Exclusive: Sarah Lind (A Wounded Fawn) is the newest addition to The Necklace, the indie horror flick from director Juan Pablo Arias Munoz that’s shooting in Atlanta. As previously announced, Jacob Moran, Madeleine McGraw, Violet McGraw and Felix Solis will also star.
Written by John Ducey, The Necklace watches as the Davis family navigates through tough times in 1960. Laura Davis (Lind) has separated from her husband Frank due to his unpredictable temper, fueled by alcohol. As Laura returns to work as a nurse, her daughters, 11-year-old Ellen (Violet McGraw) and 16-year-old Judy (Madeleine McGraw), grapple with the changes in their family dynamics. The plot thickens when Frank attempts to win Laura back with a beautiful antique necklace, which turns out to be a conduit for the tormented soul of an evil boy from long ago, putting Laura and her daughters in grave danger.
Daniel Aspromonte and Christina Moore are producing the film,...
Written by John Ducey, The Necklace watches as the Davis family navigates through tough times in 1960. Laura Davis (Lind) has separated from her husband Frank due to his unpredictable temper, fueled by alcohol. As Laura returns to work as a nurse, her daughters, 11-year-old Ellen (Violet McGraw) and 16-year-old Judy (Madeleine McGraw), grapple with the changes in their family dynamics. The plot thickens when Frank attempts to win Laura back with a beautiful antique necklace, which turns out to be a conduit for the tormented soul of an evil boy from long ago, putting Laura and her daughters in grave danger.
Daniel Aspromonte and Christina Moore are producing the film,...
- 5/24/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Ozark‘s Felix Solis has signed on to star opposite Jacob Moran, Madeleine McGraw and Violet McGraw in The Necklace, a horror film from director Juan Pablo Arias Munoz that heads into production in Atlanta in late May.
Written by John Ducey, The Necklace watches as the Davis family navigates through tough times in 1960. Laura Davis has separated from her husband Frank due to his unpredictable temper, fueled by alcohol. As Laura returns to work as a nurse, her daughters, 11-year-old Ellen (Violet McGraw) and 16-year-old Judy (Madeleine McGraw), grapple with the changes in their family dynamics. The plot thickens when Frank attempts to win Laura back with a beautiful antique necklace, which turns out to be a conduit for the tormented soul of an evil boy from long ago, putting Laura and her daughters in grave danger.
Solis will play the role of Detective Callahan. Daniel Aspromonte and...
Written by John Ducey, The Necklace watches as the Davis family navigates through tough times in 1960. Laura Davis has separated from her husband Frank due to his unpredictable temper, fueled by alcohol. As Laura returns to work as a nurse, her daughters, 11-year-old Ellen (Violet McGraw) and 16-year-old Judy (Madeleine McGraw), grapple with the changes in their family dynamics. The plot thickens when Frank attempts to win Laura back with a beautiful antique necklace, which turns out to be a conduit for the tormented soul of an evil boy from long ago, putting Laura and her daughters in grave danger.
Solis will play the role of Detective Callahan. Daniel Aspromonte and...
- 5/21/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Jacob Moran is set to reteam with Madeleine McGraw, his co-star on the hit Blumhouse/Universal horror pic The Black Phone, on a new horror pic titled The Necklace that enters production in Atlanta in late May.
Details as to Moran’s role are under wraps. Madeleine’s sister, Violet McGraw of M3GAN fame, will also star.
Directed by Juan Pablo Arias Munoz, from a script by John Ducey, The Necklace watches as the Davis family navigates through tough times in 1960. Laura Davis has separated from her husband Frank due to his unpredictable temper, fueled by alcohol. As Laura returns to work as a nurse, her daughters, 11-year-old Ellen (Violet McGraw) and 16-year-old Judy (Madeleine McGraw), grapple with the changes in their family dynamics. The plot thickens when Frank attempts to win Laura back with a beautiful antique necklace, which turns out to be a conduit for the tormented...
Details as to Moran’s role are under wraps. Madeleine’s sister, Violet McGraw of M3GAN fame, will also star.
Directed by Juan Pablo Arias Munoz, from a script by John Ducey, The Necklace watches as the Davis family navigates through tough times in 1960. Laura Davis has separated from her husband Frank due to his unpredictable temper, fueled by alcohol. As Laura returns to work as a nurse, her daughters, 11-year-old Ellen (Violet McGraw) and 16-year-old Judy (Madeleine McGraw), grapple with the changes in their family dynamics. The plot thickens when Frank attempts to win Laura back with a beautiful antique necklace, which turns out to be a conduit for the tormented...
- 5/20/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Ali Afshar’s Esx Entertainment is entering into the horror space with the feature The Necklace starring sisters Madeleine & Violet McGraw, each of whom have garnered widespread acclaim for
gripping performances in M3GAN and 2021’s The Black Phone respectively. Cameras will roll this summer.
Afshar produced the Netflix streaming hit A California Christmas and I Believe in Santa along with the hit HBO Max original A Christmas Mystery, both of which starred Violet McGraw.
The screenplay was written specifically with the McGraw sisters in mind by Afshar collaborator John Ducey . The pic is being directed by Chilean filmmaker Juan Pablo Arias Muñoz, who helmed Pumpkinhole and HBO’s Perry Mason.
Said Afshar, “Madeleine and Violet are among the brightest lights of this generation of young actors, and an absolute joy to work with. Each brings a unique energy to the screen and, together,...
gripping performances in M3GAN and 2021’s The Black Phone respectively. Cameras will roll this summer.
Afshar produced the Netflix streaming hit A California Christmas and I Believe in Santa along with the hit HBO Max original A Christmas Mystery, both of which starred Violet McGraw.
The screenplay was written specifically with the McGraw sisters in mind by Afshar collaborator John Ducey . The pic is being directed by Chilean filmmaker Juan Pablo Arias Muñoz, who helmed Pumpkinhole and HBO’s Perry Mason.
Said Afshar, “Madeleine and Violet are among the brightest lights of this generation of young actors, and an absolute joy to work with. Each brings a unique energy to the screen and, together,...
- 5/3/2024
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
To celebrate the release of Casa Grande, we spoke with the amazing cast and filmmakers of the show – a whopping sixteen people!
Casa Grande follows the lives of rich Southern family dynasties and the immigrant families who work on their farms as they deal with power plays and Ice.
We spoke about wrangling such a huge talented cast as well as working on an actual, working (and smelly) dairy farm!
The cast is interviewed for Casa Granda, coming to Amazon Freevee. The ensemble cast consists of John Pyper-Ferguson, Christina Moore (90210), Madison Lawlor (Juniper), Karen Bethzabe (Babylon), Javier Bolaños (Runt), Raquel Dominguez (Chicago Med), James Marsters (Buffy The Vampire Slayer), Emmy-winner Kate Mansi (Days of Our Lives), Daniel Edward Mora (Coco), Loren Escandon (The Baxters), Keith Miller (Red Ruby), and Laura Alemán (Cleaners). It is directed by Gabriela Tagliavini (Despite Everything), Showrunner and Co-Creator Lauren Swickard (A California Christmas), Co-Creator and...
Casa Grande follows the lives of rich Southern family dynasties and the immigrant families who work on their farms as they deal with power plays and Ice.
We spoke about wrangling such a huge talented cast as well as working on an actual, working (and smelly) dairy farm!
The cast is interviewed for Casa Granda, coming to Amazon Freevee. The ensemble cast consists of John Pyper-Ferguson, Christina Moore (90210), Madison Lawlor (Juniper), Karen Bethzabe (Babylon), Javier Bolaños (Runt), Raquel Dominguez (Chicago Med), James Marsters (Buffy The Vampire Slayer), Emmy-winner Kate Mansi (Days of Our Lives), Daniel Edward Mora (Coco), Loren Escandon (The Baxters), Keith Miller (Red Ruby), and Laura Alemán (Cleaners). It is directed by Gabriela Tagliavini (Despite Everything), Showrunner and Co-Creator Lauren Swickard (A California Christmas), Co-Creator and...
- 5/4/2023
- by Jon Lyus
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
To celebrate its century-long run as one of Hollywood's biggest movie studios, Warner Bros. is releasing 20-minute-long remakes of six of its most classic films. The company, which is now called Warner Bros. Discovery after a merger with Discovery, Inc., plans on developing the short film series through its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion team and stated that the series will reimagine these stories through "representative casting, storytelling, and narrative."
The six films on the slate are the recently remade "A Star is Born," the swashbuckling "The Adventures of Robin Hood," the Western "Calamity Jane," the Abbott and Costello comedy "Jack and the Beanstalk," the much-adapted "The Prince and the Pauper," and the James Dean drama "Rebel Without a Cause." Production is slated to begin this summer, with Ali Afshar ("American Wrestler: The Wizard" and a whole slew of Christmas-related material) serving as consulting producer. "We can't think of a better...
The six films on the slate are the recently remade "A Star is Born," the swashbuckling "The Adventures of Robin Hood," the Western "Calamity Jane," the Abbott and Costello comedy "Jack and the Beanstalk," the much-adapted "The Prince and the Pauper," and the James Dean drama "Rebel Without a Cause." Production is slated to begin this summer, with Ali Afshar ("American Wrestler: The Wizard" and a whole slew of Christmas-related material) serving as consulting producer. "We can't think of a better...
- 4/19/2023
- by Andrew Housman
- Slash Film
As part of its ongoing celebration of the 100th anniversary of Warner Bros. Studios, parent company Warner Bros. Discovery has commissioned short film adaptations of six classic movies from its vault.
These 20-minute shorts, which will be available to stream on Max later this year, will update the films through today’s more diverse and inclusive understanding of the world, with what Wbd’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion team calls “representative casting, storytelling and narrative.”
Six filmmakers have already been chosen by a committee that includes Wbd senior vp Dei in North America Karen Horne alongside individuals from Warner Bros. Pictures, Visual Communications, Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival, Urban World, Sundance Indigenous Lab, Outfest and ReelAbilities Film Fest. The filmmakers, who will receive a budget through which they can derive their own compensation, will begin production this summer and be mentored by a group of established producers and directors,...
These 20-minute shorts, which will be available to stream on Max later this year, will update the films through today’s more diverse and inclusive understanding of the world, with what Wbd’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion team calls “representative casting, storytelling and narrative.”
Six filmmakers have already been chosen by a committee that includes Wbd senior vp Dei in North America Karen Horne alongside individuals from Warner Bros. Pictures, Visual Communications, Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival, Urban World, Sundance Indigenous Lab, Outfest and ReelAbilities Film Fest. The filmmakers, who will receive a budget through which they can derive their own compensation, will begin production this summer and be mentored by a group of established producers and directors,...
- 4/18/2023
- by Rebecca Sun
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Amazon Freevee has announced that it will stream Casa Grande, a bilingual limited series that examines the everyday realities and conflicts between California’s migrant workforce and the landowners who reap the profits.
Created by Lauren Swickard (A California Christmas) and Ali Afshar, Casa Grande follows the intertwining lives of various families in the farmlands of Northern California and is described as an “upstairs/downstairs story transposed from turn-of-the century English countryside to rural America.” It stars John Pyper-Ferguson, Christina Moore, Madison Lawlor (Juniper), Karen Bethzabe (Babylon), Javier Bolaños (All American), Raquel Dominguez (Chicago Med), James Marsters (Buffy The Vampire Slayer), Kate Mansi (Days of Our Lives), Daniel Edward Mora (Coco), Loren Escandon (The Baxters), and Ali Afshar (He’s Just Not That Into You).
All five one-hour episodes of the English and Spanish language limited series will premiere on Monday, May 1.
“We...
Created by Lauren Swickard (A California Christmas) and Ali Afshar, Casa Grande follows the intertwining lives of various families in the farmlands of Northern California and is described as an “upstairs/downstairs story transposed from turn-of-the century English countryside to rural America.” It stars John Pyper-Ferguson, Christina Moore, Madison Lawlor (Juniper), Karen Bethzabe (Babylon), Javier Bolaños (All American), Raquel Dominguez (Chicago Med), James Marsters (Buffy The Vampire Slayer), Kate Mansi (Days of Our Lives), Daniel Edward Mora (Coco), Loren Escandon (The Baxters), and Ali Afshar (He’s Just Not That Into You).
All five one-hour episodes of the English and Spanish language limited series will premiere on Monday, May 1.
“We...
- 3/20/2023
- by Lynette Rice
- Deadline Film + TV
Amazon Freevee has landed the exclusive first-run U.S. rights to “Casa Grande,” a bilingual limited series that follows the tales of California’s hardworking, often undocumented migrant workforce, as well as the wealthy landowners in Northern California.
The series, which consists of five one-hour episodes, premieres May 1 on Freevee. Lauren Swickard (“A California Christmas”) and Ali Afshar created “Casa Grande,” which comes from Afshar’s Esx Entertainment shingle.
Series stars include John Pyper-Ferguson, Christina Moore, Madison Lawlor (“Juniper”), Karen Bethzabe (“Babylon”), Javier Bolaños (“All American”), Raquel Dominguez (“Chicago Med”), James Marsters (“Buffy The Vampire Slayer”), Kate Mansi (“Days of Our Lives”), Daniel Edward Mora (“Coco”), Loren Escandon (“The Baxters”) and Ali Afshar (“He’s Just Not That Into You”).
Latin filmmaker Gabriela Tagliavini (“Despite Everything”) directed the series; Swickard serves as showrunner and also wrote the series with Alex Ranarivelo and Michael Cruz. Other executive producers include Ava Rettke and Daniel Aspromonte.
The series, which consists of five one-hour episodes, premieres May 1 on Freevee. Lauren Swickard (“A California Christmas”) and Ali Afshar created “Casa Grande,” which comes from Afshar’s Esx Entertainment shingle.
Series stars include John Pyper-Ferguson, Christina Moore, Madison Lawlor (“Juniper”), Karen Bethzabe (“Babylon”), Javier Bolaños (“All American”), Raquel Dominguez (“Chicago Med”), James Marsters (“Buffy The Vampire Slayer”), Kate Mansi (“Days of Our Lives”), Daniel Edward Mora (“Coco”), Loren Escandon (“The Baxters”) and Ali Afshar (“He’s Just Not That Into You”).
Latin filmmaker Gabriela Tagliavini (“Despite Everything”) directed the series; Swickard serves as showrunner and also wrote the series with Alex Ranarivelo and Michael Cruz. Other executive producers include Ava Rettke and Daniel Aspromonte.
- 3/20/2023
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
For quite some time now, Christmas has come every day for Ali Afshar.
The actor, producer and former race car driver is founder and president of Esx Entertainment, a prolific indie film and TV production company that’s made its name in recent years pumping Yuletide content to streamers amid the pandemic.
The projects are modestly budgeted and shot efficiently and safely, mostly due to Afshar’s commandeering of his hometown — a sleepy Sonoma County village called Petaluma, where he built a soundstage from a converted barn and mines below-the-line crew from local residents. Titles include Netflix’s “A California Christmas” and its sequel “City Lights,” and the HBO Max originals “A Christmas Mystery,” “A Hollywood Christmas” and “Holiday Harmony.”
Afshar’s well-oiled Christmas machine functions at such a level that, during a recent conversation with Variety, he revealed he was in the middle of shooting another film — “A Wine Country Christmas.
The actor, producer and former race car driver is founder and president of Esx Entertainment, a prolific indie film and TV production company that’s made its name in recent years pumping Yuletide content to streamers amid the pandemic.
The projects are modestly budgeted and shot efficiently and safely, mostly due to Afshar’s commandeering of his hometown — a sleepy Sonoma County village called Petaluma, where he built a soundstage from a converted barn and mines below-the-line crew from local residents. Titles include Netflix’s “A California Christmas” and its sequel “City Lights,” and the HBO Max originals “A Christmas Mystery,” “A Hollywood Christmas” and “Holiday Harmony.”
Afshar’s well-oiled Christmas machine functions at such a level that, during a recent conversation with Variety, he revealed he was in the middle of shooting another film — “A Wine Country Christmas.
- 3/17/2023
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
The holidays started early in Tinseltown (and elsewhere), beginning with James Cameron missing his own “Avatar: The Way of Water” Hollywood premiere, knocked down with a bout of Covid and moving on to New York’s first look at “Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody.” Santa turned up at Christina Moore and John Ducey’s “I Believe in Santa” Netflix premiere and there was even a Christmas Con! Meanwhile, Damien Chazelle brought a much less family-friendly flick, “Babylon,” to the City of Angels in another splashy premiere.
“Avatar: The Way of Water”
Dolby Theatre, Hollywood
Stars Stephen Lang, Sigourney Weaver and Sam Worthington attend the U.S. premiere of “Avatar: The Way of Water” in Hollywood. (Courtesy 20th Century Studios)
It was well worth the wait! Disney transported fans into Pandora for the “Avatar: The Way of Water premiere” at the Dolby Theatre. Stepping inside, it was as...
“Avatar: The Way of Water”
Dolby Theatre, Hollywood
Stars Stephen Lang, Sigourney Weaver and Sam Worthington attend the U.S. premiere of “Avatar: The Way of Water” in Hollywood. (Courtesy 20th Century Studios)
It was well worth the wait! Disney transported fans into Pandora for the “Avatar: The Way of Water premiere” at the Dolby Theatre. Stepping inside, it was as...
- 12/23/2022
- by Jenny Peters
- The Wrap
Producer Ali Afshar and Esx Entertainment has become a big supplier of holiday movies for HBO Max with count ’em, three coming up: two on Thanksgiving — Holiday Harmony and A Christmas Mystery and one one on Dec. 1, A Hollywood Christmas.
Holiday Harmony follows singer/songwriter Gail (Annelise Cepero) who lands an opportunity to compete for a once-in-a-lifetime shot at the big time, and heads cross country—until she breaks down in Harmony Springs, Oklahoma. With just two weeks to get to the iHeartRadio Christmas Eve performance of her dreams, she takes the advice of local Jack-of-all-trades, Jeremy (Jeremy Sumpter), and takes on a group of misfit kids hoping to perform in a Christmas Eve Gala of their own. Gail and Jeremy grow close, but if she’s going to fulfill her lifelong dream, she may have to leave him and the town she’s grown to love behind. Brooke Shields...
Holiday Harmony follows singer/songwriter Gail (Annelise Cepero) who lands an opportunity to compete for a once-in-a-lifetime shot at the big time, and heads cross country—until she breaks down in Harmony Springs, Oklahoma. With just two weeks to get to the iHeartRadio Christmas Eve performance of her dreams, she takes the advice of local Jack-of-all-trades, Jeremy (Jeremy Sumpter), and takes on a group of misfit kids hoping to perform in a Christmas Eve Gala of their own. Gail and Jeremy grow close, but if she’s going to fulfill her lifelong dream, she may have to leave him and the town she’s grown to love behind. Brooke Shields...
- 11/19/2022
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: We hear that four holiday movies have received HBO Max release dates as of Wednesday: Legendary’s Christmas Story sequel, A Christmas Story Christmas for November 17 this year, and three yuletide titles from Esx Entertainment: Holiday Harmony and A Christmas Mystery both on November 24 and A Hollywood Christmas on December 1.
A Christmas Story Christmas from director Clay Kaytis and producers Irwin Zwilling, Marc Toberoff, Cale Boyter, Jay Ashenfelter, Peter Billingsley and Vince Vaughn follows Ralphie, who is all grown up now. He must deal with Christmas and all that comes with it, this time as a dad. Peter Billingsley reprises his role as Ralphie. Erinn Hayes, Julianna Layne, River Drosche, Rd Robb and Scott Schwartz along with Zack Ward and Julie Hagerty also star.
The romantic drama Holiday Harmony from producers Ali Afshar, Lauren Swickard and Daniel Aspromonte, and directed by Shaun Paul Piccinino, follows singer-songwriter Gail, who...
A Christmas Story Christmas from director Clay Kaytis and producers Irwin Zwilling, Marc Toberoff, Cale Boyter, Jay Ashenfelter, Peter Billingsley and Vince Vaughn follows Ralphie, who is all grown up now. He must deal with Christmas and all that comes with it, this time as a dad. Peter Billingsley reprises his role as Ralphie. Erinn Hayes, Julianna Layne, River Drosche, Rd Robb and Scott Schwartz along with Zack Ward and Julie Hagerty also star.
The romantic drama Holiday Harmony from producers Ali Afshar, Lauren Swickard and Daniel Aspromonte, and directed by Shaun Paul Piccinino, follows singer-songwriter Gail, who...
- 8/24/2022
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
As the violet Scion Nebula 86 slams across the finish line at Import Face-Off in Las Vegas this past March, the thundering of Japanese engines is overtaken by the sheer force of the crowd’s screams. The car comes to a stop, enveloped in a cloud of smoke. The driver gets out triumphantly, her arm outstretched towards the stands. For fans of racing, the scene is anything but typical, as the victor, 20-year-old import racer Kaylee Crayton, stands at five-foot-eight and sports wholesome breakfast-cereal good looks; pulling off her onyx helmet...
- 8/10/2021
- by Kaila Yu
- Rollingstone.com
The festival season is here and it is time to embrace Yuletide spirits. With cinemas yet to draw audience confidence fully, Ott platforms are going all-out to add a Christmas sparkle that celebrate the season of Santa Clause with these Christmas movies and web series.
As we gear up to binge on Christmas, snuggled in a blanket with a cup of hot chocolate, we list new Christmas movie attractions that toast a happy ending to the year, and a good cheer.
Operation Christmas Drop
The film is about a political aide falling for a big-hearted air force pilot while looking to shut down his tropical base and its airborne Christmas tradition. The Netflix film stars Kat Graham, Alexander Ludwig, and Virginia Madsen.
A California Christmas
The Netflix film follows a wealthy real estate heir who poses as a ranch hand to get a hardworking farmer to sell her family's land.
As we gear up to binge on Christmas, snuggled in a blanket with a cup of hot chocolate, we list new Christmas movie attractions that toast a happy ending to the year, and a good cheer.
Operation Christmas Drop
The film is about a political aide falling for a big-hearted air force pilot while looking to shut down his tropical base and its airborne Christmas tradition. The Netflix film stars Kat Graham, Alexander Ludwig, and Virginia Madsen.
A California Christmas
The Netflix film follows a wealthy real estate heir who poses as a ranch hand to get a hardworking farmer to sell her family's land.
- 12/24/2020
- by Glamsham Editorial
- GlamSham
After the unexpected popularity of the new Netflix movie “A California Christmas,” the holiday romantic comedy is getting a sequel.
Ali Afshar’s Esx Entertainment, the production company behind the film, has fast tracked pre-production for the follow-up, which will be titled “California Christmas: City Lights.” Filming is expected to begin in early 2021 in various parts of northern California, including Petaluma, Sonoma County and surrounding areas.
Netflix doesn’t provide streamlined viewing metrics for its movies or television shows, but “A California Christmas” appears to be a breakout hit on the streamer’s charts. The feel-good film, which premiered on Dec. 14, ranked No. 1 in the U.S. for a week and has remained in the top 10 since. According to Forbes, “A California Christmas” beat out Ryan Murphy’s musical “The Prom,” which stars Meryl Streep, James Corden and Nicole Kidman, as well as perennial favorites like “How the Grinch Stole Christmas...
Ali Afshar’s Esx Entertainment, the production company behind the film, has fast tracked pre-production for the follow-up, which will be titled “California Christmas: City Lights.” Filming is expected to begin in early 2021 in various parts of northern California, including Petaluma, Sonoma County and surrounding areas.
Netflix doesn’t provide streamlined viewing metrics for its movies or television shows, but “A California Christmas” appears to be a breakout hit on the streamer’s charts. The feel-good film, which premiered on Dec. 14, ranked No. 1 in the U.S. for a week and has remained in the top 10 since. According to Forbes, “A California Christmas” beat out Ryan Murphy’s musical “The Prom,” which stars Meryl Streep, James Corden and Nicole Kidman, as well as perennial favorites like “How the Grinch Stole Christmas...
- 12/22/2020
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Born a Champion Trailer — Alex Ranarivelo‘s Born a Champion (2021) movie trailer has been released by Lionsgate and stars Sean Patrick Flanery, Katrina Bowden, Dennis Quaid, Reno Wilson, Costas Mandylor, Maurice Compte, Paul J. Alessi, Chris Boudreaux, Marshelle Fair, William W. Barbour, Jonathan Kowalsky, Johnny Jay Lee, Christine Kilmer, and Ali Afshar. Crew Flanery and [...]
Continue reading: Born A Champion (2021) Movie Trailer: Sean Patrick Flanery & Dennis Quaid star in Alex Ranarivelo’s Martial Arts Drama Film...
Continue reading: Born A Champion (2021) Movie Trailer: Sean Patrick Flanery & Dennis Quaid star in Alex Ranarivelo’s Martial Arts Drama Film...
- 11/30/2020
- by Rollo Tomasi
- Film-Book
"There is always some theoretical fighter who thinks he can take on the pros." Lionsgate has unveiled an official trailer for a Mma fighter film titled Born a Champion, from French filmmaker Alex Ranarivelo. The film is co-written by and stars actor Sean Patrick Flanery as Mickey Kelly, one of the first American black belts in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Set in the 1990s, the film follows Mickey as he finds himself pulled into an unsanctioned Mma tournament in the hopes of providing for his family. The full cast also includes Dennis Quaid, Katrina Bowden, Currie Graham, Costas Mandylor, Maurice Compte, Reno Wilson, and Ali Afshar. This has all the usual fight film tropes, and doesn't seem to be unique at all especially with the military subplot, but it does look like Flanery is giving one hell of a performance at least. Check it out below. Here's the official trailer (+ poster) for Alex Ranarivelo's Born a Champion,...
- 11/20/2020
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Warner Bros. has picked up the worldwide sales rights to Esx Entertainment’s political drama series “Casa Grande,” which award-winning Argentine director Gabriela Tagliavini (“How to Break Up With Your Douchebag”) has been tapped to direct.
Warner Bros. International Television Distribution will handle international sales while Warner Bros. Television Group does domestic.
Inspired by true events, the dramatic series of five one-hour episodes follows several families in the farmland of Northern California as it navigates universal themes of class, immigration, culture and family.
“There’s a war about race in our country taking place right now, and we decided to take the bull by the horns,” said Tagliavini, adding: “We show in provocative scenes how hate and violence are originated by fear.”
“I’m proud to be part of this political series; this controversial show will have people talking,” she asserted.
John Pyper-Ferguson (“The Last Ship”) and Christina Moore (“Claws...
Warner Bros. International Television Distribution will handle international sales while Warner Bros. Television Group does domestic.
Inspired by true events, the dramatic series of five one-hour episodes follows several families in the farmland of Northern California as it navigates universal themes of class, immigration, culture and family.
“There’s a war about race in our country taking place right now, and we decided to take the bull by the horns,” said Tagliavini, adding: “We show in provocative scenes how hate and violence are originated by fear.”
“I’m proud to be part of this political series; this controversial show will have people talking,” she asserted.
John Pyper-Ferguson (“The Last Ship”) and Christina Moore (“Claws...
- 11/18/2020
- by Anna Marie de la Fuente
- Variety Film + TV
“The Ride” begins with a scene of unexpected brutality, engineered by a racist, feral kid. Even so, its “inspired by a true story” promise at the start rings a little tinny. And early on, the BMX-meets-“love wins” drama about a boy whose white supremacist roots and abusive home life land him in juvenile detention has an afterschool-special veneer, albeit somewhat gritty. The over-emotive score, particularly at the outset, punctuates the violence and the sentiment unnecessarily.
But the movie, streaming on Amazon, gains emotional traction when seven years later, John McCord finds himself released to an interracial foster couple. The reason for the film’s emotional resonance owes less to the screenplay — which teases too many easy tropes — than it does to the slow-burn chemistry between Shane Graham, who plays John of the set jaw and racist quips, and Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, who portrays the foster father who has seen a lot worse.
But the movie, streaming on Amazon, gains emotional traction when seven years later, John McCord finds himself released to an interracial foster couple. The reason for the film’s emotional resonance owes less to the screenplay — which teases too many easy tropes — than it does to the slow-burn chemistry between Shane Graham, who plays John of the set jaw and racist quips, and Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, who portrays the foster father who has seen a lot worse.
- 11/15/2020
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
"Did you think it was going to be easy?" Roadside Attractions has debuted another new official US trailer for an indie drama titled The Ride, from filmmaker Alex Ranarivelo, about the life of a pro BMX rider from Glasgow, Scotland. This originally premiered at the Newport Beach Film Festival in 2018, and we featured a promo trailer back then. The Ride, also known as just Ride, is about BMX pro John Buultjens, as played by Shane Graham in the film. Raised by a white supremacist family, John spent most of his youth locked up in a juvenile detention center. He eventually gets introduced to a foster family, only to discover his new father is black, but together they work through to overcome his racism and "form a bond that helps thrust him down the path to BMX glory." Also starring Ludacris, Sasha Alexander, Blake Sheldon, Jessica Serfaty, Ali Afshar, Nic Luken,...
- 11/5/2020
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Stars: Bryan Craig, Tommy Flanagan, Sean Patrick Flannery, George Kosturos, Allison Paige | Written by Carl Morris, Shaun Piccinino | Directed by Shaun Piccinino
[Note: With the film finally debuting in the UK next week, here’s a reposting of our review of American Fighter from its screening at last years Fantasia Festival]
A fictional sequel to an semi-autobiographical original, American Fighter is an interesting proposition for a film and, at least in cinematic terms, shares a lot in common with the classic martial arts film Bloodsport – both deal with underground fighting and both have a connection to the real-life tales of their characters. In this case George Kosturos plays the alter-ego of producer Ali Afshar – whose story of moving from Iran to America and fitting in by becoming a top-class athlete was told in the 2016 film American Wrestler.
American Fighter picks up where that film left off, once again following Ali Jahani (George Kosturos) as he tries to raise funds to get his mother out of Tehran after his father...
[Note: With the film finally debuting in the UK next week, here’s a reposting of our review of American Fighter from its screening at last years Fantasia Festival]
A fictional sequel to an semi-autobiographical original, American Fighter is an interesting proposition for a film and, at least in cinematic terms, shares a lot in common with the classic martial arts film Bloodsport – both deal with underground fighting and both have a connection to the real-life tales of their characters. In this case George Kosturos plays the alter-ego of producer Ali Afshar – whose story of moving from Iran to America and fitting in by becoming a top-class athlete was told in the 2016 film American Wrestler.
American Fighter picks up where that film left off, once again following Ali Jahani (George Kosturos) as he tries to raise funds to get his mother out of Tehran after his father...
- 7/21/2020
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
More titles expected in coming days.
Roman Kopelevich’s Los Angeles-based Red Sea Media kicks off virtual Cannes sales this week with three new titles led by Mickey Kelley starring Dennis Quaid and Sean Patrick Flanery, and Roped starring Casper Van Dien.
Rounding out the new acquisitions is Wheels Of Fortune with Matt Jones.
Mickey Kelley tells the story of a pioneering American black belts in Brazilian jiu-jitsu who gets pulled away from everything he loves and into an unsanctioned Mma tournament.
In comedy Wheels Of Fortune, a race car mechanic learns he is entitled to a $40m inheritance from...
Roman Kopelevich’s Los Angeles-based Red Sea Media kicks off virtual Cannes sales this week with three new titles led by Mickey Kelley starring Dennis Quaid and Sean Patrick Flanery, and Roped starring Casper Van Dien.
Rounding out the new acquisitions is Wheels Of Fortune with Matt Jones.
Mickey Kelley tells the story of a pioneering American black belts in Brazilian jiu-jitsu who gets pulled away from everything he loves and into an unsanctioned Mma tournament.
In comedy Wheels Of Fortune, a race car mechanic learns he is entitled to a $40m inheritance from...
- 6/22/2020
- by 36¦Jeremy Kay¦54¦
- ScreenDaily
“We’re gonna lose the farm, son!” husks country star Trace Adkins in the trailer for “Bennett’s War,” which then goes on to further suggest the viewer is in for a steaming pile of platitudinous corn, with a side order of flag-waving. And indeed, Alex Ranarivelo’s sports drama has a pretty hokey story gist: Wounded military veteran forces himself to miraculously recover his full mobility so he can return to motocross racing and get that prize money to … yep, save the family farm.
Maybe such on-the-nose marketing works for some Heartland audiences, but the good news about that bad trailer is that it does this film a disservice. While “War” may be a duly formulaic feel-gooder at heart, it also soft-pedals the more potentially heavy-handed emotional beats to pleasing effect.
Modest but enjoyable, with some exciting race footage, it should provide an inviting alternative for audiences on the...
Maybe such on-the-nose marketing works for some Heartland audiences, but the good news about that bad trailer is that it does this film a disservice. While “War” may be a duly formulaic feel-gooder at heart, it also soft-pedals the more potentially heavy-handed emotional beats to pleasing effect.
Modest but enjoyable, with some exciting race footage, it should provide an inviting alternative for audiences on the...
- 8/31/2019
- by Dennis Harvey
- Variety Film + TV
Stars: Bryan Craig, Tommy Flanagan, Sean Patrick Flannery, George Kosturos, Allison Paige | Written by Carl Morris, Shaun Piccinino | Directed by Shaun Piccinino
A fictional sequel to an semi-autobiographical original, American Fighter is an interesting proposition for a film and, at least in cinematic terms, shares a lot in common with the classic martial arts film Bloodsport – both deal with underground fighting and both have a connection to the real-life tales of their characters. In this case George Kosturos plays the alter-ego of producer Ali Afshar – whose story of moving from Iran to America and fitting in by becoming a top-class athlete was told in the 2016 film American Wrestler.
American Fighter picks up where that film left off, once again following Ali Jahani (George Kosturos) as he tries to raise funds to get his mother out of Tehran after his father is pulled of their flight to the Us and assassinated,...
A fictional sequel to an semi-autobiographical original, American Fighter is an interesting proposition for a film and, at least in cinematic terms, shares a lot in common with the classic martial arts film Bloodsport – both deal with underground fighting and both have a connection to the real-life tales of their characters. In this case George Kosturos plays the alter-ego of producer Ali Afshar – whose story of moving from Iran to America and fitting in by becoming a top-class athlete was told in the 2016 film American Wrestler.
American Fighter picks up where that film left off, once again following Ali Jahani (George Kosturos) as he tries to raise funds to get his mother out of Tehran after his father is pulled of their flight to the Us and assassinated,...
- 7/31/2019
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Exclusive: Fledgling La film production and distribution outfit Forrest Films is gearing up on mixed martial arts movie drama Mickey Kelley, which will star Sean Patrick Flanery (Powder), Katrina Bowden (30 Rock) and Dennis Quaid (The Day After Tomorrow) alongside Mma fighters Renzo Gracie, Edson Barboza, and Mickey Gall.
Set in 1990, the film follows Mickey Kelley (Flanery), one of the first American black belts in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, who gets pulled away from everything he loves and into an unsanctioned Mma tournament, where his dreams of providing for his family come to a halt with a split-second decision. His life goes off the rails until years later he gets a shot at redemption.
Alex Ranarivelo (American Wrestler) will direct the pic, currently in pre-production. Flanery and Alex Ranarivelo teamed to co-write the screenplay, from a story Flanery created.
Supporting cast includes Maurice Compte (Narcos), Reno Wilson (Transformers) and Currie Graham (Pompeii). Ali Afshar...
Set in 1990, the film follows Mickey Kelley (Flanery), one of the first American black belts in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, who gets pulled away from everything he loves and into an unsanctioned Mma tournament, where his dreams of providing for his family come to a halt with a split-second decision. His life goes off the rails until years later he gets a shot at redemption.
Alex Ranarivelo (American Wrestler) will direct the pic, currently in pre-production. Flanery and Alex Ranarivelo teamed to co-write the screenplay, from a story Flanery created.
Supporting cast includes Maurice Compte (Narcos), Reno Wilson (Transformers) and Currie Graham (Pompeii). Ali Afshar...
- 7/16/2019
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
"Going wheel to wheel is not smart for someone in your condition." Forrest Films has debuted an official trailer for an indie injured war veteran meets racing sports drama titled Bennett's War, the latest from filmmaker Alex Ranarivelo. The film is about a young soldier in the Army Motorcycle Unit named Marshall Bennett, who is injured by an Ied while serving in combat. He returns home and makes a remarkable comeback from a broken back and leg to be a champion motorcross racer. Michael Roark stars as Bennett, with a cast including country star Trace Adkins, plus Ali Afshar, Allison Paige, Hunter Clowdus, Brando Eaton, Tony Panterra, Michael King, & Taylor Kalupa. This looks exactly as cheesy and kitschy and uber heroic as described, but maybe that's what works for this. Here's the first official trailer (+ poster) for Alex Ranarivelo's Bennett's War, direct from YouTube: After surviving an Ied explosion in combat overseas,...
- 5/30/2019
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Roster includes Motocross drama Bennett’s War.
Radiant Films International has kicked off talks on a pair of titles with Us theatrical deals in place – Chris ‘Ludacris’ Bridges action drama The Ride, and Bennett’s War.
The Ride recounts the life of Glaswegian pro BMX rider and author John Buultjens, who grew up with an abusive father and wanted to ride ever since he watched E.T.
When he was adopted by foster parents, Buultjens received a bicycle on his tenth birthday and a lifelong love affair began. He moved to Australia and eventually California, where he became the global...
Radiant Films International has kicked off talks on a pair of titles with Us theatrical deals in place – Chris ‘Ludacris’ Bridges action drama The Ride, and Bennett’s War.
The Ride recounts the life of Glaswegian pro BMX rider and author John Buultjens, who grew up with an abusive father and wanted to ride ever since he watched E.T.
When he was adopted by foster parents, Buultjens received a bicycle on his tenth birthday and a lifelong love affair began. He moved to Australia and eventually California, where he became the global...
- 5/16/2019
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Grace Van Dien stars alongside Sean Patrick Flanery, Christina Moore.
Arclight Films has added the female-led racing film Lady Driver starring Grace Van Dien to its sales slate heading into Cannes.
Van Dien, who starred as Sharon Tate opposite Matt Smith in Mary Harron’s Charles Manson drama Charlie Says, will play the lead alongside Sean Patrick Flanery and Christina Moore (Disney’s Jessie).
Forrest Films, the new distributor launched by Forrest and Charlotte Lucas of Lucas Oil and actor-producer Ali Afshar, will release the film theatrically in the Us on October 25.
Lady Driver is set in the world of...
Arclight Films has added the female-led racing film Lady Driver starring Grace Van Dien to its sales slate heading into Cannes.
Van Dien, who starred as Sharon Tate opposite Matt Smith in Mary Harron’s Charles Manson drama Charlie Says, will play the lead alongside Sean Patrick Flanery and Christina Moore (Disney’s Jessie).
Forrest Films, the new distributor launched by Forrest and Charlotte Lucas of Lucas Oil and actor-producer Ali Afshar, will release the film theatrically in the Us on October 25.
Lady Driver is set in the world of...
- 5/2/2019
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Grace Van Dien stars alongside Sean Patrick Flanery, Christina Moore.
Arclight Films has added the female-led racing film Lady Driver starring Grace Van Dien to its sales slate heading into Cannes.
Van Dien, who starred as Sharon Tatte opposite Matt Smith in Mary Harron’s Charles Manson drama Charlie Says, will play the lead alongside Sean Patrick Flanery and Christina Moore (Disney’s Jessie).
Forrest Films, the new distributor launched by Forrest and Charlotte Lucas of Lucas Oil and actor-producer Ali Afshar, will release the film theatrically in the Us on October 25.
Lady Driver is set in the world of...
Arclight Films has added the female-led racing film Lady Driver starring Grace Van Dien to its sales slate heading into Cannes.
Van Dien, who starred as Sharon Tatte opposite Matt Smith in Mary Harron’s Charles Manson drama Charlie Says, will play the lead alongside Sean Patrick Flanery and Christina Moore (Disney’s Jessie).
Forrest Films, the new distributor launched by Forrest and Charlotte Lucas of Lucas Oil and actor-producer Ali Afshar, will release the film theatrically in the Us on October 25.
Lady Driver is set in the world of...
- 5/2/2019
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Forrest Films, the Warner Bros-based distribution and production company launched by Ali Afshar and Forrest Lucas, has hired former WB executive Lori Drazen as well as Liz Deutsch and Bryce Campbell, both of whom were previously executives at Open Road, for newly carved out marketing positions. Drazen will serve as Forrest’s Senior Vice President of Marketing, Deutsch assumes the role of Senior Vice President of In-Theater Marketing and Promotions, while Campbell has been tapped as Svp of Operations.
All three new hires will report to Forrest’s President of Worldwide Marketing and Distribution, Scott Kennedy.
Drazen joins the Forrest time after having spent 20 years at WB where she most recently served as Senior Vice President of Theatrical Marketing and Worldwide Advertising Services. Drazen has also worked with independent production and distribution entities as the Executive Vice President of Marketing, as well as Deluxe Advertising and creative advertising agencies.
All three new hires will report to Forrest’s President of Worldwide Marketing and Distribution, Scott Kennedy.
Drazen joins the Forrest time after having spent 20 years at WB where she most recently served as Senior Vice President of Theatrical Marketing and Worldwide Advertising Services. Drazen has also worked with independent production and distribution entities as the Executive Vice President of Marketing, as well as Deluxe Advertising and creative advertising agencies.
- 4/23/2019
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
That fleet of white Rolls-Royces shuttling between Caesars Palace and the Bellagio during CinemaCon?
They were provided by Rolls-Royce North America to Forrest Films, a new distribution company set up by oil tycoon Forrest Lucas and Ali Afshar, a race car driver turned producer, who used them to lure exhibitors from the event at the Palace to their Bellagio suite, where they pitched upcoming projects.
A pair of Rolls Royce rides — a Rolls Royce Dawn and a Rolls Royce Phantom (with a combine value of about $1.2 million) — chauffeured executives from companies like AMC, Regal Cinemas and Cinemamark....
They were provided by Rolls-Royce North America to Forrest Films, a new distribution company set up by oil tycoon Forrest Lucas and Ali Afshar, a race car driver turned producer, who used them to lure exhibitors from the event at the Palace to their Bellagio suite, where they pitched upcoming projects.
A pair of Rolls Royce rides — a Rolls Royce Dawn and a Rolls Royce Phantom (with a combine value of about $1.2 million) — chauffeured executives from companies like AMC, Regal Cinemas and Cinemamark....
- 4/10/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
That fleet of white Rolls-Royces shuttling between Caesars Palace and the Bellagio during CinemaCon?
They were provided by Rolls-Royce North America to Forrest Films, a new distribution company set up by oil tycoon Forrest Lucas and Ali Afshar, a race car driver turned producer, who used them to lure exhibitors from the event at the Palace to their Bellagio suite, where they pitched upcoming projects.
A pair of Rolls Royce rides — a Rolls Royce Dawn and a Rolls Royce Phantom (with a combine value of about $1.2 million) — chauffeured executives from companies like AMC, Regal Cinemas and Cinemamark....
They were provided by Rolls-Royce North America to Forrest Films, a new distribution company set up by oil tycoon Forrest Lucas and Ali Afshar, a race car driver turned producer, who used them to lure exhibitors from the event at the Palace to their Bellagio suite, where they pitched upcoming projects.
A pair of Rolls Royce rides — a Rolls Royce Dawn and a Rolls Royce Phantom (with a combine value of about $1.2 million) — chauffeured executives from companies like AMC, Regal Cinemas and Cinemamark....
- 4/10/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Exclusive: U.S. distributor-producer Forrest Films, based on the Warner Bros. lot, has promoted producer-actress Christina Moore (Claws) to Vice President of Development and Production and Ava Rettke (Ride) to Director of Development and Production. The duo were previously at Esx Entertainment, which folded into Forrest last year.
Forrest has also signed veteran producer Hadeel Reda to an overall production deal following their collaboration on the movies Ride starring rapper Ludacris and American Wrestler, which was released by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. Forrest and Reda plan to produce three movies together over the next two years.
Former Disney International exec Reda has run Purple Pictures since 2004. Her executive producer credits include 16 Blocks with Bruce Willis, Heartbreakers with Sigourney Weaver and Scorched with Woody Harrelson. She will work closely with Forrest Films President of Worldwide Marketing and Distribution, Scott Kennedy, on international distribution.
Forrest, which is fronted by Lucas Oil founder...
Forrest has also signed veteran producer Hadeel Reda to an overall production deal following their collaboration on the movies Ride starring rapper Ludacris and American Wrestler, which was released by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. Forrest and Reda plan to produce three movies together over the next two years.
Former Disney International exec Reda has run Purple Pictures since 2004. Her executive producer credits include 16 Blocks with Bruce Willis, Heartbreakers with Sigourney Weaver and Scorched with Woody Harrelson. She will work closely with Forrest Films President of Worldwide Marketing and Distribution, Scott Kennedy, on international distribution.
Forrest, which is fronted by Lucas Oil founder...
- 2/7/2019
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
In today’s film news roundup, Reese Witherspoon is collaborating with MGM, Jonathan Nolan gets an honor for visual effects, canine comedy “Patrick” finds a home and Forrest Films launches as a distributor.
Studio Attachment
Reese Witherspoon is teaming with MGM to produce a movie version of Gail Honeyman’s bestselling novel “Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine.”
Witherspoon and Lauren Levy Neustadter will produce for their Hello Sunshine production company, which picked up the rights last year. The book is the winner of the 2018 Costa Debut Novel Award and is told from the point of the protagonist, a socially awkward 29-year-old in Glasgow, Scotland, with suppressed memories of a brutal childhood. The adaptation is being written by Liz Hannah, who wrote Steven Spielberg’s “The Post.”
“Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine” is a potential star vehicle for Witherspoon but no deal has been signed and no director is attached. Witherspoon...
Studio Attachment
Reese Witherspoon is teaming with MGM to produce a movie version of Gail Honeyman’s bestselling novel “Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine.”
Witherspoon and Lauren Levy Neustadter will produce for their Hello Sunshine production company, which picked up the rights last year. The book is the winner of the 2018 Costa Debut Novel Award and is told from the point of the protagonist, a socially awkward 29-year-old in Glasgow, Scotland, with suppressed memories of a brutal childhood. The adaptation is being written by Liz Hannah, who wrote Steven Spielberg’s “The Post.”
“Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine” is a potential star vehicle for Witherspoon but no deal has been signed and no director is attached. Witherspoon...
- 12/20/2018
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
The ranks of theatrical distributors will grow by one in 2019 with the establishment of Forrest Films, a venture fronted by Lucas Oil founder Forrest Lucas and race car driver-turned-actor/producer Ali Afshar.
Forrest will be based on the Warner Bros lot and plans to release seven “high-end, commercial films telling inspiring and purpose driven stories” in its first year of operations.
Scott Kennedy, a veteran of Open Road Films, Miramax and MGM, has been tapped as president of worldwide marketing and distribution. As head of operations and distribution for Open Road, Kennedy handled the rollouts of films like Spotlight, Chef and End of Watch. Open Road went into bankruptcy and was bought in November by Raven Capital Management.
The new company will absorb Esx Productions, the production and financing banner established in 2015 by Lucas and Afshar. Actress and producer Christina Moore, who has produced seven films with Afshar and Lucas,...
Forrest will be based on the Warner Bros lot and plans to release seven “high-end, commercial films telling inspiring and purpose driven stories” in its first year of operations.
Scott Kennedy, a veteran of Open Road Films, Miramax and MGM, has been tapped as president of worldwide marketing and distribution. As head of operations and distribution for Open Road, Kennedy handled the rollouts of films like Spotlight, Chef and End of Watch. Open Road went into bankruptcy and was bought in November by Raven Capital Management.
The new company will absorb Esx Productions, the production and financing banner established in 2015 by Lucas and Afshar. Actress and producer Christina Moore, who has produced seven films with Afshar and Lucas,...
- 12/19/2018
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Former Open Road executive Scott Kennedy to oversee seven-film 2019 release slate.
American businessman Forrest Lucas and racing driver turned film producer Ali Afshar, founders of production and financing company Esx Productions, are launching a Us theatrical distribution operation.
Under a new Forrest Films banner, the operation plans to release seven films in 2019. Former Open Road Films executive Scott Kennedy has been named the new banner’s president of worldwide marketing and distribution. Kennedy will also oversee the international sales agents that will be appointed to handle foreign sales on the films.
Esx, whose productions have included American Wrestler: The Wizard and DVD premiere Dirt,...
American businessman Forrest Lucas and racing driver turned film producer Ali Afshar, founders of production and financing company Esx Productions, are launching a Us theatrical distribution operation.
Under a new Forrest Films banner, the operation plans to release seven films in 2019. Former Open Road Films executive Scott Kennedy has been named the new banner’s president of worldwide marketing and distribution. Kennedy will also oversee the international sales agents that will be appointed to handle foreign sales on the films.
Esx, whose productions have included American Wrestler: The Wizard and DVD premiere Dirt,...
- 12/19/2018
- by John Hazelton
- ScreenDaily
Former Open Road executive Scott Kennedy to oversee seven-film 2019 release slate.
American businessman Forrest Lucas and racing driver turned film producer Ali Afshar, founders of production and financing company Esx Productions, are launching a Us theatrical distribution operation.
Under a new Forrest Films banner, the operation plans to release seven films in 2019. Former Open Road Films executive Scott Kennedy has been named the new banner’s president of worldwide marketing and distribution. Kennedy will also oversee the international sales agents that will be appointed to handle foreign sales on the films.
Esx, whose productions have included American Wrestler: The Wizard and DVD premiere Dirt,...
American businessman Forrest Lucas and racing driver turned film producer Ali Afshar, founders of production and financing company Esx Productions, are launching a Us theatrical distribution operation.
Under a new Forrest Films banner, the operation plans to release seven films in 2019. Former Open Road Films executive Scott Kennedy has been named the new banner’s president of worldwide marketing and distribution. Kennedy will also oversee the international sales agents that will be appointed to handle foreign sales on the films.
Esx, whose productions have included American Wrestler: The Wizard and DVD premiere Dirt,...
- 12/19/2018
- by John Hazelton
- ScreenDaily
Wonderful Trailer For The Film Ride which Tells the Inspiring True Story of BMX Rider John Buultjens
I've got a trailer here for you to watch for a great looking indie film called Ride. It co-stars Ludacris and it tells the true story of BMX rider John Buultjens from Glasgow, Scotland.
Buultjens, who is played by Shane Graham, was raised by a white supremacist family and he got into a lot of trouble growing up. He spent a lot of his youth locked away in a juvenile detention center. He eventually came under the care of a foster family, the father of which is African American. As they overcame the challenges of racism, they ended up forming a bond and in the process, John learned how to be one hell of a talented BMX athlete!
The film tells a powerful story and it looks like it's actually a great film! Ever since I was a kid I've enjoyed the sport of BMX riding and it's cool to...
Buultjens, who is played by Shane Graham, was raised by a white supremacist family and he got into a lot of trouble growing up. He spent a lot of his youth locked away in a juvenile detention center. He eventually came under the care of a foster family, the father of which is African American. As they overcame the challenges of racism, they ended up forming a bond and in the process, John learned how to be one hell of a talented BMX athlete!
The film tells a powerful story and it looks like it's actually a great film! Ever since I was a kid I've enjoyed the sport of BMX riding and it's cool to...
- 4/19/2018
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
"I promise not to quit if you don't." Check out this trailer for a little indie film profiling the life of a BMX rider from Glasgow, Scotland. Ride is about BMX pro John Buultjens, played by Shane Graham. Raised by a white supremacist family, John spent most of his youth locked up in a juvenile detention center. He eventually gets introduced to a foster family, only to discover his new father is black, but together they work through to overcome his racism and "form a bond that helps thrust him down the path to BMX glory." The cast includes Ludacris, Sasha Alexander, Blake Sheldon, Jessica Serfaty, Ali Afshar, Nic Luken, Christina Moore, and Zaire Adams. This is premiering at the Newport Beach Film Festival, and should hit theaters later this summer. This looks very good, featuring a sport we don't usually see on the big screen. Here's the first official...
- 4/17/2018
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
William Fichtner & Ali Afshar on ‘American… by Uinterview Will there ever not be a need for movies to remind us that it doesn’t matter where we come from or what we are, but only who we are? William Fichtner, who plays Coach Plyer in American Wrestler: The Wizard, says, ‘no.’ “I think you can […]
Source: uInterview
The post William Fichtner & Ali Afshar Talk ‘American Wrestler,’ Muslim Immigration Ban [Video Exclusive] appeared first on uInterview.
Source: uInterview
The post William Fichtner & Ali Afshar Talk ‘American Wrestler,’ Muslim Immigration Ban [Video Exclusive] appeared first on uInterview.
- 4/28/2017
- by Jacob Kaye
- Uinterview
11th Gasparilla International Film Festival to Screen 35 Features Including J.K. Simmons’ ‘All Nighter’“All Nighter”
The 11th edition of Tampa’s most prominent film event, Suncoast Credit Union’s Gasparilla International Film Festival (Giff), will take place March 2-March 9, 2017 at the Tampa Theater and AMC Centro Ybor. Gavin Wiesen’s “All Nighter,” starring Academy Award-winner J. K. Simmons will have its World Premiere as part of the festival.
A total of 35 films and over 70 shorts will screen over eight days and will include international and regional premieres of narrative features, documentaries and short films from around the world. In addition to the film program, Giff will also feature master classes and panel discussions.
The title sponsor, Suncoast Credit Union, has been committed to the festival for three consecutive years with the goal of bringing quality entertainment and enrichment to the community. The Suncoast Credit Union also sponsors the Family Fun...
The 11th edition of Tampa’s most prominent film event, Suncoast Credit Union’s Gasparilla International Film Festival (Giff), will take place March 2-March 9, 2017 at the Tampa Theater and AMC Centro Ybor. Gavin Wiesen’s “All Nighter,” starring Academy Award-winner J. K. Simmons will have its World Premiere as part of the festival.
A total of 35 films and over 70 shorts will screen over eight days and will include international and regional premieres of narrative features, documentaries and short films from around the world. In addition to the film program, Giff will also feature master classes and panel discussions.
The title sponsor, Suncoast Credit Union, has been committed to the festival for three consecutive years with the goal of bringing quality entertainment and enrichment to the community. The Suncoast Credit Union also sponsors the Family Fun...
- 3/1/2017
- by Carlos Aguilar
- Sydney's Buzz
Suncoast Credit Union Gasparilla International Film Festival (Giff) announced its official selection for the annual event held at the Tampa Theater and AMC Centro Ybor in Tampa, Florida, from March 2-March 9.
The festival will host the world premiere for All Nighter starring Academy Award winner J.K. Simmons and directed by Gavin Wiesen.
There will be 35 films and over 70 shorts, in which it will host international and regional premieres of narrative features, documentaries and short films around the world.
Here are the highlighted line up of the films:
Opening Night Film:
Burn Your Maps: A nine-year-old boy, grieving with his parents over the recent loss of his baby sister, becomes obsessed with the idea that he’s a Mongolian goat herder who belongs back home in his small village in Mongolia. Cast: Vera Farmiga, Jacob Tremblay, Virginia Madsen, Suraj Sharma. Directed by Jordan Roberts
Closing Night Film:
Unleashed: When...
The festival will host the world premiere for All Nighter starring Academy Award winner J.K. Simmons and directed by Gavin Wiesen.
There will be 35 films and over 70 shorts, in which it will host international and regional premieres of narrative features, documentaries and short films around the world.
Here are the highlighted line up of the films:
Opening Night Film:
Burn Your Maps: A nine-year-old boy, grieving with his parents over the recent loss of his baby sister, becomes obsessed with the idea that he’s a Mongolian goat herder who belongs back home in his small village in Mongolia. Cast: Vera Farmiga, Jacob Tremblay, Virginia Madsen, Suraj Sharma. Directed by Jordan Roberts
Closing Night Film:
Unleashed: When...
- 2/22/2017
- by Gig Patta
- LRMonline.com
A teen refugee from Iran finds that athletic-based school pride can (eventually) trump prejudice in American Wrestler: The Wizard, a cumbersomely named coming-of-age pic by Alex Ranarivelo. Based on the experiences of producer Ali Afshar, who here plays the uncle who helped young Ali adjust to American life, the film adds Reagan-era Islamophobia to a wholly conventional sports film; though it's only a middling example of its genre, these themes may help the movie win over some viewers who are especially sensitive to the treatment of immigrants in the age of Trump.
Young Ali (George Kosturos) is a hustler in...
Young Ali (George Kosturos) is a hustler in...
- 12/17/2016
- by John DeFore
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Actor/rapper Chris “Ludacris” Bridges has landed a starring role in the action/drama “Ride.” The project is the latest film from Forrest Lucas and Ali Afshar’s Esx Entertainment, and is based on the inspiring true story of BMX champion John Buultjens, a young… Continue Reading →...
- 10/26/2016
- by shadowandact
- ShadowAndAct
Exclusive: Fast & Furious regular and rap star Chris “Ludacris” Bridges has been tapped to star in BMX, an inspirational action drama based on the true story of BMX rider John Buultjens. Alex Ranarivelo (Running Wild, Praying For Rain) is directing the film from a script he co-wrote with Hadeel Reda, Jean-Marie Sobeck and Jack Reher. Forrest Lucas and Ali Afshar’s Esx Entertainment are producing in their latest collaboration with the director. Shane Graham (Boyhood) stars…...
- 10/26/2016
- Deadline
Boston Film Festival Embarks on 32nd Season of Spotlighting Innovative Feature and Documentary Films
Learning to accept the differences in everyone’s lives is one of the most essential lessons that people of all ages need to continuously be reminded of in their experiences. So the 2016 Boston Film Festival (Bff), which is celebrating its 32nd edition this year, is emphasizing tolerance and youthful perspectives with its diverse lineup. Many of the movies address themes of acceptance, tolerance and bullying, which are timely and urgent concerns in contemporary society. Question and answer sessions will take place following film screenings with directors and actors. Among the stars scheduled to appear are William Fichtner, Dylan Gelula, Bill Sage, Sean Patrick Flanery, Christina Scherer, Kevin Bigley, Ali Afshar, [ Read More ]
The post Boston Film Festival Embarks on 32nd Season of Spotlighting Innovative Feature and Documentary Films appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post Boston Film Festival Embarks on 32nd Season of Spotlighting Innovative Feature and Documentary Films appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 9/13/2016
- by Karen Benardello
- ShockYa
The Dog Lover Esx Entertainment Reviewed by: Harvey Karten, Shockya Grade: B+ Director: Alex Ranarivelo Written by: Ali Afshar, Alex Ranarivelo Cast: James Remar, Lea Thompson, Jayson Blair, Christine Moore, Allison Paige Screened at: Critics’ link, NYC, 6/10/16 Opens: July 8, 2016 There’s a saying that many people find difficult to believe and it goes like this: The road to hell is paved with good intentions. In other words, do-gooders may discover that actions to which they commit, the ones that give them the feeling that there’s a halo over their heads, are bad news. Still don’t believe it? Then you owe it to yourself to watch “The Dog Lover,” [ Read More ]
The post The Dog Lover Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post The Dog Lover Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 7/4/2016
- by Harvey Karten
- ShockYa
Exclusive: Mimi Steinbauer and her team will introduce buyers in Cannes to the coming-of-age film starring William Fichtner, Jon Voight, Gabriel Basso, Lia Marie Johnson and newcomer George Kosturos.
Alex Ranarivelo directed American Wrestler: The Wizard, which will screen in the Cannes market on May 17 and recently premiered at the Newport Beach Film Festival.
Brian Rudnick wrote the screenplay inspired by true events of high school wrestling champion Ali Afshar, who is featured in the film and is a producer alongside Hadeel Reda.
Forrest Lucas and Protect The Harvest serve as executive producers and Ashley Michaelsen is a co-producer.
Kosturos stars as Afshar, an outcast teenage immigrant sent to live with his uncle in the small Northern California town of Petaluma where he joins the floundering high school wrestling team.
He teams up with the inspiring coach and leads the team to success.
“It’s amazing what young kids can do when they put their minds to it,” said...
Alex Ranarivelo directed American Wrestler: The Wizard, which will screen in the Cannes market on May 17 and recently premiered at the Newport Beach Film Festival.
Brian Rudnick wrote the screenplay inspired by true events of high school wrestling champion Ali Afshar, who is featured in the film and is a producer alongside Hadeel Reda.
Forrest Lucas and Protect The Harvest serve as executive producers and Ashley Michaelsen is a co-producer.
Kosturos stars as Afshar, an outcast teenage immigrant sent to live with his uncle in the small Northern California town of Petaluma where he joins the floundering high school wrestling team.
He teams up with the inspiring coach and leads the team to success.
“It’s amazing what young kids can do when they put their minds to it,” said...
- 5/5/2016
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Entourage alum Kevin Dillon and newcomer DeRon Horton have been cast as the leads in Dirt, a drama from director Alex Ranarivelo. Forrest Lucas is financing the film and will produce alongside his Esx Entertainment partner Ali Afshar. Dirt centers on Dez Truss (Horton), a 17-year-old who is caught boosting cars for an auto-theft ring and is given one last chance to set his life straight by a compassionate mentor. He introduces the kid to Rick Radden (Dillon), a…...
- 5/4/2016
- Deadline
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