Taraji P. Henson Makes Directorial Debut in Bron Studio’s Comedy Film ‘Two-Faced’

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Oscar nominee, Best Supporting Actress for her role in ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’,  Television star, talented singer and successful business woman Taraji P. Henson is set to make her film directorial debut and have a starring role as the mother of the student in the upcoming  comedy film ‘Two-Face from Aaron L. Gilbert and Brenda Gilbert’s BRON Studios.

“Two-Faced follows Joy, a Black high school senior whose chances to attend the college of her dreams are threatened by her wildly popular and charismatic school principal, Jerald, after she confronts him with evidence of his racist past. With the help of her friends, Joy sets out to expose Jerald for who he truly is but quickly learns that he is not above waging all-out-war against the students trying to take him down.”

Written by Cat Wilkens, a talented writer who graduated with a degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Missouri in 2015. In 2018, she began her studies at UCLA in its MFA Screenwriting Program. The script for Two-Faced won the first place prize in the feature comedy category at the UCLA Screenwriters Showcase in 2020.

Sharing producing duties with Henson and her production company TPH Entertainment are Aaron L. Gilbert with Bron Studios  and Tim Story with The Story Company, who was behind the successful films Barbershop, Think Like a Man, Shaft and Ride Along.  Sales and distribution for ‘Two-Faced’ will be Releasing and UTA Independent Film Group.

Beginning in 2015, Henson starred as Cookie Lyons in the hit Fox television show Empire about a family working in the hip-hop music business. This role brought her the third Golden Globe for Best Actress – Television Series Drama ever awarded to an African-American actress. Henson was named Entertainer of the Year by the 46th NAACP Image Awards in 2015.

Taraji also found success in film and music. Starring opposite her Empire  costar Terrence Howard in the 2005 film ‘Hustle & Flow’, she sang vocals on the Three 6 Mafia Academy Award for Best Original Song “It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp.”

“I could not be more excited to support one of the most talented people I have ever known,” Story was quoted as saying. “Taraji and I have done three movies together and I knew it was only a matter of time before she would make this leap to directing and I am honored to produce this film along with BRON Studios. Taraji is like family to me and I cannot wait for everyone to see her directorial vision of this hilarious script by Cat Wilkins brought to the screen.”

“After two decades spent in front of the camera, I’m thrilled to finally jump behind it for my feature directorial debut!” Henson said, “What first attracted me to this project was Joy – she is the character I needed to see in films growing up, but never had. It’s important that stories be told from a woman’s point of view and partnering with Bron Studios and the amazing talented Tim Story – both who use their platforms to help elevate women and people of color – feels like the perfect match. I can’t wait to bring this hilariously heartfelt script by Cat Wilkins to life!”

THE MIMIC! Trailer

The Mimic key Art Poster

Director and Writer: Thomas F. Mazziotti
Starring: Thomas Sadoski, Jake Robinson, Austin Pendleton, Gina Gershon, Marilu Henner, Tammy Blanchard, Didi Conn, Josh Pais, Jessica Keenan Wynn, Doug Plaut, with M. Emmet Walsh and Jessica Walter
Genre: Comedy
Language: English
Country: United States
Rating: Not Yet Rated

Director and writer Thomas F. Mazziotti’s film ‘THE MIMIC!’ open in selected theaters and VOD on Friday, February 5, 2021

Mazziotti’s film is based on a true story, this clever, intriguing, and hyperbolic comedy follows the main character - 'the Narrator' (Thomas Sadoski) who is befriended by his young new neighbor 'the Kid’ (Jake Robinson), after he joins the local newspaper team.

Obsessed with the idea that the Kid may be a sociopath, the Narrator goes to extreme lengths to uncover the truth about him and his wife, a woman he ultimately begins to fancy. Between long walks down the street, a twisted dinner date, and a car drive gone terribly wrong, the Narrator gets closer and closer to the truth about the Kid. But the truth, as he finds, is anything but what he expected.

The Mimic Still 1

Thomas Sadoski (The Newsroom), Jake Robinson (American Odyssey), Austin Pendleton (Finding Nemo, Oz), Gina Gershon (Showgirls, Riverdale), Marilu Henner (L.A. Story, Taxi), Tammy Blanchard (Into the Woods, The Invitation), Didi Conn (Grease), Josh Pais (Motherless Brooklyn, Joker), Jessica Keenan Wynn (Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again), Doug Plaut (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt), with M. Emmet Walsh (Blade Runner, Sneaky Pete), and Jessica Walter (Arrested Development).

Run time: 1 hour 21 minutes
Starring: Thomas Sadoski, Jake Robinson, Austin Pendleton, Gina Gershon, Marilu Henner, Tammy Blanchard, Didi Conn, Josh Pais, Jessica Keenan Wynn, Doug Plaut, with M. Emmet Walsh and Jessica Walter
Written & Directed by: Thomas F. Mazziotti
Produced by Benjamin Cox, p.g.a.
Executive Producers Stephen R. Foreht, Paul Jarrett
Co-Producers Bonnie Blue Edwards, Sig De Miguel and Stephen Vincent
Director of Photography Timothy Gillis
Edited by Benjamin Cox, Käla Mandrake
Production Designer Laura Miller
Costume Designer Jevyn Nelms
Original Music by Mitch Davis,
Casting by Sig De Miguel and Stephen Vincent.
A Red Square Pictures and Only Child Films Production

Website: TheMimicMovie.com
Facebook: facebook.com/TheMimicMovie
Twitter: twitter.com/TheMimicMovie
Instagram: instagram.com/TheMimicMovie

VIEW TRAILER BELOW!

VENTURES ACQUIRES STAR-STUDDED COMEDY ‘THE MIMIC’

WRITTEN & DIRECTED BY

THOMAS F. MAZZIOTTI 

Slated for Day and Date Release on February 5, 2021

The Mimic
Gravitas Ventures, a Red Arrow Studios company, has acquired worldwide rights to distribute Thomas F. Mazziotti’s THE MIMICWritten and directed by Mazziotti, THE MIMIC stars Thomas Sadoski, Jake Robinson, Austin Pendleton, Gina Gershon, Jessica Walter, M. Emmet Walsh, Jessica Keenan Wynn, and Josh Pais. After a successful world premiere at the 2020 Cinequest Film Festival, the comedy is slated to release in theaters and on demand on February 5, 2021.

Based on a true story, ‘the Narrator’ (Thomas Sadoski) is befriended by his young new neighbor (Jake Robinson), after he joins the local newspaper team. Obsessed with the idea that ‘the Kid’ may be a sociopath, ‘the Narrator’ goes to extreme lengths to uncover the truth about him. After unsettling rendezvous, the truth he finds is anything but what he expected.

"Sociopaths have been portrayed as a shady bunch up until now. Inspired by true events, this confrontational comedy explores the uncharted territory of the lighter side of a sociopath,” says Mazziotti. “I applaud Gravitas Ventures introducing audiences to an alternate character dynamic which has yet to be portrayed under comedic scrutiny on screen.. yet he lives among us all.”

Mimic’s script really impressed. The way the cast brings the dialogue to life really captures the imagination and delivers a high dose of classic entertainment. We’re very excited to be working with Thomas F. Mazziotti to bring his film out to the public.” Said Nick Royak, Senior Acquisitions Manager at Gravitas Ventures.

Gravitas Ventures Acquisitions Manager, Nick Royak negotiated the deal with Glen Reynolds from Circus Road films.

About Gravitas Ventures

Gravitas Ventures, a Red Arrow Studios company, is a leading all rights distributor of independent feature films and documentaries. Founded in 2006, Gravitas connects independent filmmakers and producers with distribution opportunities across the globe. Working with talented directors and producers, Gravitas Ventures has distributed thousands of films into over a hundred million homes in North America - over one billion homes worldwide. Recent releases include The Secret: Dare to Dream, directed by Andy Tennant and starring Katie Holmes; End of Sentence starring Logan Lerman and John Hawkes; Looks that Kill; Tread; Loopers: The Caddie’s Long Walk, narrated by Bill Murray; Colin Hanks’ All Things Must Pass; and the upcoming Our Friend starring Casey Affleck, Dakota Johnson, and Jason Segel. For more information, please visit gravitasventures.com, and follow @GravitasVOD on Twitter and @gravitasventures on Instagram.

About Red Arrow Studios

Red Arrow Studios is one of the world’s leading creators and distributors of entertainment content, comprised of an acclaimed network of international production companies and labels in seven territories; world-leading digital studio, Studio71, based in six countries; and global film and TV distributors Red Arrow Studios International and Gravitas Ventures. The group’s significant output includes scripted, non-scripted and formatted content and IP, from TV and film to short-form and branded content, made for an array of global networks and platforms. Red Arrow Studios is part of ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE, one of Europe's leading media groups. redarrowstudios.com

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