Exclusive: After working with Noah Hawley on the fifth season of his Emmy-winning drama Fargo, which just debuted last week, David Rysdahl has solidified his place in his FX family with a series regular role in his Alien prequel series, Deadline can exclusively reveal.
Details as to his character are under wraps. But Rysdahl joins a cast that includes Sydney Chandler as the meta-human Wendy, Alex Lawther as soldier Cj, Samuel Blenkin as Boy Kavalier, a CEO, Essie Davis as Dame Silvia, Adarsh Gourav as Slightly, and Kit Young as Tootles. Announced as joining prior to Rysdahl was Timothy Olyphant, and while his role has not been confirmed, Deadline hears he’ll be playing Kirsh, a synth who acts as a mentor and trainer for Wendy, a character with the body of an adult, but the brain and consciousness of a child.
The new Alien series, exec produced by Ridley Scott,...
Details as to his character are under wraps. But Rysdahl joins a cast that includes Sydney Chandler as the meta-human Wendy, Alex Lawther as soldier Cj, Samuel Blenkin as Boy Kavalier, a CEO, Essie Davis as Dame Silvia, Adarsh Gourav as Slightly, and Kit Young as Tootles. Announced as joining prior to Rysdahl was Timothy Olyphant, and while his role has not been confirmed, Deadline hears he’ll be playing Kirsh, a synth who acts as a mentor and trainer for Wendy, a character with the body of an adult, but the brain and consciousness of a child.
The new Alien series, exec produced by Ridley Scott,...
- 11/28/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: André Holland (Passing), Kate Mara (Black Mirror), Zazie Beetz (The Harder They Fall) and Stephen McKinley Henderson (Beau Is Afraid) are set to star in The Dutchman, a psychological thriller based on the Obie Award-winning play by Amiri Baraka that has landed a SAG-AFTRA Interim Agreement.
Directing from his script written with filmmaker Qasim Basir is Andre Gaines, the Emmy-nominated multi-hyphenate behind Showtime’s 2021 documentary The One and Only Dick Gregory. Production kicks off in New York City September 25th, putting a group of 150 or so back to work.
Set on a New York subway, The Dutchman centers on an encounter between a well-to-do Black man and an enchanting white woman who match wits in a sexualized game of cat and mouse that leads to a violent conclusion. The searing confrontation amplifies the dimensions of racial conflict in America in this adaptation of the stage show first presented...
Directing from his script written with filmmaker Qasim Basir is Andre Gaines, the Emmy-nominated multi-hyphenate behind Showtime’s 2021 documentary The One and Only Dick Gregory. Production kicks off in New York City September 25th, putting a group of 150 or so back to work.
Set on a New York subway, The Dutchman centers on an encounter between a well-to-do Black man and an enchanting white woman who match wits in a sexualized game of cat and mouse that leads to a violent conclusion. The searing confrontation amplifies the dimensions of racial conflict in America in this adaptation of the stage show first presented...
- 9/18/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
The Sun Valley Film Festival announced their 2023 award winners, with National Geographic’s Documentary “Wild Life” taking home the audience award, “Fancy Dance” winning best narrative and “Nascondino” earning the documentary feature film prize. The annual Idaho Awards Bash took place from March 29 to April 2 at Whiskey Jacques.
In addition to the film awards, the festival hosted a performance by Blair Gun and Variety honored this year’s 10 Producers to Watch. Other highlights include Josh Brolin receiving the Vision award, Emilio Estevez receiving the Pioneer award, Sophie Thatcher receiving the Rising Star award and Nina Yang Bongiovi receiving the Creative Impact Honoree in Producing.
Since 2012, each spring has brought another Svff celebration of groundbreaking new films and television premieres, with opportunities for filmmakers to connect with one another and find mentorship through industry panels, coffee talks and screenwriting workshops. Svff also works year-round to bring special projects to Sun Valley.
In addition to the film awards, the festival hosted a performance by Blair Gun and Variety honored this year’s 10 Producers to Watch. Other highlights include Josh Brolin receiving the Vision award, Emilio Estevez receiving the Pioneer award, Sophie Thatcher receiving the Rising Star award and Nina Yang Bongiovi receiving the Creative Impact Honoree in Producing.
Since 2012, each spring has brought another Svff celebration of groundbreaking new films and television premieres, with opportunities for filmmakers to connect with one another and find mentorship through industry panels, coffee talks and screenwriting workshops. Svff also works year-round to bring special projects to Sun Valley.
- 4/3/2023
- by Sophia Scorziello
- Variety Film + TV
Sundance Institute on Thursday announced the eight participants selected for the fifth annual Momentum Fellowship, a program at the nonprofit designed to support and provide coaching to mid-career artists with a focus on career development.
Created to support storytellers from historically marginalized communities who have recently achieved a noteworthy accomplishment, such as a regarded feature film or series, Momentum provides fellows with a full-year program of deep, customized support around the goals they have identified for themselves to level up in their craft and career. The fellowship is a program of Women at Sundance with support from Equity, Inclusion and Belonging.
The Momentum Fellowship includes an unrestricted artist grant; professional coaching offered by Renee Freedman & Company, supported by The Harnisch Foundation; connection to Elevate, Sundance’s professional development initiative; and bespoke year-round support from Sundance Institute staff. Additionally, as part of an ongoing partnership with Universal’s Global Talent Development & Inclusion team,...
Created to support storytellers from historically marginalized communities who have recently achieved a noteworthy accomplishment, such as a regarded feature film or series, Momentum provides fellows with a full-year program of deep, customized support around the goals they have identified for themselves to level up in their craft and career. The fellowship is a program of Women at Sundance with support from Equity, Inclusion and Belonging.
The Momentum Fellowship includes an unrestricted artist grant; professional coaching offered by Renee Freedman & Company, supported by The Harnisch Foundation; connection to Elevate, Sundance’s professional development initiative; and bespoke year-round support from Sundance Institute staff. Additionally, as part of an ongoing partnership with Universal’s Global Talent Development & Inclusion team,...
- 3/2/2023
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
The Sundance Institute has named the participants and projects set for the 2023 editions of a pair of its flagship programs: the Screenwriters Lab and Screenwriters Intensive.
Lab participants will include Joseph Sackett (Cross Pollination), Sean Wang (Dìdi (弟弟)), Abinash Bikram Shah (Elephants in the Fog), Gabriela Ortega (Huella), Walter Thompson-Hernández (If I Go Will They Miss Me), Hadas Ayalon (In a Minute You’ll Be Gone), Bernardo Cubría, John Hibey & Joshua Penn Soskin (Kill Yr Idols), Dania Bdeir & Bane Fakih (Pigeon Wars), Rashad Frett & Lin Que Ayoung (Ricky), Farida Zahran (The Leftover Ladies), Masami Kawai (Valley of the Tall Grass) and Audrey Rosenberg (Wild Animals).
Those set for the Intensive are Keisha Rae Witherspoon & Jason Fitzroy Jeffers (Arc), Shireen Alihaji (Blue Veil), Spencer Cook & Parker Smith (Lame), Jesahel Newton-Bernal (Leche), Cynthia Lowen (Light Mass Energy), Rebin Zangana (Qareen), David Liu (Santa Anita), Urvashi Pathania (Skin), Ciara Leina`ala Lacy (Untitled...
Lab participants will include Joseph Sackett (Cross Pollination), Sean Wang (Dìdi (弟弟)), Abinash Bikram Shah (Elephants in the Fog), Gabriela Ortega (Huella), Walter Thompson-Hernández (If I Go Will They Miss Me), Hadas Ayalon (In a Minute You’ll Be Gone), Bernardo Cubría, John Hibey & Joshua Penn Soskin (Kill Yr Idols), Dania Bdeir & Bane Fakih (Pigeon Wars), Rashad Frett & Lin Que Ayoung (Ricky), Farida Zahran (The Leftover Ladies), Masami Kawai (Valley of the Tall Grass) and Audrey Rosenberg (Wild Animals).
Those set for the Intensive are Keisha Rae Witherspoon & Jason Fitzroy Jeffers (Arc), Shireen Alihaji (Blue Veil), Spencer Cook & Parker Smith (Lame), Jesahel Newton-Bernal (Leche), Cynthia Lowen (Light Mass Energy), Rebin Zangana (Qareen), David Liu (Santa Anita), Urvashi Pathania (Skin), Ciara Leina`ala Lacy (Untitled...
- 1/13/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
“Lord of the Rings” star Elijah Wood is to return to New Zealand in the leading role of “Bookworm,” a family adventure-comedy to be directed by Ant Timpson. The project is being launched next week at the American Film Market by sales agent Mister Smith Entertainment.
The film’s story sees 12-year-old Mildred’s life turned upside down when her mother lands in hospital and estranged, American magician father, Strawn Wise (Wood), comes to look after her. Hoping to entertain the bookish tween, Strawn takes Mildred camping in the notoriously rugged New Zealand wilderness. There the pair embark on the ultimate test of family bonding – a quest to find the mythological beast known as the Canterbury Panther.
Considering that Mildred has read every book on camping, but never been into the wilds, and that Strawn is more at home on the Las Vegas strip than in the Southern Alps, the potential for mishap is significant.
The film’s story sees 12-year-old Mildred’s life turned upside down when her mother lands in hospital and estranged, American magician father, Strawn Wise (Wood), comes to look after her. Hoping to entertain the bookish tween, Strawn takes Mildred camping in the notoriously rugged New Zealand wilderness. There the pair embark on the ultimate test of family bonding – a quest to find the mythological beast known as the Canterbury Panther.
Considering that Mildred has read every book on camping, but never been into the wilds, and that Strawn is more at home on the Las Vegas strip than in the Southern Alps, the potential for mishap is significant.
- 10/25/2022
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
Don’t Look Up, Black-ish and Pachinko were among the winners of the 46th annual Humanitas Prizes announced Friday from a luncheon at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles.
The awards, honoring the craft of screenwriting, featured winners in nine juried categories spanning film and television. These included Don’t Look Up from writer Adam McKay for comedy feature film, The Starling from Matt Harris for drama feature film and Encanto from Charise Castro Smith and Jared Bush for family feature film.
On the TV side, Black-ish writer Robb Chavis prevailed for comedy teleplay, Pachinko creator Soo Hugh won for drama teleplay and Women of the Movement creator Marissa Jo Cerar was tops for limited series, TV movie or special.
Larry Wilmore hosted the event, and presenters included Nkechi Okoro Carroll, Jasmine Cephas Jones and Humanitas board president Jenny Bicks. Also honored were...
Don’t Look Up, Black-ish and Pachinko were among the winners of the 46th annual Humanitas Prizes announced Friday from a luncheon at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles.
The awards, honoring the craft of screenwriting, featured winners in nine juried categories spanning film and television. These included Don’t Look Up from writer Adam McKay for comedy feature film, The Starling from Matt Harris for drama feature film and Encanto from Charise Castro Smith and Jared Bush for family feature film.
On the TV side, Black-ish writer Robb Chavis prevailed for comedy teleplay, Pachinko creator Soo Hugh won for drama teleplay and Women of the Movement creator Marissa Jo Cerar was tops for limited series, TV movie or special.
Larry Wilmore hosted the event, and presenters included Nkechi Okoro Carroll, Jasmine Cephas Jones and Humanitas board president Jenny Bicks. Also honored were...
- 9/10/2022
- by Ryan Gajewski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Retiring ABC series “Black-ish” picked up one more honor on Friday, a Humanitas Prize for comedy teleplay, while Apple TV+’s “Pachinko” and ABC’s “Women of the Movement” also were recognized at the event.
Held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel and hosted by comedian Larry Wilmore, the 46th annual Humanitas Prize event centered on awards and 10,000 cash prizes to screenwriters across ten categories. In addition, Humanitas board president Jenny Bicks presented Filmmakers for Ukraine with the Kieser Award “in recognition of their work to connect the Ukrainian film and TV community impacted by the Russo-Ukrainian War with resources, jobs, and funding to meet basic needs.”
And Jasmine Cephas Jones presented Starz with Voice for Change Award for its #TakeTheLead initiative. Starz president/CEO Jeffrey Hirsch accepted the prize on the network’s behalf. Nkechi Okoro Carroll oversaw the New Voices Fellowship and College Screenwriting Award presentations.
Here are this...
Held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel and hosted by comedian Larry Wilmore, the 46th annual Humanitas Prize event centered on awards and 10,000 cash prizes to screenwriters across ten categories. In addition, Humanitas board president Jenny Bicks presented Filmmakers for Ukraine with the Kieser Award “in recognition of their work to connect the Ukrainian film and TV community impacted by the Russo-Ukrainian War with resources, jobs, and funding to meet basic needs.”
And Jasmine Cephas Jones presented Starz with Voice for Change Award for its #TakeTheLead initiative. Starz president/CEO Jeffrey Hirsch accepted the prize on the network’s behalf. Nkechi Okoro Carroll oversaw the New Voices Fellowship and College Screenwriting Award presentations.
Here are this...
- 9/10/2022
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
Humanitas has revealed the nominees for this year’s Humanitas Prizes, which recognize “television and film writers whose work explores the human condition in a nuanced way.” The award is given out in nine categories, including comedy, drama and limited series.
This year’s nominees include “Maid,” “This Is Us,” “Queen Sugar,” “Pachinko,” “Abbott Elementary,” “Somebody Somewhere” and “Black-ish.” Winners will be announced at an in-person awards luncheon at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on September 9, 2022.
“The Humanitas Prizes were created to recognize writers whose work explores the beauty and complexity of the human experience and the 2022 nominees do just that,” said Michelle Franke, Humanitas Executive Director. “Ranging in scope, style, and perspective, these stories underscore our bonds, our history and responsibility to each other in the present as well as possibilities for the future. Especially during challenging times, writers dedicate themselves to the stories that connect and entertain us.”
Here...
This year’s nominees include “Maid,” “This Is Us,” “Queen Sugar,” “Pachinko,” “Abbott Elementary,” “Somebody Somewhere” and “Black-ish.” Winners will be announced at an in-person awards luncheon at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on September 9, 2022.
“The Humanitas Prizes were created to recognize writers whose work explores the beauty and complexity of the human experience and the 2022 nominees do just that,” said Michelle Franke, Humanitas Executive Director. “Ranging in scope, style, and perspective, these stories underscore our bonds, our history and responsibility to each other in the present as well as possibilities for the future. Especially during challenging times, writers dedicate themselves to the stories that connect and entertain us.”
Here...
- 6/27/2022
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
After a two-year hiatus, Humanitas has revealed the nominations for its 2022 Humanitas Prizes in nine categories
Winners will receive their trophies during a September 9 in-person ceremony at the Beverly Hilton.
Launched in 1974, the Humanitas Prizes honor film and television writers whose work explores the human condition, with recipients receiving a trophy and a cash prize.
Here are the nominees for the 46th annual Humanitas Prize:
Children’s Teleplay
El Deafo: Written by Cece Bell and Will McRobb
Karma’s World: “Hair Comes Trouble” – Written by Kellie R. Griffin and Halcyon Person
Snoopy Presents: To Mom (and Dad), with Love: Written by Alex Galatis
The Babysitters Club: “Claudia and the Sad Goodbye” – Written by Sascha Rothchild
Comedy Feature Film
Don’t Look Up: Written by Adam McKay
Everything Everywhere All At Once: Written by Daniel Kwan & Daniel Scheinert
Queen Bees: Written by Donald Martin
tick, tick…Boom!:...
Winners will receive their trophies during a September 9 in-person ceremony at the Beverly Hilton.
Launched in 1974, the Humanitas Prizes honor film and television writers whose work explores the human condition, with recipients receiving a trophy and a cash prize.
Here are the nominees for the 46th annual Humanitas Prize:
Children’s Teleplay
El Deafo: Written by Cece Bell and Will McRobb
Karma’s World: “Hair Comes Trouble” – Written by Kellie R. Griffin and Halcyon Person
Snoopy Presents: To Mom (and Dad), with Love: Written by Alex Galatis
The Babysitters Club: “Claudia and the Sad Goodbye” – Written by Sascha Rothchild
Comedy Feature Film
Don’t Look Up: Written by Adam McKay
Everything Everywhere All At Once: Written by Daniel Kwan & Daniel Scheinert
Queen Bees: Written by Donald Martin
tick, tick…Boom!:...
- 6/27/2022
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
Humanitas has announced the nominees for the 46th annual Humanitas Prizes, which celebrates the craft of screenwriting. Across nine juried categories, which include both television and film, 45 writers are nominated for their work.
Among the nominees are Abbott Elementary creator and star Quinta Brunson (comedy teleplay) and Academy Award-winning Coda writer-director Sian Heder (drama feature film). Adam McKay, who was nominated for an Oscar this year for Netflix’s Don’t Look Up, also received a nom for comedy feature film, along with Everything Everywhere All At Once scribes and directors Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert.
“The Humanitas Prizes were created to recognize writers whose work explores the beauty and complexity of the human experience and the 2022 nominees do just that,” said Humanitas executive director Michelle Franke in a statement. “Ranging in scope, style, and perspective, these stories underscore our bonds, our history and...
Humanitas has announced the nominees for the 46th annual Humanitas Prizes, which celebrates the craft of screenwriting. Across nine juried categories, which include both television and film, 45 writers are nominated for their work.
Among the nominees are Abbott Elementary creator and star Quinta Brunson (comedy teleplay) and Academy Award-winning Coda writer-director Sian Heder (drama feature film). Adam McKay, who was nominated for an Oscar this year for Netflix’s Don’t Look Up, also received a nom for comedy feature film, along with Everything Everywhere All At Once scribes and directors Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert.
“The Humanitas Prizes were created to recognize writers whose work explores the beauty and complexity of the human experience and the 2022 nominees do just that,” said Humanitas executive director Michelle Franke in a statement. “Ranging in scope, style, and perspective, these stories underscore our bonds, our history and...
- 6/27/2022
- by Tyler Coates
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Sundance Institute has selected Minhal Baig, Marion Hill, Ciara Lacy, Billy Luther, Chanelle Aponte Pearson, Mariem Pérez Riera, Jamila Wignot and Iman Zawahry for its fourth Momentum Fellowship, supporting professional development for mid-career artists from historically marginalized communities as they explore and develop their creative practice.
The eight fellows selected will participate in a full-year program tailored for each by Sundance Institute staffers, receiving access to unrestricted grant funding, as well as industry mentorship and meetings, a writing intensive, and professional coaching offered by Renee Freedman & Company, with support from The Harnisch Foundation. Additionally, as part of the Sundance Institute’s ongoing partnership with NBCUniversal, the studio will provide an opportunity for select Momentum fellows working on fiction projects to participate in the Universal Directors Initiative. The two-year, at-will initiative, led by Universal’s Global Talent Development & Inclusion team, provides access to NBCUniversal’s creative executives and producers to...
The eight fellows selected will participate in a full-year program tailored for each by Sundance Institute staffers, receiving access to unrestricted grant funding, as well as industry mentorship and meetings, a writing intensive, and professional coaching offered by Renee Freedman & Company, with support from The Harnisch Foundation. Additionally, as part of the Sundance Institute’s ongoing partnership with NBCUniversal, the studio will provide an opportunity for select Momentum fellows working on fiction projects to participate in the Universal Directors Initiative. The two-year, at-will initiative, led by Universal’s Global Talent Development & Inclusion team, provides access to NBCUniversal’s creative executives and producers to...
- 3/8/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
A tsunami of buzz and Oscar-telling indicators drop on Thursday, with the major guilds announcing award nominations. The Directors Guild of America (DGA), Writers Guild of America (WGA), Producers Guild of America (PGA) and American Cinema Editors (Ace Eddies) all serve as critical barometers for the Academy Awards, especially in the race for best picture.
DGA has averaged four of their five nominees landing in the Oscars’ best director category, including last year with Aaron Sorkin (“The Trial of the Chicago 7”) getting bumped for Thomas Vinterberg (“Another Round”). The first-time directors’ category, with the exception of Jordan Peele for “Get Out” (2017), has gone on to get a nod at the Academy.
The PGA always provides some big blockbusters and Academy flare, which bodes well for either “No Time to Die” or “Spider-Man: No Way Home.” The WGA has a lot of ineligibilities that won’t provide a strong enough indicator for the screenplay categories.
DGA has averaged four of their five nominees landing in the Oscars’ best director category, including last year with Aaron Sorkin (“The Trial of the Chicago 7”) getting bumped for Thomas Vinterberg (“Another Round”). The first-time directors’ category, with the exception of Jordan Peele for “Get Out” (2017), has gone on to get a nod at the Academy.
The PGA always provides some big blockbusters and Academy flare, which bodes well for either “No Time to Die” or “Spider-Man: No Way Home.” The WGA has a lot of ineligibilities that won’t provide a strong enough indicator for the screenplay categories.
- 1/26/2022
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
The number of feature directorial debuts from 2021 was even more significant than usual, and the Directors Guild of America has the daunting task of narrowing them down to just five. The DGA Awards are set to announce their nominees for the best directing in film and television on January 27, and much of the attention will be on which directors are selected for the First-Time Feature Film category. Could it be one of the most competitive lineups ever?
SEEMaggie Gyllenhaal interview: ‘The Lost Daughter’ writer-director
High-profile contenders include a number of actors like Maggie Gyllenhaal (“The Lost Daughter”), Lin-Manuel Miranda and Rebecca Hall (“Passing”), whose films have all collected a number of nominations from critics groups. All three have been singled out for their distinctive visions and will likely earn nominations here, with other actors-turned-directors like Fran Kranz (“Mass”), Halle Berry (“Bruised”) and Justine Bateman (“Violet”) as more possibilities. Jeymes Samuel,...
SEEMaggie Gyllenhaal interview: ‘The Lost Daughter’ writer-director
High-profile contenders include a number of actors like Maggie Gyllenhaal (“The Lost Daughter”), Lin-Manuel Miranda and Rebecca Hall (“Passing”), whose films have all collected a number of nominations from critics groups. All three have been singled out for their distinctive visions and will likely earn nominations here, with other actors-turned-directors like Fran Kranz (“Mass”), Halle Berry (“Bruised”) and Justine Bateman (“Violet”) as more possibilities. Jeymes Samuel,...
- 1/24/2022
- by Kevin Jacobsen
- Gold Derby
For our most comprehensive year-end feature we’re providing a cumulative look at The Film Stage’s favorite films of 2021. We’ve asked contributors to compile ten-best lists with five honorable mentions—a selection of those personal lists will be shared in coming days—and from tallied votes has a top 50 been assembled.
So: without further ado, check out our rundown of 2021 below, our ongoing year-end coverage here (including where to stream many of the below picks), and return in the coming weeks as we look towards 2022.
50. This is Not a Burial, It’s a Resurrection (Lemohang Jeremiah Mosese)
Framed as an epic fable and shot like a myth, Lemohang Jeremiah Mosese’s This is Not a Burial, It’s a Resurrection is another beautiful, tragic diary entry on the history and people of his home country Lesotho. His focus shifts from the metaphorical relationship of Mother, I am Suffocating, This...
So: without further ado, check out our rundown of 2021 below, our ongoing year-end coverage here (including where to stream many of the below picks), and return in the coming weeks as we look towards 2022.
50. This is Not a Burial, It’s a Resurrection (Lemohang Jeremiah Mosese)
Framed as an epic fable and shot like a myth, Lemohang Jeremiah Mosese’s This is Not a Burial, It’s a Resurrection is another beautiful, tragic diary entry on the history and people of his home country Lesotho. His focus shifts from the metaphorical relationship of Mother, I am Suffocating, This...
- 12/29/2021
- by The Film Stage
- The Film Stage
Bringing earnest literary grandstanding to more or less the same plot as Pixar’s Soul, this is an awkward but still striking debut picture
Although arguably a smidge too ponderous and self-serious for its own good, Nine Days still represents a reasonably promising debut for its writer-director Edson Oda. This Brazilian-Japanese film-maker, who comes out of the world of advertising and developed this through the Sundance Lab (not always a great sign to be honest) has crafted a visually striking work that blends metaphysics, moral philosophy and melodrama into a potent movie cocktail. The result is flavoursome and distinctive, but probably didn’t need the paper umbrella of grad-school literary grandstanding, a maraschino cherry garnish of sentimentality, and dash-of-absinthe cray-cray.
It was probably sheer accident in terms of core plot device set-up, but Nine Days (which premiered at the Sundance film festival in January 2020), is very similar to Pixar animated feature Soul,...
Although arguably a smidge too ponderous and self-serious for its own good, Nine Days still represents a reasonably promising debut for its writer-director Edson Oda. This Brazilian-Japanese film-maker, who comes out of the world of advertising and developed this through the Sundance Lab (not always a great sign to be honest) has crafted a visually striking work that blends metaphysics, moral philosophy and melodrama into a potent movie cocktail. The result is flavoursome and distinctive, but probably didn’t need the paper umbrella of grad-school literary grandstanding, a maraschino cherry garnish of sentimentality, and dash-of-absinthe cray-cray.
It was probably sheer accident in terms of core plot device set-up, but Nine Days (which premiered at the Sundance film festival in January 2020), is very similar to Pixar animated feature Soul,...
- 12/15/2021
- by Leslie Felperin
- The Guardian - Film News
Steven Spielberg’s acclaimed musical “West Side Story” and beloved canine mascot-hero property “Clifford the Big Red Dog,” were neck and neck for pole position at the U.K. and Ireland weekend box office.
Disney release “West Side Story” topped the charts with £1.297 million ($1.72 million), while eOne release “Clifford the Big Red Dog” was just behind with £1.293 million ($1.71 million), according to numbers released by Comscore. Both films were debuts.
In its third week, Universal’s previous chart topper “House of Gucci” claimed the third spot with £779,974 and has a total of £7.3 million. Also in its third week, Disney’s “Encanto” collected £635,387 in fourth place for a total of £4.2 million.
Rounding off the top five was Sony’s “Ghostbusters: Afterlife,” which collected £585,505 for a total of £10.1 million.
Elsewhere on the charts, Universal’s James Bond film “No Time to Die” remained in the top 10 after 11 weekends, placing eighth with £118,751 for a total of £96.3 million.
Disney release “West Side Story” topped the charts with £1.297 million ($1.72 million), while eOne release “Clifford the Big Red Dog” was just behind with £1.293 million ($1.71 million), according to numbers released by Comscore. Both films were debuts.
In its third week, Universal’s previous chart topper “House of Gucci” claimed the third spot with £779,974 and has a total of £7.3 million. Also in its third week, Disney’s “Encanto” collected £635,387 in fourth place for a total of £4.2 million.
Rounding off the top five was Sony’s “Ghostbusters: Afterlife,” which collected £585,505 for a total of £10.1 million.
Elsewhere on the charts, Universal’s James Bond film “No Time to Die” remained in the top 10 after 11 weekends, placing eighth with £118,751 for a total of £96.3 million.
- 12/15/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
The 31st annual Gotham Awards is a key stop in the awards season marathon, especially for lower-budget indies looking for some traction for the Oscars race. However, not every likely Oscar contender found itself up for Gothams, including “The Power of the Dog,” “Tick, Tick… Boom!” and “The Harder They Fall,” as they exceeded the $35 million budget limit for nominees.
For the first time, international documentaries were eligible in the best documentary feature category. Additionally, the new award breakthrough nonfiction series is among category updates for the year, as well as outstanding lead performance, outstanding supporting performance and outstanding performance in a new series, from the television side. Outstanding lead performance, breakthrough performance and outstanding supporting performance were all gender neutral categories, with eight men and 14 women nominated.
Netflix’s “The Lost Daughter” ran away with the evening, scoring the most amount of wins with prizes in best feature, breakthrough director for Maggie Gyllenhaal,...
For the first time, international documentaries were eligible in the best documentary feature category. Additionally, the new award breakthrough nonfiction series is among category updates for the year, as well as outstanding lead performance, outstanding supporting performance and outstanding performance in a new series, from the television side. Outstanding lead performance, breakthrough performance and outstanding supporting performance were all gender neutral categories, with eight men and 14 women nominated.
Netflix’s “The Lost Daughter” ran away with the evening, scoring the most amount of wins with prizes in best feature, breakthrough director for Maggie Gyllenhaal,...
- 11/30/2021
- by Katie Song
- Variety Film + TV
The Gotham Awards were handed out on November 29 at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City. So who won at these annual indie film kudos from The Gotham Film and Media Institute, which streamed on YouTube and Facebook? Scroll down for the complete list of winners in all categories.
Netflix’s “The Lost Daughter” and “Passing” went in as the two most nominated films with five apiece, but that didn’t automatically mean they were the front-runners. Categories at these awards are judged by panels of just a handful of industry insiders, often leading to unexpected, under-the-radar winners. You can’t count anyone out at an event where unique juries review all the nominated material.
Seersvp now for November 30: Film producers panel with ‘Being the Ricardos,’ ‘Belfast,’ ‘The Power of the Dog,’ ‘tick, tick… Boom!’
That means these awards can be quite idiosyncratic — they’re independent thinkers, and not...
Netflix’s “The Lost Daughter” and “Passing” went in as the two most nominated films with five apiece, but that didn’t automatically mean they were the front-runners. Categories at these awards are judged by panels of just a handful of industry insiders, often leading to unexpected, under-the-radar winners. You can’t count anyone out at an event where unique juries review all the nominated material.
Seersvp now for November 30: Film producers panel with ‘Being the Ricardos,’ ‘Belfast,’ ‘The Power of the Dog,’ ‘tick, tick… Boom!’
That means these awards can be quite idiosyncratic — they’re independent thinkers, and not...
- 11/30/2021
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
The Gotham Awards took place on November 29 in Lower Manhattan, back in their usual prime slot at the start of the awards season. The event marks the first significant awards ceremony of the season, ahead of most critics groups and guilds.
Films with budgets exceeding $35 million are automatically disqualified from Gotham Awards consideration. For this reason, major Oscar contenders from Netflix, such as Jane Campion’s Venice winner “Power of the Dog,” Lin-Manuel Miranda’s feature directorial debut “Tick Tick Boom,” Jeymes Samuels’ “The Harder They Fall,” and Adam McKay’s “Don’t Look Up” did not make the cut.
Kristen Stewart received this year’s Performer Tribute thanks to her performance in “Spencer.” Other...
Films with budgets exceeding $35 million are automatically disqualified from Gotham Awards consideration. For this reason, major Oscar contenders from Netflix, such as Jane Campion’s Venice winner “Power of the Dog,” Lin-Manuel Miranda’s feature directorial debut “Tick Tick Boom,” Jeymes Samuels’ “The Harder They Fall,” and Adam McKay’s “Don’t Look Up” did not make the cut.
Kristen Stewart received this year’s Performer Tribute thanks to her performance in “Spencer.” Other...
- 11/30/2021
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
Maggie Gyllenhaal’s The Lost Daughter and Rebecca Hall’s Passing, both from Netflix, swept the top nominations for the Gotham Awards this year as the independent film honors and awards-season portal unveiled its noms list Thursday morning ahead of an in-person ceremony next month.
The Lost Daughter was nominated in the Best Feature, Breakthrough Director and Screenplay for Gyllenhall, lead performance for Olivia Colman and Supporting Performance for Jessie Buckley. Passing scored four noms including Best Feature.
Others in the Best Feature category include The Green Knight (A24), Pig (Neon) and Test Pattern (Kino Lorber).
Films released from March 1-December 31, 2021 and TV series from Oct. 1, 2020-September 30, 2021 were eligible. See full list of nominations below.
A24 and Netflix each had 10 nominations overall. Others were spread across distributors. A24 titles included Red Rocket; lead performance nods to Taylour Paige...
The Lost Daughter was nominated in the Best Feature, Breakthrough Director and Screenplay for Gyllenhall, lead performance for Olivia Colman and Supporting Performance for Jessie Buckley. Passing scored four noms including Best Feature.
Others in the Best Feature category include The Green Knight (A24), Pig (Neon) and Test Pattern (Kino Lorber).
Films released from March 1-December 31, 2021 and TV series from Oct. 1, 2020-September 30, 2021 were eligible. See full list of nominations below.
A24 and Netflix each had 10 nominations overall. Others were spread across distributors. A24 titles included Red Rocket; lead performance nods to Taylour Paige...
- 10/21/2021
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Ahead of a ceremony on November 29, this year’s Gotham Awards nominations have been unveiled, featuring some of the year’s finest cinema. Among the nominations are some personal favorites here at The Film Stage, including Drive My Car, Faya Dayi, The Worst Person in the World (a film that still doesn’t have an actual 2021 U.S. release date), Test Pattern, and El Planeta.
This year, the Gothams made a switch to have all performance categories be gender neutral, with those categories have been restructured into Outstanding Leading and Supporting Performance categories for feature films, joining the already existing Breakthrough Performer category.
Check out the film nominations for the Gotham Awards below.
Best Feature
The Green Knight
David Lowery, director; Toby Halbrooks, James M. Johnston, David Lowery, Tim Headington, Theresa Steele Page, producers (A24)
The Lost Daughter
Maggie Gyllenhaal, director; Osnat Handelsman Keren, Talia Kleinhendler, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Charles Dorfman,...
This year, the Gothams made a switch to have all performance categories be gender neutral, with those categories have been restructured into Outstanding Leading and Supporting Performance categories for feature films, joining the already existing Breakthrough Performer category.
Check out the film nominations for the Gotham Awards below.
Best Feature
The Green Knight
David Lowery, director; Toby Halbrooks, James M. Johnston, David Lowery, Tim Headington, Theresa Steele Page, producers (A24)
The Lost Daughter
Maggie Gyllenhaal, director; Osnat Handelsman Keren, Talia Kleinhendler, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Charles Dorfman,...
- 10/21/2021
- by Leonard Pearce
- The Film Stage
The annual Gotham Awards is, once again, the first prominent awards ceremony out of the gate during Oscar season, thanks to this morning’s nominations announcement. Films with budgets exceeding $35 million are automatically disqualified from Gotham Awards consideration. For this reason, major Oscar contenders from Netflix, such as Jane Campion’s Venice winner “Power of the Dog,” Lin-Manuel Miranda’s feature directorial debut “Tick Tick Boom,” Jeymes Samuels’ “The Harder They Fall,” and Adam McKay’s “Don’t Look Up” did not make the cut.
Prior to the nominations announcement, the Gotham Awards confirmed that Kristen Stewart would be the recipient of this year’s Performer Tribute thanks to her performance in “Spencer.” Other honorees include Eamonn Bowles (who is receiving the Industry Tribute), the cast of “The Harder They Fall” (receiving the Ensemble Tribute), and Campion (who is receiving the Director’s Tribute).
The Gotham Awards don’t always line up with the Oscars,...
Prior to the nominations announcement, the Gotham Awards confirmed that Kristen Stewart would be the recipient of this year’s Performer Tribute thanks to her performance in “Spencer.” Other honorees include Eamonn Bowles (who is receiving the Industry Tribute), the cast of “The Harder They Fall” (receiving the Ensemble Tribute), and Campion (who is receiving the Director’s Tribute).
The Gotham Awards don’t always line up with the Oscars,...
- 10/21/2021
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
Edson Oda’s debut feature Nine Days, is, quite simply, miraculous. This spiritual-fiction (“spi-fi”—coined by supporting lead Benedict Wong) film follows Will (Winston Duke in a god-tier performance), a metaphysical gatekeeper who tests five anthropomorphic souls for the ultimate privilege: to be born as a human. Think Willy Wonka with “gift of life” as the golden ticket, where each soul strives to prove their right to existence. Creatively ingenious, emotionally resonant, and philosophically haunting, Nine Days is at once personal and universal—and it won the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award at Sundance 2020. You can read my initial reaction to it here.…...
- 8/31/2021
- by Dylan Kai Dempsey
- IONCINEMA.com
Photo: ‘Nine Days’ A reclusive man is visited by a series of wandering souls which he must guide through a series of arbitrary tests to judge whether they deserve the chance to be born. That is the remarkably dense one-sentence logline of Edson Oda’s mesmerizing debut feature; ‘Nine Days’ (2021). Very few films in recent memory have so readily embraced such a daunting high-concept premise and seen it through to its maximum potential (save an obviously animated romp that dominated Christmas of last year). Related article: ‘In the Heights’ – Behind the Scenes and Full Commentary/Reactions from Cast & Crew Related article: The Hollywood Insider’s CEO Pritan Ambroase: “The Importance of Venice Film Festival as the Protector of Cinema” While, yes, Pixar’s ‘Soul’ (2020) may seem the unmistakable elephant in the room, Oda’s latest actually premiered 11 months before Pete Docter’s , on January 27th of 2020 at the Sundance Film Festival.
- 8/23/2021
- by Andrew Valianti
- Hollywood Insider - Substance & Meaningful Entertainment
Unborn souls want to go to Earth. That’s the story of Edson Oda’s ambitious feature directorial debut, Nine Days. It’s an epic concept told with intimacy and simplicity. In the film, it’s Will’s (Winston Duke) job to decide which soul has the pleasure or displeasure of experiencing life on Earth. Will’s righthand man is Kyo, played by Benedict Wong. […]
The post Benedict Wong on the Passion Behind ‘Nine Days’ and Heartache Over ‘Deadly Class’ [Interview] appeared first on /Film.
The post Benedict Wong on the Passion Behind ‘Nine Days’ and Heartache Over ‘Deadly Class’ [Interview] appeared first on /Film.
- 8/12/2021
- by Jack Giroux
- Slash Film
Ever since “Nine Days” filmmaker Edson Oda won the Sundance Film Festival’s Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award in January 2020, the prize has been a great boost of confidence whenever a little imposter syndrome kicks in.
“I keep it on another table so I can see it,” Edson tells Variety over Zoom, pointing at the trophy, which is just off camera. “When I’m writing, and I feel like, ‘Oh, this page sucks,’ I can just look at it and, at least, I have some recognition for writing that keeps me motivated to keep going.”
It makes sense that the budding filmmaker is using every talisman he can get, especially since the last 18 months have been a major test of confidence and patience. Sony Pictures Classics held onto “Nine Days” for more than a year due to the pandemic, waiting until audiences could experience the movie in its full theatrical wonder.
“I keep it on another table so I can see it,” Edson tells Variety over Zoom, pointing at the trophy, which is just off camera. “When I’m writing, and I feel like, ‘Oh, this page sucks,’ I can just look at it and, at least, I have some recognition for writing that keeps me motivated to keep going.”
It makes sense that the budding filmmaker is using every talisman he can get, especially since the last 18 months have been a major test of confidence and patience. Sony Pictures Classics held onto “Nine Days” for more than a year due to the pandemic, waiting until audiences could experience the movie in its full theatrical wonder.
- 8/10/2021
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Nine Days Review — Nine Days (2020) Film Review, a movie directed by Edson Oda, and starring Winston Duke, Zazie Beetz, Benedict Wong, Tony Hale, Jeffrey Hanson, Bill Skarsgard, David Rysdahl, Arianna Ortiz, Perry Smith, Geraldine Hughes, Amy Brown, Sterlin English, David H. Stevens and Erika Vasquez. Edson Oda’s deeply moving film, Nine Days, showcases [...]
Continue reading: Film Review: Nine Days (2020): Winston Duke’s Fantastic Performance Fuels Profound Dramatic Film...
Continue reading: Film Review: Nine Days (2020): Winston Duke’s Fantastic Performance Fuels Profound Dramatic Film...
- 8/8/2021
- by Thomas Duffy
- Film-Book
Few feature-film debuts have proven to be as impressive and promising of a great talent as has Nine Days by filmmaker Edson Oda.
Nestled within a lone house amidst a desolate landscape, lives a man, Will (Winston Duke), who spends his days literally monitoring several people going about their lives on a number of television screens whereon these lives are played out as first-person narratives. When one of these subjects suddenly passes away, Will begins interviewing several people to determine which of them will be afforded the chance to be born into the world thereby taking the place of the soul that was lost.
Writer/director Oda, makes a startling and ambitious feature-film debut after producing a number of award-winning short films. This proves to be one of those rare films that allows itself to unfold gradually, almost effortlessly, rather than bombard you with purpose and intent from the beginning.
Nestled within a lone house amidst a desolate landscape, lives a man, Will (Winston Duke), who spends his days literally monitoring several people going about their lives on a number of television screens whereon these lives are played out as first-person narratives. When one of these subjects suddenly passes away, Will begins interviewing several people to determine which of them will be afforded the chance to be born into the world thereby taking the place of the soul that was lost.
Writer/director Oda, makes a startling and ambitious feature-film debut after producing a number of award-winning short films. This proves to be one of those rare films that allows itself to unfold gradually, almost effortlessly, rather than bombard you with purpose and intent from the beginning.
- 8/6/2021
- by Mike Tyrkus
- CinemaNerdz
Left to Right: Winston Duke as Will, Zazie Beetz as Emma in Nine Days.
Photo by Michael Coles. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics. © Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.
In the Sundance hit Nine Days, a serious, melancholy man interviews candidates in a nine-day process to pick one to be born, in a supernatural drama. Nine Days takes a different, more existential approach to a concept that has long fascinated Hollywood, movies about reincarnation, rebirth and other worldly characters watching over people on earth. Nine Days leaves any theological or philosophical interpretation of who, what or where these characters are up to the audience, only providing some basic information, and focuses on questions of humanity and life itself, an exploration it grounds in a real-world, contemporary situation, as candidates are put though an extended job interview in which souls are put through a series of tests to determine who gets to be born.
Photo by Michael Coles. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics. © Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.
In the Sundance hit Nine Days, a serious, melancholy man interviews candidates in a nine-day process to pick one to be born, in a supernatural drama. Nine Days takes a different, more existential approach to a concept that has long fascinated Hollywood, movies about reincarnation, rebirth and other worldly characters watching over people on earth. Nine Days leaves any theological or philosophical interpretation of who, what or where these characters are up to the audience, only providing some basic information, and focuses on questions of humanity and life itself, an exploration it grounds in a real-world, contemporary situation, as candidates are put though an extended job interview in which souls are put through a series of tests to determine who gets to be born.
- 8/6/2021
- by Cate Marquis
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
What is a soul? Where do souls come from? And is life even worth living if everything feels hopeless? These are questions that are tackled in “Nine Days,” the debut feature from filmmaker Edson Oda. And helping answer those questions are the two leads, Zazie Beetz and Winston Duke, who joined The Playlist Podcast to talk about the new film, plus their Marvel histories.
Continue reading Zazie Beetz & Winston Duke Talk ‘Nine Days’ & A Potential ‘Deadpool’/’Black Panther’ Crossover [The Playlist Podcast] at The Playlist.
Continue reading Zazie Beetz & Winston Duke Talk ‘Nine Days’ & A Potential ‘Deadpool’/’Black Panther’ Crossover [The Playlist Podcast] at The Playlist.
- 8/5/2021
- by Charles Barfield
- The Playlist
Sony Picture Classics and Neon fared well in their small releases this week with Nine Days and Ailey respectively, running across 6 total locations in New York, Los Angeles and Irvine – both notching heavy per screen averages with the former leading to its wider release next week.
Nine Days hit NYC and LA this weekend before rolling out its planned nationwide release on August 6 in 250-275 theaters, said Jason Michael Berman, producer and president of Mandalay Pictures — depending on how it does. Judging from these numbers, the pic should perform decently.
The science-fiction drama starring Winston Duke grossed $18,455 across 4 theaters, which comes out to a very nifty $4,613 average per location – a strong indicator for public interest in this arthouse title.
The film portrays Will (Duke) who spends his days in a remote Midwestern-looking outpost watching a wall of TV screens of people living their daily lives.
Nine Days hit NYC and LA this weekend before rolling out its planned nationwide release on August 6 in 250-275 theaters, said Jason Michael Berman, producer and president of Mandalay Pictures — depending on how it does. Judging from these numbers, the pic should perform decently.
The science-fiction drama starring Winston Duke grossed $18,455 across 4 theaters, which comes out to a very nifty $4,613 average per location – a strong indicator for public interest in this arthouse title.
The film portrays Will (Duke) who spends his days in a remote Midwestern-looking outpost watching a wall of TV screens of people living their daily lives.
- 8/2/2021
- by Brandon Choe
- Deadline Film + TV
We are born, we live, and we die. Before we can get on that particular merry-go-round, however, we must first be interviewed. The interrogator is tall, quiet, fastidious, well-dressed. Small granny spectacles perch on his nose as he asks questions of those who sit before him. And when he’s not doing that, he’s reviewing former “vacancies” that he’s filled, watching on a bank of monitors displaying numerous lives in progress. If we are lucky, we are chosen to go forth, from cradle to grave. If not, perhaps...
- 8/1/2021
- by David Fear
- Rollingstone.com
The Oscar season may not have officially begun, but three talented leading men — Nicolas Cage (“Pig“), Matt Damon (“Stillwater“) and Winston Duke (“Nine Days“) — are all delivering awards-worthy performances in three very unconventional movies. Likely to face an uphill battle on the awards circuit, the right campaign and support from critics could help them gain some traction in the awards game.
It’s time we all have a serious talk about Nicolas Cage. It should be no surprise that he delivers a beautifully affecting turn as Rob, a truffle forager who hunts the person who stole his beloved pig, and yet, some still find Cage more worthy of memes than trophies. The 57-year-old actor’s overstuffed filmography is full of both box office successes (“The Rock” and “Face/Off”) and critical misfires (“Captain Corelli’s Mandolin” and “Windtalkers”). Cage’s media persona plays up his zany antics, and surely Andy Samberg’s...
It’s time we all have a serious talk about Nicolas Cage. It should be no surprise that he delivers a beautifully affecting turn as Rob, a truffle forager who hunts the person who stole his beloved pig, and yet, some still find Cage more worthy of memes than trophies. The 57-year-old actor’s overstuffed filmography is full of both box office successes (“The Rock” and “Face/Off”) and critical misfires (“Captain Corelli’s Mandolin” and “Windtalkers”). Cage’s media persona plays up his zany antics, and surely Andy Samberg’s...
- 7/30/2021
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Of his many accomplishments, Benedict Wong can be credited with making librarians cool. As the character of Wong in “Doctor Strange” and other Marvel movies, he perfectly embodies the smart, sly Master of the Mystic Arts. Soon audiences can catch the actor in “Nine Days,” a sci-fi offering from Edson Oda, set to hit theaters July 30. Winston Duke plays an arbitrator in an unspecified landscape who decides which souls get to be born to Earth; Wong is his colleague, Kyo, who interjects some levity into the solemn proceedings.
“Nine Days” is such a lovely and specific film. What interested you in being a part of this project?
When I first read it, I knew that this was something special. Edson wrote an exceptional script. It was inspired by his late uncle, and it was a true passion project — not just for him but for everyone involved. Just from our conversations,...
“Nine Days” is such a lovely and specific film. What interested you in being a part of this project?
When I first read it, I knew that this was something special. Edson wrote an exceptional script. It was inspired by his late uncle, and it was a true passion project — not just for him but for everyone involved. Just from our conversations,...
- 7/30/2021
- by Jenelle Riley
- Variety Film + TV
Sony Pictures Classics’ sci-fi drama Nine Days starring Winston Duke opens in four theaters in a specialty market buoyed by recent releases like Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain and Pig. New York’s arthouse scene, outpaced by LA of late, is perking up, distributors say (Ailey numbers were super there) and moviegoers are rewarding unique films and strong stories.
(The slow reviving specialty scene is keeping its head down as day-and-date tensions in wide release blockbuster-land explode.)
Nine Days hits NYC and LA today before rolling out nationwide August 6 in 250-275 theaters, said Jason Michael Berman, a producer, and president of Mandalay Pictures — of course depending on how it does. He’s upbeat after 800 people turned out for LA screening this week at The Theatre at the Ace Hotel with EP Spike Jonze introducing the film, written and directed by Edson Oda,...
(The slow reviving specialty scene is keeping its head down as day-and-date tensions in wide release blockbuster-land explode.)
Nine Days hits NYC and LA today before rolling out nationwide August 6 in 250-275 theaters, said Jason Michael Berman, a producer, and president of Mandalay Pictures — of course depending on how it does. He’s upbeat after 800 people turned out for LA screening this week at The Theatre at the Ace Hotel with EP Spike Jonze introducing the film, written and directed by Edson Oda,...
- 7/30/2021
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
When Japanese-Brazilian filmmaker Edson Oda arrived at Sundance 2020 with his feature directorial debut “Nine Days,” an immersive film concerning isolation and mortality, he didn’t know how closely our reality would soon match his fable.
A few weeks following the festival, when the world closed down and the terrors of the pandemic took hold, many movies were seen as reflective of pandemic-era anxieties, from “Palm Springs” to “She Dies Tomorrow.” Yet only “Nine Days” spoke to two aspects of the cultural zeitgeist — quarantine and Black Lives Matter — with such striking prescience.
The film, which premiered at Sundance in 2020, comes out at a time of tremendous fragility for many Americans. And Oda’s work will provide them with a potent opportunity to process this moment of unprecedented psychological uneasiness.
“It’s been a time for self-discovery for a lot of people,” Oda said in an interview this month. “Everything they went through,...
A few weeks following the festival, when the world closed down and the terrors of the pandemic took hold, many movies were seen as reflective of pandemic-era anxieties, from “Palm Springs” to “She Dies Tomorrow.” Yet only “Nine Days” spoke to two aspects of the cultural zeitgeist — quarantine and Black Lives Matter — with such striking prescience.
The film, which premiered at Sundance in 2020, comes out at a time of tremendous fragility for many Americans. And Oda’s work will provide them with a potent opportunity to process this moment of unprecedented psychological uneasiness.
“It’s been a time for self-discovery for a lot of people,” Oda said in an interview this month. “Everything they went through,...
- 7/30/2021
- by Robert Daniels
- Indiewire
When director-writer Edson Oda was twelve years old, his uncle took his own life. And ever since that devastating tragedy, people only saw him as a man who committed suicide, his life suddenly becoming just that moment. With Oda’s directorial debut Nine Days, the copywriter-turned-filmmaker tries to shift his uncle’s story into what matters most: all the things he accomplished while he was alive and all the good, happy memories he left behind.
Part high-concept sci-fi, part heartfelt spiritual drama, Nine Days centers on Will, who lives in a small house distant from reality and is assigned to oversee a group of people on earth to see how they lead their lives. Any time one person dies he must find a replacement for them. A group of candidates will undergo a series of tests from Will to determine whether they’ll be granted the privilege to be born.
Part high-concept sci-fi, part heartfelt spiritual drama, Nine Days centers on Will, who lives in a small house distant from reality and is assigned to oversee a group of people on earth to see how they lead their lives. Any time one person dies he must find a replacement for them. A group of candidates will undergo a series of tests from Will to determine whether they’ll be granted the privilege to be born.
- 7/29/2021
- by Reyzando Nawara
- The Film Stage
Crafted in the Sundance Screenwriters Lab and embraced at 2020’s Sundance Film Festival, “Nine Days” does, indeed, feel very much like a festival movie — for better and worse.
It’s easy to see why high-altitude audiences would connect with the spiritual sentimentality of Edson Oda’s emotional debut. But Sundance, in particular, is infamous for pumping up buzzy films that deflate quickly upon arrival.
Where Oda succeeds most strongly is in his deep respect for actors, several of whom make the most of the more experimental nature of indie cinema. Chief among these is Winston Duke, who expands a potentially forgettable role into a powerfully theatrical portrayal. Situated in a desolate way station between nothingness and life on Earth, Will (Duke) oversees an untold number of humans. Whenever his charges die, he’s required to replace them. Since a “vacancy” has just opened up after a mysterious car crash, a...
It’s easy to see why high-altitude audiences would connect with the spiritual sentimentality of Edson Oda’s emotional debut. But Sundance, in particular, is infamous for pumping up buzzy films that deflate quickly upon arrival.
Where Oda succeeds most strongly is in his deep respect for actors, several of whom make the most of the more experimental nature of indie cinema. Chief among these is Winston Duke, who expands a potentially forgettable role into a powerfully theatrical portrayal. Situated in a desolate way station between nothingness and life on Earth, Will (Duke) oversees an untold number of humans. Whenever his charges die, he’s required to replace them. Since a “vacancy” has just opened up after a mysterious car crash, a...
- 7/29/2021
- by Elizabeth Weitzman
- The Wrap
In “Nine Days,” out this Friday in theaters, Winston Duke plays Will, a man who spends his lonely days and nights monitoring the lives of humans on a wall of vintage TV sets inside his home.
Living in a remote desert, Will watches the lives of souls he has chosen to live on Earth, and when one dies, he has to find a new candidate to fill that vacancy.
At the center of the film, director Edson Oda builds Will’s eyes into the world through 30 televisions. “You’re not watching a show, you’re watching somebody’s perspective on the old-fashioned TV tube,” explains Mac Smith, supervising sound designer and sound editor explains.
It was up to Smith along with Brandon Proctor, re-recording mixer, to capture the sound of the environments for Oda. Sound varied from washing dishes to someone riding a bike to someone cooking dinner and listening to music – everyday sounds.
Living in a remote desert, Will watches the lives of souls he has chosen to live on Earth, and when one dies, he has to find a new candidate to fill that vacancy.
At the center of the film, director Edson Oda builds Will’s eyes into the world through 30 televisions. “You’re not watching a show, you’re watching somebody’s perspective on the old-fashioned TV tube,” explains Mac Smith, supervising sound designer and sound editor explains.
It was up to Smith along with Brandon Proctor, re-recording mixer, to capture the sound of the environments for Oda. Sound varied from washing dishes to someone riding a bike to someone cooking dinner and listening to music – everyday sounds.
- 7/29/2021
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
From ‘Old’ to ‘The Green Knight,’ the Summer’s Most Daring Movies Tackle Our Universal Fear of Death
There’s a moment in “Old” that transcends every prominent and defensible critique. Long after the small ensemble of vacationers come to terms with their entrapment, that some unseen force has trapped them on a beach and caused them to age around one year every 30 minutes, an estranged young couple grow old. Hours earlier, they were on the verge of divorce; now, they have been turned elderly and forgotten what they were fighting about in the first place. They have the vaguest impression of shared anger in their distant past, which has receded enough to feel irrelevant to their present condition. Their bodies have grown weak and they can feel the life seeping out of their veins. And they smile, recognizing the fragility of their time together as the night settles in.
This unexpected poignance is a powerful moment in the midst of the schlocky horror movie surrounding it. Yes,...
This unexpected poignance is a powerful moment in the midst of the schlocky horror movie surrounding it. Yes,...
- 7/28/2021
- by Eric Kohn
- Indiewire
The thoughtful and ambitious indie drama Nine Days is writer-director Edson Oda’s debut feature, but it has such a distinct look and feel that it comes across like the work of a more seasoned artist. This is both a plus and a minus. More often than not, it’s better when filmmakers have a point-of-view, a sense of…...
- 7/27/2021
- by Noel Murray
- avclub.com
2018 was a watershed moment for diversity in Hollywood. High-profile studio films directed by filmmakers of color made history: Ava DuVernay became the first black woman to direct a film that grossed over $100 million with “A Wrinkle in Time”; “Crazy Rich Asians” was a huge hit, grossing over $238 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing romantic comedy in a decade; and “Black Panther,” the most expensive Marvel movie led by a black superhero, grossed over $1.3 billion worldwide, shattering the belief that black films don’t sell overseas.
The problem lies in the follow-through, an inconsistency problem that has plagued Hollywood for decades. In 2019, according to IndieWire’s own research, out of the top 100 movies of 2019, the number directed by filmmakers of color fell from 26 percent in 2018 to 18 percent in 2019. White men still account for over 80 percent of film directors at the studio level (and make up a third of the U.S.
The problem lies in the follow-through, an inconsistency problem that has plagued Hollywood for decades. In 2019, according to IndieWire’s own research, out of the top 100 movies of 2019, the number directed by filmmakers of color fell from 26 percent in 2018 to 18 percent in 2019. White men still account for over 80 percent of film directors at the studio level (and make up a third of the U.S.
- 5/19/2021
- by Tambay Obenson
- Indiewire
Sony Pictures Classics is releasing the fantastical drama Nine Days in New York and Los Angeles theaters on July 30, with plans to roll the film out nationwide August 6.
The debut feature of writer-director Edson Oda centers on Will (Winston Duke), a reclusive man who conducts a series of interviews with fledgling human souls, thereby offering them a chance to be born. The pic, which debuted at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival, also stars Zazie Beetz, Benedict Wong, Tony Hale, Bill Skarsgård, David Rysdahl and Arianna Ortiz.
The film earned two Film Independent Spirit Award nominations, for Best First Feature and Best Supporting Male (for Wong).
Nine Days is a co-production between Juniper Productions, Mandalay Pictures, Nowhere, Macro Media and The Space Program, in association with Mansa Productions, Oak Street Pictures, 30West, Baked Studios and Datari Turner Productions. It was produced by Jason Michael Berman of Mandalay Pictures, Mette-Marie Kongsved and Laura Tunstall of Nowhere,...
The debut feature of writer-director Edson Oda centers on Will (Winston Duke), a reclusive man who conducts a series of interviews with fledgling human souls, thereby offering them a chance to be born. The pic, which debuted at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival, also stars Zazie Beetz, Benedict Wong, Tony Hale, Bill Skarsgård, David Rysdahl and Arianna Ortiz.
The film earned two Film Independent Spirit Award nominations, for Best First Feature and Best Supporting Male (for Wong).
Nine Days is a co-production between Juniper Productions, Mandalay Pictures, Nowhere, Macro Media and The Space Program, in association with Mansa Productions, Oak Street Pictures, 30West, Baked Studios and Datari Turner Productions. It was produced by Jason Michael Berman of Mandalay Pictures, Mette-Marie Kongsved and Laura Tunstall of Nowhere,...
- 5/6/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
If you’re nowhere near a television and want to know the winners of the 36th Independent Spirit Awards as they happen, you’ve come to the right place. Follow along with Gold Derby’s Indie Spirits live blog 2021 to see who won all of the night’s film and TV prizes, who presented what categories, and how Melissa Villaseñor (“Saturday Night Live”) did as host. The virtual ceremony aired Thursday, April 22 on IFC at 7 p.m. Pt/10 p.m. Et.
SEE2021 Independent Spirit Awards: Winners list in all film and TV categories
This year’s Spirit Awards celebrated the best in indie filmmaking for the 2020 calendar year, with a little bit of television thrown in for good measure. Remember, only American-made fare with budgets under $20 million were eligible for consideration. Winners were chosen by all of Film Independent’s eligible members, including industry insiders and any movie fans who signed up for membership.
SEE2021 Independent Spirit Awards: Winners list in all film and TV categories
This year’s Spirit Awards celebrated the best in indie filmmaking for the 2020 calendar year, with a little bit of television thrown in for good measure. Remember, only American-made fare with budgets under $20 million were eligible for consideration. Winners were chosen by all of Film Independent’s eligible members, including industry insiders and any movie fans who signed up for membership.
- 4/23/2021
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
The last major awards show before the Oscars has finally arrived, the 36th Independent Spirit Awards. The virtual ceremony aired Thursday, April 22 on IFC at 7 p.m. Pt/10 p.m. Et and was hosted by “Saturday Night Live” star Melissa Villaseñor. The Spirit Awards celebrated the best in indie filmmaking for the 2020 calendar year, and this year they invited TV shows to the party, too. Don’t forget, only American-made fare with budgets under $20 million were eligible for consideration. Winners were chosen by all of Film Independent’s eligible members, including industry insiders and any movie fans who signed up for membership.
Heading into the ceremony, “Never Rarely Sometimes Always” was the nominations leader with seven overall bids. “Minari” came in right behind it with six noms, followed by “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” and “Nomadland” (the Oscar front-runner) with five bids each. On the TV side, both “Little America” and...
Heading into the ceremony, “Never Rarely Sometimes Always” was the nominations leader with seven overall bids. “Minari” came in right behind it with six noms, followed by “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” and “Nomadland” (the Oscar front-runner) with five bids each. On the TV side, both “Little America” and...
- 4/23/2021
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
Another day, another wrench in the release calendar. Late on Friday, Sony Pictures Classics announced that the specialty arm would be shifting debut dates for three of its awards season titles: “The Father,” “Truffle Hunters,” and “I Carry You with Me.” Earlier this week, Sony Pictures Classics also pushed the Sundance science-fiction favorite “Nine Days” out of January and into the undated realm of summer 2021.
The new release dates are obviously due to Covid-19 and the ongoing closure of movie theaters nationwide as many corners of the country grip for lockdown, part two. The new dates for the films are as follows: “The Father,” starring Anthony Hopkins, will now be released February 26, 2021; Michael Dweck and Gregory Kershaw’s festival darling “The Truffle Hunters” will now be released March 12, 2021; and nonfiction director Heidi Ewing’s narrative feature debut “I Carry You with Me” will now be released in the spring of...
The new release dates are obviously due to Covid-19 and the ongoing closure of movie theaters nationwide as many corners of the country grip for lockdown, part two. The new dates for the films are as follows: “The Father,” starring Anthony Hopkins, will now be released February 26, 2021; Michael Dweck and Gregory Kershaw’s festival darling “The Truffle Hunters” will now be released March 12, 2021; and nonfiction director Heidi Ewing’s narrative feature debut “I Carry You with Me” will now be released in the spring of...
- 12/5/2020
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
Sony Pictures Classics has delayed the release of “Nine Days,” the Sundance hit from first-time director Edson Oda starring Winston Duke. It will no longer release on Jan. 22 and is now slated to open in theaters worldwide next summer. However, the film will still qualify for the 2021 Film Independent Spirit Awards, set for April 24.
With the Covid-19 pandemic still handicapping movie theaters, an intimate film like “Nine Days” benefits most from a big theatrical experience with its immersive sound and stunning camera work. One of the dark horse awards contenders for the upcoming season, with best actor (Duke) and original screenplay (Oda) being its best possibilities.
Moving to the summer could give the film a better chance to be discovered by audiences. By starting in New York and Los Angeles and then expanding to more markets, the film could be a financial success with its all-star cast. With similar themes...
With the Covid-19 pandemic still handicapping movie theaters, an intimate film like “Nine Days” benefits most from a big theatrical experience with its immersive sound and stunning camera work. One of the dark horse awards contenders for the upcoming season, with best actor (Duke) and original screenplay (Oda) being its best possibilities.
Moving to the summer could give the film a better chance to be discovered by audiences. By starting in New York and Los Angeles and then expanding to more markets, the film could be a financial success with its all-star cast. With similar themes...
- 12/3/2020
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Programme offers funding, coaching and support to filmmakers from under-represented groups.
The Sundance Institute has revealed the eight filmmakers who will make up the third class of the Momentum Fellowship.
The Fellowship is the Institute’s full-year programme of creative and professional support for mid-career fiction and documentary writers and directors from under-represented communities.
The fellowships will provide unrestricted grant funding, industry mentorship, professional coaching, writing workshops, industry meetings in the spring of next year and bespoke year-round support from Sundance Institute staff.
The 2021 Fellows are: Cristina Costantini, whose documentary Mucho Mucho Amor premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and...
The Sundance Institute has revealed the eight filmmakers who will make up the third class of the Momentum Fellowship.
The Fellowship is the Institute’s full-year programme of creative and professional support for mid-career fiction and documentary writers and directors from under-represented communities.
The fellowships will provide unrestricted grant funding, industry mentorship, professional coaching, writing workshops, industry meetings in the spring of next year and bespoke year-round support from Sundance Institute staff.
The 2021 Fellows are: Cristina Costantini, whose documentary Mucho Mucho Amor premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and...
- 11/24/2020
- by John Hazelton
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Sundance Institute has named the talented group of filmmakers that have been selected for the third class of Momentum Fellows.
The full-year program is a new collaboration with NBCUniversal that gives customized creative and professional support for mid-career writers and directors from underrepresented communities who are poised to take the next step in their careers in fiction and documentary filmmaking. This year’s fellows include Cristina Costantini, Natalie Erika James, Shalini Kantayya, Loira Limbal, Ekwa Msangi, Edson Oda, Jacqueline Olive and Angel Kristi Williams.
The fellowship includes unrestricted grant funding, industry mentorship, professional coaching offered by Renee Freedman & Company supported by The Harnisch Foundation, writing workshops and industry meetings in Spring 2021, and bespoke year-round support from Sundance Institute staff.
Additionally, the FilmTwo Fellowship has merged into the Momentum Fellowship, and NBCUniversal will provide an opportunity for select Momentum fellows working on fiction projects to participate in the Universal Directors Initiative.
The full-year program is a new collaboration with NBCUniversal that gives customized creative and professional support for mid-career writers and directors from underrepresented communities who are poised to take the next step in their careers in fiction and documentary filmmaking. This year’s fellows include Cristina Costantini, Natalie Erika James, Shalini Kantayya, Loira Limbal, Ekwa Msangi, Edson Oda, Jacqueline Olive and Angel Kristi Williams.
The fellowship includes unrestricted grant funding, industry mentorship, professional coaching offered by Renee Freedman & Company supported by The Harnisch Foundation, writing workshops and industry meetings in Spring 2021, and bespoke year-round support from Sundance Institute staff.
Additionally, the FilmTwo Fellowship has merged into the Momentum Fellowship, and NBCUniversal will provide an opportunity for select Momentum fellows working on fiction projects to participate in the Universal Directors Initiative.
- 11/23/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.