“Shōgun” is officially in the drama race for the Primetime Emmys.
FX has confirmed that the once limited or anthology series heavyweight has been officially submitted and accepted in the drama categories, where it will compete against Netflix’s “The Crown,” Apple’s “The Morning Show” and Prime Video’s “Fallout.” In addition, the network has shared exclusively with Variety the complete list of 40 Emmy submissions, which includes six submissions for directing, four for writing, and two eligible guest actors. HBO’s “Game of Thrones” currently holds the record for most nominations in a single year with 32. Could FX break the monumental record?
Following the announcement that FX, Hulu, and the estate of James Clavell — who authored the novel — are working on developing more seasons of the critically acclaimed series, “Shōgun” is now officially eligible to compete in the drama races after being commissioned as limited. The move puts the...
FX has confirmed that the once limited or anthology series heavyweight has been officially submitted and accepted in the drama categories, where it will compete against Netflix’s “The Crown,” Apple’s “The Morning Show” and Prime Video’s “Fallout.” In addition, the network has shared exclusively with Variety the complete list of 40 Emmy submissions, which includes six submissions for directing, four for writing, and two eligible guest actors. HBO’s “Game of Thrones” currently holds the record for most nominations in a single year with 32. Could FX break the monumental record?
Following the announcement that FX, Hulu, and the estate of James Clavell — who authored the novel — are working on developing more seasons of the critically acclaimed series, “Shōgun” is now officially eligible to compete in the drama races after being commissioned as limited. The move puts the...
- 5/16/2024
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Plans feel inevitable when they come together as neatly as Toranaga’s (Hiroyuki Sanada) play for power over the throne of Japan. But the team behind Toranaga — and the rest of the characters on FX’s now complete miniseries “Shogun” — had to work just as hard as the warlord to finesse an ending that feels as right as this one does.
Episode 10, “A Dream of a Dream,” was a huge combined effort for editors Aika Miyake and Maria Gonzales, who each worked on three other episodes in addition to their shared credit on the finale. There were the normal challenges of assembling an edit, from placing incomplete VFX shots meant to convey the scale of Osaka to temp sound and score that will hopefully convey the loneliness of Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) missing Mariko’s (Anna Sawai) funeral. That’s a lot for any editor to hold in their mind — in...
Episode 10, “A Dream of a Dream,” was a huge combined effort for editors Aika Miyake and Maria Gonzales, who each worked on three other episodes in addition to their shared credit on the finale. There were the normal challenges of assembling an edit, from placing incomplete VFX shots meant to convey the scale of Osaka to temp sound and score that will hopefully convey the loneliness of Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) missing Mariko’s (Anna Sawai) funeral. That’s a lot for any editor to hold in their mind — in...
- 4/23/2024
- by Sarah Shachat
- Indiewire
HBO has released the official trailer for its seven-episode limited series The Sympathizer, which will premiere on Sunday, April 14 (9:00-10:00 p.m. Et/Pt). In addition to premiering on HBO, the series will be available to stream on Max.
Based on Viet Thanh Nguyen’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name, The Sympathizer is an espionage thriller and cross-culture satire about the struggles of a half-French, half-Vietnamese communist spy during the final days of the Vietnam War and his new life as a refugee in Los Angeles, where he learns that his spying days aren’t over.
Park Chan-wook and Don McKellar co-showrun and executive produce the show, which comes from A24.
The series stars Hoa Xuande, Fred Nguyen Khan, Toan Le, Phanxine, Vy Le, Ky Duyen, Kieu Chinh, Duy Nguyen, Alan Trong, Emmy winner Sandra Oh, and Academy Award nominee Robert Downey Jr., who plays multiple roles.
Based on Viet Thanh Nguyen’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name, The Sympathizer is an espionage thriller and cross-culture satire about the struggles of a half-French, half-Vietnamese communist spy during the final days of the Vietnam War and his new life as a refugee in Los Angeles, where he learns that his spying days aren’t over.
Park Chan-wook and Don McKellar co-showrun and executive produce the show, which comes from A24.
The series stars Hoa Xuande, Fred Nguyen Khan, Toan Le, Phanxine, Vy Le, Ky Duyen, Kieu Chinh, Duy Nguyen, Alan Trong, Emmy winner Sandra Oh, and Academy Award nominee Robert Downey Jr., who plays multiple roles.
- 3/28/2024
- by Mirko Parlevliet
- Vital Thrills
Robert Downey Jr. may newly be wearing the title of Oscar winner, but the “Oppenheimer” star is shedding all semblance of self for Park Chan-wook’s “The Sympathizer.”
Downey is a chameleon in multiple roles for the HBO seven-episode limited series, co-showrun by Park and Don McKellar who both executive produce. “The Sympathizer” is based on Viet Thanh Nguyen’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name and is at once an espionage thriller and cross-culture satire about the struggles of a half-French, half-Vietnamese communist spy (Hoa Xuande) during the final days of the Vietnam War. As he starts his new life as a refugee in Los Angeles he learns that his spying days aren’t over.
“The Sympathizer” cast also includes Sandra Oh, Fred Nguyen Khan, Toan Le, Phanxine, Vy Le, Ky Duyen, Kieu Chinh, Duy Nguyen, and Alan Trong. The series is a co-production between A24 and HBO,...
Downey is a chameleon in multiple roles for the HBO seven-episode limited series, co-showrun by Park and Don McKellar who both executive produce. “The Sympathizer” is based on Viet Thanh Nguyen’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name and is at once an espionage thriller and cross-culture satire about the struggles of a half-French, half-Vietnamese communist spy (Hoa Xuande) during the final days of the Vietnam War. As he starts his new life as a refugee in Los Angeles he learns that his spying days aren’t over.
“The Sympathizer” cast also includes Sandra Oh, Fred Nguyen Khan, Toan Le, Phanxine, Vy Le, Ky Duyen, Kieu Chinh, Duy Nguyen, and Alan Trong. The series is a co-production between A24 and HBO,...
- 3/28/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Warner Bros. Discovery has announced the movies, TV shows, and live sports that will be available on the Max streaming service in April. The Max April 2024 lineup includes the HBO original limited series The Sympathizer, the Max original unscripted series Conan O’Brien Must Go, and the HBO original comedy special Alex Edelman: Just for Us.
The April schedule also includes the HBO original documentary series The Jinx – Part Two and The Synanon Fix, the HBO original documentaries Brandy Hellville & The Cult Of Fast Fashion and An American Bombing: The Road to April 19th, season four of HBO original We’re Here, And A24’s The Zone of Interest.
Sports fans will be able to watch live games from the 2024 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship and studio coverage airing on TBS, TNT, and truTV. The coverage will include the 2024 NCAA Men’s Final Four National Semifinals and the 2024 Men’s National Championship.
The April schedule also includes the HBO original documentary series The Jinx – Part Two and The Synanon Fix, the HBO original documentaries Brandy Hellville & The Cult Of Fast Fashion and An American Bombing: The Road to April 19th, season four of HBO original We’re Here, And A24’s The Zone of Interest.
Sports fans will be able to watch live games from the 2024 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship and studio coverage airing on TBS, TNT, and truTV. The coverage will include the 2024 NCAA Men’s Final Four National Semifinals and the 2024 Men’s National Championship.
- 3/23/2024
- by Mirko Parlevliet
- Vital Thrills
Maegan Houang Depicts the Genesis of America’s Asian Exploitation in Drama ‘Astonishing Little Feet’
America’s deep, dark history of exploiting other countries and their cultures is so embedded in the fabric of its society that even though it has progressed, it’s still battling the remnants of those unethical values. Maegan Houang, who is no stranger to Dn’s pages, tackles the USA’s exploitation of Asian immigrants specifically in her latest short Astonishing Little Feet by looking at its genesis. She takes real-life figure, Afong Moy, the first documented Chinese woman to come to the United States, and portrays an encounter she has with the men who have separated her from her family. It’s a subtle, visually fascinating depiction of the early seeds of cultural exploitation, the fruits of which are still being felt today. Dn joined Houang once again to learn more about her short, talking through its journey from being a potential VR project, the challenges of sourcing the finances to get it made,...
- 2/28/2024
- by James Maitre
- Directors Notes
Oscar frontrunner Robert Downey Jr. stars alongside newcomer Hoa Xuande as well as Emmy nominee Sandra Oh, Fred Nguyen Khan, Toan Le, Phanxine, Vy Le, Ky Duyen, Kieu Chinh, Duy Nguyen, and Alan Trong – and then also Downey, Downey, and Downey again – in the new series “The Sympathizer.” The limited event from acclaimed director Park Chan-wook (“Oldboy”) and Don McKellar debuts on HBO beginning April 14.
About the Downey of it all: The “Oppenheimer” star, who is widely expected to win his first Oscar for the film during the Academy Awards on March 10, plays four roles in “The Sympathizer,” with each distinct character representing a form of American imperialism.
“I was astounded by how quickly he was able to come up with a very different performance—he’d do a different improv for each and every take,” Park told Vanity Fair in an interview published Thursday to coincide with the new...
About the Downey of it all: The “Oppenheimer” star, who is widely expected to win his first Oscar for the film during the Academy Awards on March 10, plays four roles in “The Sympathizer,” with each distinct character representing a form of American imperialism.
“I was astounded by how quickly he was able to come up with a very different performance—he’d do a different improv for each and every take,” Park told Vanity Fair in an interview published Thursday to coincide with the new...
- 2/15/2024
- by Christopher Rosen
- Gold Derby
HBO has released a new trailer and set a premiere date for The Sympathizer — a date will allow the show to just make it under the wire for Emmy eligibility.
The limited series, based on Viet Thanh Nguyen’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, is part spy thriller and part satire. It follows the Captain (Hoa Xuande), a half-French, half-Vietnamese communist spy through the final days of the Vietnam War and in his new life as a refugee in Los Angeles, where he learns that his spying days aren’t over. It’s scheduled to premiere April 14, which would put its seventh and last episode on May 26, a few days before the eligibility window for the 2024 Emmys closes.
Ordered to series in July 2021, The Sympathizer is a co-production of HBO, A24 and Rhombus Media, in association with Moho Film and Cinetic Media. Don McKellar (Sensitive Skin, Last Night) and Park Chan-wook (Oldboy...
The limited series, based on Viet Thanh Nguyen’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, is part spy thriller and part satire. It follows the Captain (Hoa Xuande), a half-French, half-Vietnamese communist spy through the final days of the Vietnam War and in his new life as a refugee in Los Angeles, where he learns that his spying days aren’t over. It’s scheduled to premiere April 14, which would put its seventh and last episode on May 26, a few days before the eligibility window for the 2024 Emmys closes.
Ordered to series in July 2021, The Sympathizer is a co-production of HBO, A24 and Rhombus Media, in association with Moho Film and Cinetic Media. Don McKellar (Sensitive Skin, Last Night) and Park Chan-wook (Oldboy...
- 2/15/2024
- by Rick Porter
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Syfy has announced its spring and summer slate of television series, including “Chucky” and “Reginald the Vampire.”
The network revealed the dates during NBCUniversal’s portion of the TV Critics Assn. winter press tour in Pasadena. The second half of Season 3 of “Chucky” will premiere April 10 at 10 p.m. Et/Pt. Season 2 of “Reginald the Vampire” will premiere May 8 at 10 p.m. and Season 2 of “The Ark” will arrive in the summer. Additionally, the horror drama “SurrealEstate” has been renewed for Season 3.
In Season 3 of “Chucky,” the murderous doll finds himself in the White House. Meanwhile, “Reginald the Vampire” follows a man who “finally got his life together when he was turned into a vampire.”
“The Ark” is set “100 years in the future when planetary colonization missions have begun as a necessity to help secure the survival of the human race. The first of these missions on a spacecraft known...
The network revealed the dates during NBCUniversal’s portion of the TV Critics Assn. winter press tour in Pasadena. The second half of Season 3 of “Chucky” will premiere April 10 at 10 p.m. Et/Pt. Season 2 of “Reginald the Vampire” will premiere May 8 at 10 p.m. and Season 2 of “The Ark” will arrive in the summer. Additionally, the horror drama “SurrealEstate” has been renewed for Season 3.
In Season 3 of “Chucky,” the murderous doll finds himself in the White House. Meanwhile, “Reginald the Vampire” follows a man who “finally got his life together when he was turned into a vampire.”
“The Ark” is set “100 years in the future when planetary colonization missions have begun as a necessity to help secure the survival of the human race. The first of these missions on a spacecraft known...
- 2/14/2024
- by Jaden Thompson, Diego Ramos Bechara and Caroline Brew
- Variety Film + TV
Updated with details on Best Director winner Christina Yoon and other awards: The 19th HollyShorts Film Festival has handed out its awards, including the Grand Prix Best Short Award to We Were Meant To, an honor that comes with a $60,000 prize from Panavision.
Tari Wariebi directed We Were Meant To, set in a reality where “Black men have wings and their first flight is a rite of passage.” The film stars Tim Johnson Jr. The Grand Prix Award qualifies the short for Oscar consideration. Also qualifying for the Oscars are Misan Harriman’s The After, which won Best Live Action Short, Rita Basulto’s Humo (Smoke), winner of the Best Animation Award, and Elisa Gambino’s Every Day After, winner of Best Documentary Short.
‘Humo’
The After stars David Oyelowo and Jessica Plummer. Animated winner Humo, meanwhile, “follows a boy called Daniel, who travels to a dark destination known as the smokehouse.
Tari Wariebi directed We Were Meant To, set in a reality where “Black men have wings and their first flight is a rite of passage.” The film stars Tim Johnson Jr. The Grand Prix Award qualifies the short for Oscar consideration. Also qualifying for the Oscars are Misan Harriman’s The After, which won Best Live Action Short, Rita Basulto’s Humo (Smoke), winner of the Best Animation Award, and Elisa Gambino’s Every Day After, winner of Best Documentary Short.
‘Humo’
The After stars David Oyelowo and Jessica Plummer. Animated winner Humo, meanwhile, “follows a boy called Daniel, who travels to a dark destination known as the smokehouse.
- 8/21/2023
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
In a HollyShorts Film Festival awards ceremony that took place at midnight the day before a tropical storm was scheduled to his Los Angeles, Tari Wariebi’s “We Were Meant To” won a $60,000 prize and with the win qualified for the Academy Award in the Best Live Action Short category.
The awards were originally scheduled to be handed out on Sunday evening at the TLC Chinese Theatre, but they were moved to the unusual Saturday midnight slot as Hurricane Hilary approached.
“We Were Meant To,” set in a world where Black men can fly, won the Grand Prix for the best short in the 10-day festival, which began on Aug. 10 at the Chinese 6 Theatres in Hollywood. For the first time, the top film also received a $60,000 prize from Panasonic, in addition to the Oscar qualification.
Three other films also qualified for this year’s Oscars by winning awards at HollyShorts: Misan Harriman’s “The After,...
The awards were originally scheduled to be handed out on Sunday evening at the TLC Chinese Theatre, but they were moved to the unusual Saturday midnight slot as Hurricane Hilary approached.
“We Were Meant To,” set in a world where Black men can fly, won the Grand Prix for the best short in the 10-day festival, which began on Aug. 10 at the Chinese 6 Theatres in Hollywood. For the first time, the top film also received a $60,000 prize from Panasonic, in addition to the Oscar qualification.
Three other films also qualified for this year’s Oscars by winning awards at HollyShorts: Misan Harriman’s “The After,...
- 8/20/2023
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
HBO has released the official teaser and a new photo for the original limited series The Sympathizer. Park Chan-wook and Don McKellar co-showrun and executive produce. The new footage introduces the cast led by Hoa Xuande, Fred Nguyen Khan, Toan Le, Ky Duyen, and Sandra Oh and reveals star and executive producer Robert Downey Jr., who plays multiple roles. The teaser was shown today exclusively during Warner Bros. Discovery’s unveiling of the Max streaming service on the Warner Bros. lot in Los Angeles.
Logline: Based on Viet Thanh Nguyen’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name, The Sympathizer is an espionage thriller and cross-culture satire about the struggles of a half-French, half-Vietnamese communist spy during the final days of the Vietnam War and his resulting exile in the United States.
Cast: Hoa Xuande, Fred Nguyen Khan, Toan Le, Vy Le, Alan Trong, Vy Le, Ky Duyen, with Sandra Oh,...
Logline: Based on Viet Thanh Nguyen’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name, The Sympathizer is an espionage thriller and cross-culture satire about the struggles of a half-French, half-Vietnamese communist spy during the final days of the Vietnam War and his resulting exile in the United States.
Cast: Hoa Xuande, Fred Nguyen Khan, Toan Le, Vy Le, Alan Trong, Vy Le, Ky Duyen, with Sandra Oh,...
- 4/12/2023
- by TV Shows Martin Cid Magazine
- Martin Cid - TV
HBO debuted the first trailer for “The Sympathizer,” a new limited series from acclaimed filmmaker Park Chan-wook that the network will debut in 2024.
Based on Viet Thanh Nguyen’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name, the show “is an espionage thriller and cross-culture satire about the struggles of a half-French, half-Vietnamese communist spy during the final days of the Vietnam War and his resulting exile in the United States,” per a logline provided by HBO.
Hoa Xuande plays the lead role, with Fred Nguyen Khan, Toan Le, Ky Duyen, and Sandra Oh providing support. Robert Downey Jr., an executive producer on the project, plays multiple supporting parts in the project as teased in the trailer.
“Working with Robert — he’s such an amazing actor and such an energetic man and a joy to be around. It’s been really great to be working with him,” Park said in an interview last year with Variety.
Based on Viet Thanh Nguyen’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name, the show “is an espionage thriller and cross-culture satire about the struggles of a half-French, half-Vietnamese communist spy during the final days of the Vietnam War and his resulting exile in the United States,” per a logline provided by HBO.
Hoa Xuande plays the lead role, with Fred Nguyen Khan, Toan Le, Ky Duyen, and Sandra Oh providing support. Robert Downey Jr., an executive producer on the project, plays multiple supporting parts in the project as teased in the trailer.
“Working with Robert — he’s such an amazing actor and such an energetic man and a joy to be around. It’s been really great to be working with him,” Park said in an interview last year with Variety.
- 4/12/2023
- by Christopher Rosen
- Gold Derby
You like one Robert Downey, Jr., yes, but what about several of them? That seems to have been the pitch behind "The Sympathizer," HBO Max's -- sorry, make that Max now, per Warner Bros. Discovery's new rebranding effort -- new limited series from acclaimed South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook. The explosive story is based on author Viet Thanh Nguyen's Pulitzer Prize-winning book of the same name and is led by "Cowboy Bepop" star Hoa Xuande as a North Vietnamese spy hiding in plain sight in the United States. Set during the waning days of the Vietnam War, the politically charged thriller promises to retain all the potency of the original novel. Oh, and Downey, Jr. shows up to portray several different characters in wildly different getups, representing various elements of U.S. bureaucracy.
As part of a special presentation earlier today, Warner Bros. Discovery unveiled the new...
As part of a special presentation earlier today, Warner Bros. Discovery unveiled the new...
- 4/12/2023
- by Jeremy Mathai
- Slash Film
Robert Downey Jr. is a master of disguise in the trailer for “The Sympathizer,” a new spy series coming in 2024 to HBO’s rebranded Max streaming service.
Based on Viet Thanh Nguyen’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, “The Sympathizer” stars Hoa Xuande (“Cowboy Bebop”) as a spy for North Vietnam who becomes embedded in L.A.’s refugee community. Headed by Park Chan-wook, who serves as co-showrunner, executive producer, writer and director, “The Sympathizer’s” official logline describes the show as “an espionage thriller and cross-culture satire about the struggles of a half-French, half-Vietnamese communist spy during the final days of the Vietnam War and his resulting exile in the United States.”
Downey Jr., who is as an executive producer on the project alongside his wife Susan Downey, takes on several roles in the show. Each of Downey Jr.’s characters have their own distinct look, as depicted in the trailer,...
Based on Viet Thanh Nguyen’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, “The Sympathizer” stars Hoa Xuande (“Cowboy Bebop”) as a spy for North Vietnam who becomes embedded in L.A.’s refugee community. Headed by Park Chan-wook, who serves as co-showrunner, executive producer, writer and director, “The Sympathizer’s” official logline describes the show as “an espionage thriller and cross-culture satire about the struggles of a half-French, half-Vietnamese communist spy during the final days of the Vietnam War and his resulting exile in the United States.”
Downey Jr., who is as an executive producer on the project alongside his wife Susan Downey, takes on several roles in the show. Each of Downey Jr.’s characters have their own distinct look, as depicted in the trailer,...
- 4/12/2023
- by Ellise Shafer
- Variety Film + TV
“Decision to Leave” director Park Chan-wook is headed to television.
HBO has released the official teaser and a new photo for the original limited series “The Sympathizer.” Park and Don McKellar co-showrun and executive produce the series based on Viet Thanh Nguyen’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name.
The new footage introduces the cast led by Hoa Xuande, Fred Nguyen Khan, Toan Le, Ky Duyen, and Sandra Oh and reveals star and executive producer Robert Downey Jr., who plays multiple roles as the main antagonists. The teaser was shown today exclusively during Warner Bros. Discovery’s unveiling of the Max streaming service on the Warner Bros. lot in Los Angeles.
Per the official HBO logline, “The Sympathizer” is an espionage thriller and cross-culture satire about the struggles of a half-French, half-Vietnamese communist spy during the final days of the Vietnam War and his resulting exile in the United States.
HBO has released the official teaser and a new photo for the original limited series “The Sympathizer.” Park and Don McKellar co-showrun and executive produce the series based on Viet Thanh Nguyen’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name.
The new footage introduces the cast led by Hoa Xuande, Fred Nguyen Khan, Toan Le, Ky Duyen, and Sandra Oh and reveals star and executive producer Robert Downey Jr., who plays multiple roles as the main antagonists. The teaser was shown today exclusively during Warner Bros. Discovery’s unveiling of the Max streaming service on the Warner Bros. lot in Los Angeles.
Per the official HBO logline, “The Sympathizer” is an espionage thriller and cross-culture satire about the struggles of a half-French, half-Vietnamese communist spy during the final days of the Vietnam War and his resulting exile in the United States.
- 4/12/2023
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
Jamojaya takes its name after a legend: As relayed in an animated sequence narrated by Joyo (Yayu A.W. Unru), Jamojaya was a prince transformed against his will into a banyan tree. In an act of love, his brother turns himself into a bird to look for him. But their inability to communicate keeps a proper reunion forever out of reach — the bird unable to recognize his brother’s new form, the tree unable to reveal himself even when his brother stands in his branches.
It’s a story Joyo adores so much he’s named his two sons after it: James (Brian Imanuel), now an up-and-coming rapper, and Jaya, who died years ago in a plane crash. And its sense of searching permeates the entire picture, to mostly moving, occasionally frustrating effect.
Directed by Justin Chon (who, between Gook, Ms. Purple and Blue Bayou has made a specialty of bittersweet...
It’s a story Joyo adores so much he’s named his two sons after it: James (Brian Imanuel), now an up-and-coming rapper, and Jaya, who died years ago in a plane crash. And its sense of searching permeates the entire picture, to mostly moving, occasionally frustrating effect.
Directed by Justin Chon (who, between Gook, Ms. Purple and Blue Bayou has made a specialty of bittersweet...
- 1/26/2023
- by Angie Han
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
As a director, Justin Chon has long trafficked in stories about fractured families in heightened situations. “Gook” was about a pair of brothers running their father’s shoe store in the aftermath of his death and in the shadow of the Los Angeles riots. “Ms. Purple” followed estranged siblings trying to make amends with their father before his death. “Blue Bayou” cast Chon himself as an immigrant father attempting to stay in the U.S. while the government tries to toss him out.
Fathers, children, and terrible outside forces are also at play in his fifth feature film, “Jamojaya,” which continues Chon’s traditional obsessions but wraps them in filled with predictable problems, obvious baddies, and trite lessons. In expanding his viewpoint beyond his typically smaller-scale stories — both in terms of the film’s general plot, which follows a rising young rapper who learns (gasp) that the music industry is bad,...
Fathers, children, and terrible outside forces are also at play in his fifth feature film, “Jamojaya,” which continues Chon’s traditional obsessions but wraps them in filled with predictable problems, obvious baddies, and trite lessons. In expanding his viewpoint beyond his typically smaller-scale stories — both in terms of the film’s general plot, which follows a rising young rapper who learns (gasp) that the music industry is bad,...
- 1/23/2023
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Up-and-coming Indonesian rapper James (Brian Imanuel) has taken a major professional leap signing with an international label. But just as the music execs are eager to take his music global, they demand he dilute his cultural identity to appeal to industry trends in the West. Yet “Jamojaya” –the new feature from director Justin Chon, premiering at Sundance — is only partially about James’ tug of war with the greedy forces impatient to exploit him. A familial fissure haunts him as well.
The rising star has chosen to part ways professionally with his father and now former manager Joyo (Yayu A.W. Unru), a decision the latter hasn’t taken well. Under pressure to record his album in Hawaii, James initially welcomes his dad’s presence during an unexpected visit. The more time they spent together, however, the more toxic their exchanges turn.
Chon tries to bridge the two thematic threads — the parent-child...
The rising star has chosen to part ways professionally with his father and now former manager Joyo (Yayu A.W. Unru), a decision the latter hasn’t taken well. Under pressure to record his album in Hawaii, James initially welcomes his dad’s presence during an unexpected visit. The more time they spent together, however, the more toxic their exchanges turn.
Chon tries to bridge the two thematic threads — the parent-child...
- 1/23/2023
- by Carlos Aguilar
- The Wrap
Age-old stories of entertainment industry corruption and suffocating stage-parenting are given a freshly off-kilter perspective in writer-director Justin Chon’s “Jamojaya,” which zeroes in on a few days in the life of a rising Indonesian rapper as he attempts to cut professional ties with his former manager, who also happens to be his father. In many ways a bigger, flashier and more slippery companion piece to Chon’s memorable 2019 Sundance feature “Ms. Purple,” “Jamojaya” is elevated above its familiar narrative paces by sensitive camerawork and a pair of intriguing performances, and its suggestion that showbusiness ambitions and family ties don’t so much collide as unravel on parallel tracks.
The film debut for Jakarta-native rapper Brian “Rich Brian” Imanuel, who rocketed to sudden viral fame back in 2016, “Jamojaya” casts him as James, a young Mc who finds himself in the aftermath of a similar scenario. With enough heat on his...
The film debut for Jakarta-native rapper Brian “Rich Brian” Imanuel, who rocketed to sudden viral fame back in 2016, “Jamojaya” casts him as James, a young Mc who finds himself in the aftermath of a similar scenario. With enough heat on his...
- 1/23/2023
- by Andrew Barker
- Variety Film + TV
One only gets word on a new Panos Cosmatos film so often—might as well appreciate it as it comes. Though the director, who we’ve admired since Beyond the Black Rainbow shocked us a decade ago, recently set an episode of Guillermo del Toro’s Netflix anthology Cabinet of Curiosities, the four years since Mandy have been quiet. We’re accordingly thrilled he’s set Nekrokosm, a “phantasmagorical fantasy nightmare” backed by A24 and XYZ Films, with Maegan Houang scripting from an idea devised by her and the director.
However tight a lid’s kept, the stamp left by Black Rainbow and Mandy makes it easy to align initial description—that it’s “set deep within a strange galaxy where two lovers are torn apart as they try to survive a malevolent invasion”—with what may follow. Cosmatos’ visual sense could perhaps be described as a moving Omni cover,...
However tight a lid’s kept, the stamp left by Black Rainbow and Mandy makes it easy to align initial description—that it’s “set deep within a strange galaxy where two lovers are torn apart as they try to survive a malevolent invasion”—with what may follow. Cosmatos’ visual sense could perhaps be described as a moving Omni cover,...
- 3/24/2022
- by Leonard Pearce
- The Film Stage
Mandy and Beyond the Black Rainbow director Panos Cosmatos has teamed with A24 and XYZ films to produce his next trip, a scifi fantasy film called Nekrokosm. The Canadian director came up with the story with Maegan Houang who is now writing the script according to an exclusive report from THR.
Nekrokosm’s logline is being kept secret, but is described as a “phantasmagorical fantasy nightmare” and set deep within a strange galaxy where two lovers are torn apart as they try to survive a malevolent invasion.
Zing!
Nekrokosm’s logline is being kept secret, but is described as a “phantasmagorical fantasy nightmare” and set deep within a strange galaxy where two lovers are torn apart as they try to survive a malevolent invasion.
Zing!
- 3/24/2022
- QuietEarth.us
Deep within a strange galaxy, two lovers are torn apart as they try to survive a malevolent invasion in this phantasmagorical fantasy nightmare. Well this is awesome. A24 have announced that they are teaming up with XYZ Films and Greek Canadian autuer of mindwarping cinema, Panos Cosmatos for a new sci-fi fantasy film Nekrokosm. Cosmatos has already written the story and will hand over screenplay duties to Maegan Houang (pictured below). Houang credits include the limited series Shōgun at FX and A24’s The Sympathizer at HBO. A24 will produce Nekrokosm alongside Nate Bolotin of XYZ Films. XYZ Films and Panos Cosmatos have worked together since his awesome debut film Beyond the Black Rainbow back in 2010. They...
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- 3/24/2022
- Screen Anarchy
Up next from Mandy director Panos Cosmatos is a brand new sci-fi/fantasy/horror movie titled Nekrokosm, officially announced and detailed by The Hollywood Reporter today. Cosmatos is directing Nekrokosm, which is being written by Maegan Houang (Counterpart). The film is being jointly produced by A24 and Nate Bolotin of XYZ Films. THR reports this afternoon, “Nekrokosm’s […]
The post ‘Mandy’ Director Panos Cosmatos Sets Up Fantasy Nightmare Movie ‘Nekrokosm’ at A24! appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.
The post ‘Mandy’ Director Panos Cosmatos Sets Up Fantasy Nightmare Movie ‘Nekrokosm’ at A24! appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.
- 3/24/2022
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
Coinciding with Friday’s release of her hotly anticipated sixth album, Laurel Hell, singer-songwriter Mitski dropped a video for album track “Stay Soft.”
Much like the other videos produced for Laurel Hell‘s singles, “Stay Soft” draws much of its influence from psychological thrillers and horror films — of which Mitski is an admitted fan. In the film for the synth-driven song, Mitski finds herself wandering in a garden before being abducted by a pair of bizarre masked beings. In true Mitski fashion, the Maegan Houang-directed clip is heavily choreographed,...
Much like the other videos produced for Laurel Hell‘s singles, “Stay Soft” draws much of its influence from psychological thrillers and horror films — of which Mitski is an admitted fan. In the film for the synth-driven song, Mitski finds herself wandering in a garden before being abducted by a pair of bizarre masked beings. In true Mitski fashion, the Maegan Houang-directed clip is heavily choreographed,...
- 2/4/2022
- by Rolling Stone
- Rollingstone.com
A year ago, Shōgun was deep into pre-production, with several actors cast and production start date fast approaching, when FX put the limited series on hold. Last spring, Counterpart creator Justin Marks was brought on as writer and executive producer. Now, several months later, the series, based on James Clavell’s best-selling novel, is back on track and setting up a shoot in Japan with one major obstacle in sight — the Summer Olympics.
“It’s a big re-adaptation in a sense that we had many scripts and were in pre-production, and we ended up for various reasons deciding that we didn’t believe in the production plan and we didn’t think the scripts in their current form were as good as they could be,” FX Networks Chairman John Landgraf told Deadline during TCA earlier this month. “The writer (Ronan Bennett) was no longer available to keep working on those scripts,...
“It’s a big re-adaptation in a sense that we had many scripts and were in pre-production, and we ended up for various reasons deciding that we didn’t believe in the production plan and we didn’t think the scripts in their current form were as good as they could be,” FX Networks Chairman John Landgraf told Deadline during TCA earlier this month. “The writer (Ronan Bennett) was no longer available to keep working on those scripts,...
- 1/23/2020
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Can a person ever truly overcome losing someone they love? A lovely short film to watch this week. In Full Bloom is a 10-minute short made by up-and-coming filmmaker Maegan Houang, now available to watch online. The short stars legendary Vietnamese-American actress Kiều Chinh (from "M*A*S*H") and tells the story of Cecile, an elderly hoarder whose life is upended when worms trigger a black hole in her home and threaten to take her most cherished belongings. This is an impressive little short without any dialogue and striking visuals. "The film explores coping after the death of a partner, which often leads to unresolved trauma and severe mental illness. Houang’s perceptive approach sheds light on the unique circumstances that affect Vietnamese Americans, particularly older individuals within the community." I'm amused by the stop-motion animated worms, and the abundance of plants she is growing at home. Give this short a watch.
- 7/2/2019
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
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