The Inbox (Feb. 15-21, 2014)

Every week, I get several press releases, screening invitations and other notifications from a handful of studio contacts. While I won’t be sharing any information regarding my screening invites, some of the press releases might be of interest to my readers, so I thought I’d start sharing them in toto with all of you. These could include new image galleries for various films or important updates to upcoming releases from various smaller studios and art house production companies.

Image Gallery: 300: Rise of an Empire

See the Gallery Here

Image Gallery: Bad Words

See the Gallery Here

Press Release: “RuPaul’s Drag Race” to Get Seventh Season on Logo TV

LOGO TV GREENLIGHTS “RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE” SEASON SEVEN WITH ANNOUNCEMENT OF NATIONWIDE CASTING CALL

First Episode of Season Six Available Now Exclusively on the Logo TV App RuPaul’s New Music Video “Geronimo” Premieres Exclusively on LogoTV.com Beginning Monday, February 24

NEW YORK, NY – February 17, 2014 – All hail the queens! One week before the sixth season premiere of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” on February 24th at 9 PM ET/PT, Logo TV, Viacom’s television, digital and social brand focused on the LGBT community, today announced that the mega-hit franchise has been greenlit for a seventh season. Production kicks off today with a nationwide casting call to find the fiercest queens across the land to compete in this genre-defining, battle royale of drag. To get fans revved up for the new season, starting today, Logo TV is pre-releasing the first episode (sans the elimination) exclusively on the new Logo TV app. A week later, LogoTV.com will exclusively premiere RuPaul’s new single “Geronimo,” from forthcoming album BORN NAKED on Monday, February 24.

“A new album, a season premiere and the official greenlight for season 7…all in the same week!?! I’m so verklemplt I could plotz,” said Executive Producer, RuPaul.

“RuPaul’s Drag Race continues to be a perennial fan favorite that has slowly become a pop culture phenomenon attracting a wide-range of viewers,” said Pamela Post, Vice President of Programming for Logo TV.

As Logo TV’s highest-rated series to date, “RuPaul’s Drag Race” has consistently grown its audience across all platforms each season. At present, it’s just shy of three million fans across all of Logo TV’s social platforms, including 1 million fans on Facebook, with tens of millions of video views online.

Starting today, fans that can’t wait another minute for the season six premiere on February 24th, can download the Logo TV app for free on iPhone and iPad to stream the first episode exclusively in the app (sans the elimination). Fans can also exclusively stream “21 1Ž2 Moments that Made Us Gag,” which is packed with unseen footage and insider insights featuring RuPaul, Michelle Visage, former contestants and journalists who countdown the most outrageous, shocking and heartfelt moments from the first five season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and “All Stars.”

The following week, LogoTV.com will exclusively premiere the music video for RuPaul’s double-dutch jump-rope booty bounce anthem, “Geronimo” from the album BORN NAKED. Directed by Steven Corfe and edited by Michael Roha, the music video features close-up ass-tastic twerking from Julian Serrano. To check out more RuPaul videos, interviews and news, go to LogoTV.Artists.com.

Think you have what it takes to be “America’s Next Drag Superstar?” Head to rdrcasting.com to audition for season 7 of RuPaul’s Drag Races as casting begins this week…and remember.

“RuPaul’s Drag Race” is produced by World of Wonder Productions with Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato, Tom Campbell, Mandy Salangsang, Steven Corfe and RuPaul Charles serving as Executive Producers. Pamela Post serves as Executive Producer for Logo.

For more information on “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and sneak preview clips, go to LogoTV.com. For up-to-date “RuPaul’s Drag Race” news and exclusives, join the “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Facebook page or follow the series on Twitter at @RuPaulsDragRace and #DragRace. Follow along with the live gifs from the show on Tumblr and see photos on the show’s Instagram page.

ABOUT LOGO
Logo TV is the largest LGBT focused trendsetting entertainment brand that extends across television, digital and social. Featuring one-of-a-kind personalities and unconventional stories, Logo TV attracts a diverse audience that’s interested in staying in the forefront of pop culture. Launched in 2005, Logo TV is currently in more than 52 million homes across the United States and accessible on the web via LogoTV.com, social platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, as well as a newly launched three-in-video app. Logo is part of Viacom Music and Logo Group (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB) which features a roster of popular and highly targeted brands that include MTV, VH1 and CMT.

ABOUT WORLD OF WONDER
Award-winning production company World of Wonder has been creating groundbreaking, non-fiction film and television for more than two decades and is responsible for over 1,200 hours of provocative, original programming. WOW’s TV series include “RuPaul’s Drag U” (Logo), “Million Dollar Listing LA,” “Million Dollar Listing NY” & “Million Dollar Listing Miami” (Bravo), “Life With La Toya” (OWN), “Island Hunters” (HGTV) and “Big Freedia: Queen of Bounce” (Fuse). World of Wonder has also created award-winning films and documentaries such as “Inside Deep Throat,” “The Eyes of Tammy Faye,” “Party Monster,” “Monica in Black and White” and “The Last Beekeeper,” which won a 2010 Emmy(R) Award for Outstanding Nature Programming, and “The Strange History of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” for HBO, which chronicles the repeal of the controversial military policy. The 2011 Sundance Film Festival hit “Becoming Chaz” and HBO special “Wishful Drinking” both garnered a total of five Emmy(R) nominations. “Becoming Chaz” went on to win the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Documentary. “In Vogue: The Editor’s Eye” brings to life the stories behind the most iconic images from the past 120 years of Vogue magazine, premiered on HBO last December. The documentary “Esquire’s 80th” launched the Esquire Network in September 2013. And most recently, “I Am Britney Jean” offers an intimate look into Britney Spears’ journey to her residency in Las Vegas premiered on E! in December 2013.

In celebration of 21 years of storytelling, World of Wonder published its first book, “The World According To Wonder” – featuring 300 never-before-seen portraits and exclusive interviews from the world’s most controversial, exposed and fascinating personalities, available now on Amazon. With offices in Hollywood and London, the company has produced cutting-edge fiction and non-fiction programming for HBO, Showtime, VH1, TLC, IFC, Discovery, MTV, E! Entertainment, Oxygen, BBC, PBS, Channel 4 UK, and other digital outlets that can be found online at http://worldofwonder.net/. The World of Wonder blog, The WOW Report receives more than 300,000 visitors a month.

Press Release: ICFilmFest Premieres at Round Lake Beach

ICFilmFest Premieres at Round Lake Beach Cultural & Civic Center March 14-16

Festival features 44 films from 22 countries

Chicago IL/Winter 2014-The ICFilmFest, the first touring festival of world class children’s film programs, launches festival season at the Round Lake Beach Cultural & Civic Center. Seven screens run between Friday, March 14th and Sunday, March 16th and include films tailored for children ages 2-10 showcasing a total of 44 films from 22 countries.

Four lively programs feature award-winning short films such as: Play Lunch, an Australian film about a little girl who wants to play football; Collective Consciousness #6, from Brazil tracks trash and encourages the importance of being a conscious consumer; the Danish film Flap Crashers, in which a bird must overcome his fear of flying; and One Shoe Blues starring legendary blues man, B.B. King. The ICFilm Film Festival is curated by Nicole Dreiske and presented by the Round Lake Beach Cultural and Civic Center in collaboration with the International Children’s Media Center.

Organized by RLBCC Director Monica Marr, the festival will also present a Cultural Kids Zone with dance, drumming and other activities. The Cultural Kids Zone will open an hour before the first screening each day and is free for families.

ICMC Executive Director Nicole Dreiske comments on the interactive nature of the Festival: “Watching movies shouldn’t be a passive experience for children and at the ICFilmFest, it isn’t. Lively discussions and voting designed to make the experience memorable and interactive for even the littlest movie lovers.”

Children get to vote for their favorite films immediately following each program. Their participation determines the winner of the “Best of the ICFilmFest” to be awarded to the film that receives the greatest number of votes.

Tickets (per screening) are $5 – All seats, all ages. For more information call 847-201-9032 or visit http://il-roundlakebeach.civicplus.com/230/Cultural-Civic-Center

Play Lunch, Australia Amazonia, Brazil

Round Lake Beach Cultural & Civic Center ICFilmFest 2014 Schedule:

OPENING NIGHT
Friday, March 14 – 6:30pm

TOUCH OF GENIUS Ages 6+ (69min)
There’s something special in every one of us. But like the characters in these clever films, we have to find that special something and cherish it. Jam along with the great B.B. King and some quirky sock puppets (One Shoe Blues, US), stay one step ahead of colorful rainforest predators (Amazonia, US), and discover how to escape the mysterious Kingdom of Cats (The Kingdom of Cats, Russia). Catch all 12 live action and animated films from 10 countries including: Mouse for Sale (Belgium), Lexdysia (Poland), Percuissons (France), What Makes Me Happy?: Tung’s Film (Vietnam), Love Bug (US), Flap Crashers (Denmark), Monarch (Mexico) Lizard (Australia) and Papa’s Boy (Poland).

Saturday, March 15 – 11am
Sunday, March 16 – 2pm

CIRCLE OF FRIENDS Ages 2-5 60min
Whether it’s reaching for the stars or a cup of hot cocoa, friends are there to give the extra boost that makes everything worthwhile. Watch as a kind moon sees a little boy safely home, giggle at Molly Monster’s special circus, and take a seat with Spot and Splodge as they learn the dentist isn’t so scary after all. Circle of Friendsfeatures 12 films from 10 countries: Ballet of Unhatched Chicks (US), Knitting Girl: The Bridge (Taiwan), Snow (US), Pim & Pom: Around the World (Netherlands), Obetomo School: Magnet (Japan), Violoncello (Russia), Molly Monster: Circus (Germany/Switzerland/Sweden), Shoelace (Australia), Rainy Day Friends (Taiwan), Kind Moon (Iran), The Red Hen (US), and Spot and Splodge: “At the Dentist” (Sweden)

Saturday, March 15 – 11:45am
Sunday, March 16 – 2:30pm

CREATIVE CRITTERS, CLEVER KIDS Ages 5+ 67min
From the musical to the practical, inspiration strikes these characters when they need it most. Laugh with Superdad and Pelé on an unexpected day off, fly with Mama Crow as she shields her nest from a greedy fox, and root for Fly Guy as he competes for the title of Best Pet Ever. Creative Critters, Clever Kids features 11 films from 9 countries: There’s Bliss in the Kiss (Germany/Singapore), Collective Consciousness #6 (Brazil), Most Scary Animal (Russia), Chopin’s Drawings (Poland), Edeltraud & Theodor (Germany), Hi! Fly Guy (USA), Mama Crow and the Fox (Iran), Kosher (UK), Nully & Preisemuth – Different Dinners (Germany), Superdad & Pelé (Norway), and The Princess’ Painting (Germany).

Saturday, March 15 at 12:30pm
Sunday, March 16 at 3:30pm

MAYBE IT’S MAGIC Ages 8+ (78min)
The characters in this engaging program invite viewers to take a closer look and notice the magic in moments both simple and sublime. Explore dazzling ice caverns with Nokomi and hold your breath as a shy girl brings compassion to the playground, celebrate Claudio’s creativity in Colored Pencils, and control the mysteries of time at the Tick Tock Emporium. Maybe It’s Magic includes 9 films from 8 countries: pl.nk! (Norway/Poland), The Toboggan (Canada), Play Lunch (Australia), Luminaris (Argentina), In a Heartbeat (Iceland), Nokomi (France), Colored Pencils (Brazil), Eyes on the Stars (US), and Tick Tock Emporium (USA).

Press Release: Four Short Plays to Premiere at “Unscreened”

UNSCREENED RETURNS WITH FOUR WORLD-PREMIERE SHORT PLAYS BY SOME OF HOLLYWOOD’S FASTEST-RISING WRITERS

Unscreened is back for its fourth year, now with partnership of Haven Entertainment and gearing up for biggest year yet

Los Angeles, CA (February 18, 2014) – Haven Entertainment and Firefly Theater & Films will present the fourth annual Unscreened, a lively evening of four world-premiere short plays by some of Hollywood’s fastest-rising writers and featuring a multi-star cast, opening Monday night, March 3 at the Lillian Theater.

Performances will run on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday evenings at 8:00pm through Sunday, March 31. Tickets are available at www.unscreenedla.com or by calling Brown Paper Tickets at (800) 838-3006.

The writers of Unscreened this year include: Nick Confalone and Neal Dusedau (Cartoon Network’s Johnny Test), Emmy-winner Eric Ledgin (NBC’s Late Night with Jimmy Fallon), Dan Mirk (The Onion) and Niki Schwartz-Wright (ABC’s The Golbergs).

The exciting cast features J. Claude Deering (Things Are Going Great for Me with J. Claude Deering), Beau Garret (TRON: Legacy, Criminal Minds), Lindsey Kraft (Getting On), Chris Marquette (Fanboys), Kate Miner (Necessary Roughness), Brian Sacca (Wolf of Wall Street), Michael Stahl-David (My Generation, The Black Donnellys), Eric Tiede (Kickin’ It), Jon Barinholtz, Jill Bartlett, Patrick Censopiano, Kiva Jump, Angela Trimbur, Amanda Walsh, and Chris Witaske. Additional cast will be announced shortly and kept up-to-date at www.unscreenedla.com.

This summer, for the first time, Unscreened will also present a Summer Series of staged readings of six more new works, with announcements of those writers to follow the March run of Unscreened 2014.

Haven Entertainment’s Jordana Mollick and Firefly Theater & Films’ Steven Klein created Unscreened in order to give brilliant and buzz-generating screenwriters and TV writers the chance to (i) see their visions fully realized at a pace and depth of collaboration that film and TV cannot accommodate but theater can, and (ii) to work hands-on with the well-known actors that these writers and producers are regularly meeting in their day jobs.

Several of the short plays created for Unscreened in 2011, 2012 and 2013 have led to further projects, most notably: Life Partners, by Susanna Fogel and Joni Lefkowitz, which was adapted into a feature film starring Leighton Meester, Gillian Jacobs, and Adam Brody and will be premiering in the spring; T*TS, by Leslye Headland, which is being work-shopped by Second Stage into a full-length play; Beth Schacter’s Turned Out, which is being developed into a feature; and Corinne Kingsbury’s play His Girl, which is now being developed with Anonymous Content and Unscreened into a cable TV show.

Announcing this fourth year of Unscreened and the first year of partnership with Haven Entertainment, Unscreened co-creator and producer Jordana Mollick said, “I’m excited to bring Unscreened to my new company, Haven Entertainment, and to have the support of all of my partners there. What Steven and I have created with Unscreened couldn’t fit better with Haven’s mission to support emerging voices across myriad platforms and to collaborate in new and creative ways. It has been the perfect partnership for Unscreened.” Co-creator and producer Steven Klein, of Firefly Theater & Films concurred: “Jordana and I have been blessed to have amazing collaborators throughout Unscreened. Indeed, we made nurturing a creative family a goal, working hard to make Unscreened a place that launches long-term collaborations and engages alumni and current writers, directors, actors, and designers to strengthen Unscreened’s material. We are proud to have Haven Entertainment join this family, as their artist-nurturing approach to their wide-ranging, successful work resonates strongly with our vision.”

ABOUT THE PRODUCERS
Haven Entertainment is a dynamic entertainment company that has gained recognition by producing award-winning documentary and narrative feature films; representing top writers, directors, animators and improvisers; and working with brands to develop cutting-edge digital content. Previous projects include LeBron James starrer MORE THAN A GAME (First Runner-Up 2008 Toronto Film Festival); HAPPYTHANKYOUMOREPLEASE by writer/director Josh Radnor (Audience Award 2010 Sundance Film Festival); documentary A BAND CALLED DEATH (Audience Award 2013 SXSW Film Festival); Summit’s THE COLD LIGHT OF DAY starring Henry Cavill, Bruce Willis and Sigourney Weaver; LIBERAL ARTS starring Elizabeth Olsen, Richard Jennings and Radnor; FANBOYS for The Weinstein Company starring Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchel and Kristen Bell; the Germs biopic WHAT WE DO IS SECRET starring Shane West and Bijou Phillips; FIFTY PILLS starring Lou Taylor Pucci, Michael Pena and Jane Lynch and the tv series “The Gentlemen’s League” with Jerry Ferrara and Max Greenfield. Upcoming films include the documentary MILIUS featuring interviews with Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Harrison Ford and Arnold Schwarzanegger, which recently premiered at the 2013 South By Southwest Film Festival, GRASS STAINS starring Tye Sheridan and Kaitlyn Dever, TELL from director JMR Luna and the recently completed LIFE PARTNERS, starring Leighton Meester, Gillian Jacobs and Adam Brody. Haven partners are Mauricio Betancur, Kevin Mann, Matthew Perniciaro, Rachel Miller and Jesse Hara. Unscreened co-founder Jordana Mollick and Brendan Bragg, formerly of Black Sheep Entertainment, joined the company as partners in 2013.

With equal footing in both media, Firefly Theater & Films has been telling stories for nearly 20 years. Firefly theater projects have garnered over two-dozen awards for shows in Boston, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Belfast, Off-West End London, and Off-Broadway, and its films have won awards at dozens of festivals internationally. Firefly’s LAFF-winning documentary, Make Believe – one of Ebert’s Top Docs of 2011 – is currently being development as a Broadway musical with Disney Theatricals, while Steven Klein’s new documentary, PRINT THE LEGEND is making its world premiere in March at the SXSW Film Festival. Steven recently produced and starred in the feature film KENSHO AT THE BEDFELLOW and is developing, with Rain Wilson (The Office), a faux documentary comedy feature that’s set up at 2929 and Magnolia.

Press Release: “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Contestants to Reenact Infamous Harding/Kerrigan Olympics Incident

LOGO TV TO DEBUT FIRST-EVER MINI-SERIES TO SIMULTANEOUSLY PREMIERE ACROSS TELEVISION, WEB, MOBILE AND SOCIAL

“Ice Queens” Features a Comedic Re-Telling of the Infamous Nancy Kerrigan/ Tonya Harding Winter Olympic Scandal Featuring Drag Queens from “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Five Night Multiplatform Event Debuts Tonight at 9pm ET/PT

New York, February 19, 2014 – Logo TV, Viacom’s television, digital and social brand focused on the LGBT community, today announced plans to debut the world’s first ever mini-series to simultaneously premiere across television, web, mobile and social. Timed to the 20th anniversary of the Nancy Kerrigan/Tonya Harding Olympic scandal, “Ice Queens,” staring drag queens from Logo’s hit series, “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” is a comedic homage and parody of the various made-for-TV melodramatic biopics and documentaries highlighting the attack and subsequent aftermath. The five night multiplatform event kicks off tonight on Logo TV, LogoTV.com, the newly released LogoTV app on iOS, as well as Logo’s social platforms on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Vine. The film is divided into 10 parts with 2 parts premiering back-to-back across television at 9pm ET/PT and across web, mobile and social at 9pm ET/6pm PT.

“To mark the 20th anniversary of the controversy and with the Winter Olympics in full swing, we wanted to offer a fresh take on one of the games’ most memorable moments, while getting fans excited for a new season of RuPaul’s Drag Race,” said Pamela Post, Vice President of Programming for Logo TV. “For better or worse, Ice Queens now becomes a foot note in TV history as the first film to premiere across all platforms at the same time.”

“Ice Queens” stars Willam Belli as Tonya Harding, Morgan McMichaels as Nancy Kerrigan and features Delta Work as an FBI agent, Yara Sofia as Oksana Baiul, Colby Melvin as Jeff Gillooly, Christopher Adames as Shane Stant and Vivienne Pinay as a News Reporter. “RuPaul’s Drag Race” new season premiere on February 24 at 9pm ET/PT.

Logo TV’s editorial team will also be covering the games across its web, mobile and social sites highlighting the personalities, politics and events that will define the games, including an interview with Olympic speed skater, Blake Skellerup, who discussed coming out and how Russia’s anti-gay stance will effect Olympic athletes.

Two-time Olympic medalist and three-time World Champion women’s hockey player, Caitlin Cahow, is serving as Logo’s first ever Olympic columnist. Cahow, who was part of the Presidential Olympic Delegation during the opening ceremonies, is writing a series of articles exclusively for LogoTV.com highlighting her experiences in Sochi as an openly gay woman, her experiences as a gay athlete during the 2006 and 2010 Winter Olympic Games

Additionally, “Logo Town Hall: Russia vs. The Gays” will be available for free and on-demand streaming throughout the run of the games. The one-hour special, which originally debuted in September, explores the facts and myths surrounding the “gay propaganda” law and the international backlash, which included a boycott on Russian products, as well as the controversy surround the US participation in the Sochi Olympic Games.

The release of “Ice Queens” marks Logo’s latest content experimentation. Back in June, Logo TV premiered “The Vines of Sauvignon Blanc” the first soap opera to be created exclusively for Vine. The series was heralded by press with Buzzfeed calling the series “amazing,” and Instinct commenting that it was “genius.”

Press Release: Preview Screening of “Leave the World Behind” Set

LEAVE THE WORLD BEHIND THE ALL NEW MOTION PICTURE EVENT STARRING SWEDISH HOUSE MAFIA ADVANCE PREVIEW SCREENINGS ON MARCH 13TH IN NEW YORK AND LOS ANGELES

TICKETS GO ON SALE TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25TH AT 10AM EST/PST

New York, NY (February 20, 2014) – Get ready to capture the final “electric” moments of global music sensation Swedish House Mafia in the most anticipated music documentary of the year. On Tuesday, February 25, fans will have the opportunity to purchase tickets for special advance preview screenings in New York and Los Angeles via www.leavetheworldbehind.com.

LEAVE THE WORLD BEHIND follows global music sensation Swedish House Mafia as they complete their “One Last Tour,” the largest worldwide electronic music tour in history with over 1,000,000 tickets sold worldwide in just one week. Director Christian Larson (Take One) captures the band’s decision to bring an end to their life’s biggest achievement in order to save their friendship. Audiences will get a front-row seat as Larson films the trio in an honest, raw, and emotional showcase of the group’s final chapter as electronic music’s finest.

The film will have its World Premiere at the popular SXSW Film Festival on Wednesday, March 12. In addition, the film will have sneak preview screenings around the world in six different markets (New York, Los Angeles, London, Stockholm, Amsterdam & Sydney) where Swedish House Mafia has enjoyed performing to some of their most ecstatic audiences. In the U.S. on Thursday, March 13, the film will screen in New York at the historic Ziegfeld Theatre and in Los Angeles at the iconic Arclight Hollywood Cinerama Dome.

U.S. Advance Preview Screenings Information on Thursday, March 13:

New York
Ziegfeld Theatre
141 West 54th Street New York, NY
7PM Doors / 8PM Screening

Los Angeles
Arclight Hollywood Cinerama Dome
6360 Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood CA
7PM Doors / 8PM Screening

Free limited edition event poster for all ticket holders (collected at the event).

To purchase advance preview screening tickets, please log on to www.leavetheworldbehind.com starting February 25th at 10:00am EST/PST.

Swedish House Mafia has sold over 1.7 million albums worldwide with their biggest selling single, “Don’t You Worry Child,” receiving over 160 million views on VEVO/YouTube and selling nearly 6 million singles worldwide reaching the #1 iTunes spot in 45 countries across the world including the UK. The group were also the first electronic dance music act to headline the world-renowned Madison Square Garden in New York City. Tickets for the show sold out in less than 9 minutes.

Press Release: “Sol Lewitt” Acquired by Icarus Films

Icarus Films acquires SOL LEWITT; U.S. Theatrical Premiere May 7 at Film Forum

February 20, 2014, New York: Icarus Films announced its acquisition of all North American distribution rights, including non-theatrical, theatrical, home video and digital markets, to SOL LEWITT, directed by Chris Teerink. The film will make its U.S. Theatrical Premiere at Film Forum in New York City on May 7, 2014.

“Lewitt helped establish Conceptualism and Minimalism as dominant movements of the postwar era. [His] deceptively simple geometric sculptures and drawings and ecstatically colored and jazzy wall paintings established him as a lodestar of modern American art.” –The New York Times

“Conceptual artists leap to conclusions logic cannot reach,” Sol LeWitt (1928-2007) said in a rare audio-interview from 1974. Notoriously camera-shy, Lewitt refused awards and rarely granted interviews, yet in Chris Teerink’s sensitive cinematic portrait, the pioneering conceptual American artist comes alive. LeWitt’s artwork can be seen as obsession pushed to the limit of paradox and absurdity: simple ideas, communicated simply—often with a set of instructions sent by fax—lead to overwhelming visual and intellectual complexity.

For example, to create Wall drawing #801: Spiral, a white line spirals down the black wall of a cupola 3.2 miles long. The film documents the piece’s 2011 installation in Maastricht, the Netherlands, which takes eight assistants 30 days to complete. When the painstaking work is done and the scaffolding taken away, the result is the transformative. Using extensive interviews and documentation of artwork installed around the world, in the acclaimed documentary SOL LEWITT, director Chris Teerink explores the artist’s work and philosophy.

Winner of Best Documentary prizes at the International Festival of Films on Art and International Art Book and Film Festival, the film also has been featured in museums including the Institute for Contemporary Art (ICA) in London.

Part of Icarus Films’ extensive collection of documentaries on Fine Art and American Studies, SOL LEWITT is currently available for engagements including film festivals and theatrical and non-theatrical/educational bookings.

Press Release: Olive Films to Open “Guilty of Romance” and “Himizu” on March 14

OLIVE FILMS OPENS TWO FILMS BY ACCLAIMED JAPANESE FILMMAKER SION SONO, GUILTY OF ROMANCE AND HIMIZU, ON MARCH 14 AT ELINOR BUNIN MUNROE FILM CENTER IN NEW YORK CITY

New York, NY – February 21, 2014 – Olive Films is proud to announce the New York theatrical release of two new films by cult Japanese director Sion Sono (Love Exposure and Cold Fish). Both films, Himizu and Guilty of Romance, are set to open on March 14 in an exclusive engagement at the Film Society of Lincoln Center’s Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center, in Manhattan.

Born in Toyokawa, Aichi, Japan, Sion Sono is a controversial filmmaker, avant-garde artist and poet who is best known stateside by Love Exposure and Cold Fish, the first two titles in his “Hate Films” series. With the release of Guilty of Romance, American audiences can finally watch the final chapter of Mr. Sono’s dark and violent trilogy.

Sion Sono’s unique blend of cinematic rebellion and underground sensibilities has turned some of his previous films into cult favorites, but his films have also played at (and won) several mainstream film festival across the globe.

Himizu, a powerful drama based on an eponymous manga by Minoru Furuya, premiered in the competition slot at the 68th Venice International Film Festival — and its lead actors, Shota Sometani and Fumi Nikaido, received the Marcello Mastroianni Award for Best New Young Actor and Actress.

Guilty of Romance tells a terrifying tale of sex and violence through the lives of three different women: a police detective, a professor and a housewife.

Set just before the turn of the 21st century, the film blends film noir with drama, in a perfect showcase of the director’s unique aesthetics and use of highly saturated colors. Guilty of Romance weaves a disturbing tale of escape of patriarchy and oppression — and is considered by many as the most exhilarating part of Sono’s “hate” trilogy.

Set in a utopian Japanese town ravaged by the Tsunami of 2011, Himizu is a tale of love, resilience and survival. Its main character is Yuichi (Shôta Sometani), an angst-ridden 15-year-old boy whose mother abandons him to run a struggling family business. Meanwhile, Yuichi’s classmate Keiko (Fumi Nikaidou), has developed a massive crush on him and follows his every move.

One volatile day, the turmoil-filled teenage boy is pushed too far and begins a violent spree of revenge against all the world’s evildoers, including his physically abusive alcoholic father.

Press Release: IFP Announces New Director of Communications

IFP ANNOUNCES JODY ARLINGTON AS DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

Arlington to Drive Communications for IFP Annual Programming And New Made In NY Media Center By IFP

February 21, 2014 (New York, NY) – The Independent Filmmaker Project (IFP) announced today that Jody Arlington has joined the IFP team as its Director of Communications, overseeing IFP’s communications for its annual programming and the new Made in NY Media Center by IFP.

Arlington will lead communications efforts for the Media Center, 35th anniversary initiatives and IFP’s Independent Film Week, Annual Labs, and Filmmaker Magazine. She also will manage outside consultants on select annual events such as the Gotham Awards by IFP. She will split his time between New York and Washington, DC where she also serves as Acting Director of the IFP Festival Forum, an emergent professional association of film festivals incubated by IFP. Arlington joins IFP’s previously announced staff hires for the Media Center including: Director of External Affairs, Sean Mc Manus, Director of Programming, Brent Hoff and Managing Director of Operations & Administration, Andrea Baker, and Producer of Education Programs Nekisa Cooper.

“We have been working with Jody Arlington during the launch of the Media Center, and are excited to have her as our Director of Communications. Her achievements in directing PR for arts institutions including Sundance Institute and AFI and a variety of film and tech launches are well known, and she is a great addition to our team,” said Joana Vicente, Executive Director of IFP and the Made in NY Media Center.

Jody Arlington has more than 20 years of experience representing organizations and independent film projects. She’s dedicated the past 11 years to representing the Silverdocs Documentary Festival and International Documentary Conference (now AFI Docs), has served as Director of Communications for the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, launched the Impact Arts + Film Fund, Snagfilms, indiegogo, directed Sundance Institute’s 25th Anniversary initiatives and represented dozens of independent films at all stages of distribution. She is an ardent supporter of artist-driven storytelling and the converging platforms and disciplines transforming the art and business of media creation and exhibition. Arlington is a graduate of Georgetown University, where she has taught entertainment PR, Film Festival Studies and Storytelling 2.0. She reviews graphic novels for NPR Books.

“IFP has a rich history, and for the first time, a physical home and expanded direction in the Made in NY Media Center, where some of the most exciting collaborations and experimentations in storytelling are being formulated,” said Jody Arlington, Director of Communications. “IFP’s vision for its members, projects and the NY storytelling community is one that I’m keenly excited to help amplify with Executive Director Joana Vicente and IFP’s incredibly dedicated staff and wider artist community.”

ABOUT IFP
The Independent Filmmaker Project (IFP) champions the future of storytelling by connecting artists with essential resources at all stages of development and distribution. IFP fosters a vibrant and sustainable independent storytelling community, represents a growing network of 10,000 storytellers around the world, and plays a key role in developing 350 new feature and documentary works each year. During its 35-year history, IFP has supported over 8,000 projects and offered resources to more than 20,000 filmmakers, including, Debra Granik, Miranda July, Michael Moore, Dee Rees, and Benh Zeitlin.

IFP guides storytellers through the process of making and distributing their work. It offers creative, technological and business support through year-round programming, which includes Filmmaker Magazine, Independent Film Week, Envision, The Gotham Independent Film Awards, and the Independent Filmmaker Labs. IFP’s latest initiative, the Made in NY Media Center by IFP, is an incubator space developed with the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, where storytellers from multiple disciplines, industries, and platforms can create, collaborate and connect. Through its programming—which also includes seminars, conferences, and mentorships—IFP creates exciting opportunities for promising new voices from a diverse range of racial, ethnic, religious, ideological and sexual perspectives.

ABOUT THE MADE IN NY MEDIA CENTER BY IFP
The Made in NY Media Center by IFP is where storytellers from multiple disciplines, industries and platforms create, collaborate, connect and incubate across a spectrum of programs, events and experiences. The Center brings together innovators in film, video, gaming, technology and more through education, mentorship, entrepreneurship and content creation. The 20,000-square-foot facility is located on the ground floor of 30 John Street in DUMBO at the intersection of John and Jay Streets features co-working spaces, talent incubator, 72-seat screening room, art gallery and café in addition to dedicated spaces for classes, conferences, meetings and tenancy. Through a combination of membership-driven and public-access programming our Center champions the future of storytelling in the digital age through a unique focus on cross-platform and cross-discipline media innovation. www.nymediacenter.com

ABOUT THE MAYOR’S OFFICE OF MEDIA AND ENTERTAINMENT
The Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment consists of the Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting, facilitating and supporting film and TV production throughout the five boroughs; NYC Digital, which works to realize New York City’s potential as the world’s leading digital city; and NYC Media, the official TV, radio and online network of the City of New York. The agency’s mission is to streamline government communications by making information accessible, leveraging technology to aid in the transparency of government and by supporting relevant media and entertainment industries in New York City.

Press Release: “The Hornet’s Nest” Releases in May

HIGH-OCTANE ACTION FEATURE ‘THE HORNET’S NEST’ FOLLOWS FATHER-SON JOURNALISTS DURING AFGHAN TROOP SURGE

Immersive Battle Film Bows Nationally from Freestyle Releasing on May 23rd with Platform Releases on May 9th and May 16th

Los Angeles, CA (February 19, 2014) – Freestyle Releasing has set May 23rd, 2014 for the nationwide theatrical release of the highly-anticipated combat story THE HORNET’S NEST, an immersive feature film directed by David Salzberg and Christian Tureaud that puts audiences on the front line of battle, in a pulse pounding experience never before captured on film. The film stars real-life father and son journalists Mike and Carlos Boettcher, Emmy award-winning correspondents embedded with U.S. troops in Afghanistan that faced some of the most difficult battle conditions of the war while reporting on the action. Through their eyes, audiences are given unprecedented access to the front lines of battle, and the heroes who fight for our freedom. Produced by Salzberg and Tureaud of HighRoad Media and the Boettchers, with John Brenkus and Mickey Stern executive producing for Base Productions, THE HORNET’S NEST will open in select markets on May 9th and May 16th.

In the vein of LONE SURVIVOR and ACT OF VALOR, THE HORNET’S NEST tells the story of two real life journalists who were the only father and son team ever to embed with U.S. Armed Forces fighting on the front lines in Afghanistan. With cameras rolling, the Boettchers are side by side with American forces in some of the conflict’s toughest battles, as they spend almost two years covering the American troop surge, considered the most violent era of the Afghanistan war. Allowing the viewers unprecedented access to the Soldiers and Marines, what ultimately unfolds is a true story of survival not only for the troops but for a father and son who seek to rekindle their relationship under the most harrowing of circumstances.

Mike and Carlos Boettcher are the only father and son to ever win an Emmy for the same news story, having recently won the prestigious “News Story of the Year” for ABC News for their coverage of STRONG EAGLE 3, which highlighted one of the most intense battles of the troop surge and is featured as the final act of the film.

“Freestyle Releasing was immediately moved by the incredible story of Mike and Carlos Boettcher, as well as all the brave servicemen and women on the front lines shown in the film,” said Mark Borde, Co-President Freestyle Releasing. “This very commercial story of bravery and heroism will definitely appeal to mass audiences.”

“The Hornet’s Nest film is one hundred percent real Soldiers and Marines, risking their lives for each other, seen through a father and son’s perspective. The film has a huge heart and is action packed,” said Salzberg and Tureaud in a joint statement. “This film gives you a never before seen view of the sacrifices, patriotism and dedication our troops face every day in battle. We are honored to part of the team that created The Hornet’s Nest.”

“After you see The Hornet’s Nest, the next time you encounter a Marine or Soldier, you won’t just thank them, you’ll hug them. That is why my son and I spent almost two years in Afghanistan at their side,” said Mike Boettcher.

The all-star soundtrack, featuring five time Grammy winner Wynonna Judd and husband Michael ‘Cactus’ Moser’s “Follow Me,” will be available from Gratitude Entertainment in May, 2014.

HighRoad Media is repped by Authentic Talent and Literary Management.

About Freestyle Releasing:
Freestyle Releasing is a full-service, theatrical motion picture distribution company that specializes in representing independent companies, major studios, and mini-major studios for the purpose of exhibiting their films in a first class theatrical release. The founders and principals of Freestyle Releasing, Mark Borde and Susan Jackson are highly regarded and experienced motion picture veterans with a combined total of over a century of respected work in the industry. From a platform that delivers an anytime-anywhere capability in the medium of their choice and a positive digital viewing experience on any device in any location.

About HighRoad Media
HighRoad Media, Inc. is based in Beverly Hills, California and is a full-service entertainment company that develops, produces, distributes and markets entertainment content in all mediums Worldwide. Most recently, the Principals at HighRoad produced the feature film entitled, “The Perfect Game”, the feature length documentaries entitled “Running the Sahara”, “For Right or Wrong” and “La Source” . The Principals at HighRoad have collected over 150 awards, including numerous awards at major film festivals around the world.

About BASE Productions, Inc.
BASE Productions, Inc. is an 11-time Emmy Award and 17-time IDEA Award winning-production company that is setting ratings records and breaking new ground for cutting-edge reality, docusoap and unscripted infotainment programming. BASE’s innovative productions cover a wide variety of genres, ranging across sports, law enforcement, paranormal, automotive, and many other successful subjects. BASE’s unique style of blending technology and reality brings a signature look to all of their programming. The company has produced groundbreaking series and set ratings records for a variety of cable channels, and has longstanding successful relationships with nearly all of the major U.S. cable networks, including ESPN, Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, Tru TV, SyFy, A&E, National Geographic, and many others. BASE has American facilities on both coasts, with a corporate headquarters in the Washington D.C. market, and a 27,000 square foot production, post production, and soundstage studio in Los Angeles. BASE was founded in 1992 by John Brenkus and Mickey Stern.

Press Release: Brigade 2014 SXSW Festival Slate

2014 SXSW FILM FESTIVAL

——————————————————————————–

Below please find a list of the films Brigade will be handling at the 2014 SXSW Festival (by section).

——————————————————————————–

FORT TILDEN – Narrative Competition
Directed by Sarah-Violet Bliss & Charles Rogers
(Acquisition Title)
Cast: Bridey Elliott, Clare McNulty, Griffin Newman, Jeffrey Scaperrotta, Will Hines, Peter Vack
All twenty-something Brooklynites Allie and Harper want is an afternoon at the beach, but their limited life skills and a barrage of unfriendly circumstances needlessly complicate the journey.

WILD CANARIES – Narrative Competition
Directed by Lawrence Michael Levine
(Acquisition Title)
Cast: Sophia Takal, Lawrence Michael Levine, Alia Shawkat, Annie Parisse, Jason Ritter, Kevin Corrigan, Lindsay Burdge
When their elderly neighbor suddenly drops dead, a young Brooklyn couple investigates signs of foul play.

CREEP – Visions
Directed by Patrick Brice
(Acquisition Title)
Cast: Patrick Brice, Mark Duplass
Looking for work, Aaron comes across a cryptic online ad promising $1,000 for the day to film Josef, an eccentric stranger, for an unconventional project. But as he begins work, it becomes clear that Josef is not quite who he says he is.

HONEYMOON – Midnighters
Directed by Leigh Janiak
(Acquisition Title)
Cast: Rose Leslie, Harry Treadaway, Ben Huber, Hanna Brown
What starts out as an idyllic honeymoon devolves into terror as romance is interrupted by something unexpected and sinister.

LATE PHASES – Midnighters
Directed by Adrian Garcia Bogliano
(Acquisition Title)
Cast: Nick Damici, Ethan Embry, Lance Guest, Erin Cummings, Rutanya Alda, Tina Louise, Caitlin O’Heaney, Karen Lynn Gorney, Dana Ashbrook, Tom Noonan
When deadly attacks from the forests beset a secluded retirement community, it is up to a grizzled veteran to figure what the residents are hiding.

STARRY EYES – Midnighters
Directed by Dennis Widmyer & Kevin Kolsh
(Acquisition Title)
Cast: Alexandra Essoe, Amanda Fuller, Fabianne Therese, Noah Segan, Shane Coffey, Natalie Castillo, Pat Healy, Marc Senter, Maria Olsen, Lou Dezseran
In the city of dreams, a desperate actress will do whatever it takes for the role of a lifetime… no matter what the cost.

BIG IN JAPAN – 24 Beats Per Second
Directed by John Jeffcoat
(Acquisition Title)
Cast: David Drury, Philip A. Peterson, Sean Lowry, Alex Vincent, Adam Powers
After realizing their dreams have taken a backseat to their boring day jobs, Seattle band Tennis Pro gamble with fate and try to make it “Big in Japan.”

HELLION – Festival Favorites
Directed by Kat Candler
(Acquisition Title)
Cast: Aaron Paul, Josh Wiggins, Juliette Lewis, Deke Garner, Jonny Mars
When motocross and heavy metal obsessed 13-year-old Jacob’s delinquent behavior results in the authorities placing his little brother Wes with their aunt, he and his emotionally absent father must finally take responsibility for their actions and each other in order to bring Wes home.

THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE – 40th ANNIVERSARY
Directed by Tobe Hooper
Cast: Marilyn Burns, Edwin Neal, Allen Danziger, Paul A. Partain, William Vail, Teri McMinn, Edwin Neal, Jim Siedow, Gunnar Hansen, John Dugan
An idyllic summer afternoon becomes a terrifying nightmare for five young friends after they stumble upon the home of a depraved Texas clan.

——————————————————————————–

FORT TILDEN

(Acquisition Title)

Section: Narrative Competition
Written and Directed by: Sarah-Violet Bliss & Charles Rogers
Cast: Bridey Elliott, Clare McNulty, Griffin Newman, Jeffrey Scaperrotta, Neil Casey, Alysia Reiner, Will Hines, Peter Vack, Max Jenkins, John Early

Fort Tilden: New York City’s secluded seaside nirvana where, like flies to honey, Brooklyn’s hip millennial set flocks on sweltering weekend afternoons for unbridled summertime indulgence.

In the midst of their respective quarter-life crises, Allie (Clare McNulty) struggles to prepare for the Peace Corps, while Harper (Bridey Elliott) awaits checks from her father to fund her artistic dreams. But the two friends quickly shun responsibilities for the day when a pair of cute guys invite them along for a carefree Fort Tilden afternoon. As the two young women board their fixed-gear bicycles and embark on a lengthy journey to the beach, they quickly realize that, akin to their confusing, transitioning lives, they neither know where they’re going nor how they plan to get there.

The feature film debut of writers/directors Sarah-Violet Bliss and Charles Rogers, FORT TILDEN takes viewers on a comedic journey through the outer boroughs as Allie and Harper cope with creepy neighbors, unpredictable traffic patterns, indignant cabbies, and each other.

TRT: 95 minutes
Country: USA
Language: English
Genre: Comedy

Screenings:
World Premiere: Saturday, March 8th, 9:30pm (Alamo Ritz 1&2)
Public Screening #2: Sunday, March 9th, 4:15pm (Rollins Theatre)
Public Screening #3: Friday, March 14th, 1:30pm (Stateside Theatre)

——————————————————————————–

WILD CANARIES

(Acquisition Title)

Section: Narrative Competition
Written and Directed by: Lawrence Michael Levine
Cast: Sophia Takal, Lawrence Michael Levine, Alia Shawkat, Annie Parisse, Jason Ritter, Kevin Corrigan, Lindsay Burdge

Synopsis:
Barri and Noah, a newly engaged Brooklyn couple, are disheartened by the death of their elderly downstairs neighbor, Sylvia. Though Noah sees nothing unusual about the old woman’s death, Barri suspects foul play and sets out to investigate, enlisting her roommate Jean to join her on a reconnaissance mission to trail a possible suspect. Tensions mount, however, when the investigation uncovers unsettling secrets throughout the building—including in their own apartment—and suddenly everyone seems like a reasonable suspect. A freshly comedic take on classic film noir, WILD CANARIES brings a unique sensibility to a high-stakes murder mystery.

TRT: 98 minutes
Country: USA
Language: English
Genre: Comedy/Mystery

Screenings:
World Premiere: Saturday, March 8th, 4:15pm (Alamo Ritz 1&2)
Public Screening #2: Sunday, March 9th, 9:30pm (Rollins Theatre)
Public Screening #3: Wednesday, March 12th, 9:30pm (Alamo Ritz 2)

——————————————————————————–

CREEP

(Acquisition Title)

Section: Visions
Written and Directed by: Patrick Brice
Co-written by: Mark Duplass
Cast: Patrick Brice, Mark Duplass

Synopsis:
Looking for work, Aaron (Patrick Brice) comes across a cryptic online ad: “$1,000 for the day. Filming service. Discretion is appreciated.”

Low on cash and full of naiveté, he decides to go for it. He drives to a cabin in a remote mountain town where he meets Josef (Mark Duplass), his cinematic subject for the day. Josef is sincere and the project seems heartfelt, so Aaron begins to film. But as the day goes on, it becomes clear that Josef is not who he says, and his intentions are not at all pure.

The directorial debut of Patrick Brice and produced by Jason Blum (PARANORMAL ACTIVITY, INSIDIOUS) and Mark Duplass (SAFETY NOT GUARANTEED), CREEP’s intense interplay between its two protagonists upends expectations at every turn.

TRT: 80 minutes
Country: USA
Language: English
Genre: Drama/Comedy/Thriller

Screenings:
World Premiere: Saturday, March 8th, 9:30pm (Stateside Theatre)
Public Screening #2: Monday, March 10th, 11:00am (SXSatellite: Alamo Slaughter)
Public Screening #3: Wednesday, March 12th, 7:00pm (Rollins Theatre)
Public Screening #4: Friday, March 14th, 10:00pm (Topfer Theatre)

——————————————————————————–

HONEYMOON

(Acquisition Title)

Section: Midnighters
Written and Directed by: Leigh Janiak
Co-written by: Phil Graziadei
Cast: Rose Leslie, Harry Treadaway, Ben Huber, Hanna Brown

Synopsis:
Young newlyweds Paul (Harry Treadaway) and Bea (Rose Leslie) travel to remote lake country for their honeymoon where the promise of private romance awaits them. Shortly after arriving, Paul finds Bea wandering and disoriented in the middle of the night. As she becomes more distant and her behavior increasingly peculiar, Paul begins to suspect something more sinister than sleepwalking took place in the woods.

Treadaway (CONTROL) and Leslie (HBO’s “Game of Thrones”) give captivating leading performances as a couple that takes new love to disturbing depths. With romance slowing giving way to terror, writer/director Leigh Janiak puts her unique stamp on this intimate, chilling thriller.

TRT: 87 minutes
Country: USA
Language: English
Genre: Horror/Thriller

Screenings:
World Premiere: Friday, March 7th, 11:45pm (Alamo Ritz 1&2)
Public Screening #2: Tuesday, March 11th, 11:59pm (Stateside Theatre)
Public Screening #3: Thursday, March 13th, 11:59pm (Alamo Ritz 1)

——————————————————————————–

LATE PHASES

(Acquisition Title)

Section: Midnighters
Directed by: Adrian Garcia Bogliano
Screenwriter: Eric Stolze
Cast: Nick Damici, Ethan Embry, Lance Guest, Erin Cummings, Rutanya Alda, Tina Louise, Caitlin O’Heaney, Karen Lynn Gorney, Dana Ashbrook, Tom Noonan

Synopsis:
Crescent Bay is not the ideal place to spend one’s golden years, especially since the once-idyllic retirement community has been beset by a series of deadly animal attacks from the ominous forest surrounding it. When grizzled war veteran Ambrose McKinley (Nick Damici) is forced into moving there by his yuppie son Will (Ethan Embry), the residents immediately take offense to Ambrose’s abrasive personality. But that take-no-prisoners attitude may be just what Ambrose needs to survive as it becomes clear that the attacks are being caused by creatures that are neither animal nor man, and that the tight-knit community of Crescent Bay is hiding something truly sinister in its midst…

Following the release of his HERE COMES THE DEVIL, as well as his scene-stealing segment “B is For Bigfoot” in the horror anthology THE ABCS OF DEATH, Adriån Garcîa Bogliano cements his status as one of the top horror filmmakers coming out of Spain with LATE PHASES. In a bookend of sorts to his performance in the cult hit STAKE LAND, Nick Damici commands the screen here, coming on the heels of his Sundance vigilante thriller COLD IN JULY and last year’s critically acclaimed cannibal drama, WE ARE WHAT WE ARE.

TRT: 95 minutes
Country: USA
Language: English
Genre: Thriller

Screenings:
World Premiere: Sunday, March 9th, 11:45pm (Alamo Ritz 1&2)
Public Screening #2: Thursday, March 13th, 11:45pm (Alamo Ritz 2)
Public Screening #3: Friday, March 14th, 11:59pm (SXSatellite: Marchesa)

——————————————————————————–

STARRY EYES

(Acquisition Title)

Section: Midnighters
Written and Directed by: Dennis Midmyer & Kevin Kolsch
Cast: Alexandra Essoe, Amanda Fuller, Fabianne Therese, Noah Segan, Shane Coffey, Natalie Castillo, Pat Healy, Marc Senter, Maria Olsen, Lou Dezseran

Synopsis:
Determined to make it as an actress in Hollywood, Sarah Walker (Alexandra Essoe) spends her days working a dead-end job, enduring petty friendships and going on countless casting calls in hopes of catching her big break. After a series of strange auditions, Sarah lands the leading role in a new film from a mysterious production company. But with this opportunity comes bizarre ramifications that will transform her both mentally and physically into something beautiful… and altogether terrifying. In this meta-tale of the extent one will go for their art, Essoe gives a complex, scary, deeply committed performance. From the producer of Cheap Thrills and Jodorowsky’s Dune, Dennis Widmyer and Kevin Kolsch’s STARRY EYES is an occult tale of ambition, possession, and the true cost of fame.

TRT: 98 minutes
Country: USA
Language: English
Genre: Horror/Drama

Screenings:
World Premiere: Saturday, March 8th, 11:59pm (Alamo Ritz 1&2)
Public Screening #2: Monday, March 10th, 11:59pm (SXSatellite: Marchesa)
Public Screening #3: Wednesday, March 12th, 11:59pm (Stateside Theatre)
Public Screening #4: Friday, March 14th, 1:30pm (Alamo Ritz 2)

——————————————————————————–

BIG IN JAPAN

(Acquisitions Title)

Section: 24 Beats Per Second
Written and Directed by: John Jeffcoat
Cast: David Drury, Philip A. Peterson, Sean Lowry, Alex Vincent, Adam Powers

Synopsis:
Things are looking bleak for the members of rock band Tennis Pro. They’ve been struggling to connect to an audience in the Seattle music scene, with a recent run of shows drawing sparse crowds and uninspiring day jobs that are quickly eclipsing their dreams. So when an opportunity arises to take their act on the road to Japan – where the allure of a second chance at recognition awaits them – they can’t refuse. Embarking on their Tokyo musical odyssey, the guys experience all the thrills and setbacks of taking their music into unknown territory (at least to them) and in the process learn a thing or two about themselves. It’s just possible they won’t fade away.

BIG IN JAPAN is a semi-fictionalized rock ‘n roll road movie based loosely on actual events and told with rollicking humor and catchy tunes. Director John Jeffcoat (OUTSOURCED) utilizes a fresh narrative approach and guerrilla production style, with music and film intersecting with two cultures to reveal simple, oftentimes hilarious, universal truths.

TRT: 100 minutes
Country: USA
Language: English
Genre: Comedy

Screenings:
World Premiere: Tuesday, March 11th, 6:30pm (Stateside Theatre)
Public Screening #2: Thursday, March 13th, 9:30pm (Alamo Ritz 1)

——————————————————————————–

HELLION

(Acquisition Title)

Section: Festival Favorites
Written and Directed by: Kat Candler
Cast: Aaron Paul, Juliette Lewis, Josh Wiggins, Deke Garner, Jonny Mars

Synopsis:
Writer/director Kat Candler’s HELLION paints the powerful portrait of a family on the brink of dissolution set against the haunting backdrop of the refineries of Southeast Texas.

Obsessed with heavy metal, dirt bike racing and partaking in the occasional act of vandalism with his band of delinquents, the behavior of 13-year-old Jacob Wilson (Josh Wiggins in his feature film debut) has begun to raise concerns around town, especially when it starts to involve his younger brother Wes (newcomer Deke Garner). While the boys’ father Hollis (two-time Emmy Award-winner Aaron Paul) loves his sons, he is still reeling from the loss of their mother, spending more time drowning his sorrows at the local bar and working on his damaged beach house than being an active parent.

When the local authorities catch wind of the increasingly volatile situation, Wes is taken into custody by his Aunt Pam (Academy Award nominee Juliette Lewis), leaving Jacob and Hollis to fend for themselves. In Wes’ absence, Jacob becomes increasingly obsessed with two things: winning a local motocross championship and getting his brother back.

With a scorching central performance by Wiggins and heart-wrenchingly raw turns by Paul and Lewis, HELLION is impossible to shake. Executive Produced by Jeff Nichols (MUD) and Sarah Green (THE TREE OF LIFE).

TRT: 94 minutes
Country: USA
Language: English
Genre: Drama

Screenings:
Public Screening #1: Sunday, March 9th, 2:15pm (Topfer Theatre)
Public Screening #2: Wednesday, March 12th, 7:00pm (Topfer Theatre)

——————————————————————————–

THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE

Section: Special Events
Written and Directed by: Tobe Hooper
Co-written by: Kim Henkel
Cast: Marilyn Burns, Edwin Neal, Allen Danziger, Paul A. Partain, William Vail, Teri McMinn, Edwin Neal, Jim Siedow, Gunnar Hansen, John Dugan

Synopsis:
In 1974, writer-producer-director Tobe Hooper unleashed this dark, visionary tale about a group of five young friends who face a nightmare of torment at the hands of a depraved Texas clan. Today it remains unequaled as a landmark of outlaw filmmaking and unparalleled in its impact as perhaps the most frightening motion picture ever made. Making its triumphant return to the Austin-based, TX area where the film was shot 4 decades ago, to celebrate this beloved horror classic’s 40th anniversary, MPI Media Group presents the original film restored from an all-new 4k scan authorized by director Tobe Hooper and featuring a dynamic new 7.1 surround sound mix.

TRT: 83 minutes
Country: USA
Language: English
Genre: Horror

Screening:
Monday, March 10th at 9:30pm (Topfer Theatre)