The Young Wife’s Kiersey Clemons has accomplished a lot in her young career. After going the big-budget adventure route in the Apple TV+ series Monarch: Legacy of Monsters and playing West in the DC Comics films Zack Snyder’s Justice League and The Flash, Ms. Clemons has teamed up with director Tayarisha Poe, best known for her debut Prime Video film, Selah and the Spades, for The Young Wife, which premiered at SXSW in 2022.
Here at FandomWire, we had the pleasure of interviewing Kiersey Clemons and Tayarisha Poe about The Young Wife, which hit theaters and VOD on May 31. We touched upon the inspiration for Ms. Poe’s new film, their journey as artists before and after the Covid-19 pandemic, and how that ties into their new film’s narrative.
Kiersey Clemons in The Young Wife (2024) | Image via Republic Pictures
SUGGESTEDThe Flash Actress Kiersey Clemons Slams James Gunn Movie:...
Here at FandomWire, we had the pleasure of interviewing Kiersey Clemons and Tayarisha Poe about The Young Wife, which hit theaters and VOD on May 31. We touched upon the inspiration for Ms. Poe’s new film, their journey as artists before and after the Covid-19 pandemic, and how that ties into their new film’s narrative.
Kiersey Clemons in The Young Wife (2024) | Image via Republic Pictures
SUGGESTEDThe Flash Actress Kiersey Clemons Slams James Gunn Movie:...
- 6/3/2024
- by M.N. Miller
- FandomWire
Just because Celestina, the soon-to-be young wife in the “The Young Wife” told friends and family that while the honor of their presence was requested, they would be attending a party, not a wedding, doesn’t make it so. The weight of family, community and ritual aren’t so easily evaded. Or embraced.
So, on the day of her and River’s nuptials, she appears to be wrestling less with the meaning of marriage and more with the weight of the word “wife.” Warm hearts and cooling feet is nothing new for movies, of course, but Kiersey Clemons’ portrayal of Celestina — her head spinning — raises the stakes of love and liberty.
Writer-director Tayarisha Poe has populated her sophomore feature with characters of a neo-bohemian, united colors-of-who-the-fuck-cares aura. Guests arrive with sartorial flash, expressive finery, hairdos that signal independence for days and attitudes that combine and recombine the traditional with the rebellious.
So, on the day of her and River’s nuptials, she appears to be wrestling less with the meaning of marriage and more with the weight of the word “wife.” Warm hearts and cooling feet is nothing new for movies, of course, but Kiersey Clemons’ portrayal of Celestina — her head spinning — raises the stakes of love and liberty.
Writer-director Tayarisha Poe has populated her sophomore feature with characters of a neo-bohemian, united colors-of-who-the-fuck-cares aura. Guests arrive with sartorial flash, expressive finery, hairdos that signal independence for days and attitudes that combine and recombine the traditional with the rebellious.
- 6/1/2024
- by Lisa Kennedy
- Variety Film + TV
Is anyone really ready to get married, let alone commit?
Tayarisha Poe’s new film, “The Young Wife,” asks and answers the age-old question and more, with Kiersey Clemons starring as a young woman whose “non-wedding” to her elusive partner (Leon Bridges) brings out all the pressures of a traditional union. The chaos and expectations of family and friends heighten the not-quite-bride’s spiraling panic, and all seems poised to unravel just before the party meant to celebrate their love.
Sheryl Lee Ralph, Judith Light, Kelly Marie Tran, Aya Cash, and Michaela Watkins co-star. Poe writes and directs her follow-up to 2019 Sundance debut “Selah and the Spades.”
“The Young Wife” premiered at SXSW 2023, where it was picked up by distributor Republic Pictures, a Paramount Pictures label. “I’m excited to share the work of our wonderful cast and crew,” Poe told IndieWire. “For me this is a story of color and chaos,...
Tayarisha Poe’s new film, “The Young Wife,” asks and answers the age-old question and more, with Kiersey Clemons starring as a young woman whose “non-wedding” to her elusive partner (Leon Bridges) brings out all the pressures of a traditional union. The chaos and expectations of family and friends heighten the not-quite-bride’s spiraling panic, and all seems poised to unravel just before the party meant to celebrate their love.
Sheryl Lee Ralph, Judith Light, Kelly Marie Tran, Aya Cash, and Michaela Watkins co-star. Poe writes and directs her follow-up to 2019 Sundance debut “Selah and the Spades.”
“The Young Wife” premiered at SXSW 2023, where it was picked up by distributor Republic Pictures, a Paramount Pictures label. “I’m excited to share the work of our wonderful cast and crew,” Poe told IndieWire. “For me this is a story of color and chaos,...
- 5/14/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Who Plays Wally Croker in Netflix's A Man in Full? Meet Actor Evan Roe - Main Image
Netflix's A Man in Full is a six-part limited drama series based on Tom Wolfe's 1998 novel of the same title. In addition to Ozark's Tom Pelphrey and The Good Place's William Jackson Harper, actor Evan Roe plays an important role in A Man in Full.
So who is Evan Roe, the actor who portrays Charlie and Martha Croker's son in A Man in Full? Find out in this article.
Who Is Evan Roe? Where Is He From?
Evan Christopher Roe, popularly known as Evan Roe, was born in Seattle, Washington, on February 9, 2000.
He began acting in musical theater after moving to San Diego, California, and has appeared in numerous productions, including Big River, a 2012 musical rendition of Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
As a child actor,...
Netflix's A Man in Full is a six-part limited drama series based on Tom Wolfe's 1998 novel of the same title. In addition to Ozark's Tom Pelphrey and The Good Place's William Jackson Harper, actor Evan Roe plays an important role in A Man in Full.
So who is Evan Roe, the actor who portrays Charlie and Martha Croker's son in A Man in Full? Find out in this article.
Who Is Evan Roe? Where Is He From?
Evan Christopher Roe, popularly known as Evan Roe, was born in Seattle, Washington, on February 9, 2000.
He began acting in musical theater after moving to San Diego, California, and has appeared in numerous productions, including Big River, a 2012 musical rendition of Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
As a child actor,...
- 5/2/2024
- EpicStream
The first trailer has been unveiled for Luke Willis’ documentary “Lady Like,” which will have its world premiere as the closing film of BFI Flare London Lgbtqia+ Film Festival.
The film follows the story of London-born, San Francisco-based drag queen Lady Camden, Aka Rex Wheeler, as she is catapulted into the spotlight on “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 14. Lady Camden struggles to manage the demands of her new international fame, while Rex is forced to come to terms with the troubling childhood he left behind in Camden which drove him to so desperately seek joy, fantasy and escape through the performing arts.
“Lady Like” is the first feature film by Willis, whose previous credits include shorts “Pool Boy” and “The Summer House,” both selected at previous BFI Flare editions. Willis produced the film along with Cookie Walukas (“Selah and the Spades”).
“I still remember the first time I met Rex and his infectiously joyful energy.
The film follows the story of London-born, San Francisco-based drag queen Lady Camden, Aka Rex Wheeler, as she is catapulted into the spotlight on “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 14. Lady Camden struggles to manage the demands of her new international fame, while Rex is forced to come to terms with the troubling childhood he left behind in Camden which drove him to so desperately seek joy, fantasy and escape through the performing arts.
“Lady Like” is the first feature film by Willis, whose previous credits include shorts “Pool Boy” and “The Summer House,” both selected at previous BFI Flare editions. Willis produced the film along with Cookie Walukas (“Selah and the Spades”).
“I still remember the first time I met Rex and his infectiously joyful energy.
- 3/1/2024
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Mara Brock Akil’s Netflix series adaptation of the 1975 Judy Blume novel “Forever” has found its two series leads, Variety has learned.
Lovie Simone and Michael Cooper Jr. are set to star in the series, which was originally ordered at Netflix back in 2022. In addition, Regina King has boarded the series as an executive producer and will direct the first episode.
The official logline states the series is “an epic love story of two Black teens exploring romance and their identities through the awkward journey of being each other’s firsts, set in Los Angeles, 2018.”
Simone will star as as Keisha Clark, described as “a young confident, smart, and fiery track star with clear dreams for life after high school.” Cooper will play Justin Edwards, “a young man who is a nerd at heart disguised in an athlete’s body. Justin dreams of playing D1 basketball and achieving more than his successful parents.
Lovie Simone and Michael Cooper Jr. are set to star in the series, which was originally ordered at Netflix back in 2022. In addition, Regina King has boarded the series as an executive producer and will direct the first episode.
The official logline states the series is “an epic love story of two Black teens exploring romance and their identities through the awkward journey of being each other’s firsts, set in Los Angeles, 2018.”
Simone will star as as Keisha Clark, described as “a young confident, smart, and fiery track star with clear dreams for life after high school.” Cooper will play Justin Edwards, “a young man who is a nerd at heart disguised in an athlete’s body. Justin dreams of playing D1 basketball and achieving more than his successful parents.
- 2/15/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Few could look away when a nearly naked Dakota Johnson stepped onto the red carpet for the world premiere of Madame Web. The 34-year-old has been a brand ambassador for Gucci since 2017, so it’s no surprise that Johnson received a sparkling custom gown from the Italian brand for the Sony Marvel movie screening.
Dakota Johnson at the world premiere of ‘Madame Web’ | Steve Granitz/FilmMagic
Known for dressing with stars Scarlett Johansson, Selena Gomez, and Julianne Moore, Kate Young styled Johnson for the Madame Web premiere. She honored the spidery theme with a web-like gown encrusted in crystals, almost like water drops on a spider web.
Johnson wore a nude bodysuit with a plunging necklace to match the form of her spaghetti-strap dress.
Dakota Johnson at the world premiere of ‘Madame Web’ | Steve Granitz/FilmMagic
Johnson accessorized with a diamond choker by Messika and black patent leather heels. Neutral makeup,...
Dakota Johnson at the world premiere of ‘Madame Web’ | Steve Granitz/FilmMagic
Known for dressing with stars Scarlett Johansson, Selena Gomez, and Julianne Moore, Kate Young styled Johnson for the Madame Web premiere. She honored the spidery theme with a web-like gown encrusted in crystals, almost like water drops on a spider web.
Johnson wore a nude bodysuit with a plunging necklace to match the form of her spaghetti-strap dress.
Dakota Johnson at the world premiere of ‘Madame Web’ | Steve Granitz/FilmMagic
Johnson accessorized with a diamond choker by Messika and black patent leather heels. Neutral makeup,...
- 2/14/2024
- by Ali Hicks
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
It's been five years since Boots Riley made a tremendous first impression on the filmmaking scene with "Sorry To Bother You," but the writer, director, producer, musician, and activist is finally back with "I'm A Virgo." A trailer for the new Prime Video series just dropped, and as expected, it looks both wild as hell and like an absurdly good time.
Press materials for the highly-anticipated series call it a "mythical coming-of-age comedy," while the trailer tagline claims it's the "biggest coming-of-age story of all time." The latter is definitely true on one level, as the story revolves around a 13-foot-tall young Black man who discovers the world after hiding away throughout his formative years. In the trailer, we see Jerome's character, Cootie, encounter some typical adolescent problems -- like figuring out how to flirt with a girl -- and some not-so-typical ones, like being observed by a cult-y...
Press materials for the highly-anticipated series call it a "mythical coming-of-age comedy," while the trailer tagline claims it's the "biggest coming-of-age story of all time." The latter is definitely true on one level, as the story revolves around a 13-foot-tall young Black man who discovers the world after hiding away throughout his formative years. In the trailer, we see Jerome's character, Cootie, encounter some typical adolescent problems -- like figuring out how to flirt with a girl -- and some not-so-typical ones, like being observed by a cult-y...
- 5/30/2023
- by Valerie Ettenhofer
- Slash Film
by Abe Friedtanzer
Kiersey Clemons is a superb talent who has proven her ability in films like Hearts Beat Loud and Asking for It. She is once again magnetic in writer-director Tayarisha Poe’s follow-up to Selah and the Spades as a bride that no one seems to truly notice or care about being happy. The Young Wife isn’t nearly as depressing or foreboding as another miserable wedding movie, Melancholia, but there’s still a sense something could go seriously wrong at any moment, and only its title character would notice.
Onscreen text invites audiences to the party - it’s not a wedding - of Celestina (Clemons) and River (Leon Bridges). A horde of people descend on Celestina’s home, each arriving with their own energy and distinctly ignoring the vibe she’d like to have on her big day...
Kiersey Clemons is a superb talent who has proven her ability in films like Hearts Beat Loud and Asking for It. She is once again magnetic in writer-director Tayarisha Poe’s follow-up to Selah and the Spades as a bride that no one seems to truly notice or care about being happy. The Young Wife isn’t nearly as depressing or foreboding as another miserable wedding movie, Melancholia, but there’s still a sense something could go seriously wrong at any moment, and only its title character would notice.
Onscreen text invites audiences to the party - it’s not a wedding - of Celestina (Clemons) and River (Leon Bridges). A horde of people descend on Celestina’s home, each arriving with their own energy and distinctly ignoring the vibe she’d like to have on her big day...
- 3/18/2023
- by Abe Friedtanzer
- FilmExperience
A slow-motion panic attack in movie form, “The Young Wife” swirls around the hopes and doubts of a young woman (a radiant Kiersey Clemons) on the day of her “non-wedding.” It’s not a moment of matrimony, nor is it quite a commitment ceremony, but instead a day-long party, a celebration of the love between Celestina and her wishy-washy boyfriend River (Leon Bridges), who’s hours late. Set 10 years in the future and imbued with an ineffably otherworldly glow that almost makes you feel like you’ve been planted on another planet, “The Young Wife” is , and one with plenty of spiky characters and admirable visuals to pluck from.
The director is Tayarisha Poe, who made waves at Sundance in 2019 for her confidently directed feature debut “Selah and the Spades,” a deftly choreographed ensemble piece about the underground factions of a fictional boarding school. Here, with “The Young Wife,” Poe...
The director is Tayarisha Poe, who made waves at Sundance in 2019 for her confidently directed feature debut “Selah and the Spades,” a deftly choreographed ensemble piece about the underground factions of a fictional boarding school. Here, with “The Young Wife,” Poe...
- 3/18/2023
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
Do you ever feel like your life isn't your own? Perhaps you feel as if there are too many people trying to tell you what you should do, what you should feel, and so on and so forth. Not to use a cliche and jokey phrase, but we live in a society that demands to know what we are doing at every single moment of our lives, never allowing anything to be truly private. Even our secret thoughts and desires are encouraged to be shared with others via private channels. Wouldn't you like just one moment of your life where you can feel totally, completely in control?
Celestina (Kiersey Clemons) certainly would, especially on the day of her non-wedding as seen throughout Tayarisha Poe's sophomore feature, "The Young Wife." She's stuck in a soul-sucking job, dealing with regret over abandoning her close-knit friend group after a tragedy, and feels...
Celestina (Kiersey Clemons) certainly would, especially on the day of her non-wedding as seen throughout Tayarisha Poe's sophomore feature, "The Young Wife." She's stuck in a soul-sucking job, dealing with regret over abandoning her close-knit friend group after a tragedy, and feels...
- 3/17/2023
- by Erin Brady
- Slash Film
Exclusive: Alyssa Milano (Brazen), Virginia Madsen (Sideways), Gina Torres (9-1-1: Lone Star) and Milana Vayntrub (This Is Us) have signed on for roles in the feature-length anthology Give Me an A, which links together 15 short films, in response to the recent overturning of Roe v. Wade.
The film currently in post-production will have been completed within two months from the date of Roe’s overturning — which eliminated the longstanding constitutional right to abortion — in an effort to ensure this is a response and not a delayed reaction. The creators, cast and crew have made a significant effort to expedite the process in order to start a conversation with audiences about the importance of bodily autonomy and address the dysfunction of a democracy that is not protecting the needs of a majority of the population. Support from vendors like Keslow, Panavision and The Ebell of Los Angeles has allowed...
The film currently in post-production will have been completed within two months from the date of Roe’s overturning — which eliminated the longstanding constitutional right to abortion — in an effort to ensure this is a response and not a delayed reaction. The creators, cast and crew have made a significant effort to expedite the process in order to start a conversation with audiences about the importance of bodily autonomy and address the dysfunction of a democracy that is not protecting the needs of a majority of the population. Support from vendors like Keslow, Panavision and The Ebell of Los Angeles has allowed...
- 9/12/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Celeste O’Connor (Ghostbusters: Afterlife) has signed on to star alongside Dakota Johnson and Sydney Sweeney in S.J. Clarkson’s Sony film Madame Web, based on the Marvel comics by writer Denny O’Neil and artist John Romita Jr.
Madame Web is the next entry and first female character to be developed within the Sony Pictures Universe of Marvel characters. The film will be an origin story of the clairvoyant, whose psychic abilities allow her to see within the spider world. Details with regard to the character O’Connor will be playing have not been disclosed.
Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless wrote the film, with Kerem Sanga having penned an earlier draft. It’s set for release in theaters on July 7, 2023—on the heels of J.C. Chandor’s Kraven the Hunter, starring Aaron Taylor Johnson, which is slated for release on January 13.
O’Connor will next be seen in MGM’s drama A Good Person,...
Madame Web is the next entry and first female character to be developed within the Sony Pictures Universe of Marvel characters. The film will be an origin story of the clairvoyant, whose psychic abilities allow her to see within the spider world. Details with regard to the character O’Connor will be playing have not been disclosed.
Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless wrote the film, with Kerem Sanga having penned an earlier draft. It’s set for release in theaters on July 7, 2023—on the heels of J.C. Chandor’s Kraven the Hunter, starring Aaron Taylor Johnson, which is slated for release on January 13.
O’Connor will next be seen in MGM’s drama A Good Person,...
- 5/24/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Christina Bazdekis has joined United Talent Agency as an agent in the motion picture division. Based in New York, she will report to MP co-heads Jason Burns and Julien Thuan.
“Christina is incredibly well-respected and a driving force,” said Thuan in a statement. “She has championed artists throughout her career and is responsible for guiding their ambitions in creative storytelling. We look forward to bringing her passion and commitment to advancing film here at UTA.”
“As the entertainment industry continues to evolve, UTA has proven to be an innovative leader in representation, devoted to fostering the most unique and compelling voices working today,” added Bazdekis in a statement. “I am excited to join the dynamic team at UTA, bringing my experience and expanding upon an incredible roster of clients.”
Prior to joining UTA, Bazdekis served as an agent within ICM’s motion picture department. Throughout her career which also included a stint at CAA,...
“Christina is incredibly well-respected and a driving force,” said Thuan in a statement. “She has championed artists throughout her career and is responsible for guiding their ambitions in creative storytelling. We look forward to bringing her passion and commitment to advancing film here at UTA.”
“As the entertainment industry continues to evolve, UTA has proven to be an innovative leader in representation, devoted to fostering the most unique and compelling voices working today,” added Bazdekis in a statement. “I am excited to join the dynamic team at UTA, bringing my experience and expanding upon an incredible roster of clients.”
Prior to joining UTA, Bazdekis served as an agent within ICM’s motion picture department. Throughout her career which also included a stint at CAA,...
- 5/11/2022
- by Lynette Rice
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Kiersey Clemons (Warner Bros’ upcoming The Flash) is set to lead cast in Tayarisha Poe’s (Selah and the Spades) sophomore feature The Young Wife for FilmNation and Archer Gray.
Principal photography has begun in Savannah, Ga, on the feature, which was written and is being directed by Poe.
Archer Gray’s Anne Carey produces, Amy Nauiokas is an executive producer and Rebecca Choi co-produces. The film is fully financed by FilmNation, with Ashley Fox serving as executive producer for the company.
According to the team, the movie follows a woman grappling with the meaning of love and commitment in the face of an uncertain and tumultuous world. A sunny-day panic attack and a wholly new take on the wedding film, the movie follows her over the course of her “non-wedding” day.
Emmy and Tony winner Judith Light (The Menu), Grammy winning R&b artist Leon Bridges (in his acting debut), Michaela Watkins,...
Principal photography has begun in Savannah, Ga, on the feature, which was written and is being directed by Poe.
Archer Gray’s Anne Carey produces, Amy Nauiokas is an executive producer and Rebecca Choi co-produces. The film is fully financed by FilmNation, with Ashley Fox serving as executive producer for the company.
According to the team, the movie follows a woman grappling with the meaning of love and commitment in the face of an uncertain and tumultuous world. A sunny-day panic attack and a wholly new take on the wedding film, the movie follows her over the course of her “non-wedding” day.
Emmy and Tony winner Judith Light (The Menu), Grammy winning R&b artist Leon Bridges (in his acting debut), Michaela Watkins,...
- 3/2/2022
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
The upcoming Apple limited series “Manhunt” has added Anthony Boyle and Lovie Simone to its cast, Variety has learned.
The pair join previously announced series lead Tobias Menzies. The show is based on the book “Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer” by James Swanson. Menzies will star as Edwin Stanton, Abraham Lincoln’s War Secretary and friend, who was driven nearly to madness by the need to catch Lincoln’s assassin, John Wilkes Booth (Boyle), and to carry out Lincoln’s legacy. The series will also feature Black historical figures, including Mary Simms (Simone), a former slave of the doctor who treated Booth’s injury and gave him safe harbor after his crime.
The show marks the second Apple series in which Boyle will star. He is also set to appear in the Apple World War II drama “Masters of the Air.” His recent TV credits include “The Plot Against America” at HBO,...
The pair join previously announced series lead Tobias Menzies. The show is based on the book “Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer” by James Swanson. Menzies will star as Edwin Stanton, Abraham Lincoln’s War Secretary and friend, who was driven nearly to madness by the need to catch Lincoln’s assassin, John Wilkes Booth (Boyle), and to carry out Lincoln’s legacy. The series will also feature Black historical figures, including Mary Simms (Simone), a former slave of the doctor who treated Booth’s injury and gave him safe harbor after his crime.
The show marks the second Apple series in which Boyle will star. He is also set to appear in the Apple World War II drama “Masters of the Air.” His recent TV credits include “The Plot Against America” at HBO,...
- 2/25/2022
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Every year, former President Barack Obama reminds us just how good we had it by flexing his impeccable taste in film and TV. As December gets halfway through, it’s that time of year again for Obama to name his favorite films of 2021.
“Over the next few days, I’ll share my annual list of favorite books, music, and movies. Art always sustains and nourishes the soul. But for me, music and storytelling felt especially urgent during this pandemic year,” Obama wrote on Twitter before beginning the rollout of the best art he consumed in the past year. His list of top films includes critics’ favorite “Drive My Car” (which is Japan’s entry for the International Feature Oscar), Questlove’s Oscar-hopeful documentary “Summer of Soul,” “West Side Story,” and “The Power of the Dog.”
Obama also made room for films including “Pig,” “Passing,” “The Card Counter,” Oscar winner “Judas and the Black Messiah,...
“Over the next few days, I’ll share my annual list of favorite books, music, and movies. Art always sustains and nourishes the soul. But for me, music and storytelling felt especially urgent during this pandemic year,” Obama wrote on Twitter before beginning the rollout of the best art he consumed in the past year. His list of top films includes critics’ favorite “Drive My Car” (which is Japan’s entry for the International Feature Oscar), Questlove’s Oscar-hopeful documentary “Summer of Soul,” “West Side Story,” and “The Power of the Dog.”
Obama also made room for films including “Pig,” “Passing,” “The Card Counter,” Oscar winner “Judas and the Black Messiah,...
- 12/16/2021
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
After appearing in “Ghostbusters: Afterlife,” “Freaky” and “Selah and the Spades,” Celeste O’Connor has boarded Zach Braff’s latest movie “A Good Person.”
O’Connor joins a troupe of major Hollywood players in the film, led by Florence Pugh, Morgan Freeman, Molly Shannon and Zoe Lister-Jones.
The film, written and directed by Braff, follows Allison (Pugh), a woman whose life falls apart after her involvement in a fatal accident. In the years that follow, Allison develops an unlikely relationship with her would-be father-in-law (Freeman), that helps her inevitably recalibrate a life worth living. O’Connor plays Ryan, a star high-school soccer player who grapples with finding her own way back to normalcy after her world is flipped upside down by the same accident.
The project — produced by Killer Films, Elevation Films, Braff and Pugh — started filming earlier this fall. MGM is distributing “A Good Person” in North America and some international markets,...
O’Connor joins a troupe of major Hollywood players in the film, led by Florence Pugh, Morgan Freeman, Molly Shannon and Zoe Lister-Jones.
The film, written and directed by Braff, follows Allison (Pugh), a woman whose life falls apart after her involvement in a fatal accident. In the years that follow, Allison develops an unlikely relationship with her would-be father-in-law (Freeman), that helps her inevitably recalibrate a life worth living. O’Connor plays Ryan, a star high-school soccer player who grapples with finding her own way back to normalcy after her world is flipped upside down by the same accident.
The project — produced by Killer Films, Elevation Films, Braff and Pugh — started filming earlier this fall. MGM is distributing “A Good Person” in North America and some international markets,...
- 10/25/2021
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Richard Greenberg’s Tony Award-winning play Take Me Out, about baseball and homophobia, is set to be adapted as a limited television series.
Grey’s Anatomy and Little Fires Everywhere star Jesse Williams will lead the adaptation, which comes from Anonymous Content.
Greenberg will adapt his play for the small screen with Broadway director Scott Ellis, who has directed episodes of shows including The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Modern Family, will direct the pilot.
Set in the early 2000s, Take Me Out follows Darren Lemming, a mixed-race star center fielder for the fictional Empires. Darren’s decision to come out of the closet sparks controversy and soul searching for American’s favorite pastime, revealing long-held, unspoken prejudices both on and off the field. Facing some hostile teammates and fraught friendships, Darren is forced to confront the reality of being a gay person of color within the framework of a classic American institution.
Grey’s Anatomy and Little Fires Everywhere star Jesse Williams will lead the adaptation, which comes from Anonymous Content.
Greenberg will adapt his play for the small screen with Broadway director Scott Ellis, who has directed episodes of shows including The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Modern Family, will direct the pilot.
Set in the early 2000s, Take Me Out follows Darren Lemming, a mixed-race star center fielder for the fictional Empires. Darren’s decision to come out of the closet sparks controversy and soul searching for American’s favorite pastime, revealing long-held, unspoken prejudices both on and off the field. Facing some hostile teammates and fraught friendships, Darren is forced to confront the reality of being a gay person of color within the framework of a classic American institution.
- 8/9/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Francesca Noel has joined the cast of the indie feature Pools. She joins Odessa A’zion, Michael Vlamis, Tyler Alvarez and Ariel Winter.
Written and directed by Sam Hates, Pools follows Kennedy (A’zion), who is stuck at summer school after flunking her sophomore year of college. Amidst a heat wave, she rallies a ragtag crew for a pool-hopping adventure through the wealthy estates of Lake Forest, on the north shore of Chicago. But as the secrets spill, a wild night of fun becomes a cathartic journey of self-discovery. Noel will play the role of Shane, a girl hungry for life as she is naive. She’s a quintessential picture of youth 0 new to the world and ready to dive headlong into it. Pools’ producers are Adonis Tountas, Jack Heston, Mike Ware and Seth Savoy. Noel made her lead premiere in the title role of Juliet in Romeo & Juliet R#J,...
Written and directed by Sam Hates, Pools follows Kennedy (A’zion), who is stuck at summer school after flunking her sophomore year of college. Amidst a heat wave, she rallies a ragtag crew for a pool-hopping adventure through the wealthy estates of Lake Forest, on the north shore of Chicago. But as the secrets spill, a wild night of fun becomes a cathartic journey of self-discovery. Noel will play the role of Shane, a girl hungry for life as she is naive. She’s a quintessential picture of youth 0 new to the world and ready to dive headlong into it. Pools’ producers are Adonis Tountas, Jack Heston, Mike Ware and Seth Savoy. Noel made her lead premiere in the title role of Juliet in Romeo & Juliet R#J,...
- 7/9/2021
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Wavelength has a simple mantra — “tell great fucking stories” — but its intentions go much deeper than that. Founded in 2015 by Jenifer Westphal, the scrappy six-year-old company has been making waves with its mostly women executives developing a diverse slate of films that combine social relevance with compelling characters, while prioritizing first-time women directors and filmmakers of color.
At a time when Hollywood continues to struggle to find diverse talent behind the camera, companies like Wavelength provide essential case studies for how to lean into inclusivity from the earliest stages of the development process. Since its founding in 2015, Wavelength has produced over 30 feature films, curating a roster of award-winning, buzz-worthy titles including Sundance fare like Ekwa Msangi’s “Farewell Amor,” Jordana Spiro’s “Night Comes On,” and Tayarisha Poe’s “Selah and the Spades,” as well as high profile documentaries including Morgan Neville’s “Won’t You Be My Neighbor,” which...
At a time when Hollywood continues to struggle to find diverse talent behind the camera, companies like Wavelength provide essential case studies for how to lean into inclusivity from the earliest stages of the development process. Since its founding in 2015, Wavelength has produced over 30 feature films, curating a roster of award-winning, buzz-worthy titles including Sundance fare like Ekwa Msangi’s “Farewell Amor,” Jordana Spiro’s “Night Comes On,” and Tayarisha Poe’s “Selah and the Spades,” as well as high profile documentaries including Morgan Neville’s “Won’t You Be My Neighbor,” which...
- 6/24/2021
- by Tambay Obenson
- Indiewire
“Judas and the Black Messiah” director Shaka King has been named the honorary chair of the 2021 Film Independent Spirit Awards, the nonprofit arts organization Film Independent announced on Tuesday. In a video posted on the Spirit Awards website, King launched his tenure in the job by revealing the winners of three cash grants worth a total of $75,000 to emerging filmmakers.
“Farewell Amor” director Ekwa Msangi received the Someone to Watch Award, which, according to Film Independent, goes to “talented filmmakers of singular vision who have not yet received appropriate recognition.” The other nominees in the category were “The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain” director David Midell and “Bull” director Annie Silverstein. King won this award himself in 2014 after making his feature debut, “Newlyweeds.”
Gerry Kim, the producer of this year’s Mexican Oscar entry, “I’m No Longer Here,” was named recipient of the Producers Award, which salutes “emerging producers who, despite highly limited resources,...
“Farewell Amor” director Ekwa Msangi received the Someone to Watch Award, which, according to Film Independent, goes to “talented filmmakers of singular vision who have not yet received appropriate recognition.” The other nominees in the category were “The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain” director David Midell and “Bull” director Annie Silverstein. King won this award himself in 2014 after making his feature debut, “Newlyweeds.”
Gerry Kim, the producer of this year’s Mexican Oscar entry, “I’m No Longer Here,” was named recipient of the Producers Award, which salutes “emerging producers who, despite highly limited resources,...
- 3/16/2021
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
Winston Duke is in talks to star as the renowned political activist Marcus Garvey in “Marked Man,” a political actioner package that Amazon Studios has picked up, according to an individual with knowledge of the project.
Andrew Dosunmu will direct and executive produce the film. Jesse Williams and DeWanda Wise (“She’s Gotta Have It”) are also in talks to star.
“Marked Man” is partly inspired by Colin Grant’s biography, “Negro with a Hat: The Rise and Fall of Marcus Garvey,” who was a key figure of Black nationalism in the 20th century. The studio also holds rights to the book.
Acclaimed playwright Kwame Kwei-Armah wrote the screenplay, which Esther Douglas developed with the support of the BFI Film Fund. He will also serve as an executive producer.
Set in the 1920s, “Marked Man” follows a young black man who joins J. Edgar Hoover’s Bureau of Investigation, and then...
Andrew Dosunmu will direct and executive produce the film. Jesse Williams and DeWanda Wise (“She’s Gotta Have It”) are also in talks to star.
“Marked Man” is partly inspired by Colin Grant’s biography, “Negro with a Hat: The Rise and Fall of Marcus Garvey,” who was a key figure of Black nationalism in the 20th century. The studio also holds rights to the book.
Acclaimed playwright Kwame Kwei-Armah wrote the screenplay, which Esther Douglas developed with the support of the BFI Film Fund. He will also serve as an executive producer.
Set in the 1920s, “Marked Man” follows a young black man who joins J. Edgar Hoover’s Bureau of Investigation, and then...
- 2/26/2021
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground Productions has unveiled its next round of projects in development at Netflix.
Among the new film and series projects in the works are an adaptation of the Mohsin Hamid novel “Exit West” starring Riz Ahmed, a science fiction film written by Ola Shokunbi, a docuseries about National Parks and a series adaptation of the forthcoming novel “Firekeeper’s Daughter.”
“We created Higher Ground to tell great stories,” the former president and first lady said in a statement. “This group of projects builds upon that goal and the incredible path forged by films like Crip Camp, Becoming, and the Oscar-winning American Factory. From science fiction to the beauty of our natural world to the relationships that define us, Higher Ground continues to strive for fresh perspectives, compelling characters, and a healthy dose of inspiration. We couldn’t be more proud to team up with...
Among the new film and series projects in the works are an adaptation of the Mohsin Hamid novel “Exit West” starring Riz Ahmed, a science fiction film written by Ola Shokunbi, a docuseries about National Parks and a series adaptation of the forthcoming novel “Firekeeper’s Daughter.”
“We created Higher Ground to tell great stories,” the former president and first lady said in a statement. “This group of projects builds upon that goal and the incredible path forged by films like Crip Camp, Becoming, and the Oscar-winning American Factory. From science fiction to the beauty of our natural world to the relationships that define us, Higher Ground continues to strive for fresh perspectives, compelling characters, and a healthy dose of inspiration. We couldn’t be more proud to team up with...
- 2/5/2021
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
What, no Crown? There’s no spot for the royals on former President Barack Obama’s list of favorite TV shows and movies of 2020 but many of the year’s other buzzy programs are present and accounted for.
Among his chosen top TV shows: The Queen’s Gambit, Mrs. America, Better Call Saul, The Good Lord Bird, Michael Jordan documentary series The Last Dance, and Michaela Coel’s drama I May Destroy You. (See Obama’s complete lists below.)
Last year, Obama chose only three favorite TV shows, but bumped the number to 10 this year in recognition of the “blurring” of lines between film and TV.
“Like everyone else, we were stuck inside a lot this year,” Obama wrote in his tweet, “and with streaming further blurring the lines between theatrical movies and television features, I’ve expanded the list to include visual storytelling that I’ve enjoyed this year, regardless of format.
Among his chosen top TV shows: The Queen’s Gambit, Mrs. America, Better Call Saul, The Good Lord Bird, Michael Jordan documentary series The Last Dance, and Michaela Coel’s drama I May Destroy You. (See Obama’s complete lists below.)
Last year, Obama chose only three favorite TV shows, but bumped the number to 10 this year in recognition of the “blurring” of lines between film and TV.
“Like everyone else, we were stuck inside a lot this year,” Obama wrote in his tweet, “and with streaming further blurring the lines between theatrical movies and television features, I’ve expanded the list to include visual storytelling that I’ve enjoyed this year, regardless of format.
- 12/18/2020
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
President Barack Obama, like the rest of us, appears to have spent a good portion of his year binging TV shows and watching movies to pass time during the coronavirus pandemic.
In keeping with his annual tradition, on Friday he shared his favorite films and television series of 2020. Obama’s movie list includes “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” David Fincher’s “Mank,” Pixar’s animated adventure “Soul” and the acclaimed documentary “Time.” He also settled the argument that yes, Steve McQueen’s five-part anthology series “Small Axe” are indeed films — Obama’s No. 1 being “Lovers Rock.”
While in 2019, the former commander-in-chief only named three television shows, this year he expanded his top picks of the small screen.
“With streaming further blurring the lines between theatrical movies and television features, I’ve expanded the list to include visual storytelling that I’ve enjoyed this year, regardless of format,” he wrote on Twitter.
In keeping with his annual tradition, on Friday he shared his favorite films and television series of 2020. Obama’s movie list includes “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” David Fincher’s “Mank,” Pixar’s animated adventure “Soul” and the acclaimed documentary “Time.” He also settled the argument that yes, Steve McQueen’s five-part anthology series “Small Axe” are indeed films — Obama’s No. 1 being “Lovers Rock.”
While in 2019, the former commander-in-chief only named three television shows, this year he expanded his top picks of the small screen.
“With streaming further blurring the lines between theatrical movies and television features, I’ve expanded the list to include visual storytelling that I’ve enjoyed this year, regardless of format,” he wrote on Twitter.
- 12/18/2020
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Lydia Millet’s apocalyptic climate change novel A Children’s Bible is set to be adapted into a limited television series after Chernobyl producer Sister optioned the rights.
Sundance Institute alum Tayarisha Poe, who has directed episodes of The Twilight Zone and Two Sentence Horror Stories and is adapting her directorial debut Selah and the Spades as a TV series for Amazon, is set to write and direct. It will be exec produced by Kate Fenske with Complementary Colors’ Jonah Disend, who has a first look with Sister, serving as a co-executive producer
The book, which was named one of The New York Times Top 10 Best Books of the Year, story of generational divides, apocalyptic climate change and who we become when nothing is familiar. It follows a group of twelve eerily mature children on a forced vacation with their families at a sprawling lakeside mansion. Contemptuous of their parents,...
Sundance Institute alum Tayarisha Poe, who has directed episodes of The Twilight Zone and Two Sentence Horror Stories and is adapting her directorial debut Selah and the Spades as a TV series for Amazon, is set to write and direct. It will be exec produced by Kate Fenske with Complementary Colors’ Jonah Disend, who has a first look with Sister, serving as a co-executive producer
The book, which was named one of The New York Times Top 10 Best Books of the Year, story of generational divides, apocalyptic climate change and who we become when nothing is familiar. It follows a group of twelve eerily mature children on a forced vacation with their families at a sprawling lakeside mansion. Contemptuous of their parents,...
- 12/15/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Four top film composers will reveal the secrets behind their crafts when they join Gold Derby’s special “Meet the Btl Experts” Q&a event with key 2021 Oscar contenders this month. Each person will participate in two video discussions to be published on Wednesday, December 9, at 5:00 p.m. Pt; 8:00 p.m. Et. We’ll have a one-on-one with our senior editor Joyce Eng and a group chat with Joyce and all of the composers together.
RSVP today to this specific event by clicking here to book your reservation. Or click here to RSVP for our entire ongoing panel series. We’ll send you a reminder a few minutes before the start of the show.
This “Meet the Btl Experts” panel welcomes the following 2021 Oscar contenders:
“Herself” (Amazon Prime): Natalie Holt
Holt was nominated at the Emmys for “Victoria.” Other projects have included “Beecham House,” “Knightfall,” “Journey’s End,...
RSVP today to this specific event by clicking here to book your reservation. Or click here to RSVP for our entire ongoing panel series. We’ll send you a reminder a few minutes before the start of the show.
This “Meet the Btl Experts” panel welcomes the following 2021 Oscar contenders:
“Herself” (Amazon Prime): Natalie Holt
Holt was nominated at the Emmys for “Victoria.” Other projects have included “Beecham House,” “Knightfall,” “Journey’s End,...
- 12/3/2020
- by Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
Playing in the same sandbox as such an iconic film as The Craft can be a tricky sport, but according to The Craft: Legacy's Lovie Simone, the sequel is able to stand on its own thanks to one element: time. "This Craft is definitely similar to the other in the sense that the outsiders are the weirdos and the girls are stepping into their power," she told Popsugar over the phone. "I think all of that is the same, but it's for the girls now. It's for what the weirdos look like now, what witches look like now, and how a coven would thrive in today's age against this generation's brand of hypermasculinity."
While Legacy does use the standard formula of its predecessor - three witches find their fourth in the new girl at school and take her under their wing as they explore their powers - its narrative is...
While Legacy does use the standard formula of its predecessor - three witches find their fourth in the new girl at school and take her under their wing as they explore their powers - its narrative is...
- 10/28/2020
- by Mekishana Pierre
- Popsugar.com
The latest in our series of writers highlighting underappreciated films is a recommendation for a timely tale of fighting back against an uncaring world
2020 has been a long nightmare of a year, one that has constantly defied the rules of time and space in terms of how much bad stuff can happen in such a short amount of time. The cascade of awfulness never seems to end. Amid all this chaos, the responsibilities of adulthood – work, chores, bills – feel insurmountable, and the world around us feels unrecognizable. One of the only things getting me through it is cinema, and the movie I keep returning to for its insightful portrait of this pervasive malaise and our simmering resentment in response to it is Macon Blair’s directorial debut, I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore.
Related: My streaming gem: why you should watch Selah and the Spades
Continue reading.
2020 has been a long nightmare of a year, one that has constantly defied the rules of time and space in terms of how much bad stuff can happen in such a short amount of time. The cascade of awfulness never seems to end. Amid all this chaos, the responsibilities of adulthood – work, chores, bills – feel insurmountable, and the world around us feels unrecognizable. One of the only things getting me through it is cinema, and the movie I keep returning to for its insightful portrait of this pervasive malaise and our simmering resentment in response to it is Macon Blair’s directorial debut, I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore.
Related: My streaming gem: why you should watch Selah and the Spades
Continue reading.
- 10/8/2020
- by Roxana Hadadi
- The Guardian - Film News
The latest in our series of writers highlighting under-the-radar films is a recommendation for an unusual and intelligent teen drama
I missed Tayarisha Poe’s startling debut feature Selah and the Spades at two 2019 film festivals – Sundance and Toronto – and kicked myself after each oversight. When I finally watched the teen boarding school drama on Amazon Prime, I discovered a mafia-inspired plot told from the unique perspective of a black woman, yet steeped in the pressures of black excellence. I loved Poe’s intelligent world building and the frankness she sketched her characters with. When Selah and the Spades premiered in April, amid the world ramping up against the Covid-19 pandemic, Selah’s cutthroat machinations, in some fashion, captured a reality that felt colder by the day. Unfortunately, due to the aforementioned pandemic, Poe’s debut seemingly went unnoticed by the general public. As I did last year, they’ve missed out.
I missed Tayarisha Poe’s startling debut feature Selah and the Spades at two 2019 film festivals – Sundance and Toronto – and kicked myself after each oversight. When I finally watched the teen boarding school drama on Amazon Prime, I discovered a mafia-inspired plot told from the unique perspective of a black woman, yet steeped in the pressures of black excellence. I loved Poe’s intelligent world building and the frankness she sketched her characters with. When Selah and the Spades premiered in April, amid the world ramping up against the Covid-19 pandemic, Selah’s cutthroat machinations, in some fashion, captured a reality that felt colder by the day. Unfortunately, due to the aforementioned pandemic, Poe’s debut seemingly went unnoticed by the general public. As I did last year, they’ve missed out.
- 10/6/2020
- by Robert Daniels
- The Guardian - Film News
The rising tide of programming for the small screen, along with a greater push for diversity in Hollywood, has increased the number of roles for actors of color overall in recent years. And while it’s hard to pinpoint exactly how many of those gains have been made by younger performers — organizations such as SAG-AFTRA don’t tabulate that info — there are plenty of positive signs on the big and small screen.
Among them: Latinx characters on streamers; Kenya Barris series with a plethora of young Black talent; and roles for Asian-American kids on a number of platforms. Family-friendly shows such as “One Day at a Time” and “Party of Five” have been rebooted with Latinx families at their core, while Hulu’s “Love, Victor,” a small-screen spinoff of “Love, Simon,” centers on a Latinx teen’s struggles to fit into a new school. Ensemble shows seem almost pointedly diverse,...
Among them: Latinx characters on streamers; Kenya Barris series with a plethora of young Black talent; and roles for Asian-American kids on a number of platforms. Family-friendly shows such as “One Day at a Time” and “Party of Five” have been rebooted with Latinx families at their core, while Hulu’s “Love, Victor,” a small-screen spinoff of “Love, Simon,” centers on a Latinx teen’s struggles to fit into a new school. Ensemble shows seem almost pointedly diverse,...
- 8/5/2020
- by LaTesha Harris
- Variety Film + TV
Amazon easily topped second-quarter earnings and revenue forecasts after the market close Thursday, with CEO Jeff Bezos calling it “another highly unusual quarter” amid the current coronavirus pandemic.
“As expected, we spent over $4 billion on incremental Covid-19-related costs in the quarter to help keep employees safe and deliver products to customers in this time of high demand—purchasing personal protective equipment, increasing cleaning of our facilities, following new safety process paths, adding new backup family care benefits, and paying a special thank you bonus of over $500 million to front-line employees and delivery partners,” said Bezos in a statement.
The e-commerce and web services titan has created over 175,000 new jobs since March, he added, and is in the process of making 125,000 of those employees full-time positions. Bezos also said that the company “injected significant money into the economy” in Q2, investing more than $9 billion into capital projects that include fulfillment,...
“As expected, we spent over $4 billion on incremental Covid-19-related costs in the quarter to help keep employees safe and deliver products to customers in this time of high demand—purchasing personal protective equipment, increasing cleaning of our facilities, following new safety process paths, adding new backup family care benefits, and paying a special thank you bonus of over $500 million to front-line employees and delivery partners,” said Bezos in a statement.
The e-commerce and web services titan has created over 175,000 new jobs since March, he added, and is in the process of making 125,000 of those employees full-time positions. Bezos also said that the company “injected significant money into the economy” in Q2, investing more than $9 billion into capital projects that include fulfillment,...
- 7/30/2020
- by Elaine Low
- Variety Film + TV
In today’s film news roundup, Paul Allen’s Vulcan Productions will close, “Kajillionaire” gets delayed, Ifp Week goes digital, BAFTA Breakthrough is unveiled and the documentary “InstaBand” finds a home.
Closure Announced
Paul G. Allen’s Vulcan Productions has announced that it will be closing at the start of 2021, 23 years after Allen launched the company with his sister Jody Allen.
“This difficult decision was made as part of the ongoing transition after Paul G. Allen’s passing in 2018, and in light of the unprecedented crisis brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Ruth Johnston, general manager, on Wednesday.
Allen, who co-founded Microsoft with Bill Gates, launched Vulcan under the name Clear Blue Sky Productions and produced “Titus,” “Far From Heaven” (which received four Oscar nominations), “Where God Left His Shoes” and “Hard Candy.” With its name change in 2011, Vulcan shifted to social impact entertainment and issues including wildlife and conservation,...
Closure Announced
Paul G. Allen’s Vulcan Productions has announced that it will be closing at the start of 2021, 23 years after Allen launched the company with his sister Jody Allen.
“This difficult decision was made as part of the ongoing transition after Paul G. Allen’s passing in 2018, and in light of the unprecedented crisis brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Ruth Johnston, general manager, on Wednesday.
Allen, who co-founded Microsoft with Bill Gates, launched Vulcan under the name Clear Blue Sky Productions and produced “Titus,” “Far From Heaven” (which received four Oscar nominations), “Where God Left His Shoes” and “Hard Candy.” With its name change in 2011, Vulcan shifted to social impact entertainment and issues including wildlife and conservation,...
- 5/27/2020
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
With film festivals increasingly looking for films from underrepresented voices in recent years, one byproduct of the coronavirus-prompted theater closings is that movies coming out of those festivals from minorities, women and the Lgbt community have found themselves going to VOD or streaming rather than theaters.
In the last couple of weeks alone, that has meant virtual premieres for the debut features from Tayarisha Poe (“Selah and the Spades”), Sonejuhi Sinha (“Stray Dolls”) and Andrew Onwubolu (“Blue Story”), as well as the first feature in 15 years from Alice Wu (“The Half of It”) and the first theatrical film in 24 years from Coky Giedroyc (“How to Build a Girl”).
Also up this week: “Clementine,” a quiet exploration of female relationships from Lara Jean Gallagher, a writer and director of shorts and music videos who is making her feature-film debut. The film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2019 (the last Tribeca...
In the last couple of weeks alone, that has meant virtual premieres for the debut features from Tayarisha Poe (“Selah and the Spades”), Sonejuhi Sinha (“Stray Dolls”) and Andrew Onwubolu (“Blue Story”), as well as the first feature in 15 years from Alice Wu (“The Half of It”) and the first theatrical film in 24 years from Coky Giedroyc (“How to Build a Girl”).
Also up this week: “Clementine,” a quiet exploration of female relationships from Lara Jean Gallagher, a writer and director of shorts and music videos who is making her feature-film debut. The film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2019 (the last Tribeca...
- 5/6/2020
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
Barry Jenkins has kept busy in quarantine, as IndieWire learned during an Instagram live discussion with the Oscar-winning “Moonlight” filmmaker last month. He’s been sheltering with his partner, fellow filmmaker Lulu Wang, and continuing work on “The Underground Railroad” series as best he can remotely. He’s also busily devouring movies, just like the rest of us, and the filmmaker recently shared eight movies he recommends streaming during quarantine with The Atlantic’s David Sims.
Among his picks is Steven Soderbergh’s science-fiction film “Solaris,” adapted from the Stanislaw Lem novel, currently streaming on Starz. The misunderstood, 2002 romantic drama follows George Clooney as a psychologist who gets more than he bargained for when he’s sent to outer space.
“Though it’s a sci-fi movie, it’s about these very simple human emotions between Chris [Clooney] and his wife, Rheya [Natascha McElhone],” Jenkins said. “In one moment, I’m thinking...
Among his picks is Steven Soderbergh’s science-fiction film “Solaris,” adapted from the Stanislaw Lem novel, currently streaming on Starz. The misunderstood, 2002 romantic drama follows George Clooney as a psychologist who gets more than he bargained for when he’s sent to outer space.
“Though it’s a sci-fi movie, it’s about these very simple human emotions between Chris [Clooney] and his wife, Rheya [Natascha McElhone],” Jenkins said. “In one moment, I’m thinking...
- 5/2/2020
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
Lovie Simone is known for her role as Zora on Own’s Greenleaf and she caught the attention of many people in the titular role of Tayarisha Poe’s Selah and the Spades. On top of that, she has been making banana bread long before everyone was showing off their beginner skills on Instagram during the quarantine — and she has perfected her recipe.
In the latest quarantine edition of Deadline’s New Hollywood Podcast, Simone joined us from her home in Atlanta to unpack all we need to know about Selah and the Spades, which made its world premiere to critical acclaim at the Sundance Film Festival in 2019. The praise continued when it debuted on Amazon earlier this month. The boarding school drama of factions combines elements of Rushmore, Dear White People and Mean Girls to deliver a tense story...
In the latest quarantine edition of Deadline’s New Hollywood Podcast, Simone joined us from her home in Atlanta to unpack all we need to know about Selah and the Spades, which made its world premiere to critical acclaim at the Sundance Film Festival in 2019. The praise continued when it debuted on Amazon earlier this month. The boarding school drama of factions combines elements of Rushmore, Dear White People and Mean Girls to deliver a tense story...
- 4/28/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos and Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
Writer/director Tayarisha Poe’s feature debut “Selah and the Spades,” which made its world premiere as a Next selection at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival, is an assured first film, bolstered by persuasive performances, lavish production design, and beautiful cinematography. Serving up a fresh and surreal take on the teen drama, it’s more interested in how race, gender, and socioeconomic status influence the dynamics of power, even among high-school students. And it marks an exciting and utterly original debut for Poe, whose future looks bright.
On Poe’s website, she describes herself as “a storyteller from west Philly, born and raised, who believes that all stories are inherently multi-sensory and multi-dimensional, and should be told that way.” It’s a personal statement that she said was inspired by Chris Marker’s 1962 short, “La Jetée,” one of the most influential, radical science-fiction films ever made, a tale of time travel told in still images.
On Poe’s website, she describes herself as “a storyteller from west Philly, born and raised, who believes that all stories are inherently multi-sensory and multi-dimensional, and should be told that way.” It’s a personal statement that she said was inspired by Chris Marker’s 1962 short, “La Jetée,” one of the most influential, radical science-fiction films ever made, a tale of time travel told in still images.
- 4/25/2020
- by Tambay Obenson
- Indiewire
“She found no joy in fully formed things, she sought those times of the year, those people, who were discovering their potential. Selah loved potential.” Quoted in Filmmaker’s Winter, 2015 print issue, in our now-defunct Super 8 column, those are the words of the narrator of the first iteration of Tayarisha Poe’s wickedly beguiling, sociologically astute teen crime drama, Selah and the Spades. At that time, “transmedia” was a bit more the rage, and Poe’s hybrid website/webseries/photography/literary site had a smart, sprawling appeal. By the time we caught up with Poe again, selecting her for our Summer, 2015 issues’ 25 […]...
- 4/24/2020
- by Scott Macaulay
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
“She found no joy in fully formed things, she sought those times of the year, those people, who were discovering their potential. Selah loved potential.” Quoted in Filmmaker’s Winter, 2015 print issue, in our now-defunct Super 8 column, those are the words of the narrator of the first iteration of Tayarisha Poe’s wickedly beguiling, sociologically astute teen crime drama, Selah and the Spades. At that time, “transmedia” was a bit more the rage, and Poe’s hybrid website/webseries/photography/literary site had a smart, sprawling appeal. By the time we caught up with Poe again, selecting her for our Summer, 2015 issues’ 25 […]...
- 4/24/2020
- by Scott Macaulay
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
In a Gold Derby exclusive, we have learned the category placements of the key Emmy Awards contenders for Amazon Studios. For this season, the company has “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” (Rachel Brosnahan), “Homecoming” and “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan” (John Krasinski) as part of their 2020 campaign. Newcomers could include “The Boys”, “Hunters” and “Modern Love” (Anne Hathaway).
Below, the list of Amazon Prime lead, supporting and guest submissions for their comedy, drama and limited series. More names might be added by the studio on the final Emmy ballot. Also note that performers not included on this list may well be submitted by their personal reps.
See‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’ Season 3: The top 9 most fabulous fashions
“Absentia”
Drama Actor – Patrick Heusinger
Drama Actress – Stana Katic
“Agatha Christie’S The Pale Horse”
Limited Series
Movie/Limited Actor – Rufus Sewell
Movie/Limited Supporting Actor – Henry Lloyd-Hughes, Sean Pertwee
Movie/Limited Supporting Actress – Georgina Campbell,...
Below, the list of Amazon Prime lead, supporting and guest submissions for their comedy, drama and limited series. More names might be added by the studio on the final Emmy ballot. Also note that performers not included on this list may well be submitted by their personal reps.
See‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’ Season 3: The top 9 most fabulous fashions
“Absentia”
Drama Actor – Patrick Heusinger
Drama Actress – Stana Katic
“Agatha Christie’S The Pale Horse”
Limited Series
Movie/Limited Actor – Rufus Sewell
Movie/Limited Supporting Actor – Henry Lloyd-Hughes, Sean Pertwee
Movie/Limited Supporting Actress – Georgina Campbell,...
- 4/23/2020
- by Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
Tom Hardy and director Josh Trank delivered a big surprise last week with the announcement their gangster movie “Fonzo” was now titled “Capone” and would be getting a VOD release in May. The Al Capone biographical drama was filmed in 2018, leading some in the industry to wonder if the title might pop up at last year’s Tiff or this year’s Sundance. “Capone” skipped the festivals and found a distribution home with Vertical Entertainment and Redbox Entertainment instead. Now comes a rave first reaction to the movie from none other than Rian Johnson, who shared with his 1 million Twitter followers, “This movie is batshit bonkers in the best possible way and believe me you’re going to want to see it.”
“Capone” picks up with the infamous gangster 10 years into his prison sentence as he’s suffering dementia and looks back at pivotal moments from his life in crime.
“Capone” picks up with the infamous gangster 10 years into his prison sentence as he’s suffering dementia and looks back at pivotal moments from his life in crime.
- 4/20/2020
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
Exclusive: Diego Tinoco, best known for the Netflix series, On My Block, and Siddiq Saunderson of Hulu’s Wu-Tang: An American Saga, will co-star In R#J, a modern-day adaptation of the Shakespearean classic Romeo and Juliet from producers Timur Bekmambetov and Igor Tsay. Carey Williams is directing the film from a script he co-wrote with Rickie Castaneda.
Tinoco will take on the role of Tybalt. Saunderson is Mercutio. Additional cast includes Camaron Engels (Malibu Rescue) as Romeo, Francesca Noel (Selah and the Spades) as Juliet, and Rj Cyler (Power Rangers) as Benvolio.
More from DeadlineTimur Bekmambetov Vertical Movie 'V2. Escape from Hell' To Use Remote Filming Methods During Coronavirus Crisis'Searching' Producer Timur Bekmambetov To Shoot World's First Vertical Format BlockbusterAlfonso Gomez-Rejon On His Second Chance & Erasing Harvey Weinstein's 'The Current War' Cut & Rotten Tomatoes Score
This marks the first project under Bekmambetov and Tsay’s newly-launched Interface Films banner.
Tinoco will take on the role of Tybalt. Saunderson is Mercutio. Additional cast includes Camaron Engels (Malibu Rescue) as Romeo, Francesca Noel (Selah and the Spades) as Juliet, and Rj Cyler (Power Rangers) as Benvolio.
More from DeadlineTimur Bekmambetov Vertical Movie 'V2. Escape from Hell' To Use Remote Filming Methods During Coronavirus Crisis'Searching' Producer Timur Bekmambetov To Shoot World's First Vertical Format BlockbusterAlfonso Gomez-Rejon On His Second Chance & Erasing Harvey Weinstein's 'The Current War' Cut & Rotten Tomatoes Score
This marks the first project under Bekmambetov and Tsay’s newly-launched Interface Films banner.
- 4/20/2020
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
In its young life, Amazon Studios has proven unafraid of splashy premieres for its theatrical and streaming titles.
They staged a fun run through the streets of Hollywood from the screening to the after party of the festival darling “Brittany Runs a Marathon.” They shut down Pasadena’s Rose Bowl and erected a world’s fair, complete with hot air balloons, for Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones’ “The Aeronauts.”
But in the time of coronavirus, with padlocked movie theaters and social distance orders in place, the company is weaponizing its promotional budgets to make a different kind of impression — supporting devastated local businesses and helping to feed school kids.
Within the past month, Amazon has staged two “at-home” movie premieres for tastemakers and press, providing dinner, concession snacks, some good wine and other creature comforts. Deliveries in over 10 markets across the country utilize product from local food and beverage shops,...
They staged a fun run through the streets of Hollywood from the screening to the after party of the festival darling “Brittany Runs a Marathon.” They shut down Pasadena’s Rose Bowl and erected a world’s fair, complete with hot air balloons, for Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones’ “The Aeronauts.”
But in the time of coronavirus, with padlocked movie theaters and social distance orders in place, the company is weaponizing its promotional budgets to make a different kind of impression — supporting devastated local businesses and helping to feed school kids.
Within the past month, Amazon has staged two “at-home” movie premieres for tastemakers and press, providing dinner, concession snacks, some good wine and other creature comforts. Deliveries in over 10 markets across the country utilize product from local food and beverage shops,...
- 4/20/2020
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
This arresting debut about a high-school ‘queen bee’ nurturing her successor-in-crime heralds a singular new talent in director Tayarisha Poe
Writer-director Tayarisha Poe has wryly described her debut feature (which played to enthusiastic responses at Sundance last year) as “Clueless meets The Godfather”. Set amid the five warring factions of an elite east coast Us boarding school, it’s a woozy, hallucinogenic drama that reimagines the landscape of high school as a a daytime-noir terrain of crime and punishment, tangentially reminiscent of the life-and-death struggles of Rian Johnson’s arresting 2005 debut Brick. Picked up by Amazon, which swiftly started developing a spin-off TV project, Selah and the Spades is an audacious calling card for Poe, marking her down as a major talent to watch.
Lovie Simone exudes a brooding sense of purpose as Selah Summers, leader of the titular pack who run Haldwell school’s thriving supply of illicit substances.
Writer-director Tayarisha Poe has wryly described her debut feature (which played to enthusiastic responses at Sundance last year) as “Clueless meets The Godfather”. Set amid the five warring factions of an elite east coast Us boarding school, it’s a woozy, hallucinogenic drama that reimagines the landscape of high school as a a daytime-noir terrain of crime and punishment, tangentially reminiscent of the life-and-death struggles of Rian Johnson’s arresting 2005 debut Brick. Picked up by Amazon, which swiftly started developing a spin-off TV project, Selah and the Spades is an audacious calling card for Poe, marking her down as a major talent to watch.
Lovie Simone exudes a brooding sense of purpose as Selah Summers, leader of the titular pack who run Haldwell school’s thriving supply of illicit substances.
- 4/19/2020
- by Mark Kermode
- The Guardian - Film News
This time last year, audiences were buying tickets to see “Avengers: Endgame.” Now, pretty much the biggest new release — bypassing theaters and going straight to streaming, amid the turmoil caused by the coronavirus — is a movie called “Butt Boy.”
But don’t worry. Governmental leaders are starting to share plans about a reopening of movie theaters, and there are still lots of quality new releases making themselves available by streaming. So, while no new studio movies bowed this week, you can find treasures from festivals such as Sundance and Cannes, plus fresh fare for Amazon Prime and Netflix subscribers.
Here are all the new releases, with excerpts from reviews and links to where you can watch them.
Independent films, directly on demand:
A White, White Day (Hlynur Palmason) Critic’S Pick
Distributor: Film Movement
Where to Find It: Choose a virtual cinema to support
A muscular study of toxic masculinity...
But don’t worry. Governmental leaders are starting to share plans about a reopening of movie theaters, and there are still lots of quality new releases making themselves available by streaming. So, while no new studio movies bowed this week, you can find treasures from festivals such as Sundance and Cannes, plus fresh fare for Amazon Prime and Netflix subscribers.
Here are all the new releases, with excerpts from reviews and links to where you can watch them.
Independent films, directly on demand:
A White, White Day (Hlynur Palmason) Critic’S Pick
Distributor: Film Movement
Where to Find It: Choose a virtual cinema to support
A muscular study of toxic masculinity...
- 4/17/2020
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
At the elite prep school known as Haldwell, five factions rule over the student body. There’s the Sea, the “rogue teachers’ pets” who can get you an A+ essay for a price. There’s the Skins, who run the in-house gambling racket. Need the scoop on the underground parties happening after hours? You go to the Bobbies, so dubbed because the gang is run by a theater geek named, yes, Bobbie. As for the Prefects, they keep the peace between the various groups and keeps “the Heads,” a.k.
- 4/17/2020
- by David Fear
- Rollingstone.com
The psychology of power sits at the center of director Tayarisha Poe’s debut feature, “Selah and the Spades,” about the leader of one of five secret factions at an elite boarding school in Pennsylvania. The film, which generated buzz at Sundance last year, bows April 17 on Amazon Prime.
Key to the movie’s look and tone was to invest that power in Selah Summers (Lovie Simone), head of Haldwell School’s most powerful faction, the Spades, which handles the clandestine buying and selling of drugs and alcohol among the student body. Though nearing graduation, she’s not considering her academic future but rather what will happen when she vacates her dominant social position once school comes to an end. She’s not into boys or pursuing a relationship either. She’s looking for an heir to her throne, yet believes friendships can compromise power.
For cinematographer Jomo Fray (“No Future...
Key to the movie’s look and tone was to invest that power in Selah Summers (Lovie Simone), head of Haldwell School’s most powerful faction, the Spades, which handles the clandestine buying and selling of drugs and alcohol among the student body. Though nearing graduation, she’s not considering her academic future but rather what will happen when she vacates her dominant social position once school comes to an end. She’s not into boys or pursuing a relationship either. She’s looking for an heir to her throne, yet believes friendships can compromise power.
For cinematographer Jomo Fray (“No Future...
- 4/17/2020
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
Stranger Things star Noah Schnapp is going from the world of the Upside Down to world of the culinary arts in the newly released comedy Abe from Brazilian director Fernando Grostein Andrade.
The film, which debuted at the Sundance Film Festival last year, features Schnapp as the food-obsessed titular pre-teen Abe — although that is not his only name. The Israeli-Jewish side of his family calls him Avram while the Palestinian-Muslim side Ibrahim. Meanwhile, his first-Generation agnostic lawyer parents call him Abraham. Then there are the readers of his food blog that know him simply as Abe.
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The film, which debuted at the Sundance Film Festival last year, features Schnapp as the food-obsessed titular pre-teen Abe — although that is not his only name. The Israeli-Jewish side of his family calls him Avram while the Palestinian-Muslim side Ibrahim. Meanwhile, his first-Generation agnostic lawyer parents call him Abraham. Then there are the readers of his food blog that know him simply as Abe.
More from DeadlineCrime Thriller 'Stray Dolls' With Cynthia Nixon Debuts, Deepak Chopra Brings Peace With 'The Mindfulness Movement' - Specialty Streaming PreviewRom-Com 'Almost Love' Makes Debut, IFC Serves Horror With 'The Other Lamb' - Specialty Streaming Preview'Resistance' Pivots To Digital Release, 'Tape' Sets Virtual Premiere,...
- 4/17/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
At prestigious private school Haldwell, student factions hold power. There are five, among them The Spades, run by Selah (Lovie Simone), the role of her faction is to provide the illicit substances on which the underground parties organised by another faction, covered up by yet another, are run. As a senior, Selah is moving on at the end of the year and there is no apparent successor to her position, until Paloma (Celeste O’Connor) arrives and is taken under her wing.
That summary is the very surface level of what Selah and the Spades is about. Writer/Director Tayarisha Poe’s debut feature is impressively original and jammed with ideas, but it also falls interestingly into an emerging subgenre, driven by female directors. These films, like Anna Rose Holmer’s The Fits, Mitzi Pierone’s Braid, Alice Waddington’s Paradise Hills and Jennifer Reeder’s stunning Knives + Skin (as yet...
That summary is the very surface level of what Selah and the Spades is about. Writer/Director Tayarisha Poe’s debut feature is impressively original and jammed with ideas, but it also falls interestingly into an emerging subgenre, driven by female directors. These films, like Anna Rose Holmer’s The Fits, Mitzi Pierone’s Braid, Alice Waddington’s Paradise Hills and Jennifer Reeder’s stunning Knives + Skin (as yet...
- 4/17/2020
- by Sam Inglis
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
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