Japan Society Announces First North American Retrospective on Kaizo Hayashi

Posted on September 11, 2024 by admin

To Sleep So as to Dream © Video Detective Agency

Japan Society Announces First North American Retrospective on Kaizo Hayashi, Independent Luminary of 80s and 90s Cinema

Japan Society has announced the first North American retrospective on director Kaizo Hayashi, one of the great luminaries of independent Japanese cinema in the 1980s and 1990s.

The world of Kaizo Hayashi is one of cinematic reverie and enchantment, whose reverence for film history—transposing genre and stylistic conventions from benshi and silent era serials to jidaigeki and hardboiled noir—results in one of the most imaginative and inspiring filmographies of the post-studio era. Invoking the mystery and intrigue of the moving image, amidst the flutter of celluloid frames, his cinema of the past brims with ingenuity and far-flung imagination, conjuring fantasies of what dreams may come.
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Trailer For Neo-Noir-Psych-Thriller, PSYCHOSIS

Posted on August 29, 2024 by admin

Written and directed by Pirie Martin, PSYCHOSIS stars Derryn Amoroso, Kate Holly Hall, and Henry Errington.

In the neo noir horror thriller, a criminal fixer who experiences auditory hallucinations must confront old demons when a new contract drags him into a surreal maelstrom of mind-altering drugs, delusional vigilantes, and a sadistic hypnotist who seems more monster than man.

Psychosis is available on TVOD August 30, 2024, and on VOD on October 4, 2024.

Here’s the official synopsis:
Criminal fixer Cliff Van Aarle’s unique psychological condition gives him an edge in the criminal underworld, but when he’s hired by two amateur drug dealers claiming they were attacked by ‘zombies,’ Van Aarle is dragged into a terrifying and bizarre mystery that will test him to his limits.

Amid a cacophony of hallucinatory voices guiding him from his subconscious, Van Aarle searches for answers along a hauntingly familiar path of death and psychological torture. The case gets stranger still with the arrival of a delusional vigilante, LoneWolf, and the revelation that the mastermind behind it all may be more monster than man. A surreal conspiracy of mind control, psychedelic drugs, and a criminal underbelly terrified of the enigmatic drug lord ‘Joubini,’ who uses hypnosis with lethal effect. Van Aarle may be the only one equipped to bring him down, but only if his mind survives the trip.

2024 SF Honors Award Presented to Netflix’s “His Three Daughters” by SFFILM

Posted on August 22, 2024 by admin

SFFILM announced today the recipient of the 2024 SF Honors Award going to His Three Daughters, written and directed by Azazel Jacobs. The film stars Natasha Lyonne, Elizabeth Olsen, Carrie Coon, and Jovan Adepo and tells the story of three estranged sisters reuniting in a cramped New York City apartment to watch over their ailing father during his final days.

The SF Honors event will culminate in a special pre-release public screening of the film on Wednesday, September 18 at 7:30 pm at the Premier Theater at One Letterman. Director Azazel Jacobs, and actors Elizabeth Olsen and Jovan Adepo are expected to attend in person for the pre-screening award presentation and an in-depth post-screening conversation about their work.

“We are thrilled to present another stunning film from Azazel Jacobs (Terri, 2021 Festival), one that reminds us of his unique ability to weave unexpected and thrilling stories. Jacobs’ singular script and direction, complete with tour de force performances and a tactile sense of place, are the perfect match for our annual SF Honors,” said Jessie Fairbanks, SFFILM’s Director of Programming. “His collaboration with Natasha Lyonne, Elizabeth Olsen, and Carrie Coon as the three sisters grappling with shame and grief will leave audiences in awe of the talent both before and behind the camera. We are so proud to celebrate His Three Daughters with Azazel, Elizabeth, and a scene stealing Jovan Adepo in person next month.”
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“Charlie Tango” Twisty Thriller Where Someone Has To Pay The Ultimate Price

Posted on August 14, 2024 by admin

“Charlie Tango” was written, directed and produced Simon Boisvert.

The film stars popular Canadian actors David La Haye and Bruce Disnmore, and Stacie Mistysyn (Degrassi High). The original music was done by Oliver Palotai, keyboardist for the band Kamelot.

In the film, Kim, an air traffic controller under investigation after a tragic plane crash, is recruited by Charlie, her lover who specializes in lucrative real estate investments. Her police officer husband, Jeff, soon begins to suspect that Charlie is at the head of a major embezzlement scheme.

“Charlie Tango” was first runner up, Best Foreign Film at the 2024 Myrtle Beach International Film Festival. Gravitas Ventures will release the film on digital platforms on September 3, 2024. The film has a running time of 98 minutes and will not be rated by the MPAA.

“Continue”: Set For Release On September 6

Posted on August 10, 2024 by admin

Lionsgate has unveiled the trailer for an indie mental health drama “Continue.”

Written and directed by Nadine Crocker, the drama film stars Crocker and Shiloh Fernandez, and is set for release in theaters, on demand, and digital on September 6th. The film marks the feature directorial debut for Crocker.

In “Continue”, a girl suffering from depression (Crocker) is forced to get her life together when she is taken involuntarily to a mental institution after trying to follow in her fathers footsteps, but failing in her suicide attempt. She finds unlikely friends, unwavering love, and a life she never imagined possible for a girl like her. All to find out some decisions can’t be undone.

The film stars Nadine Crocker, Lio Tipton, Emily Deschanel, Dale Dickey, Anthony Caravella, Annapurna Sriram, Kat Foster, Jay Seals.

Film Feature: Something Divine Doc, Led by Hardcore Punk Rock Star and Ex-Monk Ray Cappo, Official Selection of Lonely Seal Film Festival

Posted on August 8, 2024 by admin

Thomas Essig’s new documentary feature Something Divine has been named an official selection of Lonely Seal Film Festival, scheduled from August 20-25, 2024 in Arlington, MA. The film will be screened on Wednesday, August 21st during the Midweek Music Movies and More themed evening.

In the film, Ray Cappo, the lead singer of the straight edge hardcore band Youth of Today, who at the height of its growing popularity, leaves the band and travels to India. Ray goes from punk artist and becomes the Monk Raghunath. What follows is the confluence of two opposites, hardcore punk and spirituality. The film follows a pilgrimage guided by Raghunath through the holy cities of India, chronicling a spiritual journey of transformation.

In 2017, Essig first went on pilgrimage to India with Monk Raghunath. What he believed was to be a yoga trip, was in fact a journey into yogic philosophy and transformation of oneself – the catalyst that forever changed his life.
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Jon Nix’s San Diego Punk Scene Doc “Don’t Fall In Love With Yourself”

Posted on August 2, 2024 by admin

Gravitas Ventures is set to release Jon Nix’s documentary Don’t Fall In Love With Yourself” about musician and artist Justin Pearson and the San Diego punk scene.

Leading independent film distributor Gravitas Ventures, an Anthem Sports & Entertainment Company Company, has announced they’ve acquired US and Canadian distribution rights to Jon Nix’s documentary Don’t Fall in Love With Yourself, which explores the life of enigmatic musician and artist Justin Pearson. Gravitas will release the film through their hybrid distribution system composed of Comcast, Amazon Prime Video, Peacock, Spectrum, Apple TV, Dish, Google Play, DirecTV, and more on August 20th.

Produced by Jamie Overstreet and executive produced by Matthew Chojnacki, Don’t Fall in Love With Yourself tracks Pearson’s unique journey – from childhood tragedy through his roots in the San Diego punk scene as a key member of several bands and music projects (Swing Kids, The Locust, Dead Cross, and Retox, among them), as an actor opposite Asia Argento, an infamous appearance on The Jerry Springer Show, and impact on other artists through the creation and ahead-of-its-time promotion of his record label, Three One G Records – all culminating in his ultimate rise to cult celebrity status. An in-depth look at an unexpected and influential career made out of blood, sweat and spit.
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American Cinematheque’s PROOF Film Festival 2024 announces Film Lineup and new programs

Posted on August 1, 2024 by admin

The American Cinematheque announced the lineup of official selections and events for the 2nd Annual PROOF Film Festival, taking place October 18-20. The innovative film festival presents thematically curated programs featuring 46 official selections, filmmaking labs and panels – all taking place at the Culver Theater (9500 Culver Blvd.). PROOF is dedicated solely to the presentation of proof-of-concept short films, looking to be expanded into feature-length productions or series, and empowering the next generation of cinematic storytellers.

Once again, PROOF will look to spotlight a slate of innovative films from up-and-coming filmmakers, as well as panel conversations on the art and business of filmmaking. To that end, this year, PROOF will team with CALLO to schedule meetings between selected festival filmmakers and industry partners in the film festival’s CALLO Lounge. These meetings will assist in developing relationships and potentially make their proof-of-concept projects into fully realized films.

Another highlight is the PROOF Pitch Deck Show & Tell. This interactive session will be held during the festival on Sunday, October 20, and will feature 6 selected filmmakers who will pitch their project live in front of a film industry panel. A grand prize winner and a runner-up will be selected and announced at the PROOF Film Festival Award Show.
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Multiverse Thriller “Hostile Dimensions” Sets Release

Posted on July 23, 2024 by admin

Dark Sky Films has announced the upcoming release of sci-fi horror “Hostile Dimensions” to select theaters and nationwide on digital platforms and VOD August 23rd.

Described as “a twist-filled multi-verse thriller”, the film is from Graham Hughes (Death Of A Vlogger).

It stars Annabel Logan, Joma West, Josie Rogers, Paddy Kondracki, Stephen Beavis and Graham Hughes.

Here’s the film’s synopsis:
Hostile Dimensions follows two documentary filmmakers who decide to investigate the disappearance of a graffiti artist who seemingly ‘vanished’. As they delve deeper into their research, they encounter an ominous freestanding door which leads them on a dark journey through the dimensions behind it. Determined to uncover the truth the pair soon realize they have stumbled across something far more terrifying than they could have ever imagined.

Brooklyn’s Greenpoint Film Festival 2024 Announces Film Lineup

Posted on July 18, 2024 by admin

Lucha: A Wrestling Tale, Drum Song: The Rhythm of Life, Miwene

Brooklyn’s Greenpoint Film Festival announced the film lineup for its 13th edition, taking place August 7-11. GFF will kick things off with Marco Ricci’s Lucha: A Wrestling Tale on Opening Night, a two-film retrospective of New York City-based Spanish filmmaker Alex Lora’s The Masterpiece and Unicorns as its Centerpiece presentation, and a documentary double feature including the US Premiere of Kelly Moneymaker’s Drum Song: The Rhythm of Life and festival favorite Miwene, directed by Keith Heyward, Jennifer Berglund, Gange Anita Yeti Enomenga, and Obe Beatriz Nenquimo Nihua for Closing Night.

Additional US Premieres among the narrative feature film lineup include; Marco Amenta’s Anna, Paweł Wyszomirski’s The Green Ink, Adrian Apanel’s Horror Story, Jan Jakub Kolski’s Loonies, Paweł Maślona’s Scarborn, and Maciej Adamek’s Unspoken is a portrait of a determined and resilient young man who stutters but refuses to let it hinder his aspirations to become the Polish champion in acrobatics. The documentary features making their US Premieres include Viktor Witkowski’s Moje Własne Słowa (In My Words), Dominic Allen’s Planet Wind – The Global Story of Offshore Wind, and Sonia Zawitkowski and Jenna Kathleen Taylor’s Thank You for Sharing.

The film festival has more than doubled the number of films screened from last year, now totaling 118 films (20 feature-length, 95 shorts, and 3 XR exhibits). GFF’s footprint has also become larger with additional screens added to The Boiler / ELM Foundation location (191 N. 14th Street), and Film Noir (122 Meserole Avenue) also added to the mix.
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