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NASA missions and movie productions have more in common than you might think, according to Steve Squyres, a scientist who was the principal investigator of the Mars Exploration Rover Mission.
“There are way, way more good ideas for movies than there are movies that actually get made,” Squyres tells The Hollywood Reporter. “And there are way, way more good ideas for space missions than there are missions that actually get selected to fly. With space missions there’s even more money on the line. The time that it takes to make the thing is comparable or maybe longer. And if you fail, you fail big.”
Squyres has a unique perspective on the similarities between the space exploration and entertainment businesses, because both his brother and daughter work as film editors. But that perspective is deepening lately thanks to a new role the scientist...
NASA missions and movie productions have more in common than you might think, according to Steve Squyres, a scientist who was the principal investigator of the Mars Exploration Rover Mission.
“There are way, way more good ideas for movies than there are movies that actually get made,” Squyres tells The Hollywood Reporter. “And there are way, way more good ideas for space missions than there are missions that actually get selected to fly. With space missions there’s even more money on the line. The time that it takes to make the thing is comparable or maybe longer. And if you fail, you fail big.”
Squyres has a unique perspective on the similarities between the space exploration and entertainment businesses, because both his brother and daughter work as film editors. But that perspective is deepening lately thanks to a new role the scientist...
- 9/5/2022
- by Rebecca Keegan
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Hulu has ordered a nine-part docuseries chronicling the history of the storied Los Angeles Lakers franchise. The project, which joins the Hulu Originals lineup, comes from Lakers’ CEO and controlling owner Jeanie Buss; Emmy-winning director Antoine Fuqua, in association with Fuqua Films; Haven Entertainment; and Los Angeles Media Fund.
The series details the past four decades of the Lakers and featured interviews from more than 35 people within the organization, including the Buss family; legendary coaches Pat Riley and Phil Jackson; and NBA Hall of Famers Magic Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal and team captain Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, among numerous other current and former players. Also featured are interviews with a range of high-profile fans and a trove of archival footage featuring never-before-seen interviews with the Lakers’ late owner, Jerry Buss.
Buss and Fuqua will executive produce the series alongside Haven Entertainment’s Kevin Mann, Michael Mann and Brendan Bragg; Los Angeles Media Fund...
The series details the past four decades of the Lakers and featured interviews from more than 35 people within the organization, including the Buss family; legendary coaches Pat Riley and Phil Jackson; and NBA Hall of Famers Magic Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal and team captain Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, among numerous other current and former players. Also featured are interviews with a range of high-profile fans and a trove of archival footage featuring never-before-seen interviews with the Lakers’ late owner, Jerry Buss.
Buss and Fuqua will executive produce the series alongside Haven Entertainment’s Kevin Mann, Michael Mann and Brendan Bragg; Los Angeles Media Fund...
- 5/10/2021
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Greenwich Entertainment has picked up Assassins, the Ryan White-directed documentary exposé about the assassination of Kim Jong-nam, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s half-brother. The doc had its premiere earlier this year at Sundance Film Festival and will be released in theaters on December 4.
In 2017, Kim Jong-nam was assassinated in broad daylight at a crowded Malaysian airport. The brazen murder was caught entirely by security cameras with footage showing two young women approaching Jong-nam from behind and covering his eyes with their hands. He stumbled away and was dead within an hour. The two women, who had never met and claimed they had been hired for a video prank show and had no idea what they were actually doing, were arrested and charged with murder. Imprisoned in a foreign land and facing execution, the young women begged for authorities to believe their outlandish tale.
Assassins made waves at Sundance...
In 2017, Kim Jong-nam was assassinated in broad daylight at a crowded Malaysian airport. The brazen murder was caught entirely by security cameras with footage showing two young women approaching Jong-nam from behind and covering his eyes with their hands. He stumbled away and was dead within an hour. The two women, who had never met and claimed they had been hired for a video prank show and had no idea what they were actually doing, were arrested and charged with murder. Imprisoned in a foreign land and facing execution, the young women begged for authorities to believe their outlandish tale.
Assassins made waves at Sundance...
- 9/9/2020
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
It is good news of sorts that the first official Academy Awards screener that was mailed to members this week, “First Cow,” is directed by a woman, Kelly Reichhardt, and features Asian actor Orion Lee. Diversity counts more than ever these days. The filmmaker’s minimalist style usually caters more to the Independent Spirit crowd as well as such international festivals including Cannes and Venice when it comes to cinematic honors. Her previous movies include “Old Joy,” “Wendy and Lucy,” “Meek’s Cutoff” and “Certain Women,” the last three starring Michelle Williams.
The 2021 Oscar nominations won’t be announced until mid-March and the 93rd ceremony won’t take place until April 24 due to delayed productions and constantly moving opening dates because of the coronavirus pandemic. But the well-reviewed “First Cow” had its premiere at Telluride Film Festival last year and opened theatrically on March 6 to a strong first weekend. But the...
The 2021 Oscar nominations won’t be announced until mid-March and the 93rd ceremony won’t take place until April 24 due to delayed productions and constantly moving opening dates because of the coronavirus pandemic. But the well-reviewed “First Cow” had its premiere at Telluride Film Festival last year and opened theatrically on March 6 to a strong first weekend. But the...
- 7/23/2020
- by Susan Wloszczyna
- Gold Derby
Four of TV’s top documentary filmmakers will reveal the details behind their gritty and true life programs when they join Gold Derby’s special “Meet the Experts” Q&a event with key 2020 Emmy contenders this month. Each person will participate in two video discussions to be published soon: one-on-one with our senior editor Joyce Eng and a group chat with Joyce and all of the directors together.
SEEalmost 300 interviews with 2020 Emmy contenders
This “Meet the Experts” panel welcomes the following 2020 Emmy contenders:
Nanette Burstein represents Hulu for “Hillary”
Burstein received an Oscar nomination and Directors Guild win for “On the Ropes.” Other projects have included “The Creators,” “Going the Distance” and “The Kid Stays in the Picture.”
James Hernandez represents HBO for “McMillion$”
Hernandez has also directed “Stick Together,” “Phantom,” “Four Chaplains,” “Unnatural Selection,” “Happenstance” and “The Sixth Minute.”
Reginald Hudlin represents Netflix for “The Black Godfather”
Hudlin received...
SEEalmost 300 interviews with 2020 Emmy contenders
This “Meet the Experts” panel welcomes the following 2020 Emmy contenders:
Nanette Burstein represents Hulu for “Hillary”
Burstein received an Oscar nomination and Directors Guild win for “On the Ropes.” Other projects have included “The Creators,” “Going the Distance” and “The Kid Stays in the Picture.”
James Hernandez represents HBO for “McMillion$”
Hernandez has also directed “Stick Together,” “Phantom,” “Four Chaplains,” “Unnatural Selection,” “Happenstance” and “The Sixth Minute.”
Reginald Hudlin represents Netflix for “The Black Godfather”
Hudlin received...
- 6/18/2020
- by Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
In a Gold Derby exclusive, we have learned the category placements of the key Emmy Awards contenders for Hulu. For this season, the company has returning hits “The Handmaid’s Tale” (Elisabeth Moss), “Ramy” (Ramy Youssef) and “Shrill” (Aidy Bryant) as part of their 2020 campaign. Newcomers could include “The Great” (Elle Fanning), “High Fidelity” (Zoe Kravitz) and “Little Fires Everywhere”.
Below, the list of Hulu lead, supporting and guest submissions for their comedy, drama and limited series. More names might be added by the studio on the final Emmy ballot. Also note that performers not included on this list may well be submitted by their personal reps.
SEEMeet the red-hot cast of ‘Little Fires Everywhere’
“Ask Dr. Ruth”
Documentary or Nonfiction Special
“Castle Rock”
Limited Series
Movie/Limited Actress – Lizzy Caplan
Movie/Limited Supporting Actor – Barkhad Abdi, Tim Robbins, Paul Sparks
Movie/Limited Supporting Actress – Elsie Fisher, Yusra Warsama
Culture Shock...
Below, the list of Hulu lead, supporting and guest submissions for their comedy, drama and limited series. More names might be added by the studio on the final Emmy ballot. Also note that performers not included on this list may well be submitted by their personal reps.
SEEMeet the red-hot cast of ‘Little Fires Everywhere’
“Ask Dr. Ruth”
Documentary or Nonfiction Special
“Castle Rock”
Limited Series
Movie/Limited Actress – Lizzy Caplan
Movie/Limited Supporting Actor – Barkhad Abdi, Tim Robbins, Paul Sparks
Movie/Limited Supporting Actress – Elsie Fisher, Yusra Warsama
Culture Shock...
- 5/4/2020
- by Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
When putting together his newest documentary, “Assassins,” Ryan White wanted to pose a simple question: Were the women who assassinated Kim Jong-nam in 2017 trained assassins, or did they really do it as part of a reality TV show?
North Korean royal family member Kim Jong-nam, Kim Jong-un’s half brother, was publicly murdered at Kuala Lumpur International Airport when two women attacked him with Vx nerve agent. When the two women were arrested, they claimed they believed they were on some sort of a reality TV program or prank show.
“That was kind of our entry point: this bizarre story of two female political assassins and we followed their rial for the last two years,” White told TheWrap’s Brian Welk. “They were on death row in Malaysia, they pleaded not guilty saying they thought they were on a reality show when they committed the assassination. So our documentary interrogates...
North Korean royal family member Kim Jong-nam, Kim Jong-un’s half brother, was publicly murdered at Kuala Lumpur International Airport when two women attacked him with Vx nerve agent. When the two women were arrested, they claimed they believed they were on some sort of a reality TV program or prank show.
“That was kind of our entry point: this bizarre story of two female political assassins and we followed their rial for the last two years,” White told TheWrap’s Brian Welk. “They were on death row in Malaysia, they pleaded not guilty saying they thought they were on a reality show when they committed the assassination. So our documentary interrogates...
- 1/31/2020
- by Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Wrap
Balisa Balaban has been promoted to VP Original Documentaries. The streaming service has been ramping up its Hulu Original Documentary films slate with recent titles including Ask Dr. Ruth, The Amazing Johnathon and the Emmy-winning Crime + Punishment.
Balaban joined Hulu in 2017 as Director of Original Content and helped to launch originals Minding The Gap and Fyre Fraud.
The news comes as Hulu recently announced two new high-profile original documentaries to stream in 2020: Hillary, its four-part docuseries about Hillary Clinton that debuts at the Sundance Film Festival, and Greta, a feature charting the rise of climate activist Greta Thunberg.
Prior to joining Hulu, Belisa was Head of Original Programming at Pivot, where she oversaw all original series and documentaries including Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s HitRecord. That stint followed posts at Actual Reality Pictures (Showtime’s Freshman Diaries), Comedy Central and started at Fox.
She...
Balaban joined Hulu in 2017 as Director of Original Content and helped to launch originals Minding The Gap and Fyre Fraud.
The news comes as Hulu recently announced two new high-profile original documentaries to stream in 2020: Hillary, its four-part docuseries about Hillary Clinton that debuts at the Sundance Film Festival, and Greta, a feature charting the rise of climate activist Greta Thunberg.
Prior to joining Hulu, Belisa was Head of Original Programming at Pivot, where she oversaw all original series and documentaries including Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s HitRecord. That stint followed posts at Actual Reality Pictures (Showtime’s Freshman Diaries), Comedy Central and started at Fox.
She...
- 1/22/2020
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced today that 344 feature films are eligible for the 2019 Academy Awards.
To be eligible for the consideration, the films must open in a commercial motion picture theater in Los Angeles County by Dec. 31, and begin a minimum run of seven consecutive days. Academy rules also state that a feature-length motion picture must have a running time of more than 40 minutes and must have been exhibited theatrically on 35mm or 70mm film, or in a qualifying digital format.
Nominations for the 92nd Academy Awards will be announced on Monday, Jan. 13, 2020. The ceremony takes place on Sunday, Feb. 9, airing live from Hollywood on ABC.
“Abominable”
“Ad Astra”
“Adam”
“The Addams Family”
“The Aeronauts”
“After the Wedding”
“The Aftermath”
“Aga”
“Aladdin”
“Alita: Battle Angel”
“Always Be My Maybe”
“The Amazing Johnathan”
“American Factory”
“American Woman”
“Angel Has Fallen”
“The Angry Birds Movie 2”
“Anna”
“Annabelle Comes Home...
To be eligible for the consideration, the films must open in a commercial motion picture theater in Los Angeles County by Dec. 31, and begin a minimum run of seven consecutive days. Academy rules also state that a feature-length motion picture must have a running time of more than 40 minutes and must have been exhibited theatrically on 35mm or 70mm film, or in a qualifying digital format.
Nominations for the 92nd Academy Awards will be announced on Monday, Jan. 13, 2020. The ceremony takes place on Sunday, Feb. 9, airing live from Hollywood on ABC.
“Abominable”
“Ad Astra”
“Adam”
“The Addams Family”
“The Aeronauts”
“After the Wedding”
“The Aftermath”
“Aga”
“Aladdin”
“Alita: Battle Angel”
“Always Be My Maybe”
“The Amazing Johnathan”
“American Factory”
“American Woman”
“Angel Has Fallen”
“The Angry Birds Movie 2”
“Anna”
“Annabelle Comes Home...
- 12/18/2019
- by Marc Malkin
- Variety Film + TV
Apple has added the new docuseries Visible: Out On Television to its growing slate of original series on Apple TV+. The five-part television event puts a spotlight on how the Lgbtq movement shaped television and comes from Emmy-nominated filmmakers Ryan White and Jessica Hargrave. It will be executive produced by Wanda Sykes and Wilson Cruz and is set to debut February 14, 2020, exclusively on Apple TV+
Visible: Out on Television investigates the importance of TV as a medium that has shaped the American conscience, and how the Lgbtq movement influenced what we watch on TV. Each hour-long episode will explore themes such as invisibility, homophobia, the evolution of the Lgbtq character, and coming out in the television industry. The docuseries includes archival footage as well as interviews with key players from the movement and the screen. Visible will feature Janet Mock, Margaret Cho,...
Visible: Out on Television investigates the importance of TV as a medium that has shaped the American conscience, and how the Lgbtq movement influenced what we watch on TV. Each hour-long episode will explore themes such as invisibility, homophobia, the evolution of the Lgbtq character, and coming out in the television industry. The docuseries includes archival footage as well as interviews with key players from the movement and the screen. Visible will feature Janet Mock, Margaret Cho,...
- 12/17/2019
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Apple is adding a new docuseries to the originals slate at its direct-to-consumer streaming platform. “Visible: Out on Television,” created by filmmakers Ryan White and Jessica Hargrave and executive produced by Wanda Sykes and Wilson Cruz, will premiere on Feb. 14 on Apple TV Plus.
Narrated by Janet Mock, Margaret Cho, Asia Kate Dillon, Neil Patrick Harris and Lena Waithe, the five-part series “investigates the importance of TV as an intimate medium that has shaped the American conscience, and how the Lgbtq movement has shaped television,” according to the streamer, and combines archival footage with interviews with key players from the movement.
White, whose credits include “Ask Dr. Ruth,” “The Case Against 8” and “The Keepers,” directed and exec produced the docuseries. Hargrave also serves as an executive producer.
Each hour-long episode explores themes that span invisibility, homophobia, the evolution of Lgbtq characters and coming out in the TV industry, and features interviews with Ellen DeGeneres,...
Narrated by Janet Mock, Margaret Cho, Asia Kate Dillon, Neil Patrick Harris and Lena Waithe, the five-part series “investigates the importance of TV as an intimate medium that has shaped the American conscience, and how the Lgbtq movement has shaped television,” according to the streamer, and combines archival footage with interviews with key players from the movement.
White, whose credits include “Ask Dr. Ruth,” “The Case Against 8” and “The Keepers,” directed and exec produced the docuseries. Hargrave also serves as an executive producer.
Each hour-long episode explores themes that span invisibility, homophobia, the evolution of Lgbtq characters and coming out in the TV industry, and features interviews with Ellen DeGeneres,...
- 12/17/2019
- by Elaine Low
- Variety Film + TV
Moments ago, the Academy released a handful of shortlists for some of their below the line categories. Last year, they tried it out for the first time and it seemed to go over well, so expect this to be the new normal. Yes, in the categories of Best Documentary Feature, Best Documentary Short Subject, Best Foreign Language Film, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Original Score, Best Original Song, Best Animated Short Film, Best Live Action Short Film, and Best Visual Effects, we now have a narrowed field for the 92nd Academy Awards. Essentially, Academy voters can once again focus in on just a handful of titles in these categories, for better or worse. The wisdom of that still remains to be seen as the years progress, but it will still take some time to see if we get a different set of nominees than expected because of this. For now,...
- 12/16/2019
- by Joey Magidson
- Hollywoodnews.com
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg will be the subject of a new documentary at Hulu.
The film, “Greta” (working title), will be directed by Nathan Grossman and produced by Cecilia Nessen and Fredrik Heinig through B-Reel Films.
In August of 2018, Thunberg, a 15-year-old student in Sweden started a school strike for the climate. Her question for adults: if you don’t care about my future on earth, why should I care about my future in school? Within months, her strike evolves into a global movement. Greta, a quiet Swedish girl on the autism spectrum becomes a world famous activist. The team behind “Greta” has been following the young activist from her early school strike in Stockholm all the way to parliaments and massive international protests, documenting her mission to make the world understand the urgency of the climate crisis.
Also Read: Hulu's 'Little Fires Everywhere' Gets Fiery Teaser,...
The film, “Greta” (working title), will be directed by Nathan Grossman and produced by Cecilia Nessen and Fredrik Heinig through B-Reel Films.
In August of 2018, Thunberg, a 15-year-old student in Sweden started a school strike for the climate. Her question for adults: if you don’t care about my future on earth, why should I care about my future in school? Within months, her strike evolves into a global movement. Greta, a quiet Swedish girl on the autism spectrum becomes a world famous activist. The team behind “Greta” has been following the young activist from her early school strike in Stockholm all the way to parliaments and massive international protests, documenting her mission to make the world understand the urgency of the climate crisis.
Also Read: Hulu's 'Little Fires Everywhere' Gets Fiery Teaser,...
- 12/16/2019
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Sixteen-year-old Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg is the subject of Greta (working title), an original documentary, which will premiere on Hulu in 2020. The documentary is produced by Cecilia Nessen and Frederik Heinig via B-Reel Films and directed by Nathan Grossman.
In August of 2018, Greta Thunberg, a 15-year-old student in Sweden starts a school strike for the climate. Her question for adults: if you don’t care about my future on earth, why should I care about my future in school? Within months, her strike evolves into a global movement. Greta, a quiet Swedish girl on the autism spectrum becomes a world famous activist.
The team behind Greta (wt) has been following Thunberg from her early school strike in Stockholm all the way to parliaments and massive international protests, documenting her mission to make the world understand the urgency of the climate crisis. According to sources, Hulu had come on...
In August of 2018, Greta Thunberg, a 15-year-old student in Sweden starts a school strike for the climate. Her question for adults: if you don’t care about my future on earth, why should I care about my future in school? Within months, her strike evolves into a global movement. Greta, a quiet Swedish girl on the autism spectrum becomes a world famous activist.
The team behind Greta (wt) has been following Thunberg from her early school strike in Stockholm all the way to parliaments and massive international protests, documenting her mission to make the world understand the urgency of the climate crisis. According to sources, Hulu had come on...
- 12/16/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Hulu has released the teaser trailer for Hillary, an original four-part docuseries exploring the life of former Secretary of State, former First Lady and 2016 presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. The series will premiere at the Sundance Film Festival this January and will be released on Hulu on March 6th.
Directed by Nanette Burstein, Hillary features interviews with the former candidate as well as Bill Clinton, Chelsea Clinton, various former aids and staff, journalists and close friends of the family. It will also feature never-before-seen campaign footage from 2016, before Clinton lost the...
Directed by Nanette Burstein, Hillary features interviews with the former candidate as well as Bill Clinton, Chelsea Clinton, various former aids and staff, journalists and close friends of the family. It will also feature never-before-seen campaign footage from 2016, before Clinton lost the...
- 12/10/2019
- by Claire Shaffer
- Rollingstone.com
It is the best of times and, arguably, the trickiest of times when it comes to the documentary industry. There’s no doubt that 2018 was a banner year for documentaries at the box office with Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin’s Academy Award-winning “Free Solo” garnering $29 million; Morgan Neville’s “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” grossing $22.8 million; and Julie Cohen and Betsy West’s “Rbg” taking in $14.4 million. This year has not proven as stellar at the B.O. but Neon’s “Apollo 11” has had a healthy run. The film grossed $12 million worldwide and was the big winner at the fourth annual Critics’ Choice Documentary Awards, grabbing the documentary feature, editing and score prizes.
Non-fiction films have also gotten a big boost from streamers, undoubtedly raising the profiles of docs in recent years.
“The real impact of streamers is that they have brought documentaries to an audience that wouldn’t typically watch documentaries,...
Non-fiction films have also gotten a big boost from streamers, undoubtedly raising the profiles of docs in recent years.
“The real impact of streamers is that they have brought documentaries to an audience that wouldn’t typically watch documentaries,...
- 12/4/2019
- by Addie Morfoot
- Variety Film + TV
Studios seemingly threw caution to the wind at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, shelling out top dollar in hopes of finding the next indie sensation. A few Hollywood companies saw those shopping sprees pay off, while most will likely be feeling buyer’s remorse.
Amazon Studios was among the big spenders, unloading nearly $41 million at the 2019 festival, a large part of which was on the comedy “Brittany Runs a Marathon.” The feel-good film, which debuted in five theaters last weekend with a solid $175,696, is the latest Sundance favorite hoping to turn rave reviews into cold hard cash.
Amazon is pacing itself with “Brittany Runs a Marathon,” allotting more than a month before taking the film nationwide in an effort to avoid the same fate as fellow festival purchase “Late Night.” Despite critical praise, the Mindy Kaling and Emma Thompson-led comedy fizzled at the box office with $15 million, only...
Amazon Studios was among the big spenders, unloading nearly $41 million at the 2019 festival, a large part of which was on the comedy “Brittany Runs a Marathon.” The feel-good film, which debuted in five theaters last weekend with a solid $175,696, is the latest Sundance favorite hoping to turn rave reviews into cold hard cash.
Amazon is pacing itself with “Brittany Runs a Marathon,” allotting more than a month before taking the film nationwide in an effort to avoid the same fate as fellow festival purchase “Late Night.” Despite critical praise, the Mindy Kaling and Emma Thompson-led comedy fizzled at the box office with $15 million, only...
- 8/26/2019
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Several well-received and highly anticipated new limited releases debuted this week, with Olivier Assayas’ “Non-Fiction” (IFC) opening best. The titles also included the documentaries “Meeting Gorbachev” (1091) and “Ask Dr. Ruth” (Magnolia), as well as Zhang Yimou’s epic “Shadow” (Well Go), but all continued the pattern of an underwhelming 2019 for specialized films.
This weekend also saw two top Sundance titles — “Knocking Down the House” and “Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile” — debut on Netflix, with each getting minimal theatrical play.
Documentaries dominate specialized releases, with “Amazing Grace” (Neon) as the top-grossing title at the moment. “Booksmart” (United Artists) and “Late Show” (Amazon) open soon and both are wide releases that will benefit many specialized theaters. However, that immediately push for crossover audiences shows how challenging it is for key art houses.
Opening
Non-Fiction (IFC) – Metacritic: 81; Festivals include: Venice, Telluride, Toronto, New York 2018
$29,056 in 2 theaters; PTA (per theater average): $14,528
French...
This weekend also saw two top Sundance titles — “Knocking Down the House” and “Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile” — debut on Netflix, with each getting minimal theatrical play.
Documentaries dominate specialized releases, with “Amazing Grace” (Neon) as the top-grossing title at the moment. “Booksmart” (United Artists) and “Late Show” (Amazon) open soon and both are wide releases that will benefit many specialized theaters. However, that immediately push for crossover audiences shows how challenging it is for key art houses.
Opening
Non-Fiction (IFC) – Metacritic: 81; Festivals include: Venice, Telluride, Toronto, New York 2018
$29,056 in 2 theaters; PTA (per theater average): $14,528
French...
- 5/5/2019
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
Sundance London 2019 will include Park City hits including Late Night and The Farewell, both of which will get their European premieres at the mini-festival which runs May 30 – June 02 at Picturehouse Central.
The London event will present 12 features from this year’s Sundance Film Festival, selected for London by the Sundance Institute programming team in collaboration with exhibitor-distributor Picturehouse. The festival will open with the European premiere of Nisha Ganatra’s Late Night, written by and starring Mindy Kaling alongside Emma Thompson, and it closes four days later with the UK premiere of Penny Lane’s Hail Satan?
Also screening will be The Nightingale, Animals, After The Wedding, The Death Of Dick Long, The Last Tree, Corporate Animals, Hail Satan?, The Brink, Ask Dr. Ruth and Apollo 11.
There will also be a surprise screening, Q & As and panels (lineup tbc), and three older Sundance movies: Precious, Animal Kingdom and 52 Tuesdays.
The London event will present 12 features from this year’s Sundance Film Festival, selected for London by the Sundance Institute programming team in collaboration with exhibitor-distributor Picturehouse. The festival will open with the European premiere of Nisha Ganatra’s Late Night, written by and starring Mindy Kaling alongside Emma Thompson, and it closes four days later with the UK premiere of Penny Lane’s Hail Satan?
Also screening will be The Nightingale, Animals, After The Wedding, The Death Of Dick Long, The Last Tree, Corporate Animals, Hail Satan?, The Brink, Ask Dr. Ruth and Apollo 11.
There will also be a surprise screening, Q & As and panels (lineup tbc), and three older Sundance movies: Precious, Animal Kingdom and 52 Tuesdays.
- 4/16/2019
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
The Hulu launch date for the upcoming film “Ask Dr. Ruth” will be on June 1st with a theatrical release on May 3rd.
Ask Dr. Ruth chronicles the incredible life of Dr. Ruth Westheimer, a Holocaust survivor who became America’s most famous sex therapist. With her diminutive frame, thick German accent, and uninhibited approach to sex therapy and education, Dr. Ruth transformed the conversation around sexuality. As she approaches her 90th birthday and shows no signs of slowing down, Dr. Ruth revisits her painful past and unlikely path to a career at the forefront of the sexual revolution.
Ask Dr. Ruth chronicles the incredible life of Dr. Ruth Westheimer, a Holocaust survivor who became America’s most famous sex therapist. With her diminutive frame, thick German accent, and uninhibited approach to sex therapy and education, Dr. Ruth transformed the conversation around sexuality. As she approaches her 90th birthday and shows no signs of slowing down, Dr. Ruth revisits her painful past and unlikely path to a career at the forefront of the sexual revolution.
- 3/20/2019
- by Kristyn Clarke
- Age of the Nerd
Dr. Ruth Westheimer is here to talk sex, baby. And don’t let her diminutive appearance and advanced age throw you off. America’s most famous sex therapist is getting the documentary treatment in the new Hulu film Ask Dr. Ruth, which chronicles Westheimer’s path from Holocaust survivor to advocate on the front lines of sex awareness and […]
The post ‘Ask Dr. Ruth’ Trailer: America’s Most Famous Sex Therapist Gets a Documentary appeared first on /Film.
The post ‘Ask Dr. Ruth’ Trailer: America’s Most Famous Sex Therapist Gets a Documentary appeared first on /Film.
- 2/14/2019
- by Hoai-Tran Bui
- Slash Film
If the success of “Rbg” and “Won’t You be My Neighbor?” taught documentary distributors anything, it’s that audiences love hagiographies about beloved American public figures — the older the better. Like Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Fred Rogers, Dr. Ruth Westheimer effected radical change in the most unassuming of packages. Perhaps less known to contemporary viewers, but no less influential, Westheimer is getting the biopic treatment with “Ask Dr. Ruth,” a new documentary about the popular sex therapist coming to Hulu in May.
Of course, Dr. Ruth is no stranger to television; she hosted at least five television shows for Lifetime throughout the late ’80s and early ’90s, following the success of her radio show, “Sexually Speaking.” For audiences who recall hearing her German-accented sex advice on the radio or TV, Westheimer’s return to the screen will be laden with nostalgia. But the film also includes her lesser-known history,...
Of course, Dr. Ruth is no stranger to television; she hosted at least five television shows for Lifetime throughout the late ’80s and early ’90s, following the success of her radio show, “Sexually Speaking.” For audiences who recall hearing her German-accented sex advice on the radio or TV, Westheimer’s return to the screen will be laden with nostalgia. But the film also includes her lesser-known history,...
- 2/11/2019
- by Jude Dry
- Indiewire
Hulu has set premiere dates and released new trailers for the Aidy Bryant comedy “Shrill” and the feature documentary “Ask Dr. Ruth.”
Directed by Ryan White, “Ask Dr. Ruth” chronicles the incredible life of Dr. Ruth Westheimer, a Holocaust survivor who became America’s most famous sex therapist. It will hit Hulu on Friday, May 10, following a limited theatrical run the week prior.
Per Hulu, “With her diminutive frame, thick German accent and uninhibited approach to sex therapy and education, Dr. Ruth transformed the conversation around sexuality. As she approaches her 90th birthday and shows no signs of slowing down, Dr. Ruth revisits her painful past and unlikely path to a career at the forefront of the sexual revolution.”
Also Read: Vice Media Near Deal for New Show With Hulu, Executive Says (Exclusive)
Rafael Marmor, White, Jessica Hargrave and Christopher Leggett are producers on the film.
“Shrill,” slated to debut on Wednesday,...
Directed by Ryan White, “Ask Dr. Ruth” chronicles the incredible life of Dr. Ruth Westheimer, a Holocaust survivor who became America’s most famous sex therapist. It will hit Hulu on Friday, May 10, following a limited theatrical run the week prior.
Per Hulu, “With her diminutive frame, thick German accent and uninhibited approach to sex therapy and education, Dr. Ruth transformed the conversation around sexuality. As she approaches her 90th birthday and shows no signs of slowing down, Dr. Ruth revisits her painful past and unlikely path to a career at the forefront of the sexual revolution.”
Also Read: Vice Media Near Deal for New Show With Hulu, Executive Says (Exclusive)
Rafael Marmor, White, Jessica Hargrave and Christopher Leggett are producers on the film.
“Shrill,” slated to debut on Wednesday,...
- 2/11/2019
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
You may know Dr. Ruth Westheimer’s thickly accented voice or recognize her diminutive presence at just 4 foot 7 inches, but Ryan White, the director of the new documentary “Ask Dr. Ruth” says he was drawn to make a film about Westheimer upon learning about her impressive, worldly backstory.
White’s film shows how Westheimer went from a life in Frankfurt, Germany, survived and escaped the war and even wound up as a sniper in the Israeli military before making her way to America and becoming a household name as a sex therapist.
“I knew her as America’s sex therapist, but I did not know the 55 years of life that she lived before she became famous, that was challenge after challenge. Her whole family was murdered in the Holocaust, she went through World War II, she went through Israeli independence,” White told TheWrap’s Sharon Waxman at the Sundance Film Festival.
White’s film shows how Westheimer went from a life in Frankfurt, Germany, survived and escaped the war and even wound up as a sniper in the Israeli military before making her way to America and becoming a household name as a sex therapist.
“I knew her as America’s sex therapist, but I did not know the 55 years of life that she lived before she became famous, that was challenge after challenge. Her whole family was murdered in the Holocaust, she went through World War II, she went through Israeli independence,” White told TheWrap’s Sharon Waxman at the Sundance Film Festival.
- 2/6/2019
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
This year’s Sundance Film Festival is already shaping up to be a stronger acquisition market than last year’s, with several films already having been sold, including Mindy Kaling’s “Late Night” for a whopping $13 million and “Blinded by the Light” nearing a deal for $15 million.
The buzzy Richard Wright adaptation “Native Son” was sold to HBO films before it even premiered on Thursday night. Several movies were sold ahead of the festival as well, including Tilda Swinton’s “The Souvenir” and Ryan White’s documentary “Ask Dr. Ruth.”
Several sales agents and buyers predicted a healthy and stable marketplace this year after last year’s somewhat slower festival.
Also Read: Amazon Nabs Mindy Kaling, Emma Thompson Comedy 'Late Night' for $13 Million
Bidding wars have been scarce so far this year. “Buyers are savvy and generally are paying what they think is necessary to make a deal...
The buzzy Richard Wright adaptation “Native Son” was sold to HBO films before it even premiered on Thursday night. Several movies were sold ahead of the festival as well, including Tilda Swinton’s “The Souvenir” and Ryan White’s documentary “Ask Dr. Ruth.”
Several sales agents and buyers predicted a healthy and stable marketplace this year after last year’s somewhat slower festival.
Also Read: Amazon Nabs Mindy Kaling, Emma Thompson Comedy 'Late Night' for $13 Million
Bidding wars have been scarce so far this year. “Buyers are savvy and generally are paying what they think is necessary to make a deal...
- 1/30/2019
- by Beatrice Verhoeven and Trey Williams
- The Wrap
Will the recent box office success of documentaries impact sales at this year’s Sundance Film Festival? “Hell, yeah,” said Magnolia Pictures Eamonn Bowles, whose company released “Rbg,” one of last year’s top-grossing documentaries.
While documentaries have experienced greater theatrical market share and overall ticket sales in past years, 2018 will be remembered as the first time four independently-released nonfiction films earned more than $10 million, three of which premiered at Sundance.
Reflecting the widespread interest in uplifting real-life stories as an antidote to the dire political climate over the last 10 months, the four films reached a total box-office of nearly $60 million, while another seven documentaries surpassed $1 million. It’s this renewed appetite for entertaining nonfiction, along with more streaming companies outside of Netflix hitting a film festival that’s continually premiering the year’s top documentaries, that could propel Sundance 2019 into the record books.
Many industry insiders say bigger companies...
While documentaries have experienced greater theatrical market share and overall ticket sales in past years, 2018 will be remembered as the first time four independently-released nonfiction films earned more than $10 million, three of which premiered at Sundance.
Reflecting the widespread interest in uplifting real-life stories as an antidote to the dire political climate over the last 10 months, the four films reached a total box-office of nearly $60 million, while another seven documentaries surpassed $1 million. It’s this renewed appetite for entertaining nonfiction, along with more streaming companies outside of Netflix hitting a film festival that’s continually premiering the year’s top documentaries, that could propel Sundance 2019 into the record books.
Many industry insiders say bigger companies...
- 1/18/2019
- by Anthony Kaufman
- Indiewire
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