March marks National Women’s History Month, but let’s be real — every month should serve as a time to celebrate the contributions of women throughout history. And what better way to both see and celebrate these acts of bravery than through films, which capture some of the most intimate moments in notable women’s lives and tell their harrowing stories?
Whether they’re working to put on the performance of a lifetime, like in Beyoncé’s Homecoming, or working to make a change in our nation’s capital, like in Knock Down the House, women are putting in the work, and their stories prove it. In the eloquent words of a certain theme song, “Females are strong as hell.”...
Whether they’re working to put on the performance of a lifetime, like in Beyoncé’s Homecoming, or working to make a change in our nation’s capital, like in Knock Down the House, women are putting in the work, and their stories prove it. In the eloquent words of a certain theme song, “Females are strong as hell.”...
- 5/3/2024
- by Casey Suglia
- Tudum - Netflix
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is putting the unconfirmed reports about her love life to rest. While speaking to Insider, the New York politician confirmed that she and her longtime partner, Riley Roberts, are engaged.
“Yep! It’s true,” Ocasio-Cortez told the outlet. She later shared on Twitter, “It’s true! Thank you all for the well wishes ☺️.”
The now-engaged couple met in 2011 while they both attended Boston University, and the now-congresswoman led student townhalls. Roberts, who works in marketing, has rarely stepped out publicly with Aoc but made an appearance in her 2018 Knock Down the House documentary.
“Yep! It’s true,” Ocasio-Cortez told the outlet. She later shared on Twitter, “It’s true! Thank you all for the well wishes ☺️.”
The now-engaged couple met in 2011 while they both attended Boston University, and the now-congresswoman led student townhalls. Roberts, who works in marketing, has rarely stepped out publicly with Aoc but made an appearance in her 2018 Knock Down the House documentary.
- 5/19/2022
- by Tomás Mier
- Rollingstone.com
In 2019, Rachel Lears electrified Sundance with “Knock Down the House,” a fly-on-the-wall look at a group of progressive candidates hoping to ride grassroots campaigns to Washington. That film, which played like cri de coeur while the Trump administration was at the height of its power, also benefitted from capturing Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez while she was still a bartender turned upstart congressional hopeful, a bit of kismet that resulted in a $10 million sale to Netflix.
Three years later, Lears returns to Sundance in a different key with “To the End.” It’s a more somber look at a group of activists who are trying to do everything possible to pressure the U.S. government to get serious about combatting the climate crisis. If “Knock Down the House” ended more triumphantly with Ocasio-Cortez being ushered in to a position of great influence, “To the End” premieres as President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda is being held in limbo,...
Three years later, Lears returns to Sundance in a different key with “To the End.” It’s a more somber look at a group of activists who are trying to do everything possible to pressure the U.S. government to get serious about combatting the climate crisis. If “Knock Down the House” ended more triumphantly with Ocasio-Cortez being ushered in to a position of great influence, “To the End” premieres as President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda is being held in limbo,...
- 1/24/2022
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Unstoppable force meets immovable object in “To the End.” Rachel Lears’ documentary inspires in its portrait of youthful activists organizing to push impactful climate-change policies into American political reality — and exasperates in the resistance with which that urgent quest is greeted on both sides of the entrenched-power aisle. Covering several years of fast-moving events, this Sundance premiere is too exclusively U.S.-focused to be particularly viable for offshore programmers, but its topicality should stir sales interest on home turf.
Like the director’s last feature “Knock Down the House,” about the 2018 Congressional election, this one also throws a spotlight on New York state candidate Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Her successful bid for a House of Representatives seat greatly encouraged other progressives, for whom she is seen now as their principal “inside” ally — as well as conservatives’ preferred target tor outrage on nearly any subject. But the principals here are a lower-profile...
Like the director’s last feature “Knock Down the House,” about the 2018 Congressional election, this one also throws a spotlight on New York state candidate Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Her successful bid for a House of Representatives seat greatly encouraged other progressives, for whom she is seen now as their principal “inside” ally — as well as conservatives’ preferred target tor outrage on nearly any subject. But the principals here are a lower-profile...
- 1/23/2022
- by Dennis Harvey
- Variety Film + TV
Returning to similar thematic territory as her previous 2019 documentary feature, “Knock Down the House,” director Rachel Lears turns to the climate crises in her follow-up, “To the End.” Much like that previous film, Lears follows four female climate activists — Representative Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, Sunrise Movement Executive Director Varshini Prakesh, Justice Democrats Executive Director Alexandra Rojas, and Roosevelt Institute Policy Director Rhiana Gunn-Wright — as they work to write and institute the Green New Deal.
Continue reading ‘To The End’ Review: A Scattered, Occasionally Brilliant, Rallying Cry about the Climate Crisis [Sundance] at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘To The End’ Review: A Scattered, Occasionally Brilliant, Rallying Cry about the Climate Crisis [Sundance] at The Playlist.
- 1/23/2022
- by Christian Gallichio
- The Playlist
Sundance may have been forced to cancel its plans to host an in-person festival, but the shift to a virtual event isn’t likely to stifle dealmaking. After all, the 2021 edition of Sundance saw films like “Passing,” “Summer of Soul” and “Coda” score record-breaking pacts despite the fact that all-night bidding wars were conducted over Zoom.
This year’s festival has a number of high-profile features that should attract buyers’ attention, either because they feature A-list stars like Lena Dunham, Dakota Johnson and Regina Hall or because they deal with hot topics like abortion rights and religion. There are also a number of documentaries exploring everything from the rise of TikTok to the fight to prevent a climate change catastrophe that could score major sales. With streaming services such as Disney Plus and HBO Max on the prowl for content and digital veterans like Amazon and Netflix still swinging their checkbooks around,...
This year’s festival has a number of high-profile features that should attract buyers’ attention, either because they feature A-list stars like Lena Dunham, Dakota Johnson and Regina Hall or because they deal with hot topics like abortion rights and religion. There are also a number of documentaries exploring everything from the rise of TikTok to the fight to prevent a climate change catastrophe that could score major sales. With streaming services such as Disney Plus and HBO Max on the prowl for content and digital veterans like Amazon and Netflix still swinging their checkbooks around,...
- 1/21/2022
- by Brent Lang and Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
IndieWire turns 25 this year. To mark the occasion, we’re running a series of essays about the future of everything we cover.
Remember when documentaries were deeply honorable but commercially unviable? “Knock Down the House” shattered Sundance records in 2019 when Netflix bought it for $10 million; Apple and A24 broke that record the next year with the $12 million acquisition of “Boys State.” Apple paid a reported $25 million for “Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry,” while studios like Concordia, Participant, Radical, and Xtr pump millions into the non-fiction genre.
Today, everyone loves documentaries. Streamers are hailed as giving the genre a new lease on life. However, the streaming business is not dedicated to speaking truth to power, as documentaries often do; streamers amass subscribers and create shareholder value.
So, what does that mean for the future of documentaries? If the risk-averse, franchise-dominated movie business is any example, we should expect more documentaries about famous people,...
Remember when documentaries were deeply honorable but commercially unviable? “Knock Down the House” shattered Sundance records in 2019 when Netflix bought it for $10 million; Apple and A24 broke that record the next year with the $12 million acquisition of “Boys State.” Apple paid a reported $25 million for “Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry,” while studios like Concordia, Participant, Radical, and Xtr pump millions into the non-fiction genre.
Today, everyone loves documentaries. Streamers are hailed as giving the genre a new lease on life. However, the streaming business is not dedicated to speaking truth to power, as documentaries often do; streamers amass subscribers and create shareholder value.
So, what does that mean for the future of documentaries? If the risk-averse, franchise-dominated movie business is any example, we should expect more documentaries about famous people,...
- 12/11/2021
- by Chris Lindahl
- Indiewire
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
Attorney Chris Perez has been promoted to name partner at the law firm of Donaldson Callif, a prominent player in documentary and independent film and TV production.
The Beverly Hills-based firm has changed its name to Donaldson Callif Perez.
“Chris has been a key member of our team and instrumental in the firm’s growth over the past twelve years,” partner Lisa Callif said. “It feels absolutely right to add his name to our firm name and I couldn’t be more thrilled.”
Founded in 2008, Dcp’s specialties include advising clients in all aspects of development, production, clearance and distribution matters.
Perez joined the firm in 2009 and became a partner in 2015. He focuses on representing independent filmmakers through the development, financing, production, rights clearance and distribution process. His most recent projects include such prominent features and docuseries as “Tiger King: Murder, Madness and Mayhem,” “The Vow,” “Bombshell,” “The Farewell,” “The Last Dance,...
The Beverly Hills-based firm has changed its name to Donaldson Callif Perez.
“Chris has been a key member of our team and instrumental in the firm’s growth over the past twelve years,” partner Lisa Callif said. “It feels absolutely right to add his name to our firm name and I couldn’t be more thrilled.”
Founded in 2008, Dcp’s specialties include advising clients in all aspects of development, production, clearance and distribution matters.
Perez joined the firm in 2009 and became a partner in 2015. He focuses on representing independent filmmakers through the development, financing, production, rights clearance and distribution process. His most recent projects include such prominent features and docuseries as “Tiger King: Murder, Madness and Mayhem,” “The Vow,” “Bombshell,” “The Farewell,” “The Last Dance,...
- 6/16/2021
- by Antonio Ferme
- Variety Film + TV
“The First Step” follows Van Jones — social entrepreneur, justice and environmental activist, and one of CNN’s legion of political commentators — as he presses those in Washington, D.C. to pass a watershed justice reform bill in 2018 called the First Step Act. Premiering at the Tribeca Festival, the Brandon Kramer’s documentary has something of a protagonist problem. It’s a snag similar to the mix of feelings Jones stirs in his allies and foes. While there’s much to admire here, there are stylistic choices that vex. “The First Step” stumbles as it tries to balance its interest in Jones with the significance of the bill.
The title echoes Jones’ argument that someone in Washington has to make that initial move in order to forge bipartisan successes, particularly at a time when the nation’s body politic has an ever-widening gash. In order to push through the bill, Jones...
The title echoes Jones’ argument that someone in Washington has to make that initial move in order to forge bipartisan successes, particularly at a time when the nation’s body politic has an ever-widening gash. In order to push through the bill, Jones...
- 6/14/2021
- by Lisa Kennedy
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Wavelength Productions, the company founded and led by producer Jenifer Westphal, unveiled a rebrand on Tuesday. The newly named Wavelength will now operate as two divisions: Wavelength Films, the documentary and narrative film production arm, and Wavelength Studios, its nascent commercials division.
The company, which counts as producing credits the documentaries Where’s My Roy Cohn?, Knock Down the House and Morgan Neville’s Won’t You Be My Neighbor? as well as the Sundance Film Festival-winning pics Cusp, Feels Good Man and Farewell Amor, will continue to focus on developing, producing and financing content with a special focus on early-career filmmakers and marginalized voices.
In addition to the rebrand, Wavelength Films said it has promoted associate producer Taylor Wildenhaus to production manager.
The Wavelength Studios division has been working behind the scenes on the commericals side but is getting its own unit as part of the new structure. It will...
The company, which counts as producing credits the documentaries Where’s My Roy Cohn?, Knock Down the House and Morgan Neville’s Won’t You Be My Neighbor? as well as the Sundance Film Festival-winning pics Cusp, Feels Good Man and Farewell Amor, will continue to focus on developing, producing and financing content with a special focus on early-career filmmakers and marginalized voices.
In addition to the rebrand, Wavelength Films said it has promoted associate producer Taylor Wildenhaus to production manager.
The Wavelength Studios division has been working behind the scenes on the commericals side but is getting its own unit as part of the new structure. It will...
- 5/4/2021
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
What kind of market will a pandemic-slimmed virtual 2021 Sundance Film Festival bring?
There are half as many films as last year, with lower than usual star wattage. The two most titles most often mentioned that could spark eight-figure deals are Passing — the Rebecca Hall-directed adaptation of the Nella Larsen novella that stars Tessa Thompson and Ruth Negga as two light skinned Black women who can ‘pass’ as white, and who reunite after choosing to live on opposite sides of the color line in 1929 New York — and Coda — the Sian Heder-drama about the daughter of deaf parents who is the lifeline to the family fishing business, wants to leave to pursue a study music, but fears abandoning her parents. Most buyers are hoping this festival will lead to reasonably priced discoveries of new voices, as much a Sundance tradition as the megabuck deals that have happened in the past few years.
There are half as many films as last year, with lower than usual star wattage. The two most titles most often mentioned that could spark eight-figure deals are Passing — the Rebecca Hall-directed adaptation of the Nella Larsen novella that stars Tessa Thompson and Ruth Negga as two light skinned Black women who can ‘pass’ as white, and who reunite after choosing to live on opposite sides of the color line in 1929 New York — and Coda — the Sian Heder-drama about the daughter of deaf parents who is the lifeline to the family fishing business, wants to leave to pursue a study music, but fears abandoning her parents. Most buyers are hoping this festival will lead to reasonably priced discoveries of new voices, as much a Sundance tradition as the megabuck deals that have happened in the past few years.
- 1/28/2021
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Photo: Music Documentaries The massive film genre of the documentary has long been as unpredictable and complex as the subjects their cameras capture. Whether it exhibits the disheveled lives of a mother-daughter duo past their prime in Grey Gardens or acquits an innocent man of a murder sentence in the revolutionary The Blue Line, documentary films hold perhaps the most power and influence of all filmmaking. Additionally, the subgenre of music documentaries has proved to be a vital cog in the ecosystem of biographical filmmaking as they provide an inside look into prominent figures that hold as much public interest as they do global influence. Music Documentaries From films that document the careers of politicians like Knock Down the House, which chronicled congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s 2018 underdog triumph, or the everyday lives of beloved celebrities like HBO’s Bright Lights in which the late Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds are immortalized,...
- 1/7/2021
- by Christopher Davis
- Hollywood Insider - Substance & Meaningful Entertainment
Three feature projects celebrating diverse voices and stories awarded up to $50,000 each.
Filmmakers First Fund, a Los Angeles-based fund and studio space supporting full-length narrative and documentary projects in early development, has announced its first round of awards.
Fund co-founders Martin Marquet, a producer and former international publicist who produced 2020 Sundance World Cinema – Documentary grand jury prize winner Epicentro, Tony-winning Broadway producer Rebecca Gang (Hadestown), and producer/actor/artist Gale M. Harold III invited a majority women-led board to select three projects.
The awardees will each receive grants of up to $50,000, as well as 12 months of access to the Fund...
Filmmakers First Fund, a Los Angeles-based fund and studio space supporting full-length narrative and documentary projects in early development, has announced its first round of awards.
Fund co-founders Martin Marquet, a producer and former international publicist who produced 2020 Sundance World Cinema – Documentary grand jury prize winner Epicentro, Tony-winning Broadway producer Rebecca Gang (Hadestown), and producer/actor/artist Gale M. Harold III invited a majority women-led board to select three projects.
The awardees will each receive grants of up to $50,000, as well as 12 months of access to the Fund...
- 1/5/2021
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Movie lovers need to look no further for inspiration in these uncertain times as actress and Unhcr Ambassador Kristin Davis along with Sex and the City co-star and activist Cynthia Nixon release their personal film Watchlist today in a new video series from IMDb and Unhcr, the Un Refugee Agency called ‘Films of Hope’.
The series, originally introduced by Unhcr Goodwill Ambassador Cate Blanchett earlier this year, will see a number of famous faces from the entertainment industry including Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon, Unhcr Goodwill Ambassador Neil Gaiman, Guillermo del Toro and Gugu Mbatha-Raw reveal their own ‘Films of Hope’ Watchlist in personal, thought-provoking videos to be released throughout the holiday season. In compelling, short-filmed conversations, they will reveal why they have chosen each movie, the themes represented in each film, and talk about their own hope for the world to come together to support vulnerable communities that need help...
The series, originally introduced by Unhcr Goodwill Ambassador Cate Blanchett earlier this year, will see a number of famous faces from the entertainment industry including Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon, Unhcr Goodwill Ambassador Neil Gaiman, Guillermo del Toro and Gugu Mbatha-Raw reveal their own ‘Films of Hope’ Watchlist in personal, thought-provoking videos to be released throughout the holiday season. In compelling, short-filmed conversations, they will reveal why they have chosen each movie, the themes represented in each film, and talk about their own hope for the world to come together to support vulnerable communities that need help...
- 11/25/2020
- Look to the Stars
There have been a number of recent documentaries—Netflix’s “Knock Down the House,” featuring Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and “Time for Ilhan,” looking at Ilhan Omar—that are about female politicians of color who have challenged the status quo on gender and race as they vie for political office in America. But these representational battles are not just the preserve of the United States, as can be seen in Tunisian director Raja Amari’s latest work, “She Had a Dream,” a documentary world premiering in IDFA’s Frontline section that follows 25-year-old Ghofrane Binous as she runs for office during the 2019 legislative elections in Tunisia.
Director Amari, recently a member of the Short Film Documentary Jury of the El Gouna Film Festival, is better known for her two narrative feature films starring Hiam Abbas: 2002’s “Red Satin,” in which Abbas transforms from housewife to cabaret star, and 2016’s “Foreign Body,” where...
Director Amari, recently a member of the Short Film Documentary Jury of the El Gouna Film Festival, is better known for her two narrative feature films starring Hiam Abbas: 2002’s “Red Satin,” in which Abbas transforms from housewife to cabaret star, and 2016’s “Foreign Body,” where...
- 11/22/2020
- by Kaleem Aftab
- Variety Film + TV
Democratic star Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez routed Republican John Cummings in New York’s 14th Congressional District in Northern Queens and parts of the Bronx, taking 68% to the former NYPD officer’s 31% to secure a widely anticipated second term in the House.
In 2018, the eloquent, social media-savvy, self-proclaimed Democratic socialist won the seat with nearly 80% percent of the vote, defeating Queens County Democratic Party leader and longtime Congressman Joe Crowley in the primary. She swept into Congress with a historically diverse midterm group of freshman, including 36 women and 24 people of color and sits on the House Financial Services Committee and Oversight and Reform Committee.
Aoc, 31, has racked up many memorable moments in a relatively short time, including a searing takedown over the summer of Rep. Ted Yoho after he called her “crazy,” “disgusting” and a “f*cking bitch” on the steps of the Capitol within earshot of a reporter.
In a moving address to the House,...
In 2018, the eloquent, social media-savvy, self-proclaimed Democratic socialist won the seat with nearly 80% percent of the vote, defeating Queens County Democratic Party leader and longtime Congressman Joe Crowley in the primary. She swept into Congress with a historically diverse midterm group of freshman, including 36 women and 24 people of color and sits on the House Financial Services Committee and Oversight and Reform Committee.
Aoc, 31, has racked up many memorable moments in a relatively short time, including a searing takedown over the summer of Rep. Ted Yoho after he called her “crazy,” “disgusting” and a “f*cking bitch” on the steps of the Capitol within earshot of a reporter.
In a moving address to the House,...
- 11/4/2020
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
The success of Netflix’s Aoc documentary Knock Down the House has indie distributors looking for other political campaign films with progressive candidates facing insurmountable odds against them.
So Gravitas Ventures has picked up the North American rights to Brittany Huckabee’s documentary feature How To Fix A Primary, about a young doctor, Abdul El-Sayed, challenging to become the country’s first Muslim governor in Michigan.
An Oct. 20 on demand release for How To Fix A Primary is planned, just ahead of the Nov. 3 presidential election, as well as a simultaneous DVD and Blu-ray disc release.
“How to Fix a ...
So Gravitas Ventures has picked up the North American rights to Brittany Huckabee’s documentary feature How To Fix A Primary, about a young doctor, Abdul El-Sayed, challenging to become the country’s first Muslim governor in Michigan.
An Oct. 20 on demand release for How To Fix A Primary is planned, just ahead of the Nov. 3 presidential election, as well as a simultaneous DVD and Blu-ray disc release.
“How to Fix a ...
- 9/25/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The success of Netflix’s Aoc documentary Knock Down the House has indie distributors looking for other political campaign films with progressive candidates facing insurmountable odds against them.
So Gravitas Ventures has picked up the North American rights to Brittany Huckabee’s documentary feature How To Fix A Primary, about a young doctor, Abdul El-Sayed, challenging to become the country’s first Muslim governor in Michigan.
An Oct. 20 on demand release for How To Fix A Primary is planned, just ahead of the Nov. 3 presidential election, as well as a simultaneous DVD and Blu-ray disc release.
“How to Fix a ...
So Gravitas Ventures has picked up the North American rights to Brittany Huckabee’s documentary feature How To Fix A Primary, about a young doctor, Abdul El-Sayed, challenging to become the country’s first Muslim governor in Michigan.
An Oct. 20 on demand release for How To Fix A Primary is planned, just ahead of the Nov. 3 presidential election, as well as a simultaneous DVD and Blu-ray disc release.
“How to Fix a ...
- 9/25/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
TheGrill is thrilled to welcome “The Social Dilemma” writer and director Jeff Orlowski for an in-depth conversation about his new documentary exploring the human impact of technology companies including Google, Facebook and Twitter.
In addition, “Green Book” producer John Sloss, “The Irishman” producer Jane Rosenthal, WarnerMedia senior vice president of enterprise inclusion MyKhanh Shelton,”Broad City” and “Russian Doll” producer Lilly Burns, “Charm City Kings” star William Catlett,”Peanut Butter Falcon” producer Tim Zajaros and activist and producer JLove Calderón will also join the three day all virtual event September 22-24.
“The Social Dilemma” is a hybrid documentary-drama that explores the dangerous human impact of intensive social networking that is changing societies across the globe. It features tech experts who sound the alarm about the products they helped create. Orlowski will show clips from the film and discuss the implications of its themes on September 24, Day Three of TheGrill.
For over a decade,...
In addition, “Green Book” producer John Sloss, “The Irishman” producer Jane Rosenthal, WarnerMedia senior vice president of enterprise inclusion MyKhanh Shelton,”Broad City” and “Russian Doll” producer Lilly Burns, “Charm City Kings” star William Catlett,”Peanut Butter Falcon” producer Tim Zajaros and activist and producer JLove Calderón will also join the three day all virtual event September 22-24.
“The Social Dilemma” is a hybrid documentary-drama that explores the dangerous human impact of intensive social networking that is changing societies across the globe. It features tech experts who sound the alarm about the products they helped create. Orlowski will show clips from the film and discuss the implications of its themes on September 24, Day Three of TheGrill.
For over a decade,...
- 9/18/2020
- by Emily Vogel
- The Wrap
A new film follows three women as they run for office, and the ‘unglamorous bits of democracy’ that make for a political movement
The decision to run for office arrived for Myya Jones in the winter of 2016. She was 22, a campus leader for the Black Student Union at Michigan State University, and determined to change her home town of Detroit for the better. For months, she researched the process of gentrification, which pushed black people out of the neighborhoods where she grew up and went to high school; for months, she waited for a name to support. Eventually, she thought, “You know what? I’m going to run for office myself because everybody else is scared,” she told the Guardian.
Related: Knock Down the House: behind the year's most rousing political documentary...
The decision to run for office arrived for Myya Jones in the winter of 2016. She was 22, a campus leader for the Black Student Union at Michigan State University, and determined to change her home town of Detroit for the better. For months, she researched the process of gentrification, which pushed black people out of the neighborhoods where she grew up and went to high school; for months, she waited for a name to support. Eventually, she thought, “You know what? I’m going to run for office myself because everybody else is scared,” she told the Guardian.
Related: Knock Down the House: behind the year's most rousing political documentary...
- 8/13/2020
- by Adrian Horton
- The Guardian - Film News
"What do you think you can do?" Music Box Films has released an official trailer for a documentary titled Represent, the latest in a series of docs about female politicians trying to break their way into the political system and fighting to make a difference (also see: Knock Down the House and Slay the Dragon). This film tells the story of three women in the Midwest who recently decided to run for local office for the first time, taking on the status quo. And usually fighting against incumbent men and/or established patriarchy (no matter what side they're on). The only strange thing about this is that two of them are Republicans, which makes me wonder if this is some kind of attempt to show us that, hey, Republicans aren't all that evil. Huh. Here's the first official trailer for Hillary Bachelder's documentary Represent, from Music Box's YouTube:...
- 7/16/2020
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Exclusive: We can tell you first that Oscar- and Emmy-nominated producer David Permut has picked up the rights to produce a narrative adaptation of Netflix’s acclaimed docuseries The Pharmacist which premiered earlier this year.
Permut is producing the film through his Permut Presentations banner alongside Jenner Furst, Julia Willoughby Nason and Mike Gasparro at The Cinemart, the team that directed and produced the docuseries. Brandon Riley and Keenan Porterfield will serve as EPs.
The docuseries tells the story of Dan Schneider, a small-town pharmacist in Louisiana who took it upon himself in 1999 to seek justice after the mysterious murder of his teenage son. Through his own detective work, Dan discovers that his only son was addicted to opioids and was murdered while on a desperate attempt to buy oxycontin. His obsession with convicting his son’s murderer leads him to uncover a string of highly illegal pill-mills, and ultimately...
Permut is producing the film through his Permut Presentations banner alongside Jenner Furst, Julia Willoughby Nason and Mike Gasparro at The Cinemart, the team that directed and produced the docuseries. Brandon Riley and Keenan Porterfield will serve as EPs.
The docuseries tells the story of Dan Schneider, a small-town pharmacist in Louisiana who took it upon himself in 1999 to seek justice after the mysterious murder of his teenage son. Through his own detective work, Dan discovers that his only son was addicted to opioids and was murdered while on a desperate attempt to buy oxycontin. His obsession with convicting his son’s murderer leads him to uncover a string of highly illegal pill-mills, and ultimately...
- 7/9/2020
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
If it seems impossible to stay positive at this moment in history, look to the enduring spirit of John Lewis. The Georgia congressman, who has encountered all forms of adversity in his 80 years of life, has remained a smiling and resilient example of optimism in the face of hardship. It’s an enviable attribute that’s hard to miss in John Lewis: Good Trouble, Dawn Porter’s new documentary about the longtime civil rights activist and politician. In the midst of a global pandemic, and in the wake of America’s renewed and sustained reckoning with racial justice, what might otherwise be considered a hagiographic survey—similar in vein to the recent Ruth Bader Ginsburg documentary, Rbg— has now taken on the added gravitas of current events and stark need for leadership.
Throughout this eight-decade portrait, little attention is spent on the current White House administration and its principal figure in the Oval Office.
Throughout this eight-decade portrait, little attention is spent on the current White House administration and its principal figure in the Oval Office.
- 7/3/2020
- by Jake Kring-Schreifels
- The Film Stage
Exclusive: Charles Booker, the Democratic Senate candidate who narrowly lost to former Marine fighter pilot Amy McGrath in a close race in Kentucky, is set to have his campaign documented by American Relapse and Bernie Blackout director Pat McGee.
Booker’s campaign was gaining steam right up until he lost to McGrath by a narrow margin this week.
McGee has been embedded with the Booker campaign since the Kentucky House of Representatives member handed him access during the past few weeks.
Booker, who was running on a platform of universal health care, a Green New Deal to tackle climate change, systemic criminal justice reform and universal basic income, only started his campaign in January and was endorsed by Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Oscar winner Susan Sarandon.
His campaign bounce to win the right to take on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in Kentucky came during the Covid-19 crisis,...
Booker’s campaign was gaining steam right up until he lost to McGrath by a narrow margin this week.
McGee has been embedded with the Booker campaign since the Kentucky House of Representatives member handed him access during the past few weeks.
Booker, who was running on a platform of universal health care, a Green New Deal to tackle climate change, systemic criminal justice reform and universal basic income, only started his campaign in January and was endorsed by Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Oscar winner Susan Sarandon.
His campaign bounce to win the right to take on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in Kentucky came during the Covid-19 crisis,...
- 7/2/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
If America had its own path to sainthood, John Lewis would have made it there long ago. The 80-year-old Civil Rights icon and congressman has navigated decisive American moments with superhuman finesse, making him a natural cinematic character. Dawn Porter’s absorbing documentary “John Lewis: Good Trouble” doesn’t try any fancy trickery to energize that saga, instead deriving its appeal from the sheer resilience of the change agent at its center. As with 2018’s Ruth Bader Ginsberg documentary “Rgb,” Porter offers a closeup look at a historic figure somehow still in the game decades down the line, and seemingly too good for this world. “As long as I have breath in my body,” Lewis says to the camera, “I’ll do what I can.”
At a more stable moment for American society, “Good Trouble” might not register as much more than a hagiographic celebration. Yet context is everything: Premiering in Tulsa,...
At a more stable moment for American society, “Good Trouble” might not register as much more than a hagiographic celebration. Yet context is everything: Premiering in Tulsa,...
- 6/19/2020
- by Eric Kohn
- Thompson on Hollywood
If America had its own path to sainthood, John Lewis would have made it there long ago. The 80-year-old Civil Rights icon and congressman has navigated decisive American moments with superhuman finesse, making him a natural cinematic character. Dawn Porter’s absorbing documentary “John Lewis: Good Trouble” doesn’t try any fancy trickery to energize that saga, instead deriving its appeal from the sheer resilience of the change agent at its center. As with 2018’s Ruth Bader Ginsberg documentary “Rgb,” Porter offers a closeup look at a historic figure somehow still in the game decades down the line, and seemingly too good for this world. “As long as I have breath in my body,” Lewis says to the camera, “I’ll do what I can.”
At a more stable moment for American society, “Good Trouble” might not register as much more than a hagiographic celebration. Yet context is everything: Premiering in Tulsa,...
At a more stable moment for American society, “Good Trouble” might not register as much more than a hagiographic celebration. Yet context is everything: Premiering in Tulsa,...
- 6/19/2020
- by Eric Kohn
- Indiewire
In the age of streaming documentary has perhaps never had a higher profile. With works such as Knock Down the House, Fyre and Ava DuVernay’s seminal 13th we have seen the power of documentary to enlighten, empower and (in the case of Fyre) even titillate. In that kind of atmosphere, it is easy to forget that the form’s primary function is simply to document reality. That sometimes a documentary can still be a dry and relatively dreary exploration of an esoteric subject.
Such is the case with The Booksellers, a deep dive into the arcane and inscrutable world of New York’s rare book market. A series of interviews with book collectors, sellers and archivists that form a comprehensive overview of its unique world. The documentary spans the history of both the local and wider scene; from the earliest book auctions in the 1600s to the pioneering work...
Such is the case with The Booksellers, a deep dive into the arcane and inscrutable world of New York’s rare book market. A series of interviews with book collectors, sellers and archivists that form a comprehensive overview of its unique world. The documentary spans the history of both the local and wider scene; from the earliest book auctions in the 1600s to the pioneering work...
- 6/16/2020
- by Liam Macleod
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Exclusive: A Sheila E. documentary, a film from The Two Killings of Sam Cooke director about growing up female in the Deep South, and a free speech project from Julia Bacha are among those films awarded a grant from a Covid-19 doc fund.
Xtr, the documentary studio set up by Ryot co-founder Bryn Mooser, Knock Down The House producer Wavelength Productions and new partner Park Pictures, the company behind The Truffle Hunters, partnered on the Keep The Lights On Fund to help struggling documentary filmmakers finish projects hit by the shutdown.
The collaboration offered filmmakers between $5,000 and $10,000 to help support post-production budgets or filmmakers’ personal expenses during the shutdown.
Some 12 of the 15 winners are helmed by female directors.
The fund was available for U.S.-based documentary filmmakers with feature-length films in post-production, films that were scheduled for completion in 2020 prior to the pandemic, films that address contemporary issues and premium,...
Xtr, the documentary studio set up by Ryot co-founder Bryn Mooser, Knock Down The House producer Wavelength Productions and new partner Park Pictures, the company behind The Truffle Hunters, partnered on the Keep The Lights On Fund to help struggling documentary filmmakers finish projects hit by the shutdown.
The collaboration offered filmmakers between $5,000 and $10,000 to help support post-production budgets or filmmakers’ personal expenses during the shutdown.
Some 12 of the 15 winners are helmed by female directors.
The fund was available for U.S.-based documentary filmmakers with feature-length films in post-production, films that were scheduled for completion in 2020 prior to the pandemic, films that address contemporary issues and premium,...
- 5/29/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline 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
More than two years since its December 2017 release, Star Wars: The Last Jedi is still controversial. In some it inspires passion, in others loathing. Even now, merely mentioning the movie can guarantee some angry responses below-the-line. Of course, The Rise of Skywalker recently stoked the fires of its controversy when it apparently went out of its way to retcon many of The Last Jedi’s revelations, a tactic which resulted in the worst-reviewed Star Wars movie to date.
A new study from RaveReviews.org has now released a list of The Most Divisive Movies of All Time though and the top five in ascending order are: Star Wars: The Last Jedi, American Outlaws, Hale County This Morning, This Evening, Hannah Gadsby: Nanette and, at number one, Knock Down the House. Their rationale for this ranking is the difference between the Rotten Tomatoes critic and audience score, with Knock Down the House...
A new study from RaveReviews.org has now released a list of The Most Divisive Movies of All Time though and the top five in ascending order are: Star Wars: The Last Jedi, American Outlaws, Hale County This Morning, This Evening, Hannah Gadsby: Nanette and, at number one, Knock Down the House. Their rationale for this ranking is the difference between the Rotten Tomatoes critic and audience score, with Knock Down the House...
- 5/12/2020
- by David James
- We Got This Covered
With a seemingly endless amount of streaming options—not only the titles at our disposal, but services themselves–each week we highlight the noteworthy titles that have recently hit platforms. Check out this week’s selections below and an archive of past round-ups here.
Beastie Boys Story (Spike Jonze)
Even with its two-hour running time, the experience of watching Spike Jonze’s “live documentary” Beastie Boys Story has the feeling of a breezy, intimate, and perhaps too-short trip through the band’s history. Documenting a live event hosted in Brooklyn by surviving members Mike “Mike D” Diamond and Adam “Ad-Rock” Horovitz, the collaboration is a performed extension of their memoir, Beastie Boys Book. Reteaming with the group, Jonze directs this minimal two-man stage show about three guys who were lucky enough to cultivate and sustain a relationship as best friends for years. – John F. (full review)
Where to Stream: Apple...
Beastie Boys Story (Spike Jonze)
Even with its two-hour running time, the experience of watching Spike Jonze’s “live documentary” Beastie Boys Story has the feeling of a breezy, intimate, and perhaps too-short trip through the band’s history. Documenting a live event hosted in Brooklyn by surviving members Mike “Mike D” Diamond and Adam “Ad-Rock” Horovitz, the collaboration is a performed extension of their memoir, Beastie Boys Book. Reteaming with the group, Jonze directs this minimal two-man stage show about three guys who were lucky enough to cultivate and sustain a relationship as best friends for years. – John F. (full review)
Where to Stream: Apple...
- 4/24/2020
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Netflix has released 10 of its educational documentaries on YouTube to give teachers free content to screen for their virtual classrooms.
The company’s free documentaries include the David Attenborough-narrated “Our Planet,” which explores the various wonders of the natural world, and Ava DuVeray’s “13th,” which examines the 13th Amendment, mass criminalization, and the American prison industry. Netflix is also making educational resources, including study guides and Q&As, available for each documentary.
More from IndieWire'Home': Apple TV+ Docuseries Explores the World's Most Innovative HomesStream of the Day: Yorgos Lanthimos' Puzzle-Box Debut 'Kinetta' Wrestles with Power and Control
The other free Netflix documentaries include “Abstract: The Art of Design,” which features visionary designers in the arts and sciences, “Babies,” which focuses on newborns, “Chasing Coral,” about a group that documents coral reefs, and “Explained,” which explores various topics of cultural relevance.
“Knock Down the House” centers on the 2018 U.
The company’s free documentaries include the David Attenborough-narrated “Our Planet,” which explores the various wonders of the natural world, and Ava DuVeray’s “13th,” which examines the 13th Amendment, mass criminalization, and the American prison industry. Netflix is also making educational resources, including study guides and Q&As, available for each documentary.
More from IndieWire'Home': Apple TV+ Docuseries Explores the World's Most Innovative HomesStream of the Day: Yorgos Lanthimos' Puzzle-Box Debut 'Kinetta' Wrestles with Power and Control
The other free Netflix documentaries include “Abstract: The Art of Design,” which features visionary designers in the arts and sciences, “Babies,” which focuses on newborns, “Chasing Coral,” about a group that documents coral reefs, and “Explained,” which explores various topics of cultural relevance.
“Knock Down the House” centers on the 2018 U.
- 4/17/2020
- by Tyler Hersko
- Indiewire
Netflix has made a selection of its documentary programming available for free via its YouTube channel in an effort to help teachers coping with the challenge of Covid-19.
In a blog post Friday, the company noted that it has historically allowed teachers to screen documentaries without a license fee. With many teachers looking for additional resources during remote-learning times, Netflix said has posted 10 titles. The mix of series episodes, shorts and features includes Our Planet, 13th, Knock Down the House and Explained.
More from DeadlineAnthony Anderson Joins Kelly Rowland, Terrence J & Regina Hall As Host For Bet's 'Saving Our Selves' Covid-19 Relief Fund Special - UpdateSan Diego Comic-Con Cancels 2020 Event, Sets 2021 ReturnSundance Institute Sets $1 Million Coronavirus-Relief Fund For Independent Artists and Organizations
“We hope this will, in a small way, help teachers around the world,” the company said.
In addition to the films and episodes themselves, the titles have put...
In a blog post Friday, the company noted that it has historically allowed teachers to screen documentaries without a license fee. With many teachers looking for additional resources during remote-learning times, Netflix said has posted 10 titles. The mix of series episodes, shorts and features includes Our Planet, 13th, Knock Down the House and Explained.
More from DeadlineAnthony Anderson Joins Kelly Rowland, Terrence J & Regina Hall As Host For Bet's 'Saving Our Selves' Covid-19 Relief Fund Special - UpdateSan Diego Comic-Con Cancels 2020 Event, Sets 2021 ReturnSundance Institute Sets $1 Million Coronavirus-Relief Fund For Independent Artists and Organizations
“We hope this will, in a small way, help teachers around the world,” the company said.
In addition to the films and episodes themselves, the titles have put...
- 4/17/2020
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Sophia Loren, Salma Hayek, Millie Bobby Brown, Lana Condor, Ava DuVernay and 50 other women participated in selecting a curated series of Netflix shows and movies that are being presented as part of a collection available to subscribers for International Women’s Day.
Netflix in partnership with Un Women on Wednesday launched the series “Because She Watched” of movies and shows that feature women both in front of and behind the camera and aim to inspire the next generation of female viewers. Each of the 55 women who participated in the collection selected one film or show that either shaped the woman they are today or that have helped to advance the cause of women’s rights.
For instance, “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” star Lana Condor selected the Netflix series, “Grace and Frankie,” “Roma” star Yalitza Aparicio selected the documentary “Knock Down the House,” and Sophia Loren selected “The Crown.
Netflix in partnership with Un Women on Wednesday launched the series “Because She Watched” of movies and shows that feature women both in front of and behind the camera and aim to inspire the next generation of female viewers. Each of the 55 women who participated in the collection selected one film or show that either shaped the woman they are today or that have helped to advance the cause of women’s rights.
For instance, “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” star Lana Condor selected the Netflix series, “Grace and Frankie,” “Roma” star Yalitza Aparicio selected the documentary “Knock Down the House,” and Sophia Loren selected “The Crown.
- 3/4/2020
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Fresh off of Sundance, Wavelength Productions has revealed Eliana Pipes as the first recipient of their inaugural Wave Grant, a $5,000 grant awarded to a first-time female filmmaker of color to help them finish their short film.
Pipes was selected from over 100 applications from all over the country. In addition to the handsome cash reward, Pipes will also receive mentorship and guidance from the Wavelength Productions team, covering everything from pre-production to distribution and festival strategies.
“Eliana really wowed us with her creativity and passion. We’re really excited to help make her vision a reality,” said Jenifer Westphal, president of Wavelength Productions. “That being said, it was definitely hard to narrow the winning submission down to one candidate because of the quality and creativity of what was submitted. It just goes to show how many more allies we need in this industry to help get these amazing stories told.
Pipes was selected from over 100 applications from all over the country. In addition to the handsome cash reward, Pipes will also receive mentorship and guidance from the Wavelength Productions team, covering everything from pre-production to distribution and festival strategies.
“Eliana really wowed us with her creativity and passion. We’re really excited to help make her vision a reality,” said Jenifer Westphal, president of Wavelength Productions. “That being said, it was definitely hard to narrow the winning submission down to one candidate because of the quality and creativity of what was submitted. It just goes to show how many more allies we need in this industry to help get these amazing stories told.
- 2/5/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
As Netflix reportedly nears a mid-to-high seven-figure deal for “The 40-Year-Old-Version” after its Sundance Film Festival premiere, the talks mark a realization of the streamer’s strongest needs. Netflix, whose business model hinges on viewers always coming back for more, sees potential in the film’s writer-director-producer-star Radha Blank: The acquisition is less about this one film and more about establishing a lasting relationship with a fresh new voice.
Loosely based on Blank’s experiences as a New York playwright, the film won the Sundance Directing Award Saturday. She’s unknown by a mass audience, but Netflix is betting that its 61 million Us subscribers will also respond to her — and potentially create a brand name that it can add to its lineup of exclusive deals like Ryan Murphy, David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, and Shonda Rhimes. (Netflix declined comment on the impending deal.)
Festival acquisitions have become increasingly rare for Netflix,...
Loosely based on Blank’s experiences as a New York playwright, the film won the Sundance Directing Award Saturday. She’s unknown by a mass audience, but Netflix is betting that its 61 million Us subscribers will also respond to her — and potentially create a brand name that it can add to its lineup of exclusive deals like Ryan Murphy, David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, and Shonda Rhimes. (Netflix declined comment on the impending deal.)
Festival acquisitions have become increasingly rare for Netflix,...
- 2/4/2020
- by Chris Lindahl
- Indiewire
For female filmmakers in the industry, this year’s round of Oscar nominations – in which acclaimed female-helmed films such as “Hustlers” and “The Farewell” were shut out in place of male-directed Best Picture nominees predominantly centred on stories of white men – told a frustratingly familiar story. But in the Academy’s non-fiction branch, a different narrative was being written.
Not only did the Best Documentary Feature category achieve directorial gender parity, with four female and four male nominees, but female filmmakers led men overall, with 13 nominees to 12 across both feature and doc short categories.
The branch celebrated newcomers such as Waad al-Kateab (“For Sama”), Tamara Kotevska (“Honeyland”) and Smriti Mundhra (“St. Louis Superman”); mid-career filmmakers such as Sigrid Dyekjær (“The Cave”) and Joanna Natasegara (“The Edge of Democracy”); and established documentarians such as Julia Reichert (“American Factory”).
The latter duo both achieved remarkable feats that garnered little mainstream press coverage:...
Not only did the Best Documentary Feature category achieve directorial gender parity, with four female and four male nominees, but female filmmakers led men overall, with 13 nominees to 12 across both feature and doc short categories.
The branch celebrated newcomers such as Waad al-Kateab (“For Sama”), Tamara Kotevska (“Honeyland”) and Smriti Mundhra (“St. Louis Superman”); mid-career filmmakers such as Sigrid Dyekjær (“The Cave”) and Joanna Natasegara (“The Edge of Democracy”); and established documentarians such as Julia Reichert (“American Factory”).
The latter duo both achieved remarkable feats that garnered little mainstream press coverage:...
- 2/4/2020
- by Adam Benzine
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: In a development that is a fitting epitaph for a 2020 Sundance Film Festival acquisitions market dominated by streamers, Deadline hears that the fest’s biggest sale title — the WW rights deal for Palm Springs — was actually worth substantially more than what was reported last week by winning bidders Hulu and Neon. Sources familiar with the heated multi-bidder auction said that the value of the deal was actually closer to $22 million, far and away the biggest Sundance deal of all-time. That’s much larger than the $17.5 million and 69 cents Hulu and Neon said they paid to slightly beat the $17.5 million Searchlight Sundance record for The Birth of a Nation. That reported number reflected the acquisition fee, but there is a built in bonus structure that I’m told guarantees the $22 million. Insiders acknowledged that the bonus structure was not fed to the press. Since most of the value of the...
- 2/4/2020
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Apple and A24 have acquired worldwide rights to the documentary Boys State, a political coming-of-age story which examines the health of American democracy. A source pegged the deal at $12 million, which marks the largest sale for a documentary ever at a festival. A24 will release the film theatrically.
The previous record for the largest documentary sale at Sundance was 2019's Knock Down the House, which sold for $10 million. Sources say Netflix and Hulu were also bidding at $12 million.
Directed by Jesse Moss and Amanda McBaine, the film rode into the Sundance Film Festival with the buzz of being this ...
The previous record for the largest documentary sale at Sundance was 2019's Knock Down the House, which sold for $10 million. Sources say Netflix and Hulu were also bidding at $12 million.
Directed by Jesse Moss and Amanda McBaine, the film rode into the Sundance Film Festival with the buzz of being this ...
- 1/27/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Apple and A24 have acquired worldwide rights to the documentary Boys State, a political coming-of-age story which examines the health of American democracy. A source pegged the deal at $12 million, which marks the largest sale for a documentary ever at a festival. A24 will release the film theatrically.
The previous record for the largest documentary sale at Sundance was 2019's Knock Down the House, which sold for $10 million. Sources say Netflix and Hulu were also bidding at $12 million.
Directed by Jesse Moss and Amanda McBaine, the film rode into the Sundance Film Festival with the buzz of being this ...
The previous record for the largest documentary sale at Sundance was 2019's Knock Down the House, which sold for $10 million. Sources say Netflix and Hulu were also bidding at $12 million.
Directed by Jesse Moss and Amanda McBaine, the film rode into the Sundance Film Festival with the buzz of being this ...
- 1/27/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
The 2020 Sundance Film Festival gets underway today, and it has been the toughest market to handicap in a good long time. Conversations with buyers and sellers point to a lack of obvious star power in the slate of pictures available for acquisition. It could well be a quiet market, meaning that the sums could be modest with dealmaking for most films lingering beyond the festival. Toronto was that way last fall, but that festival held the promise of the splashy Hugh Jackman-Allison Janney film Bad Education, which scored an HBO deal that came in just below the $17.5 Birth of a Nation deal that still holds the Sundance record. If there is a film like that here, it was pre-bought and comes into Sundance with distribution. There are 27 films entering the festival with distribution, compared with 22 last year.
That doesn’t mean that the Sundance market won’t pop...
That doesn’t mean that the Sundance market won’t pop...
- 1/23/2020
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Once again, the Sundance Film Festival will play host to another round of negotiations and bidding wars amongst studios and streamers hoping to find the next big indie hit. But there’s no guarantee that Park City will produce any big box office winners, as last year’s Sundance proved.
Among the highest-grossing films that debuted at Sundance in 2019, Lulu Wang’s “The Farewell” earned $17.7 million in North America after being acquired by A24 for a reported $6 million. And “Fighting With My Family,” a biopic that premiered at Sundance but had its distribution rights acquired by MGM in 2017, grossed $23 million domestic and $39 million worldwide.
By comparison, three films from Sundance 2018 topped the $20 million mark: A24’s “Hereditary” ($44 million), Sony’s “Searching” ($26 million) and Focus’ “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” ($22.8 million). Overall, seven films that year grossed more than $10 million in North America while all films that were acquired and/or...
Among the highest-grossing films that debuted at Sundance in 2019, Lulu Wang’s “The Farewell” earned $17.7 million in North America after being acquired by A24 for a reported $6 million. And “Fighting With My Family,” a biopic that premiered at Sundance but had its distribution rights acquired by MGM in 2017, grossed $23 million domestic and $39 million worldwide.
By comparison, three films from Sundance 2018 topped the $20 million mark: A24’s “Hereditary” ($44 million), Sony’s “Searching” ($26 million) and Focus’ “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” ($22.8 million). Overall, seven films that year grossed more than $10 million in North America while all films that were acquired and/or...
- 1/23/2020
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
“American Factory” has been named the best documentary of 2019 at the 13th annual Cinema Eye Honors ceremony, which were presented on Monday evening in New York City.
The film, executive produced by Barack and Michelle Obama’s production company, Higher Ground Productions, and distributed by Netflix, is an examination of an Ohio glass factory that was taken over by a Chinese company in an uneasy cultural alliance. It prevailed in a category in which all six nominees — “American Factory,” “Apollo 11,” “For Sama,” “Honeyland,” “Midnight Family” and “One Child Nation” — are also on the Oscars shortlist for documentary features.
The “American Factory” directors, Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert, also won the award for Outstanding Direction. The Outstanding Production category resulted in a tie between two films set in Syria, “The Cave” and “For Sama.”
Also Read: 'For Sama' Is Named Top Doc at Ida Documentary Awards
“Honeyland” won for cinematography,...
The film, executive produced by Barack and Michelle Obama’s production company, Higher Ground Productions, and distributed by Netflix, is an examination of an Ohio glass factory that was taken over by a Chinese company in an uneasy cultural alliance. It prevailed in a category in which all six nominees — “American Factory,” “Apollo 11,” “For Sama,” “Honeyland,” “Midnight Family” and “One Child Nation” — are also on the Oscars shortlist for documentary features.
The “American Factory” directors, Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert, also won the award for Outstanding Direction. The Outstanding Production category resulted in a tie between two films set in Syria, “The Cave” and “For Sama.”
Also Read: 'For Sama' Is Named Top Doc at Ida Documentary Awards
“Honeyland” won for cinematography,...
- 1/7/2020
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
Welcome to the last day of the decade. As we move from 2019 to 2020, it’s time for my annual look at year’s best and brightest. Yes, today I’ll be giving out some personal awards, revealing my top ten list, and basically just putting a final bow on the year. 2019 is about to end, so why don’t we go out with a bang? Let’s get started with the end of the year rundown folks! As always, below you will be able to see both my picks for the very best movies of 2019 as well as the best performances of the year. In terms of the films, I’ll be doing a top 30 list again, with a dozen honorable mentions, just because (I like including as much as possible on these lists…we know this by now). The same will go for the performances I’m keenest on,...
- 12/31/2019
- by Joey Magidson
- Hollywoodnews.com
Filmmakers Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert understand better than most how much things can change in a decade. In 2009 they released their Oscar-nominated documentary short The Last Truck, about the closing of a Gm plant in Ohio. In 2019, they returned with American Factory, a feature documenting what happened to that old plant, now the site of a bustling Chinese auto glass operation.
In that 10-year span not only did the fate of that factory change, so did the distribution model for their films—The Last Truck premiered on HBO, but the pay cable channel didn’t release American Factory; Netflix scooped it up in a seven-figure deal.
Netflix and fellow streaming platforms Amazon Prime and Hulu have produced a seismic impact on Hollywood, but they’re also disruptors of the decade in the nonfiction space—turning an admired if relatively tranquil arena into a hotbed of programming.
“[We saw] a hungry audience...
In that 10-year span not only did the fate of that factory change, so did the distribution model for their films—The Last Truck premiered on HBO, but the pay cable channel didn’t release American Factory; Netflix scooped it up in a seven-figure deal.
Netflix and fellow streaming platforms Amazon Prime and Hulu have produced a seismic impact on Hollywood, but they’re also disruptors of the decade in the nonfiction space—turning an admired if relatively tranquil arena into a hotbed of programming.
“[We saw] a hungry audience...
- 12/30/2019
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
There are no plans to replace him at present, according to the streaming giant.
Netflix has confirmed French media reports that Diego Bunuel has stepped down as its director of original documentaries.
“I can confirm Diego has left and there are currently no plans to replace him,” a spokesperson in London said.
Bunuel’s departure comes 18-months after he joined the streaming platform from French pay-tv giant Canal Plus in April 2018.
No reason was given for his decision to leave although the French media reports cited “personal reasons” and the fact he was based out of Netflix’s London office,...
Netflix has confirmed French media reports that Diego Bunuel has stepped down as its director of original documentaries.
“I can confirm Diego has left and there are currently no plans to replace him,” a spokesperson in London said.
Bunuel’s departure comes 18-months after he joined the streaming platform from French pay-tv giant Canal Plus in April 2018.
No reason was given for his decision to leave although the French media reports cited “personal reasons” and the fact he was based out of Netflix’s London office,...
- 12/19/2019
- by 1100380¦Melanie Goodfellow¦0¦
- ScreenDaily
Can Netflix make history for streaming services by winning Best Picture at the Oscars? Its gangster epic “The Irishman” is the front-runner for Best Picture according to our latest odds. But after the academy announced their shortlists in other categories on December 16 another question arose: can Netflix win everything? It has a real shot at winning all four feature film prizes: Best Picture, Best Animated Feature, Best International Feature and Best Documentary Feature.
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Netflix has a few chances in the nonfiction category, where it has four films among the 15 still in the running: “American Factory,” “Knock Down the House,” “The Edge of Democracy” and “The Great Hack.” Of those, the strongest contender in our early forecasts is “Factory,” which tells a story about corporate power and organized labor at an automotive factory in the Us bought out by a Chinese company.
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Netflix has a few chances in the nonfiction category, where it has four films among the 15 still in the running: “American Factory,” “Knock Down the House,” “The Edge of Democracy” and “The Great Hack.” Of those, the strongest contender in our early forecasts is “Factory,” which tells a story about corporate power and organized labor at an automotive factory in the Us bought out by a Chinese company.
- 12/18/2019
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced today that 344 feature films are eligible for the 2019 Academy Awards.
To be eligible for the consideration, the films must open in a commercial motion picture theater in Los Angeles County by Dec. 31, and begin a minimum run of seven consecutive days. Academy rules also state that a feature-length motion picture must have a running time of more than 40 minutes and must have been exhibited theatrically on 35mm or 70mm film, or in a qualifying digital format.
Nominations for the 92nd Academy Awards will be announced on Monday, Jan. 13, 2020. The ceremony takes place on Sunday, Feb. 9, airing live from Hollywood on ABC.
“Abominable”
“Ad Astra”
“Adam”
“The Addams Family”
“The Aeronauts”
“After the Wedding”
“The Aftermath”
“Aga”
“Aladdin”
“Alita: Battle Angel”
“Always Be My Maybe”
“The Amazing Johnathan”
“American Factory”
“American Woman”
“Angel Has Fallen”
“The Angry Birds Movie 2”
“Anna”
“Annabelle Comes Home...
To be eligible for the consideration, the films must open in a commercial motion picture theater in Los Angeles County by Dec. 31, and begin a minimum run of seven consecutive days. Academy rules also state that a feature-length motion picture must have a running time of more than 40 minutes and must have been exhibited theatrically on 35mm or 70mm film, or in a qualifying digital format.
Nominations for the 92nd Academy Awards will be announced on Monday, Jan. 13, 2020. The ceremony takes place on Sunday, Feb. 9, airing live from Hollywood on ABC.
“Abominable”
“Ad Astra”
“Adam”
“The Addams Family”
“The Aeronauts”
“After the Wedding”
“The Aftermath”
“Aga”
“Aladdin”
“Alita: Battle Angel”
“Always Be My Maybe”
“The Amazing Johnathan”
“American Factory”
“American Woman”
“Angel Has Fallen”
“The Angry Birds Movie 2”
“Anna”
“Annabelle Comes Home...
- 12/18/2019
- by Marc Malkin
- Variety Film + TV
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences released a number of shortlists for the 2020 Academy Awards including Best Documentary and the two three categories. As expected, “Apollo 11,” “Honeyland,” “The Biggest Little Farm” and “The Cave” made the Documentary cut. And, somewhat sadly, international filmmakers dominated the Live Action short category.
Read More: Parasite, Honeyland & Pain and Glory make the International Film shortlist
For Documentary, the 15 films remaining in contention are:
“Advocate”
“American Factory”
“The Apollo”
“Apollo 11”
“Aquarela”
“The Biggest Little Farm”
“The Cave”
“The Edge of Democracy”
“For Sama”
“The Great Hack”
“Honeyland”
“Knock Down the House”
“Maiden”
“Midnight Family”
“One Child Nation”
For Documentary Short, also voted on by the Documentary Branch, the 10 remaining contenders are:
“After Maria”
“Fire in Paradise”
“Ghosts of Sugar Land”
“In the Absence”
“Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You’re a Girl)”
“Life Overtakes Me”
“The Nightcrawlers”
“St.
Continue reading ‘Apollo 11,...
Read More: Parasite, Honeyland & Pain and Glory make the International Film shortlist
For Documentary, the 15 films remaining in contention are:
“Advocate”
“American Factory”
“The Apollo”
“Apollo 11”
“Aquarela”
“The Biggest Little Farm”
“The Cave”
“The Edge of Democracy”
“For Sama”
“The Great Hack”
“Honeyland”
“Knock Down the House”
“Maiden”
“Midnight Family”
“One Child Nation”
For Documentary Short, also voted on by the Documentary Branch, the 10 remaining contenders are:
“After Maria”
“Fire in Paradise”
“Ghosts of Sugar Land”
“In the Absence”
“Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You’re a Girl)”
“Life Overtakes Me”
“The Nightcrawlers”
“St.
Continue reading ‘Apollo 11,...
- 12/17/2019
- by Gregory Ellwood
- The Playlist
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