Be Here Now (2015) Film Review from the 21st Annual Los Angeles Film Festival, a movie directed by Lilibet Foster, starring Andy Whitfield and Vashti Whitfield is a documentary that is truly heartwarming and motivational about the former Spartacus actor Andy Whitfield. What started as a Kickstarter project mended into a devastating yet telling love story that truly proves the strength behind the love between Andy and his wife Vashti.
The film starts off with Andy who is re-diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and we journey with him as he fights his battle with cancer. The truly touching story speaks about staying in the present and not fearing what we don’t know. He takes us to India as he tries to keep an open mind on trying every possible healing process. When an astrologer tells him that he will live a short life, he decides to go back to Australia and begin chemotherapy.
The film starts off with Andy who is re-diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and we journey with him as he fights his battle with cancer. The truly touching story speaks about staying in the present and not fearing what we don’t know. He takes us to India as he tries to keep an open mind on trying every possible healing process. When an astrologer tells him that he will live a short life, he decides to go back to Australia and begin chemotherapy.
- 6/23/2015
- by Shivangi Patel
- Film-Book
Less than one month after starting a campaign to help complete a documentary about late Spartacus star Andy Whitfield’s battle with cancer, the people behind the project have met their funding goal on Kickstarter. But what now?
Director Lilibet Foster tells EW that after raising the $200,000 needed to fund the editing of the footage they had gathered while following Whitfield, she plans to have the documentary, Be Here Now, finished by the end of the year for a possible release in early 2013. Whitfield, former star of Spartacus, died at age 39 in Sept. 2011 after fighting his second battle with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Director Lilibet Foster tells EW that after raising the $200,000 needed to fund the editing of the footage they had gathered while following Whitfield, she plans to have the documentary, Be Here Now, finished by the end of the year for a possible release in early 2013. Whitfield, former star of Spartacus, died at age 39 in Sept. 2011 after fighting his second battle with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
- 7/4/2012
- by Sandra Gonzalez
- EW - Inside TV
By Bryant Gilmore
When Andy Whitfield completed his first season on the hit show "Spartacus: Blood and Sand," he was understandably exhausted. He had undergone an extensive and strenuous training regimen to prepare for his role and filmed choreographed battle scenes for 12 to 14 hours a day. Reflecting upon this, Whitfield said, “I was exhausted by the end of the first season, but it was one of the most extreme things that I had gone through.”
The training and long days of filming were nothing compared to what Whitfield would face next as a visit to the doctor soon after revealed that he was suffering from the symptoms of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Whitfield immediately began treatment and was well enough to return for filming season two of "Spartacus" in September 2010, but after a check-up for insurance purposes, he was told that the cancer had returned and that without aggressive treatment, he...
When Andy Whitfield completed his first season on the hit show "Spartacus: Blood and Sand," he was understandably exhausted. He had undergone an extensive and strenuous training regimen to prepare for his role and filmed choreographed battle scenes for 12 to 14 hours a day. Reflecting upon this, Whitfield said, “I was exhausted by the end of the first season, but it was one of the most extreme things that I had gone through.”
The training and long days of filming were nothing compared to what Whitfield would face next as a visit to the doctor soon after revealed that he was suffering from the symptoms of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Whitfield immediately began treatment and was well enough to return for filming season two of "Spartacus" in September 2010, but after a check-up for insurance purposes, he was told that the cancer had returned and that without aggressive treatment, he...
- 6/26/2012
- by MTV News
- MTV Newsroom
After months of clashing swords and seeking vengeance, Andy Whitfield - the chiseled gladiator from TV's Spartacus: Blood and Sand - had ended the first season exhausted with an aching back. "It's one of the most extreme things I've ever gone through," he'd recall of the role that made the Welsh-born actor a star. "There was a lot of pain at the end of that. I wasn't sure what it was. And it wasn't going away." In March 2010 doctors found out why. The then-38-year-old Whitfield had cancer, specifically stage 4 non-Hodgkin lymphoma. After a relatively mild round of chemotherapy,...
- 6/25/2012
- by Mike Fleeman
- PEOPLE.com
It wasn't that long ago when Starz announced that the star of "Spartacus: Blood and Sand," Andy Whitfield, was diagnosed with cancer. At the time, the network promised to wait for him to get better, but in September, the actor passed away. It turns out that upon learning of his condition, Whitfield and his wife enlisted Oscar-nominated filmmaker Lilibet Foster to capture his life and treatment on film for a documentary, called "Be Here Now." The actor is shown playing with his two kids on a beach and decorating their Christmas tree. Cameras also followed him as he underwent chemotherapy treatments, shaved his head and sought alternative medicines and healing practices. And at times, it looked like treatment was working. Whitfield often spoke into the camera, as tears rolled down his face. "In my heart, I am convinced that this is all meant to be," he said. "I'm supposed to...
- 6/15/2012
- WorstPreviews.com
Last year, "Spartacus" star Andy Whitfield passed away after a hard-fought battle with lymphoma. In an emotional interview, his wife, Vashti, revealed his final words to their two children, six-year-old Jesse Red and four-year-old Indigo Sky: "I am going to sleep now as my body won't work any more. I am like a butterfly with broken wings," he told the kids. "I will always be with you and will always be watching over you. I love you."
Now, in the hopes of inspiring others, Andy's battle with cancer will be made more public. After his diagnosis, Andy invited Oscar nominated filmmaker Lilibet Foster to document his family's experience with the treatment. Foster is currently looking for fans to help with the funding of the project so that it can be released.
The documentary, titled "Be Here Now" after the matching tattoos that Andy and Vashti got after his diagnosis, follows...
Now, in the hopes of inspiring others, Andy's battle with cancer will be made more public. After his diagnosis, Andy invited Oscar nominated filmmaker Lilibet Foster to document his family's experience with the treatment. Foster is currently looking for fans to help with the funding of the project so that it can be released.
The documentary, titled "Be Here Now" after the matching tattoos that Andy and Vashti got after his diagnosis, follows...
- 6/13/2012
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Pop2it
Andy Whitfield may have lost his battle to cancer in September, but the Spartacus: Blood and Sand star isn't finished fighting just yet. Soon after being diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins lymphoma, Whitfield and his wife, Vashti, enlisted Oscar-nominated filmmaker Lilibet Foster to capture his life on film for a feature documentary called Be Here Now. The footage is powerful… Whitfield is shown playing with his and Vashti's two kids on a beach and decorating their Christmas tree. Cameras also followed him as he underwent chemotherapy treatments, shaved his head and sought alternative medicines and healing practices. At times, he simply talked into the camera as tears rolled down his...
- 6/12/2012
- E! Online
Documentary filmmakers who followed the courageous cancer battle fought by original Starz "Spartacus" star Andy Whitfield are seeking help from fans.
While the actor was fighting non-Hodkin's lymphoma, Whitfield allowed a camera crew, led by Lilibet Foster, to document his journey.
"This unprecedented access and his openness and honesty gives the audience an intimate look into his personal life, that is rarely shared, especially by a celebrity. It was Andy's hope that by opening his story up to a documentary, he might help or inspire others facing similar challenges, while pushing to accelerate the pace of cancer research ...
Copyright 2012 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
While the actor was fighting non-Hodkin's lymphoma, Whitfield allowed a camera crew, led by Lilibet Foster, to document his journey.
"This unprecedented access and his openness and honesty gives the audience an intimate look into his personal life, that is rarely shared, especially by a celebrity. It was Andy's hope that by opening his story up to a documentary, he might help or inspire others facing similar challenges, while pushing to accelerate the pace of cancer research ...
Copyright 2012 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
- 6/11/2012
- by nobody@accesshollywood.com (AccessHollywood.com Editorial Staff)
- Access Hollywood
As fans of Starz’ Spartacus well know, star Andy Whitfield passed away last September from his battle with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma at the age of 39. It was a devastating blow to his fans and his family, and to the show. He was an inspiration on the show and in real life, as he struggled against the severity of his diagnosis gracefully. Lilibet Foster and company filmed Andy and his wife Vashti during his battle with the illness, and the result was the heartbreaking documentary Be Here Now.
Thanks to EW.com, we have footage from the tear jerking film, which still needs help with funding to finish. To help remedy that, and pay your respects, check out the funding website Kickstarter to donate and help finish the film.
Thanks to EW.com, we have footage from the tear jerking film, which still needs help with funding to finish. To help remedy that, and pay your respects, check out the funding website Kickstarter to donate and help finish the film.
- 6/11/2012
- by Andy Greene
- FamousMonsters of Filmland
A documentary charting the final days of Spartacus star Andy Whitfield is launching a campaign to raise money for its completion. Whitfield played the title role in the first season of Starz drama Spartacus, but was later diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma and passed away in September 2011. Be Here Now was shot by Oscar-nominated documentary filmmaker Lilibet Foster and follows Whitfield and his family as the actor underwent treatment for his cancer and traveled to India to experiment with Eastern medicine. The film was shot up until a week before Whitfield's death and now needs an additional (more)...
- 6/11/2012
- by By Morgan Jeffery
- Digital Spy
I just came across this piece of news and I simply had to share it with you. Hopefuly it will stir the humanist in you and make you donate as much as you can afford to the cause. The thing is, documentarian Lilibet Foster is calling on fans of late actor Andy Whitfield to help [...]
Continue reading Filmmaker Appeals For Donations To Complete Andy Whitfield Documentary on FilmoFilia.
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Continue reading Filmmaker Appeals For Donations To Complete Andy Whitfield Documentary on FilmoFilia.
Related posts: New Moon Complete Cast List Revealed, Exclusive Clip Online! Star Wars: The Complete Saga Blu-Ray Trailer The Complete 1927 Metropolis...
- 6/11/2012
- by Sunrider
- Filmofilia
Documentarian Lilibet Foster is calling on fans of late TV Spartacus star Andy Whitfield to help her fund a new film about the actor's battle with cancer.
The Spartacus: Blood and Sand star lost his battle with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma last year, aged 39, and he invited Foster to chronicle his battle with the disease.
But the filmmaker and her producers have run out of cash and they're asking Whitfield's fans to donate to the project via funding website Kickstarter.com so they can complete Be Here Now.
A statement from Foster and her crew reads: "Be Here Now transcends the subject of cancer and becomes a universal life-lesson about living fearlessly, going for your dreams, embracing each moment and living in the present - despite the potential outcome."...
The Spartacus: Blood and Sand star lost his battle with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma last year, aged 39, and he invited Foster to chronicle his battle with the disease.
But the filmmaker and her producers have run out of cash and they're asking Whitfield's fans to donate to the project via funding website Kickstarter.com so they can complete Be Here Now.
A statement from Foster and her crew reads: "Be Here Now transcends the subject of cancer and becomes a universal life-lesson about living fearlessly, going for your dreams, embracing each moment and living in the present - despite the potential outcome."...
- 6/11/2012
- WENN
Spartacus: Blood and Sand fans and Andy Whitfield fans alike were devastated when the actor passed away 18 months after being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma at the age of 39.
The popular star of the Starz series fought valiantly (“We were fortunate to have worked with Andy in Spartacus and came to know that the man who played a champion on-screen was also a champion in his own life,” said Starz president and CEO Chris Albrecht at the time of Whitfield’s death), as you can see below in the moving trailer for a documentary about the actor’s battle, called Be Here Now.
The popular star of the Starz series fought valiantly (“We were fortunate to have worked with Andy in Spartacus and came to know that the man who played a champion on-screen was also a champion in his own life,” said Starz president and CEO Chris Albrecht at the time of Whitfield’s death), as you can see below in the moving trailer for a documentary about the actor’s battle, called Be Here Now.
- 6/9/2012
- by Sara Vilkomerson
- EW - Inside TV
Exclusive: When Spartacus star Andy Whitfield was battling cancer in the last months of his life, he had a camera crew with him every step of the way. The result is Be Here Now, a feature-length documentary project about the late actor, which is launching a campaign to raise money for its completion. Related: R.I.P. Andy Whitfield Whitfield was first diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma after wrapping the first season of Starz’s Spartacus, a role that would make him a global star. He went through a rigorous program of chemotherapy and was deemed as being in remission when, during a physical to return to Spartacus, his blood tests raised a flag, resulting in a devastating news for the actor — his cancer had come back stronger than ever, leaving him with about a 25% chance of survival. Facing another round of treatments, Whitfield and his wife Vashti decided to have it all documented.
- 6/8/2012
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Basketball docu 'Soul' is in 'Dreams' league
The fascinating and emotionally involving documentary "Soul in the Hole" captures the excitement of one hot summer in Brooklyn when the top local amateur basketball team, Kenny's Kings, demolishes almost all opponents and produces several potential pro players.
Northern Arts' "Soul" is in the same league as "Hoop Dreams", with the drama of life in the big city as much a focus of the filmmakers as the athletic prowess of such talented hoopsters as 18-year-old point guard Ed "Booger" Smith.
Filmed during the course of several years but concentrating mainly on the 1993 Kings season, when Smith led a smooth and efficient squad to one impressive victory after another, "Soul" is the work of veteran documentarians Danielle Gardner and Lilibet Foster, who initially intended to make a more expansive film about New York street basketball.
But when Gardner first hung around the courts in Bedford-Stuyvesant, she became caught up in the local "Dream Team". It's easy to see why.
Coached by the volatile but dedicated Kenny King, the team features standout players Charles "CJ" Jones -- who went on to lead the NCAA's Division I in scoring at Long Island University -- Seldon Jefferson, Jason Hoover, Javone Moore and Kevin Simmons. Gardner and Foster chose to follow Kenny's Kings, and the result is riveting and insightful.
It's easy to get caught up in the march to glory that sees the Kings win close games in the playoffs, including one that is almost canceled due to the ugly mood of the crowd. But once the season's over, the sad breakup of King and Jones leads to more thought-provoking material.
SOUL IN THE HOLE
Northern Arts Entertainment
Asphalt Films
Credits: Director: Danielle Gardner; Producer: Lilibet Foster; Director of photography: Paul Gibson; Editor: Melissa Neidich. With: Kenny Jones, Ronnet Jones, Ed "Booger" Smith, Charles "CJ" Jones. No MPAA rating. Running time -- 97 minutes. Color/stereo.
The fascinating and emotionally involving documentary "Soul in the Hole" captures the excitement of one hot summer in Brooklyn when the top local amateur basketball team, Kenny's Kings, demolishes almost all opponents and produces several potential pro players.
Northern Arts' "Soul" is in the same league as "Hoop Dreams", with the drama of life in the big city as much a focus of the filmmakers as the athletic prowess of such talented hoopsters as 18-year-old point guard Ed "Booger" Smith.
Filmed during the course of several years but concentrating mainly on the 1993 Kings season, when Smith led a smooth and efficient squad to one impressive victory after another, "Soul" is the work of veteran documentarians Danielle Gardner and Lilibet Foster, who initially intended to make a more expansive film about New York street basketball.
But when Gardner first hung around the courts in Bedford-Stuyvesant, she became caught up in the local "Dream Team". It's easy to see why.
Coached by the volatile but dedicated Kenny King, the team features standout players Charles "CJ" Jones -- who went on to lead the NCAA's Division I in scoring at Long Island University -- Seldon Jefferson, Jason Hoover, Javone Moore and Kevin Simmons. Gardner and Foster chose to follow Kenny's Kings, and the result is riveting and insightful.
It's easy to get caught up in the march to glory that sees the Kings win close games in the playoffs, including one that is almost canceled due to the ugly mood of the crowd. But once the season's over, the sad breakup of King and Jones leads to more thought-provoking material.
SOUL IN THE HOLE
Northern Arts Entertainment
Asphalt Films
Credits: Director: Danielle Gardner; Producer: Lilibet Foster; Director of photography: Paul Gibson; Editor: Melissa Neidich. With: Kenny Jones, Ronnet Jones, Ed "Booger" Smith, Charles "CJ" Jones. No MPAA rating. Running time -- 97 minutes. Color/stereo.
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