Taylor Mac, the Pulitzer Prize-nominated performance artist and playwright, once spent 24 hours on a Brooklyn stage reexamining the American songbook while wearing ornate drag. Mac’s A 24-Decade History of Popular Music devoted one hour to each 10-year span since 1776, tracing U.S. history — particularly that of marginalized groups — through a glittering series of vignettes including “Yankee Doodle,” minstrel numbers, the Carousel aria “Soliloquy,” Bruce Springsteen’s “Born to Run,” lesbian anthems from the ’90s and much, much more. Mac spent six years performing the show in small chunks around the world before mounting it as a one-time endurance test that ranked among 2016’s most acclaimed cultural events.
A mere 650 people got to witness Mac’s feat live, but thanks to Oscar-winning directors Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman (Common Threads: Stories From the Quilt, about the large-scale project that memorialized AIDS victims), it’s been condensed and preserved via HBO.
A mere 650 people got to witness Mac’s feat live, but thanks to Oscar-winning directors Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman (Common Threads: Stories From the Quilt, about the large-scale project that memorialized AIDS victims), it’s been condensed and preserved via HBO.
- 6/4/2024
- by Matthew Jacobs
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Greece’s Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival is reacting with shock to an incident Saturday night in which two LGBTQ people were attacked by a huge crowd in a square outside one of the festival’s main screening venues.
According to local news reports and videos posted to YouTube, a crowd of youths numbering between 150 to 300 began shouting abuse at two 21-year-old self-identified nonbinary people, then hurled bottles at them and chased the pair into a nearby restaurant.
“The mob continued to harass them, banging at the window of the restaurant,” one news site reported, “urging the staff to send them out. The harassment continued even when police arrived at the scene.”
The incident took place around 10:30 p.m. in Aristotelous Square, where the historic Olympion cinema is located – the largest screening venue for the documentary festival. The victims can be spotted briefly at the end of the video below:...
According to local news reports and videos posted to YouTube, a crowd of youths numbering between 150 to 300 began shouting abuse at two 21-year-old self-identified nonbinary people, then hurled bottles at them and chased the pair into a nearby restaurant.
“The mob continued to harass them, banging at the window of the restaurant,” one news site reported, “urging the staff to send them out. The harassment continued even when police arrived at the scene.”
The incident took place around 10:30 p.m. in Aristotelous Square, where the historic Olympion cinema is located – the largest screening venue for the documentary festival. The victims can be spotted briefly at the end of the video below:...
- 3/10/2024
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
For four decades, Sundance has maintained a reputation as one of the most important film festivals in America for independent filmmakers from around the globe. To commemorate its 40th anniversary in 2024 and the enormity (and reciprocity) of that cultural footprint, festival leadership set a series of restoration screenings to highlight many of the most memorable films programmed throughout its history.
“When you look at the way the independent film movement has evolved and changed over the years, from the maturation of an industry and the opportunities that artists have found, to the way that an audience has been built around the work, you see a festival that has evolved alongside it,” says John Nein, senior programmer and director of strategic initiatives.
This year’s festival takes place Jan. 18-28, in person in Park City and Salt Lake City, with a selection of titles available online nationwide from Jan. 25-28. The...
“When you look at the way the independent film movement has evolved and changed over the years, from the maturation of an industry and the opportunities that artists have found, to the way that an audience has been built around the work, you see a festival that has evolved alongside it,” says John Nein, senior programmer and director of strategic initiatives.
This year’s festival takes place Jan. 18-28, in person in Park City and Salt Lake City, with a selection of titles available online nationwide from Jan. 25-28. The...
- 1/16/2024
- by Nick Clement
- Variety Film + TV
Selena Gomez is set to play Linda Ronstadt in an upcoming biopic based on the singer’s 2013 memoir titled Simple Dreams and a director is now attached to the project.
James Keach and Ronstadt’s longtime manager, John Boylan, are co-producing the film, which is currently in pre-production. Signing up to direct the film is David O. Russell.
Ronstadt is a rock, country and Latin music star who found success with albums like Heart Like a Wheel, Prisoner in Disguise, Hasten Down the Wind, Simple Dreams, Living in the USA, among many others. In a career that spans multiple decades, Ronstadt recorded 29 studio albums and won 11 Grammys, three American Music Awards, two Academy of Country Music Awards and one Emmy. In 2011, Ronstadt was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Latin Grammys.
Ronstadt charted on Spotify in 2023 with her 1970 recording of “Long Long Time,” a song that was prominently...
James Keach and Ronstadt’s longtime manager, John Boylan, are co-producing the film, which is currently in pre-production. Signing up to direct the film is David O. Russell.
Ronstadt is a rock, country and Latin music star who found success with albums like Heart Like a Wheel, Prisoner in Disguise, Hasten Down the Wind, Simple Dreams, Living in the USA, among many others. In a career that spans multiple decades, Ronstadt recorded 29 studio albums and won 11 Grammys, three American Music Awards, two Academy of Country Music Awards and one Emmy. In 2011, Ronstadt was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Latin Grammys.
Ronstadt charted on Spotify in 2023 with her 1970 recording of “Long Long Time,” a song that was prominently...
- 1/14/2024
- by Armando Tinoco
- Deadline Film + TV
David O. Russell is set to direct the upcoming Linda Ronstadt biopic, starring Selena Gomez, Variety has confirmed.
The music biopic is currently in pre-production, with producers including James Keach, who produced the 2019 documentary “Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice,” and Ronstadt’s manager, John Boylan.
Gomez teased her involvement in the biopic earlier this week by posting a picture of Ronstadt’s 2013 memoir “Simple Dreams” on her Instagram story. No other casting has been announced.
Ronstadt is a country, rock ‘n’ roll and Latin music legend known for her 1970s albums “Heart Like a Wheel” and “Simple Dreams.” Throughout her career she has released 29 studio albums, won 11 Grammys, and was honored by both the Recording Academy and the Latin Recording Academy with Lifetime Achievement Awards. In 2014, Ronstadt was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Russell is an Oscar-nominated director and writer known for critically acclaimed...
The music biopic is currently in pre-production, with producers including James Keach, who produced the 2019 documentary “Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice,” and Ronstadt’s manager, John Boylan.
Gomez teased her involvement in the biopic earlier this week by posting a picture of Ronstadt’s 2013 memoir “Simple Dreams” on her Instagram story. No other casting has been announced.
Ronstadt is a country, rock ‘n’ roll and Latin music legend known for her 1970s albums “Heart Like a Wheel” and “Simple Dreams.” Throughout her career she has released 29 studio albums, won 11 Grammys, and was honored by both the Recording Academy and the Latin Recording Academy with Lifetime Achievement Awards. In 2014, Ronstadt was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Russell is an Oscar-nominated director and writer known for critically acclaimed...
- 1/13/2024
- by Michaela Zee
- Variety Film + TV
Selena Gomez will play Linda Ronstadt in an upcoming biopic based on the superstar singer’s 2013 memoir Simple Dreams.
The Only Murders In The Building star and executive producer gave credence to the months-old internet rumors about the project today by posting a photo of the memoir as an Instagram Story. Deadline’s sister publication Rolling Stone later confirmed the casting.
The movie is in pre-production, with James Keach and Ronstadt’s longtime manager John Boylan co-producing. Additional casting and release date have not been announced.
An unconfirmed report of Gomez’s involvement in the biopic surfaced last July, but the Ig Story today moved the possibility into the definite.
Keach directed the 2020 film Linda and the Mockingbirds, a documentary chronicling a road trip undertaken by Ronstadt, Jackson Browne and a group of younger musicians to the Mexican town of Banámichi in the state of Sonora, the birthplace of Ronstadt’s grandfather.
The Only Murders In The Building star and executive producer gave credence to the months-old internet rumors about the project today by posting a photo of the memoir as an Instagram Story. Deadline’s sister publication Rolling Stone later confirmed the casting.
The movie is in pre-production, with James Keach and Ronstadt’s longtime manager John Boylan co-producing. Additional casting and release date have not been announced.
An unconfirmed report of Gomez’s involvement in the biopic surfaced last July, but the Ig Story today moved the possibility into the definite.
Keach directed the 2020 film Linda and the Mockingbirds, a documentary chronicling a road trip undertaken by Ronstadt, Jackson Browne and a group of younger musicians to the Mexican town of Banámichi in the state of Sonora, the birthplace of Ronstadt’s grandfather.
- 1/10/2024
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Selena Gomez will play Linda Ronstadt in an upcoming biopic, Variety has confirmed.
The pop singer and “Only Murders in the Building” star teased the role Tuesday night by posting a picture of Ronstadt’s 2013 memoir “Simple Dreams” on her Instagram story.
The music biopic is currently in pre-production, with producers including Ronstadt’s manager, John Boylan, and James Keach, who produced the 2019 documentary “Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice.”
No other casting has been announced.
Ronstadt is a country, rock ‘n’ roll and Latin music legend, with her 1970s albums “Heart Like a Wheel” and “Simple Dreams” reaching critical and commercial success and showcasing her versatility across genres. Throughout her career she has won 11 Grammys, and she was honored by both the Recording Academy and the Latin Recording Academy with Lifetime Achievement Awards.
Ronstadt and Gomez are both of Mexican descent. The latter has been nominated twice for...
The pop singer and “Only Murders in the Building” star teased the role Tuesday night by posting a picture of Ronstadt’s 2013 memoir “Simple Dreams” on her Instagram story.
The music biopic is currently in pre-production, with producers including Ronstadt’s manager, John Boylan, and James Keach, who produced the 2019 documentary “Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice.”
No other casting has been announced.
Ronstadt is a country, rock ‘n’ roll and Latin music legend, with her 1970s albums “Heart Like a Wheel” and “Simple Dreams” reaching critical and commercial success and showcasing her versatility across genres. Throughout her career she has won 11 Grammys, and she was honored by both the Recording Academy and the Latin Recording Academy with Lifetime Achievement Awards.
Ronstadt and Gomez are both of Mexican descent. The latter has been nominated twice for...
- 1/10/2024
- by Ethan Shanfeld
- Variety Film + TV
Selena Gomez will portray Linda Ronstadt in an upcoming biopic, Rolling Stone confirms.
Fans began to speculate online about the potential casting after Gomez posted an Instagram Story of Ronstadt’s 2013 memoir Simple Dreams (in another story, she also announced she’s taking a break from social media). The biopic is currently in pre-production, with Ronstadt’s manager, John Boylan, and James Keach co-producing. Additional casting details and a release date have not yet been announced.
Ronstadt and Gomez are both of Mexican descent. In 2022, Ronstadt released her album Feels Like Home,...
Fans began to speculate online about the potential casting after Gomez posted an Instagram Story of Ronstadt’s 2013 memoir Simple Dreams (in another story, she also announced she’s taking a break from social media). The biopic is currently in pre-production, with Ronstadt’s manager, John Boylan, and James Keach co-producing. Additional casting details and a release date have not yet been announced.
Ronstadt and Gomez are both of Mexican descent. In 2022, Ronstadt released her album Feels Like Home,...
- 1/10/2024
- by Angie Martoccio
- Rollingstone.com
A number of directors are pursuing litigation against the digital indie film distributor 1091 Pictures for failing to make promised revenue-sharing payments after selling their films to the platform, now owned by Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment. Helmers are scrambling to reclaim distribution rights to their work out of fear that 1091 Pictures’ parent company could declare bankruptcy.
Filmmakers say they are owed their share of distribution revenue from licensing deals with 1091 but Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment has not come through with payments. Some have taken the company to court, including small-claims court, to press their cases.
Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment acknowledges that the company, which also owns Redbox and Crackle, has faced “cash flow issues,” as CEO Bill Rouhana told Variety. The company already disclosed that it was unable to file its third-quarter earnings information on time.
“The company has been working to address cash...
Filmmakers say they are owed their share of distribution revenue from licensing deals with 1091 but Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment has not come through with payments. Some have taken the company to court, including small-claims court, to press their cases.
Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment acknowledges that the company, which also owns Redbox and Crackle, has faced “cash flow issues,” as CEO Bill Rouhana told Variety. The company already disclosed that it was unable to file its third-quarter earnings information on time.
“The company has been working to address cash...
- 12/20/2023
- by Addie Morfoot
- Variety Film + TV
Any year in which an unlikely summer double bill became a global moviegoing event — with one film soaring toward $1.5 billion in worldwide grosses and the other closing in on $1 billion — can’t be considered bad news for Hollywood. But the Barbenheimer phenomenon aside, bad news plagued the film industry for much of 2023.
The strikes of the writers and actors guilds shut down production for five long months, causing major titles like Dune 2 to push back to 2024, leaving fall festival red carpets sparsely populated and disrupting a release pipeline in ways that are sure to have a ripple effect for the next year or two.
Theatrical grosses remained inconsistent, struggling to regain pre-pandemic momentum for most genres except horror (all hail, new scream queen M3GAN; a big hand for Talk to Me), and even the once-reliable cash cow of the superhero blockbuster sputtered more often than not.
The Marvels...
The strikes of the writers and actors guilds shut down production for five long months, causing major titles like Dune 2 to push back to 2024, leaving fall festival red carpets sparsely populated and disrupting a release pipeline in ways that are sure to have a ripple effect for the next year or two.
Theatrical grosses remained inconsistent, struggling to regain pre-pandemic momentum for most genres except horror (all hail, new scream queen M3GAN; a big hand for Talk to Me), and even the once-reliable cash cow of the superhero blockbuster sputtered more often than not.
The Marvels...
- 12/13/2023
- by David Rooney, Jon Frosch, Lovia Gyarkye and Sheri Linden
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Updated with trailer below. Exclusive: Greenwich Entertainment has acquired U.S. rights to Robert Irwin: A Desert of Pure Feeling, Jennifer Lane’s documentary about the legendary installation artist Robert Irwin, who has been called “one of the most pivotal figures in recent American art.”
Greenwich plans to release the film simultaneously in select theaters and on VOD on October 20. Robert Irwin: A Desert of Pure Feeling premiered at Doc NYC last fall and went on to screen at SXSW in Austin, Texas.
Irwin’s “decade-spanning career has profoundly influenced generations of artists and is best known for his landscape work at LA’s Getty Center and his dazzling experiential installation in Marfa, Texas,” notes a release about the film. “New interviews with the artist and his colleagues are supplemented by archival materials, including photographs and archival recordings, as well as new, immersive footage of Irwin’s artworks.”
Director Jennifer...
Greenwich plans to release the film simultaneously in select theaters and on VOD on October 20. Robert Irwin: A Desert of Pure Feeling premiered at Doc NYC last fall and went on to screen at SXSW in Austin, Texas.
Irwin’s “decade-spanning career has profoundly influenced generations of artists and is best known for his landscape work at LA’s Getty Center and his dazzling experiential installation in Marfa, Texas,” notes a release about the film. “New interviews with the artist and his colleagues are supplemented by archival materials, including photographs and archival recordings, as well as new, immersive footage of Irwin’s artworks.”
Director Jennifer...
- 9/6/2023
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
With the festival kicking off tomorrow, Telluride Film Festival has now unveiled its lineup, featuring new films from Jeff Nichols (the first image from which can be seen above), Emerald Fennell, Annie Baker, Andrew Haigh, Yorgos Lanthimos, Justine Triet, Wim Wenders, Kitty Green, Ethan Hawke, and many more.
“Fifty years is a long time to do anything. And while we might be a little biased, we feel the work that Tff does is pretty important,” comments Telluride Film Festival director Julie Huntsinger. “We take the charge of preserving the theatrical experience and promoting film seriously, but with necessary winks here and there. We’re ecstatic to share a program we feel reflects so much of the past fifty years, naturally and organically, films old and new, which stand as a testament to our beloved co-founders Tom Luddy and Bill Pence who are no longer with us.”
• All Of US Strangers...
“Fifty years is a long time to do anything. And while we might be a little biased, we feel the work that Tff does is pretty important,” comments Telluride Film Festival director Julie Huntsinger. “We take the charge of preserving the theatrical experience and promoting film seriously, but with necessary winks here and there. We’re ecstatic to share a program we feel reflects so much of the past fifty years, naturally and organically, films old and new, which stand as a testament to our beloved co-founders Tom Luddy and Bill Pence who are no longer with us.”
• All Of US Strangers...
- 8/30/2023
- by Leonard Pearce
- The Film Stage
Films about Grammy Award winner Jon Batiste, Andy Kaufman and designer John Galliano are part of this year’s Telluride Film Festival documentary feature lineup.
In all, 22 feature and four short documentaries are heading to the 50th edition of Tff, where buzz for docs seeking Oscar consideration frequently takes hold.
The lineup, kept under wraps until the eve of the fest’s opening on Aug. 31, includes docs from novice and veteran documentarians, including Errol Morris (“The Pigeon Tunnel”), Madeleine Gavin (“Beyond Utopia”), Matthew Heineman (“American Symphony”) and Paul B. Preciado.
After premiering “Orlando, My Political Biography” in Berlinale last February, Preciado garnered four awards, including the Teddy award for best documentary. Sideshow and Janus Films acquired North American rights to the doc in March.
In the docu, the first-time director, who is a trans writer and activist, uses Virginia Woolf’s 1928 book “Orlando,” the first novel in which the main...
In all, 22 feature and four short documentaries are heading to the 50th edition of Tff, where buzz for docs seeking Oscar consideration frequently takes hold.
The lineup, kept under wraps until the eve of the fest’s opening on Aug. 31, includes docs from novice and veteran documentarians, including Errol Morris (“The Pigeon Tunnel”), Madeleine Gavin (“Beyond Utopia”), Matthew Heineman (“American Symphony”) and Paul B. Preciado.
After premiering “Orlando, My Political Biography” in Berlinale last February, Preciado garnered four awards, including the Teddy award for best documentary. Sideshow and Janus Films acquired North American rights to the doc in March.
In the docu, the first-time director, who is a trans writer and activist, uses Virginia Woolf’s 1928 book “Orlando,” the first novel in which the main...
- 8/30/2023
- by Addie Morfoot
- Variety Film + TV
Team Experience has been looking at LGBTQ+ related Oscar nominations.
by Nick Taylor
Over the course of June, one of my big cinematic missions was to watch as many queer documentaries as I could. A broader understanding and recognition of lived queer experiences, either through art or lived interaction, is something I’m finding increasingly valuable and incredibly grateful for. Past or present lives, always reflecting so many potential futures - cherish that shit! Cinema allows for a unique view on long-gone lives I would never have met. A lot of my dive has been focused on the Criterion Channel’s various LGBTQ+ playlists. If you haven’t already seen Dressed in Blue, Tongues Untied, and Shakedown, watch them all now and learn from their authors, the multitude of voices in front of and behind the camera bravely willing to show us who they are and what they know.
Common Threads: Stories from the Quilt,...
by Nick Taylor
Over the course of June, one of my big cinematic missions was to watch as many queer documentaries as I could. A broader understanding and recognition of lived queer experiences, either through art or lived interaction, is something I’m finding increasingly valuable and incredibly grateful for. Past or present lives, always reflecting so many potential futures - cherish that shit! Cinema allows for a unique view on long-gone lives I would never have met. A lot of my dive has been focused on the Criterion Channel’s various LGBTQ+ playlists. If you haven’t already seen Dressed in Blue, Tongues Untied, and Shakedown, watch them all now and learn from their authors, the multitude of voices in front of and behind the camera bravely willing to show us who they are and what they know.
Common Threads: Stories from the Quilt,...
- 7/3/2023
- by Nick Taylor
- FilmExperience
As the clock struck noon on Saturday, October 8th, 2016, Taylor Mac walked on to the stage of St. Ann’s Warehouse in Brooklyn. The band of almost two-dozen musicians and backup singers led by musical director Matt Ray were already there, waiting for him. His outfit consisted of a tower of colorful ribbons cascading down his head, a petticoat with a peacock-like tail resembling a fireworks display, and a glittery jersey with a 13 — the number of American colonies in 1776 — on the front. He looked fabulous.
And other than the occasional bathroom break,...
And other than the occasional bathroom break,...
- 6/30/2023
- by David Fear
- Rollingstone.com
Frameline, the San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival concluded its 47th iteration on Saturday, June 24, with a screening of Taylor Mac’s 24-Decade History of Popular Music, directed by Oscar-winning duo Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman (The Celluloid Closet). The documentary feature about the titular performer’s singular spectacle was preceded by the Festival’s annual Award Ceremony, which reaffirmed the dynamic future of queer cinema.
This year, the 11-day Festival ran from June 14–24, 2023, with events held in theaters across San Francisco, including the historic Castro Theatre, located in the heart of the city’s LGBTQ+ cultural district, and the Roxie Theater, Frameline’s longest-running partner theater. Frameline47 also returned to Oakland this year, featuring the Festival’s first-ever Oakland Opening Night (Jac Cron’s Chestnut) and Centerpiece (Hannah Pearl Utt’s Cora Bora) films, both of which screened at The New Parkway Theater. With a full slate of upwards of 90 in-person screenings and programs,...
This year, the 11-day Festival ran from June 14–24, 2023, with events held in theaters across San Francisco, including the historic Castro Theatre, located in the heart of the city’s LGBTQ+ cultural district, and the Roxie Theater, Frameline’s longest-running partner theater. Frameline47 also returned to Oakland this year, featuring the Festival’s first-ever Oakland Opening Night (Jac Cron’s Chestnut) and Centerpiece (Hannah Pearl Utt’s Cora Bora) films, both of which screened at The New Parkway Theater. With a full slate of upwards of 90 in-person screenings and programs,...
- 6/29/2023
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
Many of the most important queer films in cinema history share a birthplace: the Sundance Film Festival. Organized by the Sundance Institute, the legendary annual fest in Park City, Utah, has boasted international and U.S. premiere titles as varied as the groundbreaking New York ballroom documentary Paris Is Burning in 1991, Donna Deitch’s 1985 lesbian road drama Desert Hearts or even recent masterworks like Luca Guadagnino’s 2017 adaptation of Call Me by Your Name.
The Hollywood Reporter spoke with Kim Yutani, director of programming at Sundance, about some of the most important Lgbtqia+ films to debut there.
“Seeing the films that Sundance has programmed over the years, especially around the early 1990s with the New Queer Wave, that was what attracted me to Sundance,” says Yutani, who’s been working with the festival for 17 years, and has also worked in various positions within the film industry, like as Gregg Araki...
The Hollywood Reporter spoke with Kim Yutani, director of programming at Sundance, about some of the most important Lgbtqia+ films to debut there.
“Seeing the films that Sundance has programmed over the years, especially around the early 1990s with the New Queer Wave, that was what attracted me to Sundance,” says Yutani, who’s been working with the festival for 17 years, and has also worked in various positions within the film industry, like as Gregg Araki...
- 6/26/2023
- by Hilton Dresden
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
From Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman, the Oscar-winning filmmakers of “The Times of Harvey Milk” and “Common Threads: Stories From the Quilt,” the documentary “Taylor Mac’s 24-Decade History of Popular Music” is something of a CliffsNotes version of the performance artist’s mammoth, Pulitzer Prize-shortlisted day-long musical revue that encompassed 246 songs culled from 1776 to 2016. Filming took place during its world premiere between Oct. 8 and 9, 2016, at St. Ann’s Warehouse in Brooklyn, N.Y. Since then, the piece has been staged as four 6-hour shows.
“Maybe you noticed, this is my subjective take on history,” Mac said during the live set. “I am not interested in this show being about history as much as I am interested in it being about all of us in this room have a lot of history on our backs and we’re trying to figure out what to do with it.”
This little nugget...
“Maybe you noticed, this is my subjective take on history,” Mac said during the live set. “I am not interested in this show being about history as much as I am interested in it being about all of us in this room have a lot of history on our backs and we’re trying to figure out what to do with it.”
This little nugget...
- 6/15/2023
- by Martin Tsai
- The Wrap
Seven years ago this month, in the aftermath of the attack on Orlando’s Pulse nightclub, one call to action rose above the din: “Say their names.” New Yorkers chanted it steps from the Stonewall Inn. The mother of a child gunned down at Sandy Hook penned it in an open letter. The Orlando Sentinel printed the names. Anderson Cooper recited them. A gunman, 29-year-old Omar Mateen, murdered 49 people and wounded 53 others in the wee hours of that awful Sunday, massacring LGBTQ people of color and their allies in the middle of Pride Month, and the commemoration of the dead demanded knowing who they were. “These,” as MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell urged his viewers, “are the names to remember.”
The titles on our list of the best LGBTQ movies of all time are a globe-spanning, multigenerational testament to our existence in a world where our erasure is no abstraction. From...
The titles on our list of the best LGBTQ movies of all time are a globe-spanning, multigenerational testament to our existence in a world where our erasure is no abstraction. From...
- 6/12/2023
- by Slant Staff
- Slant Magazine
Would you be willing to buy a ticket for a concert that goes on for 24 hours? Hundreds of people did just that to see theater artist Taylor Mac in 2016, and that show has now been turned into the documentary “Taylor Mac’s 24-Decade History of Popular Music,” which will stream on Max starting June 27.
Directed by two-time Oscar winners Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman, the film follows the 24-hour performance at St. Ann’s Warehouse in Brooklyn as Mac performs renditions of songs dating back to America’s origins in the 18th century, from “Yankee Doodle” to “Gloria.”
Along the way, Mac complements the alternative tour of American history with elaborate costumes designed by Mac’s longtime collaborator Machine Dazzle and make-up designer Anastasia Durasova.
Also Read:
Anne Fletcher Returning to Direct ‘Hocus Pocus 3’
As the show goes on, one member of Mac’s 24-piece orchestra leaves the stage every hour,...
Directed by two-time Oscar winners Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman, the film follows the 24-hour performance at St. Ann’s Warehouse in Brooklyn as Mac performs renditions of songs dating back to America’s origins in the 18th century, from “Yankee Doodle” to “Gloria.”
Along the way, Mac complements the alternative tour of American history with elaborate costumes designed by Mac’s longtime collaborator Machine Dazzle and make-up designer Anastasia Durasova.
Also Read:
Anne Fletcher Returning to Direct ‘Hocus Pocus 3’
As the show goes on, one member of Mac’s 24-piece orchestra leaves the stage every hour,...
- 6/7/2023
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
Just in time for Succession‘s end, let’s look at method acting. The Criterion Channel are highlighting the controversial practice in a 27-film series centered on Brando, Newman, Nicholson, and many other’s embodiment of “an intensely personal, internalized, and naturalistic approach to performance.” That series makes mention of Marilyn Monroe, who gets her own, 11-title highlight––the iconic commingling with deeper cuts.
Pride Month offers “Masc,” a consideration of “trans men, butch lesbians, and gender-nonconforming heroes” onscreen; the Michael Koresky-curated Queersighted returning with a study of the gay best friend; and the 20-film “LGBTQ+ Favorites.” Louis Garrel’s delightful The Innocent (about which I talked to him here), the director’s cut of Gregg Araki’s The Doom Generation, and Stanley Kwan’s hugely underseen Lan Yu make streaming premieres, while Araki’s Totally F***ed Up and Mysterious Skin also get a run. Criterion Editions include Five Easy Pieces,...
Pride Month offers “Masc,” a consideration of “trans men, butch lesbians, and gender-nonconforming heroes” onscreen; the Michael Koresky-curated Queersighted returning with a study of the gay best friend; and the 20-film “LGBTQ+ Favorites.” Louis Garrel’s delightful The Innocent (about which I talked to him here), the director’s cut of Gregg Araki’s The Doom Generation, and Stanley Kwan’s hugely underseen Lan Yu make streaming premieres, while Araki’s Totally F***ed Up and Mysterious Skin also get a run. Criterion Editions include Five Easy Pieces,...
- 5/22/2023
- by Nick Newman
- The Film Stage
France’s mk2 films is set to distribute internationally a collection of Martin Scorsese’s prestigious restored films from the World Cinema Project, which is part of his banner The Film Foundation.
The World Cinema Project has so far restored 51 films from 29 different countries, representing the breadth and diversity of global cinema.
Scorsese, one of the greatest living film legends whose latest movie “Killers of the Flower Moon” world premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on May 20, created The Film Foundation to raise awareness and funds for the preservation of our cinematic history. Since its formation, The Film Foundation has helped to preserve and restore over 1,000 films from every era and genre, ranging from features to documentaries, newsreels, shorts, home movies, experimental and silent films.
“The Film Foundation’s partnership with mk2 creates greater international visibility for the films restored through the World Cinema Project,” said Scorsese. “These incredible films...
The World Cinema Project has so far restored 51 films from 29 different countries, representing the breadth and diversity of global cinema.
Scorsese, one of the greatest living film legends whose latest movie “Killers of the Flower Moon” world premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on May 20, created The Film Foundation to raise awareness and funds for the preservation of our cinematic history. Since its formation, The Film Foundation has helped to preserve and restore over 1,000 films from every era and genre, ranging from features to documentaries, newsreels, shorts, home movies, experimental and silent films.
“The Film Foundation’s partnership with mk2 creates greater international visibility for the films restored through the World Cinema Project,” said Scorsese. “These incredible films...
- 5/22/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Frameline announced the full program for the 47th annual San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival.
Running June 14-24, with a streaming encore to follow from June 24-July 2, Frameline47 returns with nearly 90 film screenings, including 12 world, 16 North American, and 9 U.S. premieres. In celebration of the Festival’s 47th iteration, Frameline will host 47 screenings at the Castro Theatre, which equates to an average of four screenings per day throughout the 11-day event.
This announcement comes on the heels of Frameline’s recent unveiling of three marquee presentations: the Opening Night film, Andrew Durham’s FairyLand, which will feature an in-person appearance from producer Sofia Coppola; the Oakland Centerpiece, Hannah Pearl Utt’s Cora Bora, featuring Hacks star Megan Stalter; and the Pride Kickoff film, Jordan Danger’s God Save the Queens, featuring drag icon Alaska, who will perform during the afterparty at Oasis.
The 47th iteration is set to be Northern...
Running June 14-24, with a streaming encore to follow from June 24-July 2, Frameline47 returns with nearly 90 film screenings, including 12 world, 16 North American, and 9 U.S. premieres. In celebration of the Festival’s 47th iteration, Frameline will host 47 screenings at the Castro Theatre, which equates to an average of four screenings per day throughout the 11-day event.
This announcement comes on the heels of Frameline’s recent unveiling of three marquee presentations: the Opening Night film, Andrew Durham’s FairyLand, which will feature an in-person appearance from producer Sofia Coppola; the Oakland Centerpiece, Hannah Pearl Utt’s Cora Bora, featuring Hacks star Megan Stalter; and the Pride Kickoff film, Jordan Danger’s God Save the Queens, featuring drag icon Alaska, who will perform during the afterparty at Oasis.
The 47th iteration is set to be Northern...
- 5/19/2023
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
Frameline has announced the full program for the 47th annual San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival (Frameline47). Running June 14 through 24, with a streaming encore to follow from June 24 through July 2, Frameline47 returns with nearly 90 film screenings, including 12 world, 16 North American, and 9 U.S. premieres.
Frameline will host 47 screenings at the historic Castro Theatre and other venues throughout the Bay Area. This announcement comes on the heels of Frameline’s recent unveiling of three marquee presentations: the Opening Night film, Andrew Durham’s Sundance favorite “Fairyland,” which will feature an in-person appearance from producer Sofia Coppola; the Oakland Centerpiece, Hannah Pearl Utt’s “Cora Bora,” featuring “Hacks” scene-stealer Megan Stalter; and the Pride Kickoff film, Jordan Danger’s “God Save the Queens,” featuring RuPaul drag icon Alaska, who will perform during the afterparty at Oasis.
This year’s iteration is set to be Northern California’s largest film festival in 2023, according to Frameline.
Frameline will host 47 screenings at the historic Castro Theatre and other venues throughout the Bay Area. This announcement comes on the heels of Frameline’s recent unveiling of three marquee presentations: the Opening Night film, Andrew Durham’s Sundance favorite “Fairyland,” which will feature an in-person appearance from producer Sofia Coppola; the Oakland Centerpiece, Hannah Pearl Utt’s “Cora Bora,” featuring “Hacks” scene-stealer Megan Stalter; and the Pride Kickoff film, Jordan Danger’s “God Save the Queens,” featuring RuPaul drag icon Alaska, who will perform during the afterparty at Oasis.
This year’s iteration is set to be Northern California’s largest film festival in 2023, according to Frameline.
- 5/18/2023
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
The 2023 Tribeca Festival feature film lineup has been unveiled.
This year’s festival takes place June 7 — 18 and includes a range of feature narrative, documentary, and animated films. The 2023 Tribeca Festival launches 109 feature films from 127 filmmakers across 36 countries, with 93 world premieres, one international premiere, eight North American premieres, one U.S. premiere, and six New York premieres.
There are 43 first-time directors and 29 directors returning to Tribeca with their latest projects. A total of 41 percent of all feature films are directed by women and, for the first time, more than half of competition feature films are directed by women at 68 percent. Additionally, 36 percent of feature films are directed by Bipoc filmmakers, including two Indigenous filmmakers.
This season, it’s all about the actor-director, with films from a slew of A-list stars behind the camera. Highlights include the world premieres of Chelsea Peretti’s meta-comedy “First Time Female Director” and John Slattery’s...
This year’s festival takes place June 7 — 18 and includes a range of feature narrative, documentary, and animated films. The 2023 Tribeca Festival launches 109 feature films from 127 filmmakers across 36 countries, with 93 world premieres, one international premiere, eight North American premieres, one U.S. premiere, and six New York premieres.
There are 43 first-time directors and 29 directors returning to Tribeca with their latest projects. A total of 41 percent of all feature films are directed by women and, for the first time, more than half of competition feature films are directed by women at 68 percent. Additionally, 36 percent of feature films are directed by Bipoc filmmakers, including two Indigenous filmmakers.
This season, it’s all about the actor-director, with films from a slew of A-list stars behind the camera. Highlights include the world premieres of Chelsea Peretti’s meta-comedy “First Time Female Director” and John Slattery’s...
- 4/18/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Tribeca Festival has announced the lineup of its 2023 festival, which includes new films from actors Chelsea Peretti and David Duchovny and documentaries about Rock Hudson and news anchor Dan Rather.
This year’s event, which takes place from June 7-18, will feature 109 feature films from 127 filmmakers across 36 countries. There will be 93 world premieres, one international premiere, eight North American premieres, one U.S. premiere and six New York premieres.
Among the lineup, there are offerings from 43 first-time directors and 29 directors returning to Tribeca with their latest projects. For the first time, more than half of feature films in competition (68%) are directed by women, while 41% (45) of all feature films are directed by women. Additionally, 36% (39) of feature films are directed by Bipoc filmmakers, including two indigenous filmmakers.
This year’s festival also spotlights a number of films directed by actors, such as “First Time Female Director” by Peretti; “Maggie Moore(s)” by...
This year’s event, which takes place from June 7-18, will feature 109 feature films from 127 filmmakers across 36 countries. There will be 93 world premieres, one international premiere, eight North American premieres, one U.S. premiere and six New York premieres.
Among the lineup, there are offerings from 43 first-time directors and 29 directors returning to Tribeca with their latest projects. For the first time, more than half of feature films in competition (68%) are directed by women, while 41% (45) of all feature films are directed by women. Additionally, 36% (39) of feature films are directed by Bipoc filmmakers, including two indigenous filmmakers.
This year’s festival also spotlights a number of films directed by actors, such as “First Time Female Director” by Peretti; “Maggie Moore(s)” by...
- 4/18/2023
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
The 22nd edition of the Tribeca Festival unveiled a 2023 lineup with a record number of female helmers and heavy on films directed by actors like Chelsea Peretti’s First Time Female Director, John Slattery thriller Maggie Moore(s) with Tina Fey and Jon Hamm, David Duchovny’s Bucky F*cking Dent and Steve Buscemi’s The Listener.
Marvel also screens its first original documentary, Stan Lee by David Gelb, as the fest unspools June 7-18 in New York City. Also making an appearance: Downtown Owl by Lily Rabe and Hamish Linklater, and Eric Larue by Michael Shannon.
In all, 109 feature, narrative, documentary and animated films from 127 directors across 36 countries will showcase emerging and household names.
Tribeca is expanding its Midnight offering this year, and will also present its second annual Human/Nature award for environmental storytelling to world-premiering Common Ground by Rebecca and Josh Tickell.
Related music and live events...
Marvel also screens its first original documentary, Stan Lee by David Gelb, as the fest unspools June 7-18 in New York City. Also making an appearance: Downtown Owl by Lily Rabe and Hamish Linklater, and Eric Larue by Michael Shannon.
In all, 109 feature, narrative, documentary and animated films from 127 directors across 36 countries will showcase emerging and household names.
Tribeca is expanding its Midnight offering this year, and will also present its second annual Human/Nature award for environmental storytelling to world-premiering Common Ground by Rebecca and Josh Tickell.
Related music and live events...
- 4/18/2023
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Specialized police units are coming under increased scrutiny after the death in Memphis of Tyre Nichols, who was allegedly beaten to death by five officers of that city’s Scorpion street crime outfit.
Baltimore and its scandal-plagued Gun Trace Task Force comes into focus in the documentary I Got A Monster, the feature directorial debut of Kevin Abrams. Greenwich Entertainment has just secured North American distribution rights for the film, with plans to release it in theaters and on home video on March 10. The documentary from Alpine Labs is based on the acclaimed book I Got a Monster: The Rise and Fall of America’s Most Corrupt Police Squad written by Baynard Woods and Brandon Soderberg.
Abrams’ film “retells in highly dramatic fashion one of the nation’s biggest police corruption scandals,” Greenwich Entertainment said in a release. “In 2017, Baltimore was rocked by the federal indictment of Wayne Jenkins,...
Baltimore and its scandal-plagued Gun Trace Task Force comes into focus in the documentary I Got A Monster, the feature directorial debut of Kevin Abrams. Greenwich Entertainment has just secured North American distribution rights for the film, with plans to release it in theaters and on home video on March 10. The documentary from Alpine Labs is based on the acclaimed book I Got a Monster: The Rise and Fall of America’s Most Corrupt Police Squad written by Baynard Woods and Brandon Soderberg.
Abrams’ film “retells in highly dramatic fashion one of the nation’s biggest police corruption scandals,” Greenwich Entertainment said in a release. “In 2017, Baltimore was rocked by the federal indictment of Wayne Jenkins,...
- 2/2/2023
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
Sunday night’s emotional “The Last of Us” episode titled “Long Long Time,” which featured the 1970 Linda Ronstadt song of the same name, had fans in tears – and hitting up streaming services to download the song about unrequited love.
In one scene, zombie apocalypse survivor Frank (Murray Bartlett) chooses “The Best of Linda Ronstadt” sheet music to play after being rescued by Bill (Nick Offerman), whose rendition of the song expresses his own loneliness. They then share their first kiss.
On Monday afternoon, the song had hit No. 5 on iTunes’ Top 100 Songs chart. It was written by Gary White and released as a single from her 1970 album “Silk Purse” and peaked at No. 25 on Billboard’s Hot 100.
Also Read:
Netflix’s ‘Wednesday’ Resurrects ‘Goo Goo Muck’ by The Cramps
In 1971, Ronstadt was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Female Vocal Performance for the ballad. It was later covered...
In one scene, zombie apocalypse survivor Frank (Murray Bartlett) chooses “The Best of Linda Ronstadt” sheet music to play after being rescued by Bill (Nick Offerman), whose rendition of the song expresses his own loneliness. They then share their first kiss.
On Monday afternoon, the song had hit No. 5 on iTunes’ Top 100 Songs chart. It was written by Gary White and released as a single from her 1970 album “Silk Purse” and peaked at No. 25 on Billboard’s Hot 100.
Also Read:
Netflix’s ‘Wednesday’ Resurrects ‘Goo Goo Muck’ by The Cramps
In 1971, Ronstadt was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Female Vocal Performance for the ballad. It was later covered...
- 1/30/2023
- by Sharon Knolle
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Greenwich Entertainment is going big on Loudmouth. The company has acquired North American rights to the documentary about the Rev. Al Sharpton, and plans a December 9 theatrical release for the film just as Oscar shortlist voting rolls around.
The film directed by Josh Alexander held its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in June, examining an activist, commentator and occasional political candidate who has been a major part of American life for almost 40 years.
“Sharpton has been a polarizing figure, inspiring both love and hate on local and national stages,” a release for the film stated. “Chronicling his work for social change from the streets of 1980s Brooklyn to 2020s Minneapolis, Loudmouth presents never-before-seen footage of the social justice titan on the frontlines, in the media as well as in the corridors of power, to paint an intimate and revealing portrait of a tireless warrior who has never...
The film directed by Josh Alexander held its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in June, examining an activist, commentator and occasional political candidate who has been a major part of American life for almost 40 years.
“Sharpton has been a polarizing figure, inspiring both love and hate on local and national stages,” a release for the film stated. “Chronicling his work for social change from the streets of 1980s Brooklyn to 2020s Minneapolis, Loudmouth presents never-before-seen footage of the social justice titan on the frontlines, in the media as well as in the corridors of power, to paint an intimate and revealing portrait of a tireless warrior who has never...
- 9/28/2022
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Greenwich Entertainment has acquired North American rights to the Blumhouse-produced feature documentary, The Youth Governor, slating it for release on August 26.
The feature directorial debut of Matthew and Jaron Halmy takes place within the halls of California’s Capitol, watching as 4000 teenagers run a fully functioning government complete with legislators, lobbyists, political party bosses and elections. Over the course of four months, three candidates emerge from a field of 40 in the race for the 72nd Youth Governor. On the campaign trail, in their homes, and with peers watching their every word, we discover how these aspiring politicians put together the unique mix of ambition and activism it takes to win.
The Youth Governor premiered at the Cleveland Film Festival, then going on to screen in Milwaukee and Phoenix. Blumhouse produced alongside Matthew Halmy, with Mary Lisio and Amanda Spain serving as executive producers.
“It’s not a weekend retreat or a classroom,...
The feature directorial debut of Matthew and Jaron Halmy takes place within the halls of California’s Capitol, watching as 4000 teenagers run a fully functioning government complete with legislators, lobbyists, political party bosses and elections. Over the course of four months, three candidates emerge from a field of 40 in the race for the 72nd Youth Governor. On the campaign trail, in their homes, and with peers watching their every word, we discover how these aspiring politicians put together the unique mix of ambition and activism it takes to win.
The Youth Governor premiered at the Cleveland Film Festival, then going on to screen in Milwaukee and Phoenix. Blumhouse produced alongside Matthew Halmy, with Mary Lisio and Amanda Spain serving as executive producers.
“It’s not a weekend retreat or a classroom,...
- 6/15/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Greenwich Entertainment has acquired North American rights to the gospel documentary Stay Prayed Up, which premiered to critical acclaim at the Telluride Film Festival and Doc NYC, for release in theaters on June 17.
The film from directors D.L. Anderson and Matt Durning tells the story of Lena Mae Perry, who has spent the last 50 years sharing and sharpening her voice as the steadfast bandleader of The Branchettes, a legendary North Carolina gospel group that has packed churches throughout the South and lifted hearts as far away as Ireland. Pic invites audiences into “Mother” Perry’s close-knit community as the 83-year-old strives to extend The Branchettes’ sacred song ministry ever forward, following the ensemble as they record their first live album—a hallmark in the canon of Black gospel groups. Mikel Barton, Phil Cook, Lena C. Williams and Leslie Raymond served as the feature’s producers.
“We believe Stay Prayed Up offers a well-timed,...
The film from directors D.L. Anderson and Matt Durning tells the story of Lena Mae Perry, who has spent the last 50 years sharing and sharpening her voice as the steadfast bandleader of The Branchettes, a legendary North Carolina gospel group that has packed churches throughout the South and lifted hearts as far away as Ireland. Pic invites audiences into “Mother” Perry’s close-knit community as the 83-year-old strives to extend The Branchettes’ sacred song ministry ever forward, following the ensemble as they record their first live album—a hallmark in the canon of Black gospel groups. Mikel Barton, Phil Cook, Lena C. Williams and Leslie Raymond served as the feature’s producers.
“We believe Stay Prayed Up offers a well-timed,...
- 4/13/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Greenwich Entertainment has taken North American rights to dark comedy-drama “Concerned Citizen,” which had its world premiere in the Panorama section of the Berlinale. Salzgeber has taken the rights for Germany and Austria. Berlin-based sales outfit M-Appeal is selling the film.
Idan Haguel’s film, a satirical parable on the insidious ways in which privilege can unleash the prejudice within, centers on Ben, who thinks of himself as a liberal and enlightened gay man, living in the perfect apartment with his boyfriend Raz. All that’s missing to complete the picture is a baby, which the couple are trying to make a reality.
Meanwhile, Ben decides to improve his up-and-coming neighborhood in gritty south Tel Aviv by planting a new tree on his street. But his good deed soon triggers a sequence of events that leads to the brutal police arrest of an Eritrean immigrant. The guilt trip that ensues...
Idan Haguel’s film, a satirical parable on the insidious ways in which privilege can unleash the prejudice within, centers on Ben, who thinks of himself as a liberal and enlightened gay man, living in the perfect apartment with his boyfriend Raz. All that’s missing to complete the picture is a baby, which the couple are trying to make a reality.
Meanwhile, Ben decides to improve his up-and-coming neighborhood in gritty south Tel Aviv by planting a new tree on his street. But his good deed soon triggers a sequence of events that leads to the brutal police arrest of an Eritrean immigrant. The guilt trip that ensues...
- 3/25/2022
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Greenwich Entertainment has acquired North American rights to Ilinca Calugareanu’s documentary A Cops and Robbers Story, with plans for a day-and-date release January 14.
The film’s subject is Corey Pegues, who in the 1990s found himself embroiled in a life of crime as a member of New York’s City’s infamous Supreme Team gang. After a near-death incident forces Pegues away from the streets, he unexpectedly emerges as a rising star in the NYPD. But when his former life is revealed, Pegues’s police career is threatened, raising the perennial question of who deserves – and who doesn’t deserve – a second chance in life.
The feature which made its world premiere at Doc NYC 2020 was produced by Mara Adina, Calugareanu’s collaborator on the 2015 doc Chuck Norris vs. Communism. Brenda Robinson exec produced with Julie Parker Benello, Erika Olde, Nion McEvoy, Sam Roseme, Tanja Tawadjoh, John Battsek,...
The film’s subject is Corey Pegues, who in the 1990s found himself embroiled in a life of crime as a member of New York’s City’s infamous Supreme Team gang. After a near-death incident forces Pegues away from the streets, he unexpectedly emerges as a rising star in the NYPD. But when his former life is revealed, Pegues’s police career is threatened, raising the perennial question of who deserves – and who doesn’t deserve – a second chance in life.
The feature which made its world premiere at Doc NYC 2020 was produced by Mara Adina, Calugareanu’s collaborator on the 2015 doc Chuck Norris vs. Communism. Brenda Robinson exec produced with Julie Parker Benello, Erika Olde, Nion McEvoy, Sam Roseme, Tanja Tawadjoh, John Battsek,...
- 11/4/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Greenwich Entertainment and levelFILM have struck a multi-year partnership for the Canadian distributor to handle all of Greenwich’s films in Canada starting with the upcoming release of Ebs Burnough’s The Capote Tapes, which explores the explosive unpublished novel Answered Prayers by Truman Capote.
The film had its world premiere at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival, its U.S. premiere at Doc NYC and Greenwich is releasing the film in theaters on September 10.
Founded in 2017, Greenwich is led by Co-Presidents Ed Arentz and Andy Bohn and has grown into one of the leading U.S. distributors of arthouse films and documentaries.
Greenwich handled the record-setting theatrical release of Jimmy Chin and Chai Vasarhelyi’s Academy Award-Winning documentary Free Solo, which grossed more thhan $17M at the North American box office.
Other Greenwich releases include Andrew Slater’s Echo in the Canyon, Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My...
The film had its world premiere at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival, its U.S. premiere at Doc NYC and Greenwich is releasing the film in theaters on September 10.
Founded in 2017, Greenwich is led by Co-Presidents Ed Arentz and Andy Bohn and has grown into one of the leading U.S. distributors of arthouse films and documentaries.
Greenwich handled the record-setting theatrical release of Jimmy Chin and Chai Vasarhelyi’s Academy Award-Winning documentary Free Solo, which grossed more thhan $17M at the North American box office.
Other Greenwich releases include Andrew Slater’s Echo in the Canyon, Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My...
- 9/10/2021
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Elliot Page will be honored at the 2021 Outfest LA LGBTQ Film Festival with the Annual Achievement Award.
The festival’s top honor recognizes individuals who have made a significant contribution to Lgbtqia+ stories, arts, and media visibility. Past recipients include Todd Haynes, Bill Condon, John Waters, Kimberly Pierce, Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman, Fenton Bailey & Randy Barbato, Angela Robinson, and Nisha Ganatra.
Kieran Medina, the lead programmer of Outfest LA’s Annual Trans & Nonbinary Summit, will present the award to Page at the Orpheum Theatre on August 22nd, as part of the festival’s Closing Night Gala.
“When determining the recipient of our highest honor we look for those that have been a powerful representative for our community, that have soared to the highest levels of recognition for their talent and who have stepped into the shoes themselves as an independent filmmaker and creator. There is no one more poised...
The festival’s top honor recognizes individuals who have made a significant contribution to Lgbtqia+ stories, arts, and media visibility. Past recipients include Todd Haynes, Bill Condon, John Waters, Kimberly Pierce, Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman, Fenton Bailey & Randy Barbato, Angela Robinson, and Nisha Ganatra.
Kieran Medina, the lead programmer of Outfest LA’s Annual Trans & Nonbinary Summit, will present the award to Page at the Orpheum Theatre on August 22nd, as part of the festival’s Closing Night Gala.
“When determining the recipient of our highest honor we look for those that have been a powerful representative for our community, that have soared to the highest levels of recognition for their talent and who have stepped into the shoes themselves as an independent filmmaker and creator. There is no one more poised...
- 8/9/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Anyone familiar with Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman’s powerful 2000 documentary feature, Paragraph 175, will recognize that title as the provision of the German penal code that sanctioned horrific Nazi persecution of homosexuals, a law dating back to 1871. What’s more startling is that criminal prosecution continued in West Germany up until the late 1960s, destroying the lives of thousands of men, and that full decriminalization did not come until 1994. Sebastian Meise’s intricately structured drama explores the life of one man put through that dehumanizing system on a loop in the decades following World War II.
Chronicling an ignominious chapter ...
Chronicling an ignominious chapter ...
- 7/11/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Anyone familiar with Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman’s powerful 2000 documentary feature, Paragraph 175, will recognize that title as the provision of the German penal code that sanctioned horrific Nazi persecution of homosexuals, a law dating back to 1871. What’s more startling is that criminal prosecution continued in West Germany up until the late 1960s, destroying the lives of thousands of men, and that full decriminalization did not come until 1994. Sebastian Meise’s intricately structured drama explores the life of one man put through that dehumanizing system on a loop in the decades following World War II.
Chronicling an ignominious chapter ...
Chronicling an ignominious chapter ...
- 7/11/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Milestone’s library of more than 150 titles includes Portrait Of Jason, Say Amen, Somebody.
Kino Lorber has signed a multi-year strategic distribution and acquisition agreement with Milestone Films, the New York-based company renowned for restoring and distributing classics such as Mikhail Kalatozov’s I Am Cuba.
Under the pact Kino Lorber gets exclusive US and international distribution rights to Milestone’s library of more than 150 titles and all its future restorations and acquisitions under the Milestone Films In Association With Kino Lorber label.
Husband-and-wife partners Dennis Doros and Amy Heller founded Milestone in 1990 and have over the past three decades...
Kino Lorber has signed a multi-year strategic distribution and acquisition agreement with Milestone Films, the New York-based company renowned for restoring and distributing classics such as Mikhail Kalatozov’s I Am Cuba.
Under the pact Kino Lorber gets exclusive US and international distribution rights to Milestone’s library of more than 150 titles and all its future restorations and acquisitions under the Milestone Films In Association With Kino Lorber label.
Husband-and-wife partners Dennis Doros and Amy Heller founded Milestone in 1990 and have over the past three decades...
- 6/2/2021
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
The Criterion Channel has unveiled their lineup for next month and it’s another strong slate, featuring retrospectives of Carole Lombard, John Waters, Robert Downey Sr., Luis García Berlanga, Jane Russell, and Rob Epstein & Jeffrey Friedman. Also in the lineup is new additions to their Queersighted series, notably Todd Haynes’ early film Poison (Safe is also premiering in a separate presentation), William Friedkin’s Cruising, and Pier Paolo Pasolini’s Teorama.
The new restorations of Manoel de Oliveira’s stunning Francisca and Francesco Rosi’s Christ Stopped at Eboli will join the channel, alongside Agnieszka Holland’s Spoor, Bong Joon Ho’s early short film Incoherence, and Luc Dardenne & Jean-Pierre Dardenne’s Rosetta.
See the lineup below and explore more on criterionchannel.com.
#Blackmendream, Shikeith, 2014
12 Angry Men, Sidney Lumet, 1957
About Tap, George T. Nierenberg, 1985
The AIDS Show, Peter Adair and Rob Epstein, 1986
The Assignation, Curtis Harrington, 1953
Aya of Yop City,...
The new restorations of Manoel de Oliveira’s stunning Francisca and Francesco Rosi’s Christ Stopped at Eboli will join the channel, alongside Agnieszka Holland’s Spoor, Bong Joon Ho’s early short film Incoherence, and Luc Dardenne & Jean-Pierre Dardenne’s Rosetta.
See the lineup below and explore more on criterionchannel.com.
#Blackmendream, Shikeith, 2014
12 Angry Men, Sidney Lumet, 1957
About Tap, George T. Nierenberg, 1985
The AIDS Show, Peter Adair and Rob Epstein, 1986
The Assignation, Curtis Harrington, 1953
Aya of Yop City,...
- 5/24/2021
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Michele Farinola is no stranger to producing music documentaries: Her credits include “Foo Fighters: Back And Forth,” “George Harrison: Living In The Material World,” and most recently, “Linda Ronstadt: The Sound Of My Voice,” which is up for best music film at the Grammy Awards Sunday night.
Farinola says she’s drawn to telling stories of legendary performers whose stories connect to today and to the audience’s own experiences. With Ronstadt, she felt this story of a woman who stayed true to herself as she made a name for herself in the ’60s was a story that could resonate with audiences. Together with producing partner James Keach, and directors Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman, Farinola made the documentary in conjunction with CNN Films.
Beyond its Grammy nomination, the film was nominated for three Critics Choice awards in 2019, and ultimately picked up two wins there, for Most Compelling Living Subject...
Farinola says she’s drawn to telling stories of legendary performers whose stories connect to today and to the audience’s own experiences. With Ronstadt, she felt this story of a woman who stayed true to herself as she made a name for herself in the ’60s was a story that could resonate with audiences. Together with producing partner James Keach, and directors Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman, Farinola made the documentary in conjunction with CNN Films.
Beyond its Grammy nomination, the film was nominated for three Critics Choice awards in 2019, and ultimately picked up two wins there, for Most Compelling Living Subject...
- 3/14/2021
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
Lawrence Ferlinghetti, the founder of San Francisco’s iconic City Lights Books and an integral figure in the Beat poetry movement, has died. The publisher and activist’s son, Lorenzo Ferlinghetti told AP that he died Monday at his home of lung disease. He was 101.
The San Francisco icon helped launch the Beat movement in the 1950s, making the works by some of the greats including Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg and William S. Burroughs, more accessible to readers. In has 1953, the Bronxville, NY native founded San Francisco’s City Lights Booksellers & Publishers, a historical landmark that still services Bay Area natives and more to this day.
Ferlinghetti, whose works include Howl and Other Poems, Little Boy, Blasts Cries Laughter and Pictures of the Gone World, brought his talents not only to the literary world, but to the entertainment realm as well. In 2007 he penned the short To Paint the Portrait...
The San Francisco icon helped launch the Beat movement in the 1950s, making the works by some of the greats including Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg and William S. Burroughs, more accessible to readers. In has 1953, the Bronxville, NY native founded San Francisco’s City Lights Booksellers & Publishers, a historical landmark that still services Bay Area natives and more to this day.
Ferlinghetti, whose works include Howl and Other Poems, Little Boy, Blasts Cries Laughter and Pictures of the Gone World, brought his talents not only to the literary world, but to the entertainment realm as well. In 2007 he penned the short To Paint the Portrait...
- 2/24/2021
- by Alexandra Del Rosario
- Deadline Film + TV
In his latest interview/podcast host and screenwriter Stuart Wright listens to story consultant and blogger Gareth Dimelow talk about 5 Queer Themes in Modern Horror. You’ll find Gareth on twitter at @gdimelow
Films discussed include:
A Nightmare On Elm Street Part 2: Freddy’S Revenge Nightbreed Interview With The Vampire Haute Tension Midnight Kiss
Other key texts referenced:
The Celluloid Closet a book by Vito Russo, made into documentary (1995) of the same name & directed by Rob Epstein, Jeffrey Friedman Monsters In The Closet: Homosexuality And The Horror Film, a book by Harry Benshoff Men, Women and Chainsaws: Gender In The Modern Horror Film, a book by Carol J Glover Scream, Queen! My Nightmare On Elm Street documentary on Shudder directed by Roman Chimienti, Tyler Jensen A Queer Horror Documentary from the Makers of Horror Noire is coming soon to Shudder tbc...
Films discussed include:
A Nightmare On Elm Street Part 2: Freddy’S Revenge Nightbreed Interview With The Vampire Haute Tension Midnight Kiss
Other key texts referenced:
The Celluloid Closet a book by Vito Russo, made into documentary (1995) of the same name & directed by Rob Epstein, Jeffrey Friedman Monsters In The Closet: Homosexuality And The Horror Film, a book by Harry Benshoff Men, Women and Chainsaws: Gender In The Modern Horror Film, a book by Carol J Glover Scream, Queen! My Nightmare On Elm Street documentary on Shudder directed by Roman Chimienti, Tyler Jensen A Queer Horror Documentary from the Makers of Horror Noire is coming soon to Shudder tbc...
- 2/12/2021
- by Stuart Wright
- Nerdly
While Beyoncé, Taylor Swift and others dominated the Grammy Awards nominations announced today, a number of names more associated with the film and TV worlds also made the cut. Among those vying for statuettes on Music’s Biggest Night next year are Jerry Seinfeld, Tiffany Haddish, Meryl Streep, Rachel Maddow, Jeopardy! Goat Ken Jennings and Spike Jonze.
Five folks who are familiar to TV audiences are up for Best Comedy Album this year: Seinfeld (23 Hours to Kill), Haddish (Black Mitzvah), Patton Oswalt (I Love Everything), Jim Gaffigan (The Pale Tourist) and Bill Burr (Paper Tiger). Oswalt is the only one of the bunch with a Grammy to his credits — among six noms. Gaffigan landed his sixth career nomination, and Seinfeld has his fourth. This is Haddish’s second nom, following a spoken-word mention in 2018, and Burr lands his first.
Speaking of the spoken word, several boldface names from the big...
Five folks who are familiar to TV audiences are up for Best Comedy Album this year: Seinfeld (23 Hours to Kill), Haddish (Black Mitzvah), Patton Oswalt (I Love Everything), Jim Gaffigan (The Pale Tourist) and Bill Burr (Paper Tiger). Oswalt is the only one of the bunch with a Grammy to his credits — among six noms. Gaffigan landed his sixth career nomination, and Seinfeld has his fourth. This is Haddish’s second nom, following a spoken-word mention in 2018, and Burr lands his first.
Speaking of the spoken word, several boldface names from the big...
- 11/24/2020
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Features: Harvey Milk, Anne Kronenberg, Tory Hartmann | Written by Judith Coburn, Carter Wilson | Directed by Rob Epstein
Back in 1984, director Rob Epstein along with narration writers Judith Coburn and Carter Wilson, worked together to bring us the acclaimed documentary film, The Times of Harvey Milk. A powerful 90 minute look at the successes and eventual tragic assassination of the trailblazing first elected gay city supervisor of San Francisco. Now, some 36 years later, Criterion, here in the UK, have brought us a spectacular release of the film, along with an array of special features.
Harvey Milk was an outspoken man, a human rights activist and the first openly gay politician in U.S history to be elected to public office. His inspiration to millions of people around the world is well-documented and it continues to this very day, some 42 years after he was killed. This Oscar winning documentary was a vital one,...
Back in 1984, director Rob Epstein along with narration writers Judith Coburn and Carter Wilson, worked together to bring us the acclaimed documentary film, The Times of Harvey Milk. A powerful 90 minute look at the successes and eventual tragic assassination of the trailblazing first elected gay city supervisor of San Francisco. Now, some 36 years later, Criterion, here in the UK, have brought us a spectacular release of the film, along with an array of special features.
Harvey Milk was an outspoken man, a human rights activist and the first openly gay politician in U.S history to be elected to public office. His inspiration to millions of people around the world is well-documented and it continues to this very day, some 42 years after he was killed. This Oscar winning documentary was a vital one,...
- 10/30/2020
- by Chris Cummings
- Nerdly
By Glenn Dunks
We tend to focus on new release documentaries around here, covering the gamut of titles premiering in cinemas, on streaming and VOD, and occasionally—as you’ll see over the next few week—festivals. What I rarely have the pleasure of doing is review classic docs, which is probably rather silly since the boom in popularity for the form has meant distributors and exhibitors are getting more confident in not just re-releasing classics documentaries, but restoring them, too.
As I found when researching my top 100 docs of the decade list, even titles from as few as four or five years ago become increasingly hard to find. And if they never received a US release? Even harder. Hopefully that starts to change and all the more reason to celebrate when older works do appear. So, to celebrate the Film Society at Lincoln Centre’s season of films by...
We tend to focus on new release documentaries around here, covering the gamut of titles premiering in cinemas, on streaming and VOD, and occasionally—as you’ll see over the next few week—festivals. What I rarely have the pleasure of doing is review classic docs, which is probably rather silly since the boom in popularity for the form has meant distributors and exhibitors are getting more confident in not just re-releasing classics documentaries, but restoring them, too.
As I found when researching my top 100 docs of the decade list, even titles from as few as four or five years ago become increasingly hard to find. And if they never received a US release? Even harder. Hopefully that starts to change and all the more reason to celebrate when older works do appear. So, to celebrate the Film Society at Lincoln Centre’s season of films by...
- 10/29/2020
- by Glenn Dunks
- FilmExperience
After premiering to great acclaim at Sundance in early 2020, the documentary “Disclosure: Trans Lives on Screen” was eventually acquired by Netflix, and it debuted on the streaming service on June 19 right in the middle of Pride Month. As the studio behind two of the last three winners of Best Documentary Feature at the Oscars (2017’s “Icarus” and 2019’s “American Factory”), could Netflix have another contender on its hands with this film?
Directed by Sam Feder, “Disclosure” examines the history of trans representation in film and television dating back to the early days of silent movies. Throughout we are shown the evolution of trans portrayals in everything from Bugs Bunny cartoons, classic television and film to contemporary series such as FX’s “Pose.” There are also looks at award-winning films and television programs that have, with time, been seen as more controversial and potentially problematic, including Oscar winners “The Silence of the Lambs...
Directed by Sam Feder, “Disclosure” examines the history of trans representation in film and television dating back to the early days of silent movies. Throughout we are shown the evolution of trans portrayals in everything from Bugs Bunny cartoons, classic television and film to contemporary series such as FX’s “Pose.” There are also looks at award-winning films and television programs that have, with time, been seen as more controversial and potentially problematic, including Oscar winners “The Silence of the Lambs...
- 10/19/2020
- by Tony Ruiz
- Gold Derby
Exclusive: Greenwich Entertainment has picked up the North American distribution rights to Eytan Fox’s Israeli drama Sublet with a plan to release the movie in 2021.
The deal was negotiated by Greenwich’s Ed Arentz and UTA Independent Film Group on behalf of the filmmakers.
The movie, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, stars Tony Award-winning and Emmy-nominated John Benjamin Hickey and features the debut of Niv Nissim. Sublet focuses on a New York Times writer (Hickey) who visits Tel Aviv after suffering a tragedy. The city’s energy and his relationship with a younger man he meets there (Nissim) bring him back to life.
“I’m so happy that Greenwich Entertainment will be releasing Sublet, because it’s a movie that celebrates the free-dom we had before this Covid-19 outbreak: to travel, explore, make connections and get a new take on the world,” says Fox.
“It’s about...
The deal was negotiated by Greenwich’s Ed Arentz and UTA Independent Film Group on behalf of the filmmakers.
The movie, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, stars Tony Award-winning and Emmy-nominated John Benjamin Hickey and features the debut of Niv Nissim. Sublet focuses on a New York Times writer (Hickey) who visits Tel Aviv after suffering a tragedy. The city’s energy and his relationship with a younger man he meets there (Nissim) bring him back to life.
“I’m so happy that Greenwich Entertainment will be releasing Sublet, because it’s a movie that celebrates the free-dom we had before this Covid-19 outbreak: to travel, explore, make connections and get a new take on the world,” says Fox.
“It’s about...
- 8/13/2020
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: We have learned that Greenwich Entertainment has acquired North American distribution rights to Rick Korn’s documentary Harry Chapin: When in Doubt, Do Something, which follows the Grammy-winning and 16 million album-selling singer-songwriter and activist who spent his fame and fortune trying to end world hunger before his tragic passing. The docu will hit the fall festival circuit before Greenwich’s release in October.
The pic features features Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Pete Seeger, Sir Bob Geldof, Kenny Rogers, Graham Nash, Pat Benatar, Darryl “Dmc” McDaniels, Robert Lamm, Richie Havens and Harry Belafonte intimately reflecting on Chapin’s impact on music and the world. His “Cat’s in the Cradle” hit No. 1 on the Billboard 100 and received a 1975 Grammy nom for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2011. He also hit the U.S. top 40 with “Taxi” in 1972 and “Wold” two years later.
The pic features features Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Pete Seeger, Sir Bob Geldof, Kenny Rogers, Graham Nash, Pat Benatar, Darryl “Dmc” McDaniels, Robert Lamm, Richie Havens and Harry Belafonte intimately reflecting on Chapin’s impact on music and the world. His “Cat’s in the Cradle” hit No. 1 on the Billboard 100 and received a 1975 Grammy nom for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2011. He also hit the U.S. top 40 with “Taxi” in 1972 and “Wold” two years later.
- 7/7/2020
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
When movies work their magic, the screen becomes a kind of mirror, reflecting dimensions of our identities or experience back to us in profound and emotional ways. When the characters aren’t so familiar, it serves as more of a window, offering insight into the lives of those who are different from ourselves. Now imagine how agonizing it can be for those who gaze upon the screen searching for something they can recognize, only to find unflattering, inaccurate and scornful representations staring back.
Transgender audiences know that feeling all too well. For them, cinema can be a cruel mirror. But if the concept of trans identity somehow frustrates or confuses you, it’s likely that you haven’t considered just how significantly television and movies may be to blame. That’s where Sam Feder’s essential, thoroughly engaging documentary “Disclosure” comes in, retracing the ways that gender-nonconforming characters have been...
Transgender audiences know that feeling all too well. For them, cinema can be a cruel mirror. But if the concept of trans identity somehow frustrates or confuses you, it’s likely that you haven’t considered just how significantly television and movies may be to blame. That’s where Sam Feder’s essential, thoroughly engaging documentary “Disclosure” comes in, retracing the ways that gender-nonconforming characters have been...
- 6/19/2020
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
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