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2023 Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) Films to See: American Outlaws, Commitment To Life, Karen Carpenter: Starving For Perfection and Starring Jerry As Himself

“American Outlaws” (Feature Film True Crime Drama)North American Independent Cinema Sponsored By Panavision Selection (SBIFF)

Director & Writer: Sean McEwen
Starring: Emory Cohen, India Eisley, Sam Strike, Tess Harper, Cory Hardrict, and Treat Williams, joined by Mackenzie Graham, Vanessa Giselle, Lance E. Nichols, Johnny Ray Gibbs, and Troy Metcalf
Running Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

West Coast Premiere:
Friday, February 17th at 8:40pm. Followed by Q&A
Location: Metro 4, Screen 3
618 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA

2nd Screening:
Saturday, February 18th at 2:40pm. Followed by Q&A
Location: Metro 4, Screen 3
618 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA

“American Outlaws” is based on a true story and the GQ article "The Whole True Story of the Dougherty Gang" by Kathy Dobie. Written & directed by acclaimed filmmaker Sean McEwen (“Braking For Whales,” “Sick Girl”).

While the true story of “American Outlaws” encompasses the proverbial bells and whistles of compelling storytelling -- sex, drugs and rock & roll (the sister, a former stripper now toting an AK47, two brothers with a wild streak and the propensity to live life on the razor’s edge with gunplay, police chases and bank robberies galore) -- at its heart, it’s a story about family. Three siblings, on a cross-country journey, with the strongest desire to find the simplest element… Home. A place to be together. Safe. Happy. Free.

Production Co: Narrator Entertainment, Big Cat Productions and Charlie Baby Productions
Producers: McEwen, Cassidy Lunnen , Alexandre Dauman, John Papsidera
Executive Producer: Takashi Cheng
Co-producers: Danyelle Foord and Jessica Wilde
Runtime: 1 hour 39 minutes

“COMMITMENT TO LIFE” (Feature Film Documentary)

DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION Selection (SBIFF)

Director:
Writer:
Interviewees: Jewel Thais-Williams Co-founder, Minority AIDS Project; Phill Wilson HIV/AIDS Activist; Karamo Brown “Queer Eye” Cast Member & HIV/AIDS Educator; Dr. Michael Gottlieb Physician and Former APLA Board Member; Bruce Vilanch Writer and Comedian; Jeffrey Katzenberg Former Chairman, Walt Disney Studios and APLA Board Member; Bill Misenhimer Former APLA Executive Director; Robert Contreras Co-Founder, Bienestar; Torie Osborn Former Executive Director, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force; Rev. Steve Pieters Former Field Director of AIDS Ministry, Metropolitan Community Churches; and Bamby Salcedo President, TransLatin Coalitio.

West Coast Premiere:
Saturday, February 11th at 7:40pm followed by Q&A
Location: Fiesta 5 Multiplex, Screen 4
916 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA

2^nd Screening: Sunday, February 12^th at 10:20am. Followed by Q&A
Location: Fiesta 5 Multiplex, Screen 4
916 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA

Against a rich Hollywood backdrop, “Commitment to Life” documents the true story of the fight against HIV/AIDS in Los Angeles — and how an intrepid group of people living with HIV/AIDS, doctors, movie stars, studio moguls and activists changed the course of the epidemic.

Director & Editor: Jeffrey Schwarz
Producers: Aimée Flaherty, p.g.a. and Jeffrey Schwarz, p.g.a.
Executive Producer: Ron Sylvester,
Co-Executive Producer: Robert James Wood II
Co-Producer: Taki Oldham
Associate Producer: Michael Stabile
Executive Producer: Craig Thompson
Supervising Producer: Craig Bowers
Composer: Allyson Newman
Cinematographer: Adam Jason Finmann
Running Time: 1 hour 55 minutes

“Karen Carpenter: Starving For Perfection” (Feature Documentary Film)

CINEMATIC OVERTURES/PERFORMING ARTS Selection (SBIFF)

Director Randy Martin
Producer & Writer: Randy Schmidt
Interviewee: Olivia Newton-John, Cynthia Gibb, Suzanne Somers, Kristin Chenoweth, Carnie Wilson, Bob James, Carol Burnett, Belinda Carlisle, Cubby O’Brien, Tom Nolan, Karen Tongson, Cherry Boone O’Neill, Louis Virtel, Randy Schmidt, Barry Morrow, Frankie Chavez, Doug Haverty, Maria Galeazzi, and Mike Curb.

West Coast Premiere:
Friday, February 10^th at 8:20pm. Followed by Q&A
Location: Metro 4, Screen 2
618 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA

2^nd Screening: Sunday, February 12^th at 11:20am. Followed by Q&A
Metro 4, Screen 2
618 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA

About the Film: Karen Carpenter was the first in a long line of celebrities to suffer from an eating disorder during an era when the vastly misunderstood disease brought shame and public humiliation. For the first time, we hear Karen Carpenter's personal struggle in her own voice through never-before released recordings and through the legendary voices of those who knew her and were inspired by her music. As the #1 American musical act of the 1970s, the Carpenters were on “top of the world," producing a string of pop masterpieces, including "Close to You," "We've Only Just Begun," and "Rainy Days and Mondays." But behind closed doors, Karen's quest for perfection resulted in low self-esteem, a disheartening love life, and a public battle with anorexia nervosa, which ended with her untimely death at the age of only 32. Forty years after her death comes “Karen Carpenter: Starving For Perfection,” a captivating, revealing, and unvarnished documentary providing astounding new insight into the singer's tragically short life and enduring musical legacy.

Production Co.: AMS Pictures
Director Randy Martin
Producer & Writer: Randy Schmidt
Producer & Editor Brad Osborne
Executive Producers Carnie Wilson & Andy Streitfeld
Director of Photography: Osman Tello
Editors Chuck Brown & Paul Ellison
Running Time: 1hour 40 minutes

“Starring Jerry As Himself” (Feature Film Docu-Fiction Hybrid)
REEL LIVES Selection (SBIFF)

Recently having won the Slamdance Film Festival Grand Jury Documentary Feature, Audience Award Documentary & Acting Award for Jerry Hsu with sold out screenings and standing ovations, “Starring Jerry As Himself” is a docu-fiction hybrid that blurs the lines of reality while staying true to Jerry Hsu, the title subject and his unique story. Jerry is the father everyone wants to have as their own, and his journey is one that rivals that of Alice following the white rabbit into another world. Employing a variety of creative filmmaking techniques to capture the world from Jerry’s perspective, the film is a genre bending meta experience as Jerry deals with a wild tale of international intrigue in which he inexplicably finds himself a lynchpin with his family none the wiser...or has he?

West Coast Premiere:
Wednesday, February 15^th at 4:20pm. Followed by Q&A
Location: Fiesta 4 Multiplex, Screen 4
916 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA

2^nd Screening:
Friday, February 17^th at 8;30am. Followed by Q&A
Location: Fiesta 4 Multiplex, Screen 4
916 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA

Director & Editor Lawrence Chen
Co-Writers Jerry C. Hsu & Lawrence Chen
Producers: Jonathan Hsu & Lawrence Chen
Composer Eric Hölljes
Cinematography by Tinx Chen and Lawrence Chen

Freestyle Media to Distribute Psychological Action Fantasy Thriller “Exceptional Beings” Across North American TVOD & Digital Platform & DVD

Co-Directors: Njedeh Anthony and Christian Kazadi
Writer: Njedeh Anthony
Starring: Ciarra Carter, Dane Oliver, Rachel Thundat, Bunmi Famuyiwa, Clark Moore, Chad Sano, introducing Jean Charles, Sarah Bonrepaux, Victoria Antonelli, and Eric Roberts
Genre: Action, Fantasy, Thriller

“Exceptional Beings” tracks the existential crisis of two supernatural beings, as they begin to question their Godhood, when they encounter a woman with an uncanny essence that doesn’t conform with their 4,000 years of knowledge. They journey through her existence, as it relates to their desperate need to understand answers to question, they never believed existed. The movie is a prequel to the book Godhood.

Freestyle Media will distribute the psychological action fantasy thriller “Exceptional Beings” across North American on TVOD, Digital Platform and DVD.

You can find the DVDs at Amazon.com, Bestbuy.com, Walmart.com, and Barnesandnoble.com.

Find the film on AT&T U-Verse, DirecTV, Dish Network, Sling TV, iN DEMAND, Vubiquity, Hoopla and directly at the links below:

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Exceptional-Beings-Ciarra-Carter/dp/B0B65CCQ8Z

iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/exceptional-beings/id1665272579

AppleTV https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/exceptional-beings/umc.cmc.fe4tfbhefhrdz01e1x2rg5rw

Vudu
https://www.vudu.com/content/movies/details/Exceptional-Beings/2247159

Xbox
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/exceptional-beings/8d6kgwz05wbg?activetab=pivot%3aoverviewtab

Google Play
https://play.google.com/store/movies/details/Exceptional_Beings?id=uSln0B7ieYw.P&hl=en_US&gl=US

YouTube Movies

The Gestalt Effect

The Gestalt Effect production company was founded 10 years ago to dive into all aspects of film production. “Creatures of Necessity” was their first North American release, which released in November of 2022. We greatly appreciate your review, interview, and what to watch coverage consideration for this incredibly talented team of black filmmakers and their diverse cast.

Distributor: Freestyle Media
Co-Directors: Njedeh Anthony and Christian Kazadi
Writer: Njedeh Anthony
Producers: Njedeh Anthony and Justin Morgan
Executive Producers: Njedeh Anthony, Justin Morgan, Christian Kazadi and Kurtis Anton
Director of Cinematography: Christian Kazadi
Editor: Christian Kazadi
Production Designer: Justin Morgan

Freestyle Media to Distribute Psychological Action Fantasy Thriller “Exceptional Beings” Across North American on TVOD/Digital Platform & DVD Release on January 31st, 2023

“Exceptional Beings” extraordinary cast fantastically embodies the Gods from a number of pantheons, and is led by Ciarra Carter (‘Ooga Booga,” “The Colony”), Dane Oliver (“The Resonator,” “Cupid’s Match”), Rachel Thundat (“9-1-1: Lone Star,” “Secrets Exposed”), Bunmi Famuyiwa (“Ida B. Wells: A Red Record,” “The Wake”), Clark Moore (“Yellowstone,” “Dahmer-Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story”), Chad Sano (“Grease Live!,” “My Crazy Ex”), introducing Jean Charles, Sarah Bonrepaux (“Strayed,” “Mr. Know-It-All”), Victoria Antonelli (“Switched Before Birth,” “Blader”), and cinema icon Eric Roberts (“Inherent Vice,” “The Dark Knight”).

“Exceptional Beings” is the incredible creation of a vastly talented team of black filmmakers beginning with co-directors Njedeh Anthony (“Creatures of Necessity,” “Mind Crawlers”) and Christian Kazadi (“24 Hours Blind,” Blinkers”); written by Njedeh Anthony; produced by Njedeh Anthony and Justin Morgan; executive produced by Njedeh Anthony, Justin Morgan, Christian Kazadi and Kurtis Anton (“Monstrous,” “Blood Pageant”); director of cinematography Christian Kazadi; and editor Christian Kazadi; and production designer Justin Morgan. This incredible international film team are based in Los Angeles and busily prepping their next feature films.

Principal photography began in February 2021 in Los Angeles, California, during the height of the Covid outbreak, with every precaution and safety protocol taken for the safety of the cast and crew. “Exceptional Beings” was shot in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, New York and Lagos, Nigeria.

2023 Pan African Film and Arts Festival Film Guide

Over 150 films from 40 countries, in 19 languages, including 50 World and 22 North American premieres!

Today, the PAFF announced its full lineup for its upcoming in-person festival Feb. 9-20, 2023. Now in its 31st year, the Festival is returning to the Cinemark Baldwin Hills and XD and the adjacent Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza will host its renowned fine art show featuring over 100 established and emerging fine artists and quality craftspeople from all over the Black Diaspora. This year’s film festival features over 150 films from 40 countries, in 19 languages, including 50 World and 22 North American premieres. Of the films selected for the Festival, 39% are helmed by female, queer or non-binary filmmakers.

The Festival film guide is available here.

Passes on sale now and can be purchased here.

Individual tickets go on sale on January 31, 2023.

Casper Kelly’s ADULT SWIM YULE LOG Now available on HBO Max and Digital Download)

ADULT SWIM KICKS OFF HOLIDAY SEASON WITH LIVE-ACTION FEATURE FROM CASPER KELLY

Presented As Traditional Fireplace Video, Surreal Horror Film Makes Surprise Debut On Adult Swim

Adult Swim fans received an early holiday gift last night with the reveal of a new feature horror film from Casper Kelly, the acclaimed writer/director behind the viral Adult Swim short “Too Many Cooks. ” Fans who stay tuned for the “Adult Swim Yule Log” after last night’s Season Six finale of “Rick and Morty” witnessed a traditional holiday fireplace video transform into Adult Swim’s first-ever live-action feature. After last night’s surprise airing on Adult Swim, a must-see uncensored version of “Adult Swim Yule Log” is now available to stream on HBO Max and to purchase digitally.

“At this time of year, it’s nice to recognize the people important to you, and for us, that’s Adult Swim fans,” said Michael Ouweleen, president of Adult Swim and Cartoon Network. “We hope they enjoyed this gift that literally no one knew they wanted.”

Described only as a “cozy crackling fire,” viewers were forewarned that the TV-MA yule log contained “violence, adult language, and brief nudity.” After beginning with festive fireplace visual and holiday music, “Adult Swim Yule Log” gives way to unfolding a pulse-pounding story set within a remote cabin in which a mysterious and deadly fireplace constantly burns. Filled with mind-bending twists and a bizarre cast of characters, “Adult Swim Yule Log” welcomes viewers into a surreal, genre-defying thriller.

Kelly explains: “Last year during the holidays I was watching a yule log video and suddenly I had an image of legs walking past the fire, just slightly out of focus, and hearing dialogue off screen. I loved the mysteriousness of that, and a story started to form. I’m so grateful to Adult Swim for taking the plunge with me, and I’m so proud to have made their first live-action film!”

Like Kelly’s massively successful short, this micro-budget horror feature was also filmed entirely in Adult Swim’s hometown of Atlanta with local talent. Written and directed by Kelly (“Your Pretty Face is Going to Hell”), “Adult Swim Yule Log” stars Andrea Laing (“The Game”) and Justin Miles (“Half Baked 2).

The end credits song “The Fireplace” was performed by Puddles Pity Party and composed by “Too Many Cooks” scribe Shawn Coleman with lyrics by Kelly. It will be released by WaterTower Music and will be available on Spotify, Apple Music, and all digital streaming services beginning tomorrow.

About Adult Swim

Adult Swim is the leader in adult animation and #1 destination for young adults for over fifteen years, offering critically acclaimed, award-winning original and acquired series such as “Rick and Morty,” “Genndy Tartakovsky’s Primal,” “The Eric Andre Show,” and “SMILING FRIENDS.” Fan favorite anime block, Toonami, airs on Saturday nights and has expanded beyond acquisitions, producing original series including “Housing Complex C,” “Uzumaki,” and new seasons of “FLCL.” The annual Adult Swim Festival reaches a global audience, and features performances by top musicians and comedians. Adult Swim airs nightly from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. (ET/PT) on its linear channel and reaches fans via HBO Max. Connect with Adult Swim on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tik Tok. Subscribe to Adult Swim on YouTube.

About Warner Bros. Discovery

Warner Bros. Discovery (NASDAQ: WBD) is a leading global media and entertainment company that creates and distributes the world’s most differentiated and complete portfolio of content and brands across television, film and streaming. Available in more than 220 countries and territories and 50 languages, Warner Bros. Discovery inspires, informs and entertains audiences worldwide through its iconic brands and products including: Discovery Channel, discovery+, CNN, DC, Eurosport, HBO, HBO Max, HGTV, Food Network, OWN, Investigation Discovery, TLC, Magnolia Network, TNT, TBS, truTV, Travel Channel, MotorTrend, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Warner Bros. Pictures, Warner Bros. Television, Warner Bros. Games, New Line Cinema, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Turner Classic Movies, Discovery en Español, Hogar de HGTV and others. For more information, please visit www.wbd.com.

Publicity Contacts

EMMA GRIFFITHS
EMMA GRIFFITHS PR
E: emma@eg-pr.com
W: www.eg-pr.com

View New Trailer: FREE PUPPIES! Opens December 13th in U.S. and Canada on VOD and DVD

A film by Samantha Wishman & Christina Thomas
Run time: 1 hour 10
Language: English

A true story about the heartbreak and heroism of dog rescue in America

Releasing on VOD on major platforms and DVD in the US and Canada on December 13.

US VOD Platforms: iTunes/Apple, Amazon and key major platforms.
Canada VOD Platforms: iTunes/Apple

When Hurricane Katrina left more than 250,000 pets stranded, the infrastructure of a nation-wide dog rescue effort was born. Since then, millions of Southern rescue dogs have been transported to new homes thanks to the tireless efforts of a grassroots network of dog rescuers. And while the media has popularized the image of dogs climbing out of transport trucks into the arms of eager adopters, little attention has been paid to the other side of the story.

FREE PUPPIES! travels across the country's political divide to explore one of the many areas where no public animal services exist, and volunteers -- many of them women -- step in. The story follows rescuers Monda Wooten, Ann Brown, and Ruth Smith, and the network of independent “rescue ladies” who patrol vast rural counties in the Tennessee Valley caring for stray and surrendered dogs.

Their grassroots efforts to start up a spay-and-neuter program, rescue countless dogs from euthanasia and neglect, and place them in loving "forever homes" will pluck at the heartstrings of any dog person.

"Truly, truly inspiring in the most powerful sense of that word." -NPR's "Talking Animals"

Filmmaker Biography - Samantha Wishman
Samantha Wishman is a filmmaker from New York City. After graduating from Columbia Law School, she moved to LA to make a short film about pitching a script for a feminist softball comedy in Hollywood, which went on to play at a number of festivals. She adopted a rescue dog named Billie Hollydale before returning home to make FREE PUPPIES!.

Filmmaker Biography - Christina Thomas
Christina Thomas is a producer, director and editor from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After graduating from The University of Pennsylvania she moved to Los Angeles where she has worked on several productions including commercials, shorts and features. FREE PUPPIES! is her documentary directorial debut. She enjoys giving equal attention to her dogs Harvey and Ruphus.

PAN AFRICAN FILM & ARTS FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES 2023 DATES

Celebrated film and arts festival to return
to the heart of Black Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA – The Pan African Film and Arts Festival (PAFF) today announced its dates for the 31st event. The PAFF will take place during Black History Month (BHM) in Los Angeles, February 9-20, 2023. Festival organizers are excited to once again bring Black creatives, executives, and Black culture enthusiasts together in the heart of Black Los Angeles for 12 days for what is the largest BHM celebration in America. PAFF screenings will take place at the Cinemark Baldwin Hills and XD Theatre, while PAFF’s unparalleled Black fine arts festival will return to the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza.

This year’s theme is “REimagine PAFF” and invites attendees to experience a new story of imagination.

“Ayuko Bubu, Danny Glover, and Ja’Net Dubois envisioned a global celebration to honor the genesis of imagination — the African story, then began to take steps toward making it a reality,” said Marc Brogdon, PAFF Director of Marketing. “In 1992, The Pan African Film and Arts Festival was established to become the international beacon for the Diaspora arts community to showcase our stories and preserve the cinematic creativity of Pan African Culture. Thirty-one years have passed since that soulful spark of invention. Today, the fire of ingenuity is rekindled to serve an emerging generation.”

PAFF will again be offering a special Early Bird discount to those who purchase their 2023 PAFF film passes by January. Passes can be purchased at paff.org.

About Pan African Film and Festival

Established in 1992 by Hollywood veterans Danny Glover (The Color Purple, Lethal Weapon), the late Ja’Net DuBois (“Good Times”), and Ayuko Babu (Executive Director), the Pan African Film Festival is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that has remained dedicated to the promotion of Black stories and images through the exhibition of film, visual art, and other creative expression. PAFF is one of the largest and most prestigious Black film festivals in the U.S. and attracts local, national, and international audiences. In addition, it is an Oscar-qualifying festival for animation and live-action films, and one of the largest Black History Month events in America.

About Our Sponsors and Partners

PAFF is sponsored in part by the City of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell through the Department of Arts and Culture, LA Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson, LA Councilmember Curren Price, LA Councilmember Heather Hutt, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, LA Arts COVID-19 Relief Fund with the California Community Foundation, and the LA County COVID-19 Arts Relief Fund administered by the LA County Department of Arts and Culture.

View New Clip: FREE PUPPIES! Released in US and Canada on VOD and DVD December 13th

First Run Features presents FREE PUPPIES!

A film by Samantha Wishman & Christina Thomas
Run time: 1 hour 10
Language: English

A true story about the heartbreak and heroism of dog rescue in America

Releasing on VOD on major platforms and DVD in the US and Canada on December 13.

US VOD Platforms: iTunes/Apple, Amazon and key major platforms.
Canada VOD Platforms: iTunes/Apple

"Truly, truly inspiring in the most powerful sense of that word." -NPR's "Talking Animals"

View New Trailer: Shinzô Katayama’s MISSING available Friday, November 18th on all major VOD platforms in the US and Canada

MISSING (Sagasu/さがす)

Directed by: Shinzô Katayama
Starring: Aoi Ito, Hiroya Shimizu, Misato Morita, Jirô Satô
Country: Japan
Language: In Japanese with English Subtitles)
Run time: 2 hours 4 minutes

MISSING will open theatrically in New York (Film Noir, Brooklyn), Los Angeles (Laemmle Glendale), Columbus (Gateway) and major cities on November 4, 2022.

A VOD/ Cable release will follow in the US and Canada on November 18, 2022:
Platforms: iTunes/Apple, Amazon, Google Play, Microsoft, YouTube, Vudu, Comcast Xfinity, Spectrum, Verizon Fios, Cox, Direct TV, Dish Network and many more.

The Blu Ray release for the film will be on December 6, 2022.

OFFICIAL SELECTION: Busan International Film Festival, Fantasia International Film Festival, Fantastic Fest and many more.

Depressed and in debt following the death of his wife, Santoshi (Jiro Sato) tells his young daughter he has found a way out. Pointing to a reward note, he vows to find the infamous serial killer “No Name” (Hiroya Shimizu) and cash in, claiming to have seen the man in the flesh a few days earlier. Kaeda (Aoi Ito) cannot take her aloof father serious. But when he goes missing without a trace, she starts to fear the worst—and must begin looking for him.

After working as an assistant director for Japanese films, including Nobuhiro Yamashita’s works, filmmaker Shinzô Katayama crossed paths with Bong Joon-Ho while shooting “TOKYO!” (2008) and served as his assistant director on “Mother” (2009). In 2019, his debut feature, “Siblings of the Cape ” was selected by numerous domestic and international film festivals. He now is one of the most promising, emerging directors in Japan, and his second feature, MISSING (“Sagasu /さがす”) will be his commercial film debut.

ABOUT DARK STAR PICTURES

Dark Star Pictures is a new-age North American distribution company, focused on bringing unique and targeted content to audiences across the country. We are committed to releasing auteur-driven, original cinema in the theatrical, digital, and home video space.
Website: https://darkstarpics.com

PR CONTACT- FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

EMMA GRIFFITHS
EMMA GRIFFITHS PR
E: emma@eg-pr.com
W: www.eg-pr.com

DOC NYC New York Premiere of the Illuminating Documentary “Finding Her Beat” Featuring LIVE Taiko Drumming Performance! Wednesday, November 16th, 2022

DOC NYC New York Premiere of the Illuminating Documentary “Finding Her Beat” Featuring LIVE Taiko Drumming Performance! Wednesday, November 16^th, 2022 at the IFC Center, 323 6th Avenue, New York, NY 10014

DOC NYC Film Page: https://www.docnyc.net/film/finding-her-beat/

NYC Premiere: Wed, November 16^th at 7pm at the IFC Center

2^nd Screening: Thursday, November 17^th at 12pm at the IFC Center

**Also Part of DOC NYC Virtual Cinemas As well Through November 27^th**

Filmmaking Team Onsite for the Screening and Q&A: Co-Director, Producer & Editor Dawn Mikkelson (“Risking Light,” “The Red Tail”), Co-Director, Director of Photography & Editor: Keri Pickett (“First Daughter and the Black Snake,” “The Fabulous Ice Age”), Field Producer & Cinematographer: Caroline Stucky, and Producer & Featured Artist: Jennifer Weir (Executive Director of TAM, Artistic Director of Enso Daiko), and Featured Artist: Megan Chao-Smith , among others.

About “Finding Her Beat”
In the midst of a frozen Minnesota winter, a Japanese drum master and Korean adoptee from North Dakota join forces to assemble the world’s best Taiko drummers in a bold effort to claim a cultural spotlight that has historically been reserved only for men. Their rhythm revolution includes rock stars from the world of Taiko: Tiffany Tamaribuchi, Kaoly Asano, Chieko Kojima, Megan Chao-Smith, and Jennifer Weir. Through grueling rehearsals, Jennifer weaves together their disparate voices and styles. Vulnerability, pain, and joys are shared—and we quickly see the bonds of friendship form as these talented women navigate their way through differences in culture, age, language, and performing styles. As the clock ticks toward their first performance, it becomes clear that their story has become much larger than Taiko.

Focus of the Film: Through the perspective of the five main artists, “Finding Her Beat” explores the individual themes of cultural and racial identity, the challenges professional marginalized gender artists face, the artist’s passion for a subculture that was designed to keep them on the outside, and the burgeoning hope that this historic event marks the beginning of a new era of taiko - for everyone. Told both verbally and nonverbally, in silence and thundering percussion, the film organically unfolds in the lived moments of these artists. By providing a character-driven format, not only is the subject matter fresh to the majority of audiences, but it creates a challenge and narrative tension for Japanese artists whose traditional culture stresses the importance of the separation between private and public lives. “Finding Her Beat” artists opened their hearts, followed by a massive public experience - the last before COVID-19 changed the world of performing arts. This is an important story of women paving their own road by banging their own drum.

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