Motion Picture: Chaplin Award, Dystopian Superhero, Latin-X Doc
Action/Fantasy/Sci Fi: Fast Color is like no ordinary superhero film starring english actress Gugu Mbatha-Raw as main character Ruth runs from home when her superpowers are discovered by the government who wishes to capture her powers for the greater good. As the government searches for her, Ruth decides to try to mend the broken relationships with her mother and her daughter. But upon her she discovers she is not the only one with magical abilities. Director/writer Julia Hart film speaks on more humanistic issues in a distant dystopian future. The film can be seen online using Amazon with a Prime membership.
Drama: Los miembros de la familia (Family members) is a comedy drama about a brother and sister Gilda and Lucas who both return home after the death of their mother. This coming of age film concentrates on the personal growth of the siblings as they learn about themselves in the cusp of sexual awakenings and navigating building relationships with the adults in their family. This film will be Argentinian director, Mateo Bendesky first feature length film.
Lo Live to Sing is a film by Chinese/Canadian director Johnny Ma, whose vision has blurred the lines between stage and life. This colorful film tells the lives of a Chengdu Opera troupe on a verge of distinction. This form of chinese traditional theatre is being held in the standards of performing magic tricks on the street for tourists instead of the original opera. Ma gives audiences a vivid behind the scenes look at the dying ancient art , as the characters within the film struggle to trust the Opera will carry on as their audience continue to grow smaller. The film was selected to premiere in the Cannes film festival earlier this year.
Alfonso Gomez-Rejon (Me, Earl and the Dying Girl) will be directing a new film Newsflash starring Chris Pine as famous news anchor Walter Cronkite.The autobiographical drama will focus on Cronkites journey and the impact he made when he reported on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on national television. Reports say the project is still in pre production and is currently working on the financial aspect of the film with Stampede and CAA Media Finance. Rejon was an NYU film student student who worked in productions assisting acclaimed directors and actors such as Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro and Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu shortly after school. He made his way through television by directing episodes of shows like Glee and American Horror Story in which he was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing For a Miniseries for American Horror Story: Coven. The filming for Newsflash will begin February in New York next year.
Documentary: The-All Americans follows four high school football players, straight A student Mario Ramirez, Joseph Silva, father of one; Sammy Hernandez, Roosevelt quarterback and popular guy; and Steve Williams future quarterback. All the boys have one thing in common: they seek to excel in the East Coast football rivalry game. Based in Los Angeles, one of the largest Latino Community in the country, the film explores the group of young men striving for more and the challenges they may face in society that highlights the contrary belief displayed in media that focuses on anti-immigration laws. Mexican-American singer, Becky G took on the role as executive producer with award winning writer Billy McMillin for his directorial debut.
Industry Update: Legendary filmmaker Spike Lee will be the recipient for the 2020 Chaplin Award presented by Film at Lincoln Center. Reports say Lincoln Center's board chairwoman Ann Tenenbaum is excited to have such a revolutionary distinct voice in cinema included in the Chaplin Award hall of fame. The Oscar winning director has an extensive filmography which includes classics such as Oscar nominated film Do the Right Thing, 4 Little Girls, She's Gotta Have it, Crooklyn and most recently Blackkklansman. Lee will join the list with many other Chaplin award laureates including Alfred Hitchcock, Meryl Streep, Martin Scorsese Tom Hanks, Elizabeth Taylor, Charlie Chaplin and many more.