An understated, graphic-novel-esque take on desire and connection is threaded through with humour
An affecting – and apparently real – home-birth sequence comprises the last 15 minutes of Egyptian film-maker Sam Abbas’s otherwise fictional short feature. The sudden onrush of biological imperative gives this footage a gripping undeniability and focus that this loosely collaged account of a foundering Brooklyn relationship has been searching for – or perhaps that its characters are dodging.
It’s not the film’s central couple, though, who are having a child. Present in the apartment is Jamie (Poorna Jagannathan), who with Jenna (Maya Kazan) appears to be acting as a doula, a kind of spiritual guide, to the parents-to-be. Jenna strongly resembles Tess (Nikohl Boosheri), the partner with whom we see Jenna sharing her life in the film’s initial section. They take pottery classes, traipse through an exhibition, order antidepressants; all activities grasping for completeness but undertaken with an undertow of disquiet.
An affecting – and apparently real – home-birth sequence comprises the last 15 minutes of Egyptian film-maker Sam Abbas’s otherwise fictional short feature. The sudden onrush of biological imperative gives this footage a gripping undeniability and focus that this loosely collaged account of a foundering Brooklyn relationship has been searching for – or perhaps that its characters are dodging.
It’s not the film’s central couple, though, who are having a child. Present in the apartment is Jamie (Poorna Jagannathan), who with Jenna (Maya Kazan) appears to be acting as a doula, a kind of spiritual guide, to the parents-to-be. Jenna strongly resembles Tess (Nikohl Boosheri), the partner with whom we see Jenna sharing her life in the film’s initial section. They take pottery classes, traipse through an exhibition, order antidepressants; all activities grasping for completeness but undertaken with an undertow of disquiet.
- 8/23/2021
- by Phil Hoad
- The Guardian - Film News
Sam Abbas Releases Trailer For LGBTQ Feature ‘Alia’s Birth’
Sam Abbas has released the trailer for the LGBTQ feature “Alia’s Birth,” which will release exclusively in theaters this December.
The film will feature a live home-birth with a resuscitation as well as a live set by queer superstar Nicole Moudaber in a New York warehouse hosted by Teksupport.
The cast includes Poorna Jagannathan (“Never Have I Ever”), Nikohl Boosheri (“The Bold Type”), Samuel H. Levine (“Minyan”) and Maya Kazan (“Boardwalk Empire”).
Abbas is an Egyptian-American director who recently worked on “Erēmīta,” an anthology of short documentaries produced during the Covid-19 pandemic. He produced the film with Tatiana Bears, Nicole Townsend and Neal Kumar.
In an official statement, Abbas discussed why he chose to not promote his film at a festival.
“I’m really excited to start working with a theatre booker and bring the film to cinemas in December,...
Sam Abbas has released the trailer for the LGBTQ feature “Alia’s Birth,” which will release exclusively in theaters this December.
The film will feature a live home-birth with a resuscitation as well as a live set by queer superstar Nicole Moudaber in a New York warehouse hosted by Teksupport.
The cast includes Poorna Jagannathan (“Never Have I Ever”), Nikohl Boosheri (“The Bold Type”), Samuel H. Levine (“Minyan”) and Maya Kazan (“Boardwalk Empire”).
Abbas is an Egyptian-American director who recently worked on “Erēmīta,” an anthology of short documentaries produced during the Covid-19 pandemic. He produced the film with Tatiana Bears, Nicole Townsend and Neal Kumar.
In an official statement, Abbas discussed why he chose to not promote his film at a festival.
“I’m really excited to start working with a theatre booker and bring the film to cinemas in December,...
- 6/22/2021
- by Antonio Ferme
- Variety Film + TV
Alexis Zabé’s mini-doc about a Venice Beach homeless community is the pick of this studiously serious grab-bag of shorts shot in lockdown
Do not adjust your set. The long pauses of black screen during this studiedly serious anthology of experimental shorts made by cinematographers during the pandemic lockdown are deliberate. It’s been put together by the American-Egyptian director Sam Abbas, who invited five cinematographers to take part in his lockdown challenge, shooting a film on their phones. The result feels a bit like being fed a plate of arthouse vegetables, a collection of not always easy-to-watch films, randomly connected and with a total running time of 58 minutes that, to be honest, is a bit of a slog.
The opening film is a purely experimental piece by Soledad Rodríguez, her camera prowling hungrily for images. She uses a filter or effect that makes even ordinary images look unsettlingly...
Do not adjust your set. The long pauses of black screen during this studiedly serious anthology of experimental shorts made by cinematographers during the pandemic lockdown are deliberate. It’s been put together by the American-Egyptian director Sam Abbas, who invited five cinematographers to take part in his lockdown challenge, shooting a film on their phones. The result feels a bit like being fed a plate of arthouse vegetables, a collection of not always easy-to-watch films, randomly connected and with a total running time of 58 minutes that, to be honest, is a bit of a slog.
The opening film is a purely experimental piece by Soledad Rodríguez, her camera prowling hungrily for images. She uses a filter or effect that makes even ordinary images look unsettlingly...
- 2/22/2021
- by Cath Clarke
- The Guardian - Film News
An early promo trailer has debuted for an experimental pandemic project called Erēmīta (Anthologies) (the word "Erēmīta" translates to "Hermit" in Latvian). This was conceived by Egyptian cinematographer / filmmaker Sam Abbas, and is an anthology of short docs intertwined with literature composed during the 2020 pandemic by leading DPs. Abbas explains: "I, like many others, get very excited about using certain cameras, lenses, conversations with the cinematographer, colorists, sound designers but really, everyone I work with! But when it comes down to it, if needed, cinema can be made under any circumstances... We can only make a film virtually... We all share two main things: passion and a plethora of time." Each Dp oversaw their individual film, having final cut for their piece. "There is no theme, film whatever you want, however you want with whomever you want." Featuring footage from Alexis Zabé, Ashley Connor, Antoine Héberlé, Sam Abbas, Soledad Rodríguez,...
- 1/25/2021
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
“There is no theme. Film whatever you want, however you want, with whomever you want.” This is the message that Egyptian filmmaker Sam Abbas sent to his favorite cinematographers as an invitation to contribute to the new film Erēmīta (Anthologies). Directors of photography from five countries––USA, France, Argentina, Italy, and the UK––answered the call and today we’re pleased to debut the exclusive trailer for the anthology project.
Featuring contributions from Abbas (Alia’s Birth, Marie, The Wedding), Alexis Zabe (The Florida Project, Silent Light, Post Tenebras Lux), Antoine Héberlé (A Son, My Favourite Fabric, GriGris), Ashley Connor (Madeline’s Madeline, The Miseducation of Cameron Post, The Death of Dick Long), Soledad Rodríguez (Pendular, Maternal, The Student), Stefano Falivene (Siberia, Pasolini, Mary), the zero-budget production will now get a release next month on VOD and Virtual Cinemas with all profits going entirely to a charity the team will choose.
Featuring contributions from Abbas (Alia’s Birth, Marie, The Wedding), Alexis Zabe (The Florida Project, Silent Light, Post Tenebras Lux), Antoine Héberlé (A Son, My Favourite Fabric, GriGris), Ashley Connor (Madeline’s Madeline, The Miseducation of Cameron Post, The Death of Dick Long), Soledad Rodríguez (Pendular, Maternal, The Student), Stefano Falivene (Siberia, Pasolini, Mary), the zero-budget production will now get a release next month on VOD and Virtual Cinemas with all profits going entirely to a charity the team will choose.
- 1/25/2021
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Egyptian filmmaker Sam Abbas made a splash when he released his queer-themed movie “The Wedding” in secret locations across the Middle East via his Egypt-based ArabQ shingle. The director is now starting a new company in Paris.
Abbas, who is Egypt-born and until recently lived in New York, drew some media attention in 2018 with “The Wedding,” which he wrote, directed and starred in as a young closeted Muslim man from Brooklyn who, while planning to marry his American girlfriend — played by Canada’s Nikohl Boosheri — is having affairs with other men.
“The Wedding” played in secret speakeasy-type venues by invitation only in Turkey, Lebanon, Tunisia and Egypt via ArabQ, Abbas claimed, which helped prompt some publicity when the film briefly screened in New York to unenthusiastic reviews. Variety’s Jay Weissberg called “The Wedding” “a dull slice of Lower Manhattan mumblecore.”
Still, the ArabQ initiative was bold since LGBTQ people...
Abbas, who is Egypt-born and until recently lived in New York, drew some media attention in 2018 with “The Wedding,” which he wrote, directed and starred in as a young closeted Muslim man from Brooklyn who, while planning to marry his American girlfriend — played by Canada’s Nikohl Boosheri — is having affairs with other men.
“The Wedding” played in secret speakeasy-type venues by invitation only in Turkey, Lebanon, Tunisia and Egypt via ArabQ, Abbas claimed, which helped prompt some publicity when the film briefly screened in New York to unenthusiastic reviews. Variety’s Jay Weissberg called “The Wedding” “a dull slice of Lower Manhattan mumblecore.”
Still, the ArabQ initiative was bold since LGBTQ people...
- 10/28/2020
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Egyptian filmmaker Sam Abbas has teamed with leading cinematographers from around the world to create the documentary “Erēmīta (Anthologies).”
The anthology was shot during the coronavirus pandemic lockdown and will feature contributions from the following DPs: Alexis Zabé, Chayse Irvin Ashley Connor Soledad Rodríguez Stefano Falivene Antoine Héberlé Benoît Dervaux (“The Unknown Girl”) and Sam Abbas.
Leading the project, Abbas said, “I, like many others, get very excited about using certain cameras, lenses, conversations with the cinematographer, colorists, sound designers but really, everyone I work with! But when it comes down to it, if needed, cinema can be made under any circumstances. This is a circumstance where we can only make a film virtually if we want to collaborate. We all share two main things: passion and a plethora of time.”
Each cinematographer oversaw their project, having final cut for their individual piece. Abbas curated the entire project adding, “There is no theme,...
The anthology was shot during the coronavirus pandemic lockdown and will feature contributions from the following DPs: Alexis Zabé, Chayse Irvin Ashley Connor Soledad Rodríguez Stefano Falivene Antoine Héberlé Benoît Dervaux (“The Unknown Girl”) and Sam Abbas.
Leading the project, Abbas said, “I, like many others, get very excited about using certain cameras, lenses, conversations with the cinematographer, colorists, sound designers but really, everyone I work with! But when it comes down to it, if needed, cinema can be made under any circumstances. This is a circumstance where we can only make a film virtually if we want to collaborate. We all share two main things: passion and a plethora of time.”
Each cinematographer oversaw their project, having final cut for their individual piece. Abbas curated the entire project adding, “There is no theme,...
- 7/30/2020
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
Monday, July 13 Doug Belgrad Developing Unabomber Project as Psychological Thriller
“Bad Boys for Life” producer Doug Belgrad is developing a psychological thriller about Ted Kaczynski, the domestic terrorist who became known as the Unabomber.
Kaczynski, in an attempt to foment revolution, conducted a bombing campaign between 1978 and 1995 that killed three people and injured 23 others before he was arrested. He pleaded guilty to 10 felony counts and was sentenced to life in prison without possibility of parole in 1998.
Belgrad and Sophie Cassidy are producing through Sony-based 2.0 Entertainment, which has hired writers Sam Chalsen and Nelson Greaves to write the script. The news was first reported by Deadline Hollywood.
Philippine Documentary ‘A Thousand Cuts’ Scheduled for U.S. Release
Frontline and PBS Distribution have set an Aug. 7 theatrical release for the documentary “A Thousand Cuts” from Ramona S. Diaz.
The film examines the crackdown on the news media in the Philippines...
“Bad Boys for Life” producer Doug Belgrad is developing a psychological thriller about Ted Kaczynski, the domestic terrorist who became known as the Unabomber.
Kaczynski, in an attempt to foment revolution, conducted a bombing campaign between 1978 and 1995 that killed three people and injured 23 others before he was arrested. He pleaded guilty to 10 felony counts and was sentenced to life in prison without possibility of parole in 1998.
Belgrad and Sophie Cassidy are producing through Sony-based 2.0 Entertainment, which has hired writers Sam Chalsen and Nelson Greaves to write the script. The news was first reported by Deadline Hollywood.
Philippine Documentary ‘A Thousand Cuts’ Scheduled for U.S. Release
Frontline and PBS Distribution have set an Aug. 7 theatrical release for the documentary “A Thousand Cuts” from Ramona S. Diaz.
The film examines the crackdown on the news media in the Philippines...
- 7/14/2020
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Take a trip inside historic Parisian art museum the Louvre as it re-opens following an unprecedented four-month closure with new short film Rusted Caravaggios, which comes from Egyptian-American filmmaker Sam Abbas.
Based in Paris during the lockdown, Abbas, whose credits include features Alia’s Birth and The Wedding, jumped at the opportunity to film inside the iconic venue when a rare opportunity presented itself at the re-opening, when minimal numbers of people were allowed back in the famously busy attraction, which houses artworks including The Mona Lisa. It shutdown back in March due to France’s sweeping lockdown to curb the coronavirus spread.
“During the lockdown I began to study the work of Caravaggio. His art, his history, his philosophy, everything about him. After an unprecedented closure of the Louvre I was ecstatic to be able to attend the first public visit allowed,” said Abbas. “This is an experience...
Based in Paris during the lockdown, Abbas, whose credits include features Alia’s Birth and The Wedding, jumped at the opportunity to film inside the iconic venue when a rare opportunity presented itself at the re-opening, when minimal numbers of people were allowed back in the famously busy attraction, which houses artworks including The Mona Lisa. It shutdown back in March due to France’s sweeping lockdown to curb the coronavirus spread.
“During the lockdown I began to study the work of Caravaggio. His art, his history, his philosophy, everything about him. After an unprecedented closure of the Louvre I was ecstatic to be able to attend the first public visit allowed,” said Abbas. “This is an experience...
- 7/13/2020
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
W.A. Ralph and a heavily-pregnant Erin Smith appear in this first-look still from Alia's Birth, the upcoming Lgbtq feature from Egyptian director Sam Abbas (The Wedding), and a film that features a live home-birth with a resuscitation.
Also starring The Night Of actress Poorna Jagannathan and Nikohl Boosheri, who is best known for her role on Freeform series The Bold Type, the feature, in which a relationship between a female couple forces them to spend the night apart, covers sex, depression and motherhood. It also captures a live set by DJ/producer Nicole Moudaber in a New York warehouse, hosted by ...
Also starring The Night Of actress Poorna Jagannathan and Nikohl Boosheri, who is best known for her role on Freeform series The Bold Type, the feature, in which a relationship between a female couple forces them to spend the night apart, covers sex, depression and motherhood. It also captures a live set by DJ/producer Nicole Moudaber in a New York warehouse, hosted by ...
W.A. Ralph and a heavily-pregnant Erin Smith appear in this first-look still from Alia's Birth, the upcoming Lgbtq feature from Egyptian director Sam Abbas (The Wedding), and a film that features a live home-birth with a resuscitation.
Also starring The Night Of actress Poorna Jagannathan and Nikohl Boosheri, who is best known for her role on Freeform series The Bold Type, the feature, in which a relationship between a female couple forces them to spend the night apart, covers sex, depression and motherhood. It also captures a live set by DJ/producer Nicole Moudaber in a New York warehouse, hosted by ...
Also starring The Night Of actress Poorna Jagannathan and Nikohl Boosheri, who is best known for her role on Freeform series The Bold Type, the feature, in which a relationship between a female couple forces them to spend the night apart, covers sex, depression and motherhood. It also captures a live set by DJ/producer Nicole Moudaber in a New York warehouse, hosted by ...
Eddie Marsan, David Morse, Richard Brake, and Diora Baird are aboard as the supporting cast of The Virtuoso, a modern day noir thriller directed and produced by Nick Stagliano. They will play opposite previously announced stars Anthony Hopkins, Anson Mount and Abbie Cornish as the occupants of a sleepy, small-town diner, to which The Virtuoso (Mount) is sent to find and execute his latest mark, as directed by his “Mentor” (Hopkins). Without a name or description of his intended victim, the Virtuoso cannot immediately identify or eliminate any one of them as his assigned target, including the establishment’s waitress (Cornish). Stagliano’s Nazz Productions financed the project, which is being introduced to buyers at Cannes. Fred Fuchs, Nancy Stagliano, and Chris Bongirne serve as executive producers. Double Dutch International is overseeing international rights,...
- 5/15/2019
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
Egyptian filmmaker Sam Abbas (The Wedding) has unveiled an international contest for female filmmakers, with the winner's short film being included in his upcoming feature, Alia’s Birth.
To be considered, the narrative or documentary short films must be three minutes long or shorter, directed by a woman and never previously screened.
The idea is to include the winning piece as part of a scene where the characters are watching a short film, Abbas said. “I’m always fascinated by films that are split into segments by different directors and how you can see different styles and tastes mix ...
To be considered, the narrative or documentary short films must be three minutes long or shorter, directed by a woman and never previously screened.
The idea is to include the winning piece as part of a scene where the characters are watching a short film, Abbas said. “I’m always fascinated by films that are split into segments by different directors and how you can see different styles and tastes mix ...
- 5/14/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Egyptian filmmaker Sam Abbas (The Wedding) has unveiled an international contest for female filmmakers, with the winner's short film being included in his upcoming feature, Alia’s Birth.
To be considered, the narrative or documentary short films must be three minutes long or shorter, directed by a woman and never previously screened.
The idea is to include the winning piece as part of a scene where the characters are watching a short film, Abbas said. “I’m always fascinated by films that are split into segments by different directors and how you can see different styles and tastes mix ...
To be considered, the narrative or documentary short films must be three minutes long or shorter, directed by a woman and never previously screened.
The idea is to include the winning piece as part of a scene where the characters are watching a short film, Abbas said. “I’m always fascinated by films that are split into segments by different directors and how you can see different styles and tastes mix ...
- 5/14/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Poorna Jagannathan, Nikohl Boosheri (Freeform’s The Bold Type) and newcomer Catharine Daddario will star in Alia’s Birth, an indie drama from Sam Abbas. It’s about a rocky relationship between a female couple that forces them to spend the night apart. Abbas will producer under his company ArabQ Film, an Arab-based Lgbtq-focused production company, along with Tatiana Bears, Nicole Townsend, and Neal Kumar. This marks the second feature from ArabQ Film after making its debut with The Wedding, which also starred Boosheri. Anacrónica, a newly formed production company in Bolivia led by actors Quim Del Rio and Nakai Mirtenbaum, will team with ArabQ Films on this project. Executive producers are Randelson Floyd, Suki Sandhu, David Klein, Josh Jupiter, Jorge Quintero, Lucky Cheng, Quim Del Rio, and Nakai Mirtenbaum. The project is set to begin shooting this summer in New York.
- 4/24/2019
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
The Night Of actress Poorna Jagannathan and Nikohl Boosheri, who is best known for her role on Freeform series The Bold Type, will lead a new drama, Alia’s Birth, from writer-director Sam Abbas.
The drama's logline reads: “A rocky relationship between a female couple forces them to spend the night apart.”
Catharine Daddario will also appear in the feature, which is set to begin shooting this summer in New York.
Abbas will produce via his recently formed ArabQ Films, an Arab-based Lgbtq-focused banner, along with Bolivian production company Anacrónica, headed by Quim Del ...
The drama's logline reads: “A rocky relationship between a female couple forces them to spend the night apart.”
Catharine Daddario will also appear in the feature, which is set to begin shooting this summer in New York.
Abbas will produce via his recently formed ArabQ Films, an Arab-based Lgbtq-focused banner, along with Bolivian production company Anacrónica, headed by Quim Del ...
- 4/23/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Night Of actress Poorna Jagannathan and Nikohl Boosheri, who is best known for her role on Freeform series The Bold Type, will lead a new drama, Alia’s Birth, from writer-director Sam Abbas.
The drama's logline reads: “A rocky relationship between a female couple forces them to spend the night apart.”
Catharine Daddario will also appear in the feature, which is set to begin shooting this summer in New York.
Abbas will produce via his recently formed ArabQ Films, an Arab-based Lgbtq-focused banner, along with Bolivian production company Anacrónica, headed by Quim Del ...
The drama's logline reads: “A rocky relationship between a female couple forces them to spend the night apart.”
Catharine Daddario will also appear in the feature, which is set to begin shooting this summer in New York.
Abbas will produce via his recently formed ArabQ Films, an Arab-based Lgbtq-focused banner, along with Bolivian production company Anacrónica, headed by Quim Del ...
- 4/23/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Fox Searchlight has acquired writer-director Matthew Puccini’s short film Lavender, which is screening at the Sundance Film Festival as part of the fest’s shorts program.
The story of a young gay man who develops a complicated relationship with an older married couple, Lavender stars Michael Urie, Michael Hsu Rosen and Ken Barnett. The pic was produced by Casey Bader, Tyler Rabinowitz and Corey Deckler and supported by the Creative Culture program at the Jacob Burns Film Center. Jason Michael Berman, Sam Abbas and Natalé Olsen served as the film's executive producers.
While Fox Searchlight will make the film ...
The story of a young gay man who develops a complicated relationship with an older married couple, Lavender stars Michael Urie, Michael Hsu Rosen and Ken Barnett. The pic was produced by Casey Bader, Tyler Rabinowitz and Corey Deckler and supported by the Creative Culture program at the Jacob Burns Film Center. Jason Michael Berman, Sam Abbas and Natalé Olsen served as the film's executive producers.
While Fox Searchlight will make the film ...
- 1/26/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Fox Searchlight has acquired writer-director Matthew Puccini’s short film Lavender, which is screening at the Sundance Film Festival as part of the fest’s shorts program.
The story of a young gay man who develops a complicated relationship with an older married couple, Lavender stars Michael Urie, Michael Hsu Rosen and Ken Barnett. The pic was produced by Casey Bader, Tyler Rabinowitz and Corey Deckler and supported by the Creative Culture program at the Jacob Burns Film Center. Jason Michael Berman, Sam Abbas and Natalé Olsen served as the film's executive producers.
While Fox Searchlight will make the film ...
The story of a young gay man who develops a complicated relationship with an older married couple, Lavender stars Michael Urie, Michael Hsu Rosen and Ken Barnett. The pic was produced by Casey Bader, Tyler Rabinowitz and Corey Deckler and supported by the Creative Culture program at the Jacob Burns Film Center. Jason Michael Berman, Sam Abbas and Natalé Olsen served as the film's executive producers.
While Fox Searchlight will make the film ...
- 1/26/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Fox Searchlight has acquired rights to Lavender, a short film from writer-director Matthew Puccini that just premiered in the Shorts Program at the Sundance Film Festival. The studio plans to make the pic available on its social media channels.
Lavender stars Michael Urie, Michael Hsu Rosen and Ken Barnett and tells the story of a young gay man as he develops a complicated relationship with an older married couple. Urie and Rosen recently starred in the recent Broadway revival Torch Song, while Barnett toplined the Tony-winning Fun Home.
Searchlight toppers Nancy Utley and Stephen Gilula said the they were “always looking for fresh filmmaking talents, and the short film world led us to a talented director in Matthew Puccini.”
The movie, produced by Casey Bader, Tyler Rabinowitz and Corey Deckler, was supported by the Creative Culture program at the Jacob Burns Film Center. Jason Michael Berman, Sam Abbas and Natalé Olsen are executive producers.
Lavender stars Michael Urie, Michael Hsu Rosen and Ken Barnett and tells the story of a young gay man as he develops a complicated relationship with an older married couple. Urie and Rosen recently starred in the recent Broadway revival Torch Song, while Barnett toplined the Tony-winning Fun Home.
Searchlight toppers Nancy Utley and Stephen Gilula said the they were “always looking for fresh filmmaking talents, and the short film world led us to a talented director in Matthew Puccini.”
The movie, produced by Casey Bader, Tyler Rabinowitz and Corey Deckler, was supported by the Creative Culture program at the Jacob Burns Film Center. Jason Michael Berman, Sam Abbas and Natalé Olsen are executive producers.
- 1/25/2019
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Fox Searchlight Pictures has acquired the short film “Lavender,” which screened as part of the Shorts Program at the Sundance Film Festival, chairmen Nancy Utley and Stephen Gilula and Evp, global acquisition & co-prod, Tcf acquisitions Ray Strache announced Friday.
“Lavender” is written and directed by Matthew Puccini. The film will be available on Fox Searchlight social media channels.
“Lavender” follows the story of a young gay man as he develops a complicated relationship with an older married couple. It is a tender, poignant look at an unconventional relationship as it blossoms and ultimately unravels.
Also Read: Ashton Sanders' 'Native Son' Acquired by HBO Films
The film stars Michael Urie, Michael Hsu Rosen, and Ken Barnett. Urie and Rosen recently starred in the Broadway production of Harvey Fierstein’s “Torch Song.” Barnett recently starred in the Tony Award-winning “Fun Home.”
“Lavender” is produced by Casey Bader, Tyler Rabinowitz and Corey Deckler.
“Lavender” is written and directed by Matthew Puccini. The film will be available on Fox Searchlight social media channels.
“Lavender” follows the story of a young gay man as he develops a complicated relationship with an older married couple. It is a tender, poignant look at an unconventional relationship as it blossoms and ultimately unravels.
Also Read: Ashton Sanders' 'Native Son' Acquired by HBO Films
The film stars Michael Urie, Michael Hsu Rosen, and Ken Barnett. Urie and Rosen recently starred in the Broadway production of Harvey Fierstein’s “Torch Song.” Barnett recently starred in the Tony Award-winning “Fun Home.”
“Lavender” is produced by Casey Bader, Tyler Rabinowitz and Corey Deckler.
- 1/25/2019
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Short screens again on Friday, Saturday and February 2.
Fox Searchlight has picked up Matthew Puccini’s Sundance short Lavender and will make the film available on its social media channels.
Lavender screened screened as part of the Shorts Program in Park City on Thursday and screens again on Friday, Saturday and the final Saturday on February 2. The story centres on a young gay man who develops a complicated relationship with an older married couple. Michael Urie, Michael Hsu Rosen, and Ken Barnett star.
Casey Bader, Tyler Rabinowitz and Corey Deckler served as producers on Lavender, which was supported by the...
Fox Searchlight has picked up Matthew Puccini’s Sundance short Lavender and will make the film available on its social media channels.
Lavender screened screened as part of the Shorts Program in Park City on Thursday and screens again on Friday, Saturday and the final Saturday on February 2. The story centres on a young gay man who develops a complicated relationship with an older married couple. Michael Urie, Michael Hsu Rosen, and Ken Barnett star.
Casey Bader, Tyler Rabinowitz and Corey Deckler served as producers on Lavender, which was supported by the...
- 1/25/2019
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Two considerations need to exist side by side when discussing “The Wedding,” the debut feature of Egyptian-American multihyphenate Sam Abbas. One involves the film itself, a dull slice of Lower Manhattan mumblecore about a heterosexual New York couple fitfully planning their wedding until she discovers his gay dalliance. The other, getting the lion’s share of attention, is focused on Abbas’ company ArabQ Films, which apparently is incorporated in Egypt, but given its mission to produce queer-themed movies, can only operate virtually in the country’s increasingly authoritarian and state-sanctioned, virulently homophobic polity. How the company can function, and whether the films it produces can properly be categorized as Egyptian (doubtful), are questions that must be raised in tandem with any treatment of “The Wedding” itself, now on a tiny release in New York and unlikely to get much traction elsewhere.
The film’s lack of originality goes beyond its...
The film’s lack of originality goes beyond its...
- 12/18/2018
- by Jay Weissberg
- Variety Film + TV
Following the launch of his production company ArabQ, the first ever Arab-based production company focused on movies with Lgbtq themes, Egyptian-American filmmaker Sam Abbas will soon release his first feature film. Based in Alexandria, Egypt, ArabQ aims to develop projects speaking to the Middle Eastern experience while also supporting Lgbtq stories and creatives.
“The Wedding” tells the story of Rami (Abbas), a closeted Muslim man hiding his sexuality while preparing for his upcoming wedding to Sara (Nikohl Boosheri), as he struggles to square his desires with his strict religious upbringing. Abbas explored similar territory in his 2016 short film, “Time to Come,” which received enough praise to convince him the subject was worth further exploration.
“The film to me, more than anything, is about repression and alienation. Cultural and religious upbringings impact day to day lives regardless of a person’s self-decided point of views,” Abbas told IndieWire. “People don’t...
“The Wedding” tells the story of Rami (Abbas), a closeted Muslim man hiding his sexuality while preparing for his upcoming wedding to Sara (Nikohl Boosheri), as he struggles to square his desires with his strict religious upbringing. Abbas explored similar territory in his 2016 short film, “Time to Come,” which received enough praise to convince him the subject was worth further exploration.
“The film to me, more than anything, is about repression and alienation. Cultural and religious upbringings impact day to day lives regardless of a person’s self-decided point of views,” Abbas told IndieWire. “People don’t...
- 8/24/2018
- by Jude Dry
- Indiewire
The first trailer for The Wedding, a film from the first-ever Lgbtq-inclusive Arab film company ArabQ, is out, and The Hollywood Reporter has an exclusive first look.
The movie, from Egyptian filmmaker Sam Abbas, will star Abbas as Rami, a young Muslim-American man who must worry about his upcoming marriage to American Sara (Nikohl Boosheri) while trying to also live a hidden life as his true self, a homosexual man. Co-stars include Hend Ayoub, James Penfold and Harry Aspinwall.
This is the first film under ArabQ, which launched at the 2018 Berlin Film Festival. The film is set to premiere ...
The movie, from Egyptian filmmaker Sam Abbas, will star Abbas as Rami, a young Muslim-American man who must worry about his upcoming marriage to American Sara (Nikohl Boosheri) while trying to also live a hidden life as his true self, a homosexual man. Co-stars include Hend Ayoub, James Penfold and Harry Aspinwall.
This is the first film under ArabQ, which launched at the 2018 Berlin Film Festival. The film is set to premiere ...
- 8/23/2018
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
The first trailer for The Wedding, a film from the first-ever Lgbtq-inclusive Arab film company ArabQ, is out, and The Hollywood Reporter has an exclusive first look.
The movie, from Egyptian filmmaker Sam Abbas, will star Abbas as Rami, a young Muslim-American man who must worry about his upcoming marriage to American Sara (Nikohl Boosheri) while trying to also live a hidden life as his true self, a homosexual man. Co-stars include Hend Ayoub, James Penfold and Harry Aspinwall.
This is the first film under ArabQ, which launched at the 2018 Berlin Film Festival. The film is set to premiere ...
The movie, from Egyptian filmmaker Sam Abbas, will star Abbas as Rami, a young Muslim-American man who must worry about his upcoming marriage to American Sara (Nikohl Boosheri) while trying to also live a hidden life as his true self, a homosexual man. Co-stars include Hend Ayoub, James Penfold and Harry Aspinwall.
This is the first film under ArabQ, which launched at the 2018 Berlin Film Festival. The film is set to premiere ...
- 8/23/2018
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Egyptian filmmaker Sam Abbas is taking cultural taboos and stereotypes head on with the launch the first-ever Arab-based film company that will focus on films with Lgbtq themes.
Based in Alexandria, Egypt, ArabQ is looking to do both features and documentaries on the Lgbtq experience. All projects will also have a “link to the Middle Eastern experience” and will require a “self-identified queer, gay, lesbian, bisexual and/or transgender director and/or lead producer,” the company said.
The enterprise is backed by an unnamed Egyptian producer who Abbas says wishes to remain anonymous because of the stigma homosexuality still has in Egypt....
Based in Alexandria, Egypt, ArabQ is looking to do both features and documentaries on the Lgbtq experience. All projects will also have a “link to the Middle Eastern experience” and will require a “self-identified queer, gay, lesbian, bisexual and/or transgender director and/or lead producer,” the company said.
The enterprise is backed by an unnamed Egyptian producer who Abbas says wishes to remain anonymous because of the stigma homosexuality still has in Egypt....
- 2/23/2018
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Nikohl Boosheri, Sam Abbas Star In ‘The Wedding’; Lance Lim, Elizabeth Sung Topline ‘Crossing’ Indie
Nikohl Boosheri, who currently appears in Freeform’s new series The Bold Type, will star in The Wedding, along with Sam Abbas, who wrote and is directing the film, in his feature debut. The indie follows Rami (Abbas), an individual who goes against the taboos within Muslim culture to explore his own sexuality. James Penfold (North of South, West of East), Harry Aspinwall (Turn: Washington’s Spies), and Ruba Blal (Elite Zexer’s Sand Storm) round out the cast. Casey…...
- 8/25/2017
- Deadline
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