One of the things Sean Baker does exceptionally well is draw us into a vivid and highly specific milieu, nurturing our affections for characters who are rough-edged, to put it mildly, and then whip up a vortex of steadily escalating chaos. The writer-director is like a conductor of raw symphonies about people from the marginalized fringes caught in a dizzying whirl, sometimes of their own making and sometimes not. Sex workers have been a big part of Baker’s gallery of outsiders, which makes Anora a fine addition to his terrific body of work.
As a character, played by Mikey Madison with a sweetness that humanizes even the most transactional situations and a defensiveness that makes her dangerous when threatened, Anora, who goes by Ani, stands alongside the defiantly resilient protagonists of Baker’s last handful of films, from Starlet and Tangerine through The Florida Project and Red Rocket.
Ani...
As a character, played by Mikey Madison with a sweetness that humanizes even the most transactional situations and a defensiveness that makes her dangerous when threatened, Anora, who goes by Ani, stands alongside the defiantly resilient protagonists of Baker’s last handful of films, from Starlet and Tangerine through The Florida Project and Red Rocket.
Ani...
- 5/21/2024
- by David Rooney
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Give Me Liberty director Kirill Mikhanovsky with producer/co-writer Alice Austen: "We didn't have the title for a very long time. In the process of the writing of scenes and simple plots, we're talking about more profound things, philosophizing, if you will." Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze
Kirill Mikhanovsky and Alice Austen joined me in New York for an in-depth conversation on their madcap adventure Give Me Liberty, shot by Wyatt Garfield (Kent Jones's Diane), starring Chris Galust, Maxim Stoyanov, and Lauren 'Lolo' Spencer, with Arkady Basin, Zoya Makhlina, Darya Ekamasova, Sheryl Sims-Daniels, Atavia Gold Star, Steve Wolski, and Josette Daniels.
Lolo Spencer in New York for Give Me Liberty Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze
We discussed how Maxim Stoyanov kept saying "Leonardo DiCaprio dies at the end of Titanic!", the evolution of the screenplay, Karl Ove Knausgaard and Alexis de Tocqueville, the determination it took to make Give Me Liberty, and...
Kirill Mikhanovsky and Alice Austen joined me in New York for an in-depth conversation on their madcap adventure Give Me Liberty, shot by Wyatt Garfield (Kent Jones's Diane), starring Chris Galust, Maxim Stoyanov, and Lauren 'Lolo' Spencer, with Arkady Basin, Zoya Makhlina, Darya Ekamasova, Sheryl Sims-Daniels, Atavia Gold Star, Steve Wolski, and Josette Daniels.
Lolo Spencer in New York for Give Me Liberty Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze
We discussed how Maxim Stoyanov kept saying "Leonardo DiCaprio dies at the end of Titanic!", the evolution of the screenplay, Karl Ove Knausgaard and Alexis de Tocqueville, the determination it took to make Give Me Liberty, and...
- 9/2/2019
- by Anne-Katrin Titze
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Brittany Runs a Marathon jumps into five New York and Los Angeles theaters this weekend ahead of a steady sprint nationwide in September. Amazon Studios picked up the title, starring Jillian Bell, following its Sundance premiere earlier this year. Fellow Sundancer Give Me Liberty from the festival’s Next section heads to select locations via Music Box Films, while IFC Films is opening literary drama-romance Vita & Virginia exclusively in Manhattan ahead of its L.A. bow and on-demand launch next week. Also in theaters as the summer vacation season begins its wind-down are horror film Tigers Are Not Afraid from Shudder and drama Hot Air with Neve Campbell, Steve Coogan and Judith Light via Freestyle Releasing.
Additional limited releases include Roadside Attractions’ Fiddler: A Miracle of Miracles and Ammo Content’s Becoming Burlesque.
Brittany Runs a Marathon
Director-writer: Paul Downs Colaizzo
Cast: Jillian Bell, Michaela Watkins, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Lil Rel Howery,...
Additional limited releases include Roadside Attractions’ Fiddler: A Miracle of Miracles and Ammo Content’s Becoming Burlesque.
Brittany Runs a Marathon
Director-writer: Paul Downs Colaizzo
Cast: Jillian Bell, Michaela Watkins, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Lil Rel Howery,...
- 8/23/2019
- by Brian Brooks
- Deadline Film + TV
"They can't do what you can do, that's why you're doing what you do." Music Box Films has debuted the first official trailer for an indie dramedy titled Give Me Liberty, which first premiered at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year. It also played in Directors' Fortnight at the Cannes Film Festival, as well as at BAMcinemaFest and at the Munich Film Festival this year. When a riot breaks out in Milwaukee, America's most segregated city, medical transport driver Vic is torn between his promise to take a group of elderly Russians to a funeral and his desire to help Tracy, a young black woman with Als. Give Me Liberty stars disabled actress Lauren "Lolo" Spencer, with Chris Galust, Maksim Stoyanov, Darya Ekamasova, and Zoya Makhlina. This looks a bit quirky, and odd, and original. It seems as if they're not sure how to sell it - drama, comedy,...
- 8/5/2019
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Independent film stalwart Ben Barenholtz, longtime supporter of David Lynch and the Coen brothers, died Wednesday in Prague after a brief illness. He was 83.
Barenholtz had been living in Prague at the time of his death, according to his friend Sony Pictures Classics executive Tom Prassis. He died in his sleep surrounded by friends, Prassis added.
Barenholtz was also a Holocaust survivor and blogged in 2010 about his experiences of escaping into the Polish countryside with 11 other people at the age of eight. He lived in the woods for two years before the war came to an end.
Barenholtz began his career in the 1960s in New York City running the now-defunct Village Theater and the Elgin Cinema. He’s credited with pioneering the concept of midnight-movie showings, including Alejandro Jodoworsky’s “El Topo,” John Waters’ “Pink Flamingos,” the six-hour Russian production of “War and Peace” and Ken Russell’s “The Devils.
Barenholtz had been living in Prague at the time of his death, according to his friend Sony Pictures Classics executive Tom Prassis. He died in his sleep surrounded by friends, Prassis added.
Barenholtz was also a Holocaust survivor and blogged in 2010 about his experiences of escaping into the Polish countryside with 11 other people at the age of eight. He lived in the woods for two years before the war came to an end.
Barenholtz began his career in the 1960s in New York City running the now-defunct Village Theater and the Elgin Cinema. He’s credited with pioneering the concept of midnight-movie showings, including Alejandro Jodoworsky’s “El Topo,” John Waters’ “Pink Flamingos,” the six-hour Russian production of “War and Peace” and Ken Russell’s “The Devils.
- 6/27/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Ben Barenholtz, a veteran of the distribution and exhibition world who plucked David Lynch from obscurity and invented the concept of the midnight movie, died last night in Prague after a brief illness. He was 83.
Over the course of more than 50 years, Barenholtz was a major figure in the independent film community who wore a lot of hats. He began his career in the late sixties running the now-defunct Village Theater (later the Filmore East) followed by a successful stint launching the Elgin Cinema. It was there that he pioneered the concept of buzzy midnight-movie sensations, including a six-month stint for Alejandro Jodoworsky’s “El Topo” and John Waters’ “Pink Flamingos.” He also took big gambles on daring cinematic achievements, such as the six-hour Russian production of “War and Peace” and Ken Russell’s “The Devils.”
Barenholtz then ventured into distribution with Libra Films, which boasted an adventurous slate throughout...
Over the course of more than 50 years, Barenholtz was a major figure in the independent film community who wore a lot of hats. He began his career in the late sixties running the now-defunct Village Theater (later the Filmore East) followed by a successful stint launching the Elgin Cinema. It was there that he pioneered the concept of buzzy midnight-movie sensations, including a six-month stint for Alejandro Jodoworsky’s “El Topo” and John Waters’ “Pink Flamingos.” He also took big gambles on daring cinematic achievements, such as the six-hour Russian production of “War and Peace” and Ken Russell’s “The Devils.”
Barenholtz then ventured into distribution with Libra Films, which boasted an adventurous slate throughout...
- 6/27/2019
- by Eric Kohn
- Indiewire
[Editor’s Note: The following review contains spoilers for “The Americans” Season 6, Episode 4, “Mr. and Mrs. Teacup.”]
Who thought a montage involving Paige making out and Philip line dancing could be so heartbreaking?
Thus is the power of “The Americans,” as showrunners Joel Fields and Joe Weisberg almost simultaneously doled out pleasure and pain in a bone-chilling fourth episode. Philip (Matthew Rhys) clung to his simple pleasures while he could, retreating to his favorite country bar to kick off his boots with coworkers before snacking on potato chips over a pile of mounting bills. Paige’s (Holly Taylor) date turned from a fun night out to a professional conflict as she stared at her sleeping beau’s valuable ID badge. And then there’s Elizabeth (Keri Russell): so close to getting what she needs, only to be left with nothing yet again.
She’s tired, and we’re scared. Much like joy and sorrow are contradictory emotions, each...
Who thought a montage involving Paige making out and Philip line dancing could be so heartbreaking?
Thus is the power of “The Americans,” as showrunners Joel Fields and Joe Weisberg almost simultaneously doled out pleasure and pain in a bone-chilling fourth episode. Philip (Matthew Rhys) clung to his simple pleasures while he could, retreating to his favorite country bar to kick off his boots with coworkers before snacking on potato chips over a pile of mounting bills. Paige’s (Holly Taylor) date turned from a fun night out to a professional conflict as she stared at her sleeping beau’s valuable ID badge. And then there’s Elizabeth (Keri Russell): so close to getting what she needs, only to be left with nothing yet again.
She’s tired, and we’re scared. Much like joy and sorrow are contradictory emotions, each...
- 4/19/2018
- by Ben Travers
- Indiewire
Back in April, producer Ben Barenholtz announced that he would be making his feature film directorial debut with “Alina.” Now, the 80-year-old legend has completed principal photography on the movie and has created a Kickstarter campaign to help fund the project’s post-production.
“Alina,” also written by Barenholtz, stars award-winning actress Darya Ekamasova as a Russian woman who goes to New York in search of the father she never met.
“Principal photography has been completed with a fantastic cast and crew,” says the helmer on the Kickstarter page. “I am now in the editing process and I think I have a good film but I won’t know how good it is until we finish post-production. And I need your help to do that.”
Read More: Producer Ben Barenholtz to Make Directing Debut at Age 80 (Exclusive)
At the time of this publication, Barenholtz’s campaign has raised over $24,000 of its $80,000 goal.
“Alina,” also written by Barenholtz, stars award-winning actress Darya Ekamasova as a Russian woman who goes to New York in search of the father she never met.
“Principal photography has been completed with a fantastic cast and crew,” says the helmer on the Kickstarter page. “I am now in the editing process and I think I have a good film but I won’t know how good it is until we finish post-production. And I need your help to do that.”
Read More: Producer Ben Barenholtz to Make Directing Debut at Age 80 (Exclusive)
At the time of this publication, Barenholtz’s campaign has raised over $24,000 of its $80,000 goal.
- 7/5/2016
- by Liz Calvario
- Indiewire
Name and focus changes for every section, which are now all competitive, resulting in the festival’s structure being “slimmer’.
The ninth Rome Film Festival (Oct 16-25) has revealed a diverse line-up including the Italian premieres for potential awards contenders including David Fincher’s Gone Girl. the world premiere of Takashi Miike’s As the Gods Will and Burhan Qurbani’s We are Young, We are Strong and European premiere of Oren Moverman’s Time Out of Mind, Toronto hit Still Alice and Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet.
This year for the first time the award-winners in each section of the programme will be decided by the audience on the basis of votes cast after the screenings.
Each section has changed name and focus for 2014 and are all competitive, resulting in the festival’s structure being “slimmer’.
Italian comedies Soap Opera and Andiamo a Quel Paese bookend the line-up.
Full line-up
Cinema D’Oggi
World premiere
• Angely...
The ninth Rome Film Festival (Oct 16-25) has revealed a diverse line-up including the Italian premieres for potential awards contenders including David Fincher’s Gone Girl. the world premiere of Takashi Miike’s As the Gods Will and Burhan Qurbani’s We are Young, We are Strong and European premiere of Oren Moverman’s Time Out of Mind, Toronto hit Still Alice and Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet.
This year for the first time the award-winners in each section of the programme will be decided by the audience on the basis of votes cast after the screenings.
Each section has changed name and focus for 2014 and are all competitive, resulting in the festival’s structure being “slimmer’.
Italian comedies Soap Opera and Andiamo a Quel Paese bookend the line-up.
Full line-up
Cinema D’Oggi
World premiere
• Angely...
- 9/29/2014
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
Two Indian actors Manoj Bajpayee and Vidya Balan won nominations for the 6th Asia Pacific Screen Awards to be held on November 23 in Brisbane, Australia.
Manoj Bajpayee won a nomination in “Best Performance by an Actor” category for Gangs of Wasseypur.
Vidya Balan has been nominated for “Best Performance by a Actress” for The Dirty Picture.
Read also Gangs of Wasseypur and Gattu nominated for Asia Pacific Screen Awards 2012
Established in 2007, the APSAs are one of the highest accolade in film in the Asia Pacific region. Apsa is headquartered in Brisbane, Queensland and is an initiative of the Queensland Government, Australia.
Complete list of nominations:
Best Feature Film
Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time [South Korea]
Bear [Iran]
The Horde
[Russia]
Beyond the Hill
[Turkey]
Wu Xia
[Hong Kong, China]
Best Children’S Feature Film
My Australia
[Poland, Israel]
Gattu [India]
I Wish [Japan]
The Mirror Never Lies
[Indonesia]
Off White Lies
[Israel]
Best Documentary Feature Film
5 Broken Cameras [Israel, Palestine, France]
In My Mother’s Arms...
Manoj Bajpayee won a nomination in “Best Performance by an Actor” category for Gangs of Wasseypur.
Vidya Balan has been nominated for “Best Performance by a Actress” for The Dirty Picture.
Read also Gangs of Wasseypur and Gattu nominated for Asia Pacific Screen Awards 2012
Established in 2007, the APSAs are one of the highest accolade in film in the Asia Pacific region. Apsa is headquartered in Brisbane, Queensland and is an initiative of the Queensland Government, Australia.
Complete list of nominations:
Best Feature Film
Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time [South Korea]
Bear [Iran]
The Horde
[Russia]
Beyond the Hill
[Turkey]
Wu Xia
[Hong Kong, China]
Best Children’S Feature Film
My Australia
[Poland, Israel]
Gattu [India]
I Wish [Japan]
The Mirror Never Lies
[Indonesia]
Off White Lies
[Israel]
Best Documentary Feature Film
5 Broken Cameras [Israel, Palestine, France]
In My Mother’s Arms...
- 10/12/2012
- by NewsDesk
- DearCinema.com
Gattu by Rajan Khosa has been nominated in “Best Children’s Feature Film” category at the 6th Asia Pacific Screen Awards (Read Rajan Khosa’s interview here). The 2012 Asia Pacific Screen Awards announced its nominations today.
Anurag Kashyap has been nominated for “Achievement in Directing” for Gangs of Wasseypur (Read Anurag Kashyap’s interview here). Manoj Bajpayee won a nomination for the same film in “Best Performance by an Actor” category.
Vidya Balan has been nominated for “Best Performance by an Actress” for The Dirty Picture.
Established in 2007, the APSAs are one of the highest accolade in film in the Asia Pacific region. Apsa is headquartered in Brisbane, Queensland and is an initiative of the Queensland Government, Australia.
All winners in the 6th annual Asia Pacific Screen Awards will be announced at a ceremony on Friday November 23 in Brisbane, Australia.
Complete list of nominations:
Best Feature Film
Nameless Gangster: Rules...
Anurag Kashyap has been nominated for “Achievement in Directing” for Gangs of Wasseypur (Read Anurag Kashyap’s interview here). Manoj Bajpayee won a nomination for the same film in “Best Performance by an Actor” category.
Vidya Balan has been nominated for “Best Performance by an Actress” for The Dirty Picture.
Established in 2007, the APSAs are one of the highest accolade in film in the Asia Pacific region. Apsa is headquartered in Brisbane, Queensland and is an initiative of the Queensland Government, Australia.
All winners in the 6th annual Asia Pacific Screen Awards will be announced at a ceremony on Friday November 23 in Brisbane, Australia.
Complete list of nominations:
Best Feature Film
Nameless Gangster: Rules...
- 10/12/2012
- by NewsDesk
- DearCinema.com
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