Lily Gladstone and Bowen Yang are to star in a remake of 'The Wedding Banquet'.The pair are attached to feature in the reimagining of Ang Lee's 1993 romantic comedy that is being directed by Andrew Ahn.Kelly Marie Tran, Oscar-winner Yuh-jung Youn and Joan Chen have also been cast.The remake is based on a script by Ahn and James Schamus – the latter of whom co-wrote the original movie with Lee and Neil Peng.'The Wedding Banquet' tells the story of Wai-Tung – a gay Taiwanese-American man who agrees to marry Wei-Wei, an artist who needs a green card, to satisfy his parents.Complications arise when his parents visit for the wedding ceremony and it leads to the revelation of Wai-Tung's homosexuality.The picture was met with positive reviews and even earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film.The new movie will begin filming next month in Vancouver.
- 4/26/2024
- by Joe Graber
- Bang Showbiz
“Spa Night” and “Fire Island” filmmaker Andrew Ahn is set to direct Lily Gladstone and Bowen Yang in a new take on “The Wedding Banquet” that has been described as a “reimagination” of Ang Lee’s beloved 1993 film.
The new project, which was announced on Thursday by co-producers Bleecker Street and Shivhans Pictures and begins filming in May, is based on a new script by Ahn and frequent Lee collaborator James Schamus, who co-wrote the original film.
Lee’s “The Wedding Banquet” won the Golden Bear at the 1993 Berlin International Film Festival and helped cement his status as a notable figure in the global film community. The film stars Winston Chao as a gay Taiwanese man living in America who agrees to a marriage of convenience with a female friend, only to find his life complicated when his overbearing parents travel to America to plan his wedding banquet. The film...
The new project, which was announced on Thursday by co-producers Bleecker Street and Shivhans Pictures and begins filming in May, is based on a new script by Ahn and frequent Lee collaborator James Schamus, who co-wrote the original film.
Lee’s “The Wedding Banquet” won the Golden Bear at the 1993 Berlin International Film Festival and helped cement his status as a notable figure in the global film community. The film stars Winston Chao as a gay Taiwanese man living in America who agrees to a marriage of convenience with a female friend, only to find his life complicated when his overbearing parents travel to America to plan his wedding banquet. The film...
- 4/25/2024
- by Christian Zilko
- Indiewire
Lily Gladstone (Killers of the Flower Moon) and Bowen Yang (SNL) have been tapped to star in a reimagining of Ang Lee’s classic romance The Wedding Banquet from filmmaker Andrew Ahn (Fire Island), Deadline can confirm.
The original film’s co-writer and producer James Schamus will join Joe Pirro in producing for Symbolic Exchange, alongside Anita Gou and Caroline Clark for Kindred Spirit. Jordan Hart will co-produce, with Andrew Karpen, Shivani Rawat, Kent Sanderson, Julie Goldstein, Sam Intili and Daniel Bekerman exec producing. Kelly Marie Tran, Yuh-jung Youn and Joan Chen will also star in the remake scripted by Ahn and Schamus.
Bleecker Street and ShivHans Pictures have co-acquired North American rights and have slated the film for release in theaters next year. Production kicks off in Vancouver next month.
Marking Lee’s sophomore feature, The Wedding Banquet follows Wai-Tung, a gay Taiwanese-American, who agrees to marry Wei-Wei, an...
The original film’s co-writer and producer James Schamus will join Joe Pirro in producing for Symbolic Exchange, alongside Anita Gou and Caroline Clark for Kindred Spirit. Jordan Hart will co-produce, with Andrew Karpen, Shivani Rawat, Kent Sanderson, Julie Goldstein, Sam Intili and Daniel Bekerman exec producing. Kelly Marie Tran, Yuh-jung Youn and Joan Chen will also star in the remake scripted by Ahn and Schamus.
Bleecker Street and ShivHans Pictures have co-acquired North American rights and have slated the film for release in theaters next year. Production kicks off in Vancouver next month.
Marking Lee’s sophomore feature, The Wedding Banquet follows Wai-Tung, a gay Taiwanese-American, who agrees to marry Wei-Wei, an...
- 4/25/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
SNL star Bowen Yang’s latest extracurricular will find him working alongside an Oscar nominee and an Oscar winner.
Variety reports that Yang will star in a remake of The Wedding Banquet, the 1993 Ang Lee-directed romcom.
Yang will share the screen with Lily Gladstone, who is fresh off a Best Actress Oscar nomination for her role in Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon. Youh-jung Youn — who won an Oscar for her supporting role in 2021’s Minari — will also star, as will Kelly Marie Tran and Joan Chen.
The film will be directed and co-written by Andrew Ahn. Focus Features founder James Schamus, who co-wrote the original film with Lee, will again serve as co-writer. Yang previously worked with Ahn on the 2022 film Fire Island.
The film is slated to begin shooting in Vancouver in late May, which aligns with the end of the season at SNL, where...
Variety reports that Yang will star in a remake of The Wedding Banquet, the 1993 Ang Lee-directed romcom.
Yang will share the screen with Lily Gladstone, who is fresh off a Best Actress Oscar nomination for her role in Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon. Youh-jung Youn — who won an Oscar for her supporting role in 2021’s Minari — will also star, as will Kelly Marie Tran and Joan Chen.
The film will be directed and co-written by Andrew Ahn. Focus Features founder James Schamus, who co-wrote the original film with Lee, will again serve as co-writer. Yang previously worked with Ahn on the 2022 film Fire Island.
The film is slated to begin shooting in Vancouver in late May, which aligns with the end of the season at SNL, where...
- 4/25/2024
- by Nick Riccardo
- LateNighter
Lily Gladstone and Bowen Yang will star in Bleecker Street and Shivhans Pictures’ remake of Ang Lee’s 1993 romantic comedy “The Wedding Banquet” from director Andrew Ahn.
Kelly Marie Tran, Oscar-winner Yuh-jung Youn and Joan Chen are also attached to star.
The reimagination of Lee’s Oscar-nominated film is based on a screenplay by Ahn and James Schamus. Schamus also co-wrote the original film with Lee and Neil Peng.
The film, which begins filming in May in Vancouver, follows what happens when Min’s boyfriend Chris rejects his marriage proposal. Min convinces his best friend Angela to marry him instead, paying for her partner Liz’s IVF treatments in exchange for his green card. However, things begin to unravel when Min’s grandmother makes a surprise trip from Seoul to throw the couple a Korean wedding banquet.
“It warms my heart to see how my film from so many years...
Kelly Marie Tran, Oscar-winner Yuh-jung Youn and Joan Chen are also attached to star.
The reimagination of Lee’s Oscar-nominated film is based on a screenplay by Ahn and James Schamus. Schamus also co-wrote the original film with Lee and Neil Peng.
The film, which begins filming in May in Vancouver, follows what happens when Min’s boyfriend Chris rejects his marriage proposal. Min convinces his best friend Angela to marry him instead, paying for her partner Liz’s IVF treatments in exchange for his green card. However, things begin to unravel when Min’s grandmother makes a surprise trip from Seoul to throw the couple a Korean wedding banquet.
“It warms my heart to see how my film from so many years...
- 4/25/2024
- by Marc Malkin
- Variety Film + TV
Update: Bleecker Street has picked up the film for a 2025 release.
Following up Driveways and Fire Island, Andrew Ahn is nearing production on his next feature, a remake of Ang Lee’s The Wedding Banquet. First confirmed to kick off production this May in Vancouver, The Cinemaholic reports the cast features Lily Gladstone, Bowen Yang, Kelly Marie Tran, Joan Chen, and Youn Yuh-jung. James Schamus, who co-wrote and produced the original 1993 rom-com, returned to script with Ahn.
Here’s the synopsis: “The plot revolves around Min, whose marriage proposal is rejected by his boyfriend Chris (Yang). Min then convinces his best friend Angela (Marie Tran) to marry him for his green card and offers to pay for the IVF treatment of the latter’s partner, Liz (Gladstone), in return. Although Min and Angela plan a “subtle city hall elopement,” their lives are turned upside down when the former’s grandmother...
Following up Driveways and Fire Island, Andrew Ahn is nearing production on his next feature, a remake of Ang Lee’s The Wedding Banquet. First confirmed to kick off production this May in Vancouver, The Cinemaholic reports the cast features Lily Gladstone, Bowen Yang, Kelly Marie Tran, Joan Chen, and Youn Yuh-jung. James Schamus, who co-wrote and produced the original 1993 rom-com, returned to script with Ahn.
Here’s the synopsis: “The plot revolves around Min, whose marriage proposal is rejected by his boyfriend Chris (Yang). Min then convinces his best friend Angela (Marie Tran) to marry him for his green card and offers to pay for the IVF treatment of the latter’s partner, Liz (Gladstone), in return. Although Min and Angela plan a “subtle city hall elopement,” their lives are turned upside down when the former’s grandmother...
- 4/25/2024
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Nathan Zellner and David Zellner’s Sasquatch Sunset is stomping into circa 850 theaters this weekend after debuting in 9 with a solid opening for a film many could find weird. A tribe of Sasquatch, possibly the last of their kind, live and love in the woods of northern California, where it was shot.
“We are taking Bigfoot to America. We have high hopes that the broader market will embrace the movie,” says Kyle Davies of distributor Bleecker Street, calling it “a very different” kind of movie and “a bit of an unknown.”
“It’s a wildcard.”
Marketing was mainly through social activations. “I wouldn’t call it traditional marketing. It doesn’t really fit in that box,” Davies adds. The Sasquatch standees in theaters are fun. And Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar is displaying a baby Sasquatch sitting in a glass case with umbilical cord and placenta.
This is “a polarizing film.
“We are taking Bigfoot to America. We have high hopes that the broader market will embrace the movie,” says Kyle Davies of distributor Bleecker Street, calling it “a very different” kind of movie and “a bit of an unknown.”
“It’s a wildcard.”
Marketing was mainly through social activations. “I wouldn’t call it traditional marketing. It doesn’t really fit in that box,” Davies adds. The Sasquatch standees in theaters are fun. And Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar is displaying a baby Sasquatch sitting in a glass case with umbilical cord and placenta.
This is “a polarizing film.
- 4/19/2024
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Nearly a month after Jonathan Glazer’s Oscars speech reverberated across Hollywood and caused a wave of controversy, 455 Jewish creatives (and counting) have signed a letter in a show of support.
“We were alarmed to see some of our colleagues in the industry mischaracterize and denounce his remarks. Their attacks on Glazer are a dangerous distraction from Israel’s escalating military campaign which has already killed over 32,000 Palestinians in Gaza and brought hundreds of thousands to the brink of starvation,” reads the letter, published amid the continued conflict in the Middle East. “We grieve for all those who have been killed in Palestine and Israel over too many decades, including the 1200 Israelis killed in the October 7 Hamas attacks and the 253 hostages taken.”
The letter is signed by a mix of actors, writers, producers, filmmakers and other creatives. Among those backing Glazer are Joker star Joaquin Phoenix; Killer Films vet Pamela Koffler...
“We were alarmed to see some of our colleagues in the industry mischaracterize and denounce his remarks. Their attacks on Glazer are a dangerous distraction from Israel’s escalating military campaign which has already killed over 32,000 Palestinians in Gaza and brought hundreds of thousands to the brink of starvation,” reads the letter, published amid the continued conflict in the Middle East. “We grieve for all those who have been killed in Palestine and Israel over too many decades, including the 1200 Israelis killed in the October 7 Hamas attacks and the 253 hostages taken.”
The letter is signed by a mix of actors, writers, producers, filmmakers and other creatives. Among those backing Glazer are Joker star Joaquin Phoenix; Killer Films vet Pamela Koffler...
- 4/10/2024
- by Chris Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Update: More than 300 Jewish creatives — including eight-time Oscar-winning composer Alan Menken, “SNL” star Sarah Sherman, actor and documentarian Alex Winter and “Seinfeld” writer Larry Charles — have added their names to the list of signatories of an open letter in support of Jonathan Glazer’s Oscars speech.
The number of signees now sits at 492, having more than tripled since Variety first published the April 5 letter, which criticized the attacks on Glazer for being a “dangerous distraction” from the mounting death toll in Gaza while also contributing to the “suppression of free speech and dissent.”
New additions also include Oscar-winning “Anatomy of a Fall” co-writer Arthur Harari, veteran U.K. producer and Oscar winner Jeremy Thomas, “Girls” co-showrunner and co-writer Jenni Konner and “The Hunger Games” writer and director and four-time Oscar nominee Gary Ross. Many members of the Israeli film community have also signed the open letter, including Oren Moverman, Nadav Lapid,...
The number of signees now sits at 492, having more than tripled since Variety first published the April 5 letter, which criticized the attacks on Glazer for being a “dangerous distraction” from the mounting death toll in Gaza while also contributing to the “suppression of free speech and dissent.”
New additions also include Oscar-winning “Anatomy of a Fall” co-writer Arthur Harari, veteran U.K. producer and Oscar winner Jeremy Thomas, “Girls” co-showrunner and co-writer Jenni Konner and “The Hunger Games” writer and director and four-time Oscar nominee Gary Ross. Many members of the Israeli film community have also signed the open letter, including Oren Moverman, Nadav Lapid,...
- 4/10/2024
- by Ellise Shafer and Alex Ritman
- Variety Film + TV
Miriam Margolyes has called on all Jews “to shout, beg, scream for a ceasefire” in Gaza as the Palestinian territory continues to deal with rising death tolls and, according to aid agency Unrwa USA, is facing a “man-made famine.”
The veteran British-Australian actress and activist, who is best known for starring as Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter film franchise, released a video on Saturday via the Jewish Council of Australia, in which she said Israel’s prosecution of its war in Gaza has left her “so ashamed of Israel.”
She added, “To me, it seems as if Hitler has won. He’s changed us Jews from being compassionate and caring and do unto others as you would have them do unto you into this vicious, genocidal nationalist nation, pursuing and killing women and children.”
Margolyes said that she condemned Hamas’ actions. On Oct. 7 last year, Hamas launched a terrorist...
The veteran British-Australian actress and activist, who is best known for starring as Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter film franchise, released a video on Saturday via the Jewish Council of Australia, in which she said Israel’s prosecution of its war in Gaza has left her “so ashamed of Israel.”
She added, “To me, it seems as if Hitler has won. He’s changed us Jews from being compassionate and caring and do unto others as you would have them do unto you into this vicious, genocidal nationalist nation, pursuing and killing women and children.”
Margolyes said that she condemned Hamas’ actions. On Oct. 7 last year, Hamas launched a terrorist...
- 4/9/2024
- by Abid Rahman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
In the weeks since the 2024 Academy Awards, figures throughout Hollywood have continued to declare their support for director Jonathan Glazer. While accepting the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film for The Zone of Interest, a film that centers on the Holocaust, the Jewish director criticized the dehumanization of “victims of October the 7th in Israel or the ongoing attack on Gaza.”
The most recent show of support comes from an open letter signed by more than 150 Jewish creatives, including Joaquin Phoenix, Elliott Gould, Ilana Glazer, Chloe Fineman, Todd Haynes,...
The most recent show of support comes from an open letter signed by more than 150 Jewish creatives, including Joaquin Phoenix, Elliott Gould, Ilana Glazer, Chloe Fineman, Todd Haynes,...
- 4/5/2024
- by Larisha Paul
- Rollingstone.com
David Bordwell, the noted film scholar, teacher, author and researcher known for sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm of cinema with movie lovers everywhere, has died. He was 76.
Bordwell died Thursday after a long illness, the University of Wisconsin-Madison announced. He taught at the school from 1973 until his retirement in 2004 and was its Jacques Ledoux Professor Emeritus of Film Studies at the time of his death.
For more than two decades, Bordwell supplied commentaries, visual and written essays and interviews for films in the Criterion Collection and was seen and heard on 50 insightful episodes of Observations on Film Art on the Criterion Channel.
In a statement, Criterion called him “a great, longtime friend and a tireless champion of cinema who spent decades imparting his wisdom and passion onto film lovers around the world.”
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Criterion Collection (@criterioncollection)
Bordwell wrote his essential textbooks Film Art: An Introduction,...
Bordwell died Thursday after a long illness, the University of Wisconsin-Madison announced. He taught at the school from 1973 until his retirement in 2004 and was its Jacques Ledoux Professor Emeritus of Film Studies at the time of his death.
For more than two decades, Bordwell supplied commentaries, visual and written essays and interviews for films in the Criterion Collection and was seen and heard on 50 insightful episodes of Observations on Film Art on the Criterion Channel.
In a statement, Criterion called him “a great, longtime friend and a tireless champion of cinema who spent decades imparting his wisdom and passion onto film lovers around the world.”
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Criterion Collection (@criterioncollection)
Bordwell wrote his essential textbooks Film Art: An Introduction,...
- 3/2/2024
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Literary agency Verve has parted ways with CEO Bill Weinstein.
“We thank Bill as a co-founder and for his 14 years of service and wish him nothing but success in his future,” Verve leadership said in a statement Monday.
No reason was given by the agency, although the decision “was made after thoughtful deliberation by Verve’s leadership and approved by Verve’s board and owners,” according to the email announcing the ouster. Some sources have said the move could be financial; the agency, with a strong focus on the literary, was hit hard during the strikes last year. That, coupled with a contraction in television, is hitting many companies and the agency may be no exception. The company rebuffed acquisition overtures from Gersh last summer.
Verve will not be naming a new CEO. The responsibilities of that role will be shared by the founders and managing partner, Liz Parker.
Weinstein...
“We thank Bill as a co-founder and for his 14 years of service and wish him nothing but success in his future,” Verve leadership said in a statement Monday.
No reason was given by the agency, although the decision “was made after thoughtful deliberation by Verve’s leadership and approved by Verve’s board and owners,” according to the email announcing the ouster. Some sources have said the move could be financial; the agency, with a strong focus on the literary, was hit hard during the strikes last year. That, coupled with a contraction in television, is hitting many companies and the agency may be no exception. The company rebuffed acquisition overtures from Gersh last summer.
Verve will not be naming a new CEO. The responsibilities of that role will be shared by the founders and managing partner, Liz Parker.
Weinstein...
- 2/20/2024
- by Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Australian Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning actor and producer Toni Collette (Knives Out) has been announced as a Master at the 10th edition of the Doha Film Institute’s Qumra talent incubator, running from March 1 to 6.
She joins Leos Carax, Claire Denis, Atom Egoyan, Martín Hernández, and Jim Sheridan who were previously announced as Masters for the 2024 edition of the meeting dedicated to supporting new voices from Arab and world cinema.
They join a long list of top professionals to have participated in Qumra since its launch in 2014, which has included James Schamus, Naomi Kawase, Asghar Farhadi, Gael Garcia Bernal and Tilda Swinton.
Additionally, the Dfi has also announced the 40 projects by emerging filmmakers from more than 20 countries, that will participate in the event. (scroll down for full details).
Under the Qumra format, the Masters give a masterclass and provide one-on-one mentorship the talents attached to the projects, alongside a...
She joins Leos Carax, Claire Denis, Atom Egoyan, Martín Hernández, and Jim Sheridan who were previously announced as Masters for the 2024 edition of the meeting dedicated to supporting new voices from Arab and world cinema.
They join a long list of top professionals to have participated in Qumra since its launch in 2014, which has included James Schamus, Naomi Kawase, Asghar Farhadi, Gael Garcia Bernal and Tilda Swinton.
Additionally, the Dfi has also announced the 40 projects by emerging filmmakers from more than 20 countries, that will participate in the event. (scroll down for full details).
Under the Qumra format, the Masters give a masterclass and provide one-on-one mentorship the talents attached to the projects, alongside a...
- 2/17/2024
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Qatar’s Doha Film Institute (Dfi) has announced that Leos Carax, Claire Denis, Atom Egoyan, Martín Hernández and Jim Sheridan will serve as Qumra Masters at the 10th edition of its respected talent incubator event, running from March 1 to 6.
They join a long list of top professionals to have participated in the Qumra meeting since its launch in 2014, which has included James Schamus, Naomi Kawase, Asghar Farhadi, Gael Garcia Bernal and Tilda Swinton.
Under the Qumra format, a select group of Mena and international filmmakers and producers of projects supported by the Dfi’s grants program attend the six-day talent and project incubator meeting in Doha.
The Qumra Masters give a masterclass and then provide one-on-one mentorship to the partipants alongside a host of other industry professionals in attendance.
French director Carax is currently working on post-production for his personal work It’s Not Me, which follows his award-winning pop-rock melodrama Annette,...
They join a long list of top professionals to have participated in the Qumra meeting since its launch in 2014, which has included James Schamus, Naomi Kawase, Asghar Farhadi, Gael Garcia Bernal and Tilda Swinton.
Under the Qumra format, a select group of Mena and international filmmakers and producers of projects supported by the Dfi’s grants program attend the six-day talent and project incubator meeting in Doha.
The Qumra Masters give a masterclass and then provide one-on-one mentorship to the partipants alongside a host of other industry professionals in attendance.
French director Carax is currently working on post-production for his personal work It’s Not Me, which follows his award-winning pop-rock melodrama Annette,...
- 2/5/2024
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Sony Pictures Classics and Stage 6 Films have unveiled the release date and trailer for We Grown Now, a coming-of-age drama from writer-director Minhal Baig (Hala) that’s currently up for three three Independent Spirit Awards, including Best Feature, Best Cinematography, and Best Editing.
Also previously landing the Toronto Film Festival’s Changemaker Award, the film is set to open in theaters in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago on April 19 before expanding nationwide on May 10.
Pic takes place in 1992 Chicago, as Michael Jordan solidifies himself as a champion, watching as a story of two young legends in their own right begins. As wide-eyed and imaginative best friends, Malik (Blake Cameron James) and Eric (Gian Knight Ramirez) traverse the city, looking to escape the mundaneness of school and the hardships of growing up in public housing. Their unbreakable bond is challenged when tragedy shakes their community just as they are learning to fly.
Also previously landing the Toronto Film Festival’s Changemaker Award, the film is set to open in theaters in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago on April 19 before expanding nationwide on May 10.
Pic takes place in 1992 Chicago, as Michael Jordan solidifies himself as a champion, watching as a story of two young legends in their own right begins. As wide-eyed and imaginative best friends, Malik (Blake Cameron James) and Eric (Gian Knight Ramirez) traverse the city, looking to escape the mundaneness of school and the hardships of growing up in public housing. Their unbreakable bond is challenged when tragedy shakes their community just as they are learning to fly.
- 1/31/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Writer-director Minhal Baig shares coming-of-age stories from all walks of life, and this time, she’s returning home to Chicago.
Baig’s third feature, “We Grown Now,” centers on the housing project Cabrini-Green Homes in Chicagoin 1992. “We Grown Now” follows two young boys who are best friends and neighbors, with first-time actors Blake Cameron James and Gian Knight Ramirez playing respective characters Malik and Eric. Jurnee Smollett and Lil Rel Howery also star.
The official synopsis reads: “In 1992 Chicago, as Michael Jordan solidifies himself as a champion, a story of two young legends in their own right begins. As wide-eyed and imaginative best friends Malik and Eric traverse the city, looking to escape the mundaneness of school and the hardships of growing up in public housing, their unbreakable bond is challenged when tragedy shakes their community just as they are learning to fly.”
“We Grown Now” is Baig’s...
Baig’s third feature, “We Grown Now,” centers on the housing project Cabrini-Green Homes in Chicagoin 1992. “We Grown Now” follows two young boys who are best friends and neighbors, with first-time actors Blake Cameron James and Gian Knight Ramirez playing respective characters Malik and Eric. Jurnee Smollett and Lil Rel Howery also star.
The official synopsis reads: “In 1992 Chicago, as Michael Jordan solidifies himself as a champion, a story of two young legends in their own right begins. As wide-eyed and imaginative best friends Malik and Eric traverse the city, looking to escape the mundaneness of school and the hardships of growing up in public housing, their unbreakable bond is challenged when tragedy shakes their community just as they are learning to fly.”
“We Grown Now” is Baig’s...
- 1/31/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
After two short features, Taiwanese-born director Ang Lee made “Pushing Hands”, which not only marked the beginning of what would later be known as the “Father Knows Best”-trilogy, but also the foundation of what would define him as a filmmaker. It is also the first collaboration with esteemed actor Sihung Lung, who would revisit the role of the family father in “The Wedding Banquet” and “Eat Drink Man Woman”, as well as work with Lee on his “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”. “Pushing Hands” refers to a tai chi-routine Lung's character goes through every morning and teaches to his students, which is supposed to be a defense against brute force, which you can see in some scenes in the movie. At the same time, we are introduced to what would be Lee's career-defining themes, most importantly the conflict of tradition and modernity as well as the differences between cultures, in...
- 12/11/2023
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
As part of this year’s industry program at the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA), producer Ted Hope sat down with the festival’s artistic director Orwa Nyrabia for an in-depth conversation about his career in U.S. independent film, the future of the industry, and the ways in which filmmakers and audiences are “trained by major players to adapt and conform to a creative process that colors only between the lines.”
Hope, who is at IDFA to support Vanessa Hope’s “Invisible Nation,” has navigated the independent filmmaking scene since the late 80s. The executive has produced over 70 films including Todd Solondz’s “Happiness” and, most recently, Roger Ross William’s fiction debut, “Cassandro.” From 2014 to 2020, Hope headed Amazon’s Original Movies.
“I spent most of my life looking for a mentor or father figure and found virtually none, and as a result wanted to give people what I longed for,...
Hope, who is at IDFA to support Vanessa Hope’s “Invisible Nation,” has navigated the independent filmmaking scene since the late 80s. The executive has produced over 70 films including Todd Solondz’s “Happiness” and, most recently, Roger Ross William’s fiction debut, “Cassandro.” From 2014 to 2020, Hope headed Amazon’s Original Movies.
“I spent most of my life looking for a mentor or father figure and found virtually none, and as a result wanted to give people what I longed for,...
- 11/15/2023
- by Rafa Sales Ross
- Variety Film + TV
Editors note: Michael Seitzman is a veteran film and TV writer and showrunner. He created the series Code Black and Intelligence and penned the Charlize Theron-starring movie North Country. In a guest column titled “Because Jews,” he shares his impassioned take on the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and its reverberations around Hollywood.
I’ve worked in Hollywood for the better part of three decades. Everyone here has rules about the stories they tell. A big one for me is, don’t ask what you need to tell the audience, ask what you can get away with not telling the audience. This is part of a process we like to call information management. Allow me to illustrate.
Last week, a letter was making the rounds in Hollywood, demanding that organizations like the Writers Guild of America not bend to “pressure campaigns to force them to align with Israel as it lays siege on Gaza.
I’ve worked in Hollywood for the better part of three decades. Everyone here has rules about the stories they tell. A big one for me is, don’t ask what you need to tell the audience, ask what you can get away with not telling the audience. This is part of a process we like to call information management. Allow me to illustrate.
Last week, a letter was making the rounds in Hollywood, demanding that organizations like the Writers Guild of America not bend to “pressure campaigns to force them to align with Israel as it lays siege on Gaza.
- 10/27/2023
- by Michael Seitzman
- Deadline Film + TV
‘We believe all life is sacred, no matter faith or ethnicity’
Riz Ahmed, Cate Blanchett, Kristen Stewart, Cherien Dabis and Rooney Mara are among Hollywood and entertainment celebrities urging US president Joe Biden to call for a ceasefire in Gaza and Israel.
Andrew Garfield, Jessica Chastain, James Schamus, Joaquin Phoenix, Mahershala Ali, Jon Stewart, and Dua Lipa have also added their names to an open letter on Friday urging Biden and all world leaders to call for “an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire in Gaza and Israel before another life is lost”.
It is estimated that more than 5,000 Palestinians and Israelis...
Riz Ahmed, Cate Blanchett, Kristen Stewart, Cherien Dabis and Rooney Mara are among Hollywood and entertainment celebrities urging US president Joe Biden to call for a ceasefire in Gaza and Israel.
Andrew Garfield, Jessica Chastain, James Schamus, Joaquin Phoenix, Mahershala Ali, Jon Stewart, and Dua Lipa have also added their names to an open letter on Friday urging Biden and all world leaders to call for “an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire in Gaza and Israel before another life is lost”.
It is estimated that more than 5,000 Palestinians and Israelis...
- 10/21/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
A long list of big-name actors released a letter today directed to President Biden asking him to call for a cease fire in Gaza and Israel.
Among the signatories are Mark Ruffalo, Jessica Chastian, Cate Blanchett, Quinta Brunson, Rosario Dawson, Oscar Isaac, Joaquin Phoenix, Alyssa Milano, Jon Stewart and many more. The list includes prominent Jewish, Muslim and Christian actors
The full text of the letter is below.
Dear President Biden,
We come together as artists and advocates, but most importantly as human beings witnessing the devastating loss of lives and unfolding horrors in Israel and Palestine.
We ask that, as President of the United States, you call for an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire in Gaza and Israel before another life is lost. More than 5,000 people have been killed in the last week and a half – a number any person of conscience knows is catastrophic. We believe all life is sacred,...
Among the signatories are Mark Ruffalo, Jessica Chastian, Cate Blanchett, Quinta Brunson, Rosario Dawson, Oscar Isaac, Joaquin Phoenix, Alyssa Milano, Jon Stewart and many more. The list includes prominent Jewish, Muslim and Christian actors
The full text of the letter is below.
Dear President Biden,
We come together as artists and advocates, but most importantly as human beings witnessing the devastating loss of lives and unfolding horrors in Israel and Palestine.
We ask that, as President of the United States, you call for an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire in Gaza and Israel before another life is lost. More than 5,000 people have been killed in the last week and a half – a number any person of conscience knows is catastrophic. We believe all life is sacred,...
- 10/20/2023
- by Tom Tapp
- Deadline Film + TV
Award-winning feature documentary “Mom & Dad’s Nipple Factory” has inked a deal with Sonder Entertainment for a national theatrical tour beginning in October to coincide with National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. “Mom & Dad’s Nipple Factory,” a Jubilee Production, will screen in theaters nationwide and into next year ahead of its digital release in February.
Directed by Emmy-winning filmmaker Justin Johnson, the feature documentary tells the story of Johnson’s parents’ resilience in the face of a breast cancer diagnosis and unilateral mastectomy — which unexpectedly leads them to launch a novel homespun prosthetic nipple business. They hide this endeavor from their five children, church and small community.
“Mom and Dad’s journey, filled with love, humor, and ingenuity amidst adversity, has blossomed into a project that has already touched thousands of hearts in our festival run. I’m excited to partner with Sonder Entertainment to share this poignant yet humorous film with audiences nationwide,...
Directed by Emmy-winning filmmaker Justin Johnson, the feature documentary tells the story of Johnson’s parents’ resilience in the face of a breast cancer diagnosis and unilateral mastectomy — which unexpectedly leads them to launch a novel homespun prosthetic nipple business. They hide this endeavor from their five children, church and small community.
“Mom and Dad’s journey, filled with love, humor, and ingenuity amidst adversity, has blossomed into a project that has already touched thousands of hearts in our festival run. I’m excited to partner with Sonder Entertainment to share this poignant yet humorous film with audiences nationwide,...
- 10/5/2023
- by Jazz Tangcay, Jaden Thompson and Caroline Brew
- Variety Film + TV
Sony Pictures Classics has acquired North American rights to Stage 6 Films, Participant and Symbolic Exchange’s We Grown Now, which had its world premiere in the Centerpiece and Next Wave Selects section at this year’s TIFF. The movie’s writer, director, producer Minhal Baig received TIFF’s Changemaker Award which explores issues relevant to young people and is focused on themes of social change and youth empowerment.
In 1992 Chicago, as Michael Jordan solidifies himself as a champion, a story of two young legends in their own right begins. As wide-eyed and imaginative best friends Malik and Eric traverse the city, looking to escape the mundaneness of school and the hardships of growing up in public housing, their unbreakable bond is challenged when tragedy shakes their community just as they are learning to fly.
The film stars Blake Cameron James, Gian Knight Ramirez, S. Epatha Merkerson, Avery Holliday and Ora Jones,...
In 1992 Chicago, as Michael Jordan solidifies himself as a champion, a story of two young legends in their own right begins. As wide-eyed and imaginative best friends Malik and Eric traverse the city, looking to escape the mundaneness of school and the hardships of growing up in public housing, their unbreakable bond is challenged when tragedy shakes their community just as they are learning to fly.
The film stars Blake Cameron James, Gian Knight Ramirez, S. Epatha Merkerson, Avery Holliday and Ora Jones,...
- 10/4/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Sony Pictures Releasing International will release film internationally.
Sony Pictures Classics will release Minhal Baig’s TIFF premiere We Grown Now from Stage 6 Films, Participant, and Symbolic Exchange in North America.
‘We Grown Now’: Toronto Review
Baig received TIFF’s Changemaker Award for the coming of age drama, which stars Blake Cameron James, Gian Knight Ramirez, S. Epatha Merkerson, Avery Holliday and Ora Jones, with Lil Rel Howery and Jurnee Smollett.
We Grown Now marks the filmmaker’s follow-up to her 2019 debut Hala and screened in TIFF Centrepiece and Next Wave Selects.
Set in 1992 Chicago as Michael Jordan solidifies himself as a champion,...
Sony Pictures Classics will release Minhal Baig’s TIFF premiere We Grown Now from Stage 6 Films, Participant, and Symbolic Exchange in North America.
‘We Grown Now’: Toronto Review
Baig received TIFF’s Changemaker Award for the coming of age drama, which stars Blake Cameron James, Gian Knight Ramirez, S. Epatha Merkerson, Avery Holliday and Ora Jones, with Lil Rel Howery and Jurnee Smollett.
We Grown Now marks the filmmaker’s follow-up to her 2019 debut Hala and screened in TIFF Centrepiece and Next Wave Selects.
Set in 1992 Chicago as Michael Jordan solidifies himself as a champion,...
- 10/4/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Sony Pictures Releasing International will release film internationally.
Sony Pictures Classics has acquired North American rights to Stage 6 Films, Participant, and Symbolic Exchange’s TIFF premiere We Grown Now directed by Minhal Baig.
‘We Grown Now’: Toronto Review
Baig received TIFF’s Changemaker Award for the coming of age drama, which stars Blake Cameron James, Gian Knight Ramirez, S. Epatha Merkerson, Avery Holliday and Ora Jones, with Lil Rel Howery and Jurnee Smollett.
We Grown Now marks the filmmaker’s follow-up to her 2019 debut Hala and screened in TIFF Centrepiece and Next Wave Selects.
Set in 1992 Chicago as Michael Jordan...
Sony Pictures Classics has acquired North American rights to Stage 6 Films, Participant, and Symbolic Exchange’s TIFF premiere We Grown Now directed by Minhal Baig.
‘We Grown Now’: Toronto Review
Baig received TIFF’s Changemaker Award for the coming of age drama, which stars Blake Cameron James, Gian Knight Ramirez, S. Epatha Merkerson, Avery Holliday and Ora Jones, with Lil Rel Howery and Jurnee Smollett.
We Grown Now marks the filmmaker’s follow-up to her 2019 debut Hala and screened in TIFF Centrepiece and Next Wave Selects.
Set in 1992 Chicago as Michael Jordan...
- 10/4/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Sony Pictures Classics has nabbed the North American rights to Minhal Baig’s We Grown Now, which stars and is executive produced by Jurnee Smollett.
Baig, whose debut film Hala premiered at Sundance in 2019, brought We Grown Now to Toronto for a world debut. Domestically, Sony Pictures Classics will release the film in partnership with Stage 6 Films, while Sony Pictures Releasing International will handle the international rollout.
“I could not be more delighted to have found a home for We Grown Now with Sony Pictures Classics. We Grown Now is a film that captures the tender moments of childhood resilience and the power of human connection in the face of adversity,” said Baig in a statement.
The coming-of-age story follows Malik and Eric, best friends played by newcomers Blake Cameron James and Gian Knight Ramirez, as they face changes to their community in Chicago’s misunderstood Cabrini-Green housing complex. S. Epatha Merkerson,...
Baig, whose debut film Hala premiered at Sundance in 2019, brought We Grown Now to Toronto for a world debut. Domestically, Sony Pictures Classics will release the film in partnership with Stage 6 Films, while Sony Pictures Releasing International will handle the international rollout.
“I could not be more delighted to have found a home for We Grown Now with Sony Pictures Classics. We Grown Now is a film that captures the tender moments of childhood resilience and the power of human connection in the face of adversity,” said Baig in a statement.
The coming-of-age story follows Malik and Eric, best friends played by newcomers Blake Cameron James and Gian Knight Ramirez, as they face changes to their community in Chicago’s misunderstood Cabrini-Green housing complex. S. Epatha Merkerson,...
- 10/4/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Having recently shifted away from their one-film-a-day approach, Mubi has now unveiled their October lineup, which is headlined by Ira Sachs’ stellar drama Passages following its theatrical run this summer. The slate also features handpicked selections by Sachs, with work by Maurice Pialat, Luchino Visconti, Jack Hazan, Shirley Clarke, and Tsai Ming-liang.
Also arriving in October is “Watch If You Dare: Horror Halloween,” a series featuring a trio of giallo classics, with The Fifth Cord, The Possessed, and Forbidden Photos of a Lady Above Suspicion, alongside Guillermo del Toro’s The Devil’s Backbone and more. The service will also spotlight the work of underseen Japanese director Yasuzô Masumura, including his aching melodrama Red Angel, his biting workplace satire Giants and Toys, his thrilling noir Black Test Car, and more.
Check out the lineup below and get 30 days free here.
October 1
The Infiltrators, directed by Alex Rivera, Cristina Ibarra | National Hispanic Heritage Month
The Vanished Elephant,...
Also arriving in October is “Watch If You Dare: Horror Halloween,” a series featuring a trio of giallo classics, with The Fifth Cord, The Possessed, and Forbidden Photos of a Lady Above Suspicion, alongside Guillermo del Toro’s The Devil’s Backbone and more. The service will also spotlight the work of underseen Japanese director Yasuzô Masumura, including his aching melodrama Red Angel, his biting workplace satire Giants and Toys, his thrilling noir Black Test Car, and more.
Check out the lineup below and get 30 days free here.
October 1
The Infiltrators, directed by Alex Rivera, Cristina Ibarra | National Hispanic Heritage Month
The Vanished Elephant,...
- 9/28/2023
- by Leonard Pearce
- The Film Stage
Minhal Baig’s “We Grown Now,” which bowed Sept. 8 at TIFF, follows Malik (Blake Cameron James) and Eric (Gian Knight Ramirez), two 10-year-old boys living in Chicago’s Cabrini Green housing project. It’s 1992 and the boys have loving homes overzealous and racist police, crime and an unthinkable tragedy burst through their childhood bubble. Malik’s hard-working mother (Jurnee Smollett) and grandmother (S. Epatha Merkerson) can’t protect Malik from the rest of the world. Baig captures the kids’ innocence, exuberance, curiosity and confusion as events unfold through their eyes and threaten to tear apart the only home they’ve known. Cabrini Green was demolished in 2011. Despite that, Baig was able to interview many people who lived in the community, and their stories fed into her film.
Chicago-based Baig talked to Variety about the film, whose executive producers are Jeff Skoll, Anikah McLaren, James Schamus, Carrie Holt de Lama and Smollett.
Chicago-based Baig talked to Variety about the film, whose executive producers are Jeff Skoll, Anikah McLaren, James Schamus, Carrie Holt de Lama and Smollett.
- 9/8/2023
- by Carole Horst
- Variety Film + TV
Former IFC Films president Arianna Bocco, Berlinale managing director Mariette Rissenbeek and the British Film Institute’s head of industry and international policy Agnieszka Moody are set as keynote speakers for the upcoming Locarno Film Festival’s StepIN think tank on the most pressing issues in the indie film industry.
The Swiss fest’s unique event, now at its 11th edition, will explore various aspects of this year’s timely theme, which is “What’s the Deal With Independent Cinema?”
A select group of European and international industry players — distributors, exhibitors, producers, sales agents, film institutions, financiers, streaming platforms, broadcasters and film festival and markets reps — will be participating in closed working sessions to exchange thoughts on practices and business models and propose new ideas and strategies.
The themes of this year’s four StepIN roundtables are: the theatrical battlefield between independents, majors and streamers; how to protect the “biodiversity...
The Swiss fest’s unique event, now at its 11th edition, will explore various aspects of this year’s timely theme, which is “What’s the Deal With Independent Cinema?”
A select group of European and international industry players — distributors, exhibitors, producers, sales agents, film institutions, financiers, streaming platforms, broadcasters and film festival and markets reps — will be participating in closed working sessions to exchange thoughts on practices and business models and propose new ideas and strategies.
The themes of this year’s four StepIN roundtables are: the theatrical battlefield between independents, majors and streamers; how to protect the “biodiversity...
- 7/24/2023
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Hong Kong singer-songwriter Coco Lee died Wednesday after trying to take her own life at the weekend, according to a Facebook post by her sisters.
Lee sang the Mandarin version of the theme song “Reflection” from 1998 Disney movie Mulan, and also became the first Chinese American to perform at the Oscars, singing the Best Original Song-nominated “A Love Before Time” from Ang Lee’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
Lee’s sisters, Carol and Nancy, said she had been in a coma since making the suicide attempt over the weekend. “With great sadness, we are here to break the most devastating news: Coco had been suffering from depression for a few years but her condition deteriorated drastically over the last few months,” the Facebook post stated.
“Although, Coco sought professional help and did her best to fight depression, sadly that demon inside of her took the better of her,” they continued.
Lee sang the Mandarin version of the theme song “Reflection” from 1998 Disney movie Mulan, and also became the first Chinese American to perform at the Oscars, singing the Best Original Song-nominated “A Love Before Time” from Ang Lee’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
Lee’s sisters, Carol and Nancy, said she had been in a coma since making the suicide attempt over the weekend. “With great sadness, we are here to break the most devastating news: Coco had been suffering from depression for a few years but her condition deteriorated drastically over the last few months,” the Facebook post stated.
“Although, Coco sought professional help and did her best to fight depression, sadly that demon inside of her took the better of her,” they continued.
- 7/5/2023
- by Liz Shackleton
- Deadline Film + TV
Outfest announced the full line up for its 41st Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ+ Festival presented by Warner Bros. Discovery and Genesis Motor America, taking place July 13 – 23 in venues around Los Angeles and is headquartered at the Directors Guild of America in West Hollywood. Tickets and passes are available to Outfest members today, and to the general public starting Friday, June 23rd.
The festival also announced that it will be honoring Melissa McCarthy and Ben Falcone with the James Schamus Ally Award during the festival’s closing night in recognition of allies’ efforts to foster Queer and Trans moving images and to promote our communities’ stories to a broader audience. Additionally, McCarthy and Falcone are both executive producers on Relighting Candles: The Tim Sullivan Story, a short documentary directed by Zeb Newman and Michiel Thomas that will be featured at this year’s festival, about a West Hollywood candle shop owner...
The festival also announced that it will be honoring Melissa McCarthy and Ben Falcone with the James Schamus Ally Award during the festival’s closing night in recognition of allies’ efforts to foster Queer and Trans moving images and to promote our communities’ stories to a broader audience. Additionally, McCarthy and Falcone are both executive producers on Relighting Candles: The Tim Sullivan Story, a short documentary directed by Zeb Newman and Michiel Thomas that will be featured at this year’s festival, about a West Hollywood candle shop owner...
- 6/22/2023
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: New indie film financier Mizzel Media is launching in Cannes with what we understand to be a healthy six-figure investment in feature The Girl From Köln, the next film from Holy Spider and The Tale outfit One Two Films.
The movie, which is due to shoot later this year, will star Mala Emde (And Tomorrow The Entire World) and John Magaro (Past Lives) in the lead roles.
Bankside is handling world sales in Cannes on the project, which will tell the little-known backstory of how a maverick German teenager named Vera Brandes was instrumental in the creation of the best-selling solo piano record of all time, U.S. pianist Keith Jarrett’s 1975 Köln Concert. Ido Fluk (The Ticket) directs from his own script.
The investment is U.S. outfit Mizzel’s first to date. The New York-based company is run by producer and veteran manager Lillian Lasalle, whose clients...
The movie, which is due to shoot later this year, will star Mala Emde (And Tomorrow The Entire World) and John Magaro (Past Lives) in the lead roles.
Bankside is handling world sales in Cannes on the project, which will tell the little-known backstory of how a maverick German teenager named Vera Brandes was instrumental in the creation of the best-selling solo piano record of all time, U.S. pianist Keith Jarrett’s 1975 Köln Concert. Ido Fluk (The Ticket) directs from his own script.
The investment is U.S. outfit Mizzel’s first to date. The New York-based company is run by producer and veteran manager Lillian Lasalle, whose clients...
- 5/19/2023
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
I have been tracking producer Sol Bondy since 2016 when co-production The Happiest Day in the Life of Ölli Mäki won the Un Certain Regard Grand Prize and the European Film Award for Best Debut. He and Fred Burle have been developing The Girl from Köln (aka Köln 75) with writer-director Ido Fluk, the filmmaker behind 2016 Tribeca selection The Ticket since 2019. "This project has been very close to our hearts in the last few years and we're very excited with the way it's been shaped so far," said Bondy, a Variety Producer to Watch in 2018. "It's been such a joy working with Ido on this exciting story and we're thrilled to have put an amazing team together," added Burle, Brazilian born producer who was just made a partner in One Two Films, alongside co-founders Sol Bondy and Christoph Lange. Burle joined One Two in January 2017, having graduated from the German Film and Television Academy (dffb) the previous year. He has previously worked as a film critic, at The Match Factory, and as curator of the inaugural dffb film festival. One Two Films has produced and co-produced award-winning films such as Holy Spider (Read my blog about it here), Vadim Perelman's Persian Lessons (Read my blog about it here), Jennifer Fox's Sundance breakout The Tale, Isabel Coixet's The Bookshop and Juho Kuosmanen's The Happiest Day in the Life of Olli Mäki.Other titles in the pipeline include Hafsteinn Gunnar Sigurdsson's dark comedy Northern Comfort, which premieres in SXSW later this month, Annemarie Jacir's survival drama The Oblivion Theory, Sarah Arnold's debut feature Wild Encounters and Michiel ten Horn's romantic comedy Any Other Night. In Berlin this year it was announced that Bankside would be The Girl from Köln's international sales agent and was launching sales. Alamode Film already has German-speaking territories and is a coproducer, who have very recently secured funding through the Fff, the local fund in Bavaria. It is in early pre-production and will shoot this year in Poland and Germany. The Girl from Köln tells the little-known story of Vera Brandes, who, in 1975, at the age of 17, staged the famous Köln Concert by jazz musician Keith Jarrett, which became the top-selling jazz solo album of all time. With Polish Film Institute backing, Oscar-winning Polish producer Ewa Puszczynska (Ida, Cold War) of Extreme Emotions is co-producing along with Annegret Weitkämper-Krug of Germany's Gretchenfilm (Seneca). Oscar nominee and Emmy winner Oren Moverman (Love & Mercy, Bad Education) serves as executive producer. Moverman also produced Fluk's previous feature, The Ticket. The Tale writer-director Jennifer Fox also serves as executive producer. Stephen Kelliher and Sophie Green executive produce for Bankside. It stars Mala Emde (Skin Deep, And Tomorrow the Entire World) in the lead role, alongside John Magaro (Past Lives) as Jarrett. Magaro was also in Cannes last year with Kelly Reichardt's competition title Showing Up.Other cast attached include Alexander Scheer (Rabiye Kurnaz vs. George W. Bush), Ulrich Tukur (The Life of Others), Susanne Wolff (Sisi & I, Styx), Jördis Triebel (Dark), Jan Bülow (Lindenberg) and Marie-Lou Sellem (Tar, Exit Marrakesh). The NYU-graduate Fluk was dubbed "a talent to watch" by Variety following his feature debut Never Too Late, the first crowd-sourced Israeli film ever made. His American debut, the Tribeca competition selection, The Ticket, starred Dan Stevens and Malin Akerman. Upcoming projects include 24 Hours in June, a retelling of the final day in the life of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg who were convicted of spying on behalf of the Soviet Union, to be produced by Academy Award winner James Schamus (Brokeback Mountain) and Joe Pirro (Driveways). Fluk is repped by Amotz Zakai, Amy Schiffman, and Kegan Schell at Echo Lake Entertainment. He is also created the recently-announced HBO series Empty Mansions for Fremantle with director Joe Wright (Atonement, Darkest Hour) attached to direct the pilot. "From the moment I heard Vera's story, about how as a high school teenager she organized one of the greatest concerts in history, I knew her story had to be told," said Fluk. "We were immediately exhilarated by Vera Brandes' remarkable female empowerment story. Her strength, courage and sheer belief in herself and the music of Keith Jarrett will entertain and inspire audiences around the world," added Kelliher.
- 3/5/2023
- by Sydney
- Sydney's Buzz
Where does it come from, that shiver of doubt about Everything Everywhere All at Once and its Best Picture prospects? (Almost) everyone says it’s the winner, far and away. The picture is unbeatable. The Directors Guild, the Producers Guild, and the Screen Actors Guild have crowned it already, and the Writers Guild is likely poised to do the same tonight. The Spirit Awards did it yesterday. The Critics Choice Awards had already gone thumbs up. As Deadline’s Pete Hammond points out, all six prognosticators on the Los Angeles Times “Buzzmeter” have Everything Everywhere in for the win.
But there’s still that spooky sense of unease. Maybe, as Hammond notes, the slight shadow is cast by Everything’s BAFTA loss to All Quiet on the Western Front, plus the sure knowledge that some older members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences aren’t charmed by the wildly off-center film,...
But there’s still that spooky sense of unease. Maybe, as Hammond notes, the slight shadow is cast by Everything’s BAFTA loss to All Quiet on the Western Front, plus the sure knowledge that some older members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences aren’t charmed by the wildly off-center film,...
- 3/5/2023
- by Michael Cieply
- Deadline Film + TV
Chicago – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for the re-release of “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” the 2000 classic directed by Ang Lee and featuring Michelle Yeoh (“Everything Everywhere All at Once). The 4K restoration is currently in theaters (see local listings).
Rating: 5.0/5.0
The story takes place in an imagined China in the 1800s. Lu Mu Bai (Chow Yun-Fat) and Yu Su Lien (Michelle Yeoh) run a security business, with Bai starting to become uneasy about his future and wanting to move on. He even gives up his weapon of choice, a sword called Green Destiny. This begins a series of events, in which Green Destiny is stolen by a mysterious warrior – under the auspice of Bai’s enemy Jade Fox (Cheng Pei-Pei) – which in turn releases a number of unsettled scores from Bai’s past. On the flip side of that story is a young woman named Jen (Zhang Ziyi...
Rating: 5.0/5.0
The story takes place in an imagined China in the 1800s. Lu Mu Bai (Chow Yun-Fat) and Yu Su Lien (Michelle Yeoh) run a security business, with Bai starting to become uneasy about his future and wanting to move on. He even gives up his weapon of choice, a sword called Green Destiny. This begins a series of events, in which Green Destiny is stolen by a mysterious warrior – under the auspice of Bai’s enemy Jade Fox (Cheng Pei-Pei) – which in turn releases a number of unsettled scores from Bai’s past. On the flip side of that story is a young woman named Jen (Zhang Ziyi...
- 2/22/2023
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
All Quiet on the Western Front became the big winner tonight at BAFTA, taking not just the awards for Best Film and Best Director, but a total of 7 prizes out of its 14 nominations.
Martin McDonagh’s The Banshees of Inisherin was next with four wins, including Best British Film, and both Supporting performance prizes. It tied with Elvis, which won four awards, including Best Actor for Austin Butler. But longstanding awards front-runner Everything Everywhere All At Once failed to capitalize on the success it has engendered in the U.S., winning only one award for Best Editing from 10 nominations.
Early in the evening, after winning the prize for Film Not in the English language, All Quiet director Edward Berger reflected on his work experience for James Schamus and James Hope’s company, Good Machine, and their production of Ang Lee’s Sense and Sensibility: “In 1994, I booked plane tickets for Emma Thompson,...
Martin McDonagh’s The Banshees of Inisherin was next with four wins, including Best British Film, and both Supporting performance prizes. It tied with Elvis, which won four awards, including Best Actor for Austin Butler. But longstanding awards front-runner Everything Everywhere All At Once failed to capitalize on the success it has engendered in the U.S., winning only one award for Best Editing from 10 nominations.
Early in the evening, after winning the prize for Film Not in the English language, All Quiet director Edward Berger reflected on his work experience for James Schamus and James Hope’s company, Good Machine, and their production of Ang Lee’s Sense and Sensibility: “In 1994, I booked plane tickets for Emma Thompson,...
- 2/19/2023
- by Joe Utichi and Damon Wise
- Deadline Film + TV
Germany’s Mala Emde and US actor John Magaro are set to star.
UK sales outfit Bankside Films has boarded worldwide sales on director Ido Fluk’s feature Köln 75, that tells the little-known story of one of the best-selling jazz records of all time, US pianist Keith Jarrett’s 1975 Köln Concert, and how one maverick German teenager was instrumental in its creation.
The film meets teenager Vera Brandes while she is still in high school and starts producing and promoting music concerts in Cologne, and risks everything to put on what will become Jarrett’s legendary show.
German star of...
UK sales outfit Bankside Films has boarded worldwide sales on director Ido Fluk’s feature Köln 75, that tells the little-known story of one of the best-selling jazz records of all time, US pianist Keith Jarrett’s 1975 Köln Concert, and how one maverick German teenager was instrumental in its creation.
The film meets teenager Vera Brandes while she is still in high school and starts producing and promoting music concerts in Cologne, and risks everything to put on what will become Jarrett’s legendary show.
German star of...
- 2/8/2023
- by Mona Tabbara
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: HBO is developing a series adaptation of nonfiction book Empty Mansions, about a wealthy recluse.
The Warner Bros. Discovery-owned premium network is working on the project with The Ticket filmmaker Ido Fluk, Atonement and Darkest Hour director Joe Wright and The Mosquito Coast producer Fremantle.
The story follows Huguette Clark, an elderly, fabulously wealthy recluse who is hospitalized for a number of seemingly minor ailments and a series of events is set into motion regarding her fortune and an unsigned will.
Fluk will write and exec produce, Wright will direct the potential pilot and exec produce alongside Fremantle.
At the Rtl-owned producer and distributor, the project comes from Dante Di Loreto, President of Scripted Programming in the U.S. Di Loreto, in fact, previously worked closely with Ryan Murphy, exec producing series including Glee and American Horror Story. Murphy had optioned the book back in 2014, a year after it was published.
The Warner Bros. Discovery-owned premium network is working on the project with The Ticket filmmaker Ido Fluk, Atonement and Darkest Hour director Joe Wright and The Mosquito Coast producer Fremantle.
The story follows Huguette Clark, an elderly, fabulously wealthy recluse who is hospitalized for a number of seemingly minor ailments and a series of events is set into motion regarding her fortune and an unsigned will.
Fluk will write and exec produce, Wright will direct the potential pilot and exec produce alongside Fremantle.
At the Rtl-owned producer and distributor, the project comes from Dante Di Loreto, President of Scripted Programming in the U.S. Di Loreto, in fact, previously worked closely with Ryan Murphy, exec producing series including Glee and American Horror Story. Murphy had optioned the book back in 2014, a year after it was published.
- 2/7/2023
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Penelope Koechl will be this year’s recipient of the WGA East’s Richard B. Jablow Award for Devoted Service to the Guild. The honorary award will be presented at the 75th annual Writers Guild Awards ceremony at New York’s Edison Ballroom on March 5.
Related Story WGA Awards TV Nominations: ‘Abbott Elementary,’ ‘Better Call Saul,’ ‘The Crown,’ ‘Severance’, ’Yellowjackets’ Among Shows Vying For Top Prizes Related Story WGA East & HuffPost Reach Deal On New Contract, Avert Threatened Strike Related Story 'Living Single' Creator Yvette Lee Bowser Set For WGA West's Top TV Honor
Koechl, who served five terms on the guild’s Council, is currently a member of the Trustee Review and Appointment Committee and chairperson of the Election Committee. After joining the guild in 1986, she served as a member of the 1988 Strike Committee, the 2001 Negotiating Committee and an alternate on the 2007 Negotiating Committee. A longtime writer for the...
Related Story WGA Awards TV Nominations: ‘Abbott Elementary,’ ‘Better Call Saul,’ ‘The Crown,’ ‘Severance’, ’Yellowjackets’ Among Shows Vying For Top Prizes Related Story WGA East & HuffPost Reach Deal On New Contract, Avert Threatened Strike Related Story 'Living Single' Creator Yvette Lee Bowser Set For WGA West's Top TV Honor
Koechl, who served five terms on the guild’s Council, is currently a member of the Trustee Review and Appointment Committee and chairperson of the Election Committee. After joining the guild in 1986, she served as a member of the 1988 Strike Committee, the 2001 Negotiating Committee and an alternate on the 2007 Negotiating Committee. A longtime writer for the...
- 2/2/2023
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
Former director of Toronto International Film Festival died on January 25, aged 55.
Filmmakers James Schamus, Atom Egoyan and Hirokazu Kore-eda have led tributes from across the industry to Noah Cowan, the influentional former director of Toronto International Film Festival who died last week.
Former TIFF colleagues, long-time business partner John Vanco and key figures from the film industry, festivals and arts institutions also paid tribute to Cowan, who died aged 55 on January 25 in Los Angeles, after an illness.
Veteran US producer Schamus said: “Noah’s resume oddly conceals as much as it reveals. It would be easy to conflate his roles...
Filmmakers James Schamus, Atom Egoyan and Hirokazu Kore-eda have led tributes from across the industry to Noah Cowan, the influentional former director of Toronto International Film Festival who died last week.
Former TIFF colleagues, long-time business partner John Vanco and key figures from the film industry, festivals and arts institutions also paid tribute to Cowan, who died aged 55 on January 25 in Los Angeles, after an illness.
Veteran US producer Schamus said: “Noah’s resume oddly conceals as much as it reveals. It would be easy to conflate his roles...
- 1/30/2023
- by Screen staff
- ScreenDaily
Noah Cowan, a veteran film festival director and indie film specialty distributor, most recently with San Francisco International Film Festival, has died. He was 55.
Cowan died Wednesday in Los Angeles after a battle with glioblastoma multiforme that was first diagnosed in December 2021.
During a career that began in 1981 as a summer volunteer working in the box office at the Toronto International Film Festival, Cowan went on to be a veteran film festival programmer and director, a curator of visual art and film-related exhibitions, a film distribution executive and a journalist covering international film festivals and other events.
Veteran Hollywood producer James Schamus paid tribute to Cowan, emphasizing that the indie film champion represented far more than his many job titles over a long career.
“He was not simply one of the most important curators, institution builders, distributors, grantors, and festival heads of our era — although he was all these,” he...
Cowan died Wednesday in Los Angeles after a battle with glioblastoma multiforme that was first diagnosed in December 2021.
During a career that began in 1981 as a summer volunteer working in the box office at the Toronto International Film Festival, Cowan went on to be a veteran film festival programmer and director, a curator of visual art and film-related exhibitions, a film distribution executive and a journalist covering international film festivals and other events.
Veteran Hollywood producer James Schamus paid tribute to Cowan, emphasizing that the indie film champion represented far more than his many job titles over a long career.
“He was not simply one of the most important curators, institution builders, distributors, grantors, and festival heads of our era — although he was all these,” he...
- 1/26/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The film community is mourning the loss of film festival executive Noah Cowan, who died January 25 at his home in Los Angeles after a year-long battle with Glioblastoma multiforme. He was 55.
Cowan was an enthusiastic booster of independent film, a celebrated film programmer who rose from 14-year-old volunteer to co-director at the Toronto International Film Festival, cofounder of the non-profit Global Film Initiative in partnership with the Museum of Modern Art (2002-2004), Artistic Director at TIFF Bell Lightbox (2009-2014), and executive director at Sffilm (2014-2019).
In recent years he consulted for film, media, and visual arts organizations including IFC, the Telluride Film Festival, and Centre for the Moving Image in Edinburgh.
Born in Hamilton, Ontario in 1967, Cowan earned a degree in philosophy at McGill University that informed the way he looked at the world. He was that rare cinephile who not only was a festival programmer who loved to discover new talent,...
Cowan was an enthusiastic booster of independent film, a celebrated film programmer who rose from 14-year-old volunteer to co-director at the Toronto International Film Festival, cofounder of the non-profit Global Film Initiative in partnership with the Museum of Modern Art (2002-2004), Artistic Director at TIFF Bell Lightbox (2009-2014), and executive director at Sffilm (2014-2019).
In recent years he consulted for film, media, and visual arts organizations including IFC, the Telluride Film Festival, and Centre for the Moving Image in Edinburgh.
Born in Hamilton, Ontario in 1967, Cowan earned a degree in philosophy at McGill University that informed the way he looked at the world. He was that rare cinephile who not only was a festival programmer who loved to discover new talent,...
- 1/26/2023
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
Verve, the talent and literary agency, has appointed a new CEO as it expands its representation ambitions.
Bill Weinstein was named to the top job by the Los Angeles-based agency’s 11 partners, the firm said on Jan. 18. “I am incredibly grateful and humbled to be selected for this position by my fellow Partners and peers,” Weinstein stated.
Weinstein, previously a motion picture literary agent with WME, was part of the trio — along with Bryan Besser and Adam Levine — who left the Endeavor-owned agency to form their own firm, which became Verve in 2010.
As founding partner, Weinstein engaged in negotiations with the Writers Guild when talks over packaging fees and affiliate production were hotly debated in 2019, and the agency broke ranks to sign the writers’ code of conduct before the majors made deals.
The past several years have marked a growth period for Verve, as it branched out into talent representation...
Bill Weinstein was named to the top job by the Los Angeles-based agency’s 11 partners, the firm said on Jan. 18. “I am incredibly grateful and humbled to be selected for this position by my fellow Partners and peers,” Weinstein stated.
Weinstein, previously a motion picture literary agent with WME, was part of the trio — along with Bryan Besser and Adam Levine — who left the Endeavor-owned agency to form their own firm, which became Verve in 2010.
As founding partner, Weinstein engaged in negotiations with the Writers Guild when talks over packaging fees and affiliate production were hotly debated in 2019, and the agency broke ranks to sign the writers’ code of conduct before the majors made deals.
The past several years have marked a growth period for Verve, as it branched out into talent representation...
- 1/18/2023
- by Erik Hayden
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Verve has appointed founding partner Bill Weinstein to the position of CEO, the first in the agency’s 13-year history.
In his newly created position, Weinstein’s responsibilities will “continue to evolve,” though he will remain working in his capacity representing clients, “an indication of Verve’s continued commitment to its core tenet of advocating for creative talent across all levels of the company,” per the agency.
Weinstein’s clients include J.D. Payne & Patrick McKay (“Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power”), Sara Hess (“House of the Dragon”), Jac Schaeffer, Michael Arndt (“Little Miss Sunshine”), Mike Jones, Adele Lim (“Crazy Rich Asians”), Meg LeFauve (“Inside Out”), John August (“Aladdin”), Allison Schroeder (“Hidden Figures”), Brian K Vaughan (“Paper Girls”), James Schamus and Geoffrey Fletcher (“Precious”).
The decision to appoint Weinstein to Verve’s first-ever CEO was announced internally last week by fellow founding Verve partners Adam Levine and Bryan Besser in an all-company meeting.
In his newly created position, Weinstein’s responsibilities will “continue to evolve,” though he will remain working in his capacity representing clients, “an indication of Verve’s continued commitment to its core tenet of advocating for creative talent across all levels of the company,” per the agency.
Weinstein’s clients include J.D. Payne & Patrick McKay (“Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power”), Sara Hess (“House of the Dragon”), Jac Schaeffer, Michael Arndt (“Little Miss Sunshine”), Mike Jones, Adele Lim (“Crazy Rich Asians”), Meg LeFauve (“Inside Out”), John August (“Aladdin”), Allison Schroeder (“Hidden Figures”), Brian K Vaughan (“Paper Girls”), James Schamus and Geoffrey Fletcher (“Precious”).
The decision to appoint Weinstein to Verve’s first-ever CEO was announced internally last week by fellow founding Verve partners Adam Levine and Bryan Besser in an all-company meeting.
- 1/18/2023
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
On the eve of its anniversary, Verve has tapped founding Partner Bill Weinstein as the first CEO in the agency’s thirteen years. The decision was made by the Partnership and announced by his fellow Founding Partners Adam Levine and Bryan Besser in an all-company meeting with a grateful and excited Weinstein thanking each member of the Verve community for their support and belief.
In the heartfelt speech from Besser and Levine, they highlighted the need to provide additional structure as the independent agency adds resources to its core film and television business while continuing to expand into new areas of client representation.
“As we continue to evolve, we recognize the need to formalize the managerial organization of our business to bring greater accountability, efficiency, and excellence to our core mission of advocating on behalf of creative talent,” Said Besser on behalf of the Partnership.
The appointment comes on the...
In the heartfelt speech from Besser and Levine, they highlighted the need to provide additional structure as the independent agency adds resources to its core film and television business while continuing to expand into new areas of client representation.
“As we continue to evolve, we recognize the need to formalize the managerial organization of our business to bring greater accountability, efficiency, and excellence to our core mission of advocating on behalf of creative talent,” Said Besser on behalf of the Partnership.
The appointment comes on the...
- 1/18/2023
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
Focus Features chairman Peter Kujawski and vice chairman Jason Cassidy have spent decades in the film industry. Several of their formative years were in New York, and now, as their company celebrates its 20th anniversary, the execs — now based in L.A. — are being honored with an industry tribute by the Gotham Awards. It comes as the studio’s drama Tár leads the event’s nominations (with five nods, including for best feature).
Ahead of the ceremony, Kujawski and Cassidy spoke to THR about how their time in NYC shaped their approach to film and why Focus has endured.
What does it mean to be honored by the Gotham Awards?
Peter Kujawski We both came up in the New York film business, and this is an incredibly meaningful community to us. This award maybe has our individual names on it but has much...
Focus Features chairman Peter Kujawski and vice chairman Jason Cassidy have spent decades in the film industry. Several of their formative years were in New York, and now, as their company celebrates its 20th anniversary, the execs — now based in L.A. — are being honored with an industry tribute by the Gotham Awards. It comes as the studio’s drama Tár leads the event’s nominations (with five nods, including for best feature).
Ahead of the ceremony, Kujawski and Cassidy spoke to THR about how their time in NYC shaped their approach to film and why Focus has endured.
What does it mean to be honored by the Gotham Awards?
Peter Kujawski We both came up in the New York film business, and this is an incredibly meaningful community to us. This award maybe has our individual names on it but has much...
- 11/27/2022
- by Hilary Lewis
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Click here to read the full article.
Focus Features chairman Peter Kujawski and vice chairman Jason Cassidy will be honored with the industry tribute award at the 2022 Gotham Awards.
Kujawski joined Focus when it was formed and became its chairman in 2016 while Cassidy joined Focus as marketing president in 2016 and was elevated to vice chairman of the company in 2019.
“Focus Features and its unparalleled slate of remarkable films, has been an essential part of the Gotham Awards for twenty years, truly representing the pinnacle of independent film. We salute Peter and Jason for continuing to make Focus Features a welcoming home for filmmakers while embracing innovative new ways to extend the studio’s stellar legacy,” said Gotham film and media institute executive director Jeffrey Sharp. “Furthermore, Peter and Jason have been essential partners in supporting The Gotham’s emerging filmmaker initiatives such as the Focus Features Jet Blue Student Short...
Focus Features chairman Peter Kujawski and vice chairman Jason Cassidy will be honored with the industry tribute award at the 2022 Gotham Awards.
Kujawski joined Focus when it was formed and became its chairman in 2016 while Cassidy joined Focus as marketing president in 2016 and was elevated to vice chairman of the company in 2019.
“Focus Features and its unparalleled slate of remarkable films, has been an essential part of the Gotham Awards for twenty years, truly representing the pinnacle of independent film. We salute Peter and Jason for continuing to make Focus Features a welcoming home for filmmakers while embracing innovative new ways to extend the studio’s stellar legacy,” said Gotham film and media institute executive director Jeffrey Sharp. “Furthermore, Peter and Jason have been essential partners in supporting The Gotham’s emerging filmmaker initiatives such as the Focus Features Jet Blue Student Short...
- 11/8/2022
- by Hilary Lewis
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Click here to read the full article.
The Writers Guild of America has named its negotiating committee for the pivotal 2023 round of contract talks covering film and television projects, the first to occur since Covid-19 disrupted the last round of talks two years ago.
With WGA West executive director David Young serving as chief negotiator, the 2023 negotiating committee overseeing the WGA’s Basic Agreement will be co-chaired by former WGA West presidents David Goodman and Chris Keyser. Prominent Guild members including John August, Kay Cannon, Mike Schur, David Shore and Davis Simon will serve on the negotiating committee, as well as WGA West leaders Meredith Stiehm, Michele Mulroney and Betsy Thomas and WGA East leaders Michael Winship, Lisa Takeuchi Cullen and Christopher Kyle.
Other members of the committee include WGA West board members Adam Conover, Angelina Burnett, Robb Chavis, Travis Donnelly, Ashley Gable, Eric Haywood and Nicole Yorkin and WGA...
The Writers Guild of America has named its negotiating committee for the pivotal 2023 round of contract talks covering film and television projects, the first to occur since Covid-19 disrupted the last round of talks two years ago.
With WGA West executive director David Young serving as chief negotiator, the 2023 negotiating committee overseeing the WGA’s Basic Agreement will be co-chaired by former WGA West presidents David Goodman and Chris Keyser. Prominent Guild members including John August, Kay Cannon, Mike Schur, David Shore and Davis Simon will serve on the negotiating committee, as well as WGA West leaders Meredith Stiehm, Michele Mulroney and Betsy Thomas and WGA East leaders Michael Winship, Lisa Takeuchi Cullen and Christopher Kyle.
Other members of the committee include WGA West board members Adam Conover, Angelina Burnett, Robb Chavis, Travis Donnelly, Ashley Gable, Eric Haywood and Nicole Yorkin and WGA...
- 11/7/2022
- by Katie Kilkenny
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Writers Guild of America has tapped former presidents David Goodman and Chris Keyser to co-chair the guild’s negotiating committee, leading the fight on what are sure to be difficult bargaining with Hollywood’s major players in the first half of next year.
The WGA’s master contract covering most film and TV production is set to expire on May 1. With numerous economic issues and concerns about working conditions for middle-class writers, the negotiations are expected to be intense at a time when the TV and film sectors are in the throes of a messy transition to internet-delivered content on an increasingly on-demand basis.
Goodman, a showrunner known for his work with Seth MacFarlane on “Family Guy” and “The Orville,” is revered among WGA membership for successfully waging a three-year campaign against the top talent agencies that allowed the guild to ban the practice of agencies receiving packaging fees...
The WGA’s master contract covering most film and TV production is set to expire on May 1. With numerous economic issues and concerns about working conditions for middle-class writers, the negotiations are expected to be intense at a time when the TV and film sectors are in the throes of a messy transition to internet-delivered content on an increasingly on-demand basis.
Goodman, a showrunner known for his work with Seth MacFarlane on “Family Guy” and “The Orville,” is revered among WGA membership for successfully waging a three-year campaign against the top talent agencies that allowed the guild to ban the practice of agencies receiving packaging fees...
- 11/7/2022
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.