slackerwood: Why don't you tell me a little about your part in the film?
Carlson Young: Initially reading the script, I thought I could do something really different with the character, like I feel like she could come off as the stereotypical popular chick, you know? But I saw her as a lot more than that because I think she's the kind of girl who's like "I'm a badass" to be honest, and sees something she wants and she takes it. It's not about being popular or having friends,...
- 3/19/2014
- by Mike Saulters
- Slackerwood
At SXSW this year, I was able to interview three native-Texas actors from the movie Premature, which premiered at the fest (my review). Let's start with Houston native John Karna, who also starred in the 2012 Slamdance audience-award-winning comedy Bindlestiffs (Jette's Dallas Iff review).
Slackerwood: So this is your first big picture?
John Karna: This is, yeah. This is my first paid movie gig, which is awesome they trusted me to do it.
So Bindlestiffs was unpaid?
Karna: Unpaid, it was a passion project with my friends. We just decided when I was in high school, my friends and I -- Andrew Edison who directed and Luke Loftin who wrote it -- we decided to do this improv movie just for fun. And we finished it and submitted it, and it got into Slamdance and won the audience award and Kevin Smith was a huge fan of it, and that was pretty badass.
Slackerwood: So this is your first big picture?
John Karna: This is, yeah. This is my first paid movie gig, which is awesome they trusted me to do it.
So Bindlestiffs was unpaid?
Karna: Unpaid, it was a passion project with my friends. We just decided when I was in high school, my friends and I -- Andrew Edison who directed and Luke Loftin who wrote it -- we decided to do this improv movie just for fun. And we finished it and submitted it, and it got into Slamdance and won the audience award and Kevin Smith was a huge fan of it, and that was pretty badass.
- 3/19/2014
- by Mike Saulters
- Slackerwood
Giving new meaning to the coming-of-age genre, writer-director Dan Beers' Premature follows Rob (John Karna) as he attempts to navigate his way through one very pivotal day in his life. Facing an interview with an admissions representative (Alan Tudyk) from his parents' (Katie Kneeland, Steve Coulter) alma matter, Georgetown, and an opportunity to finally lose his virginity, Rob must repeat this particular day until he gets on the right path to proceed with his life. Of course once Rob learns that the proverbial reset button to start the day anew is premature ejaculation, he begins to have more fun with his Groundhog Day scenario, milking his newfound life without repercussions for all its worth.
- 3/18/2014
- by Don Simpson
- SmellsLikeScreenSpirit
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