Documentary Archives - Page 11 of 18

Chad Michael Murray in Ted Bundy: American Boogeyman Out August 16th

Filmmaker Daniel Farrands ED BUNDY: AMERICAN BOOGEYMAN PHOTO CREDIT: Dark Star Pictures/Voltage Pictures

ED BUNDY: AMERICAN BOOGEYMAN will have its Fathom Release (Nationwide on over 750 screens) on August 16 with a US VOD and DVD release to follow on September 3, 2021.

A specter roams the highways of a gritty and decadent 1970s America, hunting for his next prey—his name is Ted Bundy (Chad Michael Murray). Tracking him down are the intrepid female detective Kathleen McChesney (Holland Roden), working out of the Seattle Police bureau, and rookie FBI profiler Robert Ressler (Jake Hays), the government agent who coined the term “serial killer.” This is the true story behind the manhunt that brought America’s most fearsome boogeyman to justice.

Chad Michael Murray in Daniel Farrands' TED BUNDY: AMERICAN BOOGEYMAN PHOTO CREDIT: Dark Star Pictures/Voltage Pictures

Daniel Farrands wrote and directed the project, which stars Chad Michael Murray (House Of Wax, The Haunting In Connecticut 2: Ghosts Of Georgia, and Riverdale) as Bundy. Rounding out the key cast are Genre actress Lin Shaye (Insidious franchise, The Grudge, Penny Dreadful: City Of Angels) and Holland Roden (Escape Room 2, Teen Wolf).

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. Our goal is to create original marketing campaigns directly catered to audiences who will embrace our brand of thought-provoking cinema. Recent releases include Tribeca Midnight Selection Honeydew, Sundance favorite Koko-di Koko-Da, Cannes Official Selection Enfant Terrible and the newly announced SXSW psychological drama Freeland.

Website: https://darkstarpics.com

#TedBundy #AmericanBoogeyman #TrueCrime

View trailer below!

Finding Kendrick Johnson in Theaters Friday, July 30th

Screening Nationwide in Theaters and available on Video On Demand July 30th

On January 11th, 2013, Kendrick Johnson was found dead in his high school gymnasium rolled up in a gym mat. The state of Georgia ruled his death as an accident, having died from positional asphyxia. When the family hired their own Forensic Pathologist, not only did he find KJ’s organs missing from his body during the autopsy, he determined the cause of death to be from non-accidental blunt force trauma. To this day, no one knows where KJ’s organs have gone.. So what really happened to KJ?

FINDING KENDRICK JOHNSON is the feature documentary product of a 4-year undercover investigation into the facts of this case. From the creator of 'Stranger Fruit', this new documentary hopes to shed light on one of the most important American stories of our time.

Told through the eyes of KJ's family and close friends, Narrated by Hollywood legend, Jenifer Lewis, Directed by 'Stranger Fruit' creator, Jason Pollock, with an amazing team of Producers including Actor Hill Harper, and Space Jam 2 Director Malcolm D. Lee, FINDING KENDRICK JOHNSON shares this truly historic, heartbreaking, and unbelievable story with the world for the first time.

“The case of Kendrick Johnson is one the most important cases in U.S. history,” says writer/director Jason Pollock. “KJ deserves justice, and hopefully our film will help his family get one step closer to that outcome.”

View trailer below!

Submarine Deluxe Presents in Association with Joseph Wemple, Films We Like and Mexican Summer ‘FIRE MUSIC’

Director and Writer: Tom Surgal
Featuring: Ornette Coleman, Sun Ra & His Arkestra, Albert Ayer, Cecil Taylor, Eric Dolphy and many more
Runtime: 1 hour 28 minutes
Genre: Documentary

John Coltrane ©Lee Tanner-The-Jazz

Opens theatrically in New York at Film forum on Friday, September 10 and Los Angeles at Laemmle Glendale on September 17 with a national release to follow.

'FIREMUSIC' is an Official Selection at the New York Film Festival.

Sun Ra 1968

Although the free jazz movement of the 1960s and ‘70s was much maligned in some jazz circles, its pioneers – brilliant talents like Ornette Coleman, Cecil Taylor, Sun Ra, Albert Ayler, and John Coltrane – are today acknowledged as central to the evolution of jazz as America’s most innovative art form. FIRE MUSIC showcases the architects of a movement whose radical brand of improvisation pushed harmonic and rhythmic boundaries and produced landmark albums like Coleman’s Free Jazz: A Collective Inspiration and Coltrane’s Ascension. A rich trove of archival footage conjures the 1960s jazz scene along with incisive reflections by critic Gary Giddins and a number of the movement’s key players.

Carla Bley with the Carla Bley Band, Keystone Korner, San Francisco CA 2/10/79

Writer / Director Tom Surgal is known for directing a series of groundbreaking music videos for leading alternative bands like Sonic Youth, Pavement and The Blues Explosion. Tom was initially mentored in filmmaking by Brian De Palma and would go on to work in a wide range of film production jobs, including production design and casting. Tom is also a musician who has performed regularly with Nels Cline (Wilco), Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth), Jim O'Rourke and Mike Watt

Tom Surga ©Lin Culbertson

(Minutemen, The Stooges) and is co-leader of the improvisational ensemble White Out. He is also a curator who has programmed celebrated music series at various downtown New York venues, including an entire month of shows at John Zorn's hallowed performance space The Stone.

Tom is recognized as a leading authority on Avant-Garde Jazz and boasts one of the world's largest collections of Free Jazz recordings.

Gravitas Ventures Feature Documentary “Stronger For Life” On All VOD/Digital Platforms; Blu-Ray and DVD Today, July 20

What does an internationally renowned fitness expert and entrepreneur do when faced with a diagnosis of breast cancer?

When internationally acclaimed fitness expert Ilaria Montagnani received her initial diagnosis of breast cancer in the summer of 2016, she decided to film footage documenting this emotionally and physically challenging journey. Her whole life, she has been driven to acquire strength and knowledge to help herself and others –and this terrifying cancer diagnosis was no exception to her life’s mission.

Ilaria’s main belief that hard work teaches you to never give up - was truly put to the test and she wanted to honestly show how this disease would affect her physically and emotionally.

For anyone, a diagnosis of cancer is a frightening and life-changing experience but for a professional athlete and international fitness instructor, it is a challenge of unprecedented impact. Ilaria sought out a woman who took her workouts, Noriko Sugiura, a Japanese filmmaker friend to help guide her in the process.

More than a 100-hours of footage in on a hand-held camera, Ilaria next sought out a team of editors and cinematographers – Corey Florin (“Dream Factories,” “High Expectations”), Stephanie Gaweda (“Summer Moon,” “Mates”), and Federico Rosenzvit (“Years of Living Dangerously,” “Laredo, Texas,” and “City of Joel”), to guide and shape the documentary chronicling her journey. This is the filmmaking team that eventually shot and edited the movie that became “Stronger For Life.” “Stronger For Life,” is a cinematic sibling to inspirating and relatable documentaries “Dancer,” and “Any One Of Us,” which have chronicled the physical and mental struggles of athletes where life has thrown them unseen medical curveballs and a chance to make it through to the other side of illness.

Multiple media outlets from around the world have covered Ilaria fitness journey in her more than 20 years in the fitness world, including: The Today Show, Good Morning America, The Martha Stewart Show, The Dr. Oz Show, The Tyra Show, and CBS and ABC Evening News, among many others. The Wall Street Journal called her a “leading force” in the fitness world and New York magazine labeled her one of the city’s top fitness gurus. In 2017, Ilaria received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Equinox Fitness for top group fitness instructor in the country.

Where to follow the film and its journey:
Website: www.strongerforlife.film
Instagram: @strongerforlife.film

“Stronger For Life”
Ilaria Montagnani arrived in the United States from Florence, Italy at nineteen. She loves New York City and its potential to be anything you want to be if you work hard and have vision. During the next 20 years, Ilaria overcomes many obstacles as a pioneering woman entrepreneur developing weight-training and fitness workouts based on martial arts.

She is one of the first women to bring strength training and martial arts to gyms in the U.S.In 2016, Ilaria, then an internationally recognized fitness expert at the peak of her career, was diagnosed with breast cancer. For an athlete of her magnitude, it was devastating.

Shortly after her struggle, Ilaria learns of her father’s diagnosis of terminal cancer. Stronger for Life documents Ilaria’s fight against cancer and how she embodied her own philosophy: Exercise makes you stronger for life, to overcome the heartache and challenges she encounters.

Interview with Ilaria Montagnani About Her New Film “Stronger For Life”

Featuring: Ilaria Montagnani, Gabriella Montagnani, Elizabth Deluca, Omar Sandoval, Lorenzo Montagnani
Genre: Documentary
Language: English

I had the opportunity to talk to Ilaria Montagnani about her first film and new documentary "Stronger For Life" that chronicles her journey
after being diagnosed with breast cancer.

Yevette: What was it like preparing for the documentary and working with your parents?
Ilaria: I did not prepare for the film. There were no preparations. I had got together a team and we started filming. It was hard work.

Yevette: What was it like working with your team, how did you work with Corey Florin, Vici Suflan and Noriko Sugiura?
Ilaria: I had a great team that was wonderful to work with. they really helped me with the whole process.

Yevette: What was it like shooting on two continents?
Ilaria: I do a lot of traveling and filming in the United States and Italy was similar to what you do while traveling.

Yevette: When was the moment you came to believe "exercise makes you stronger for life."
Ilaria: I have always felt that way. There was never a particular moment.

Yevette: In the film, you made it clear you did not want to be a housewife.
Ilaria: Yes, Italy was/is a very traditional place. My mom's and my sister's choice are great for them. I wanted something different.

Yevette: Your Mom is such a strong person.
Ilaria: I am glad you brought that up. My mom is one of the strongest people I know.

Yevette: As a trainer, how have you changed your business model due to COVID-19?
Ilaria: I started free virtual trainer for my clients, to keep them active and was surprised at how it took off and is really popular.

Yevette: How is your Mom? Here in Hollywood, tell her I think she is a star.
Ilaria: She is doing well. I will tell her. She will like that a lot.

Follow Stronger For Life:
Website: www.strongerforlife.film
Instagram: @strongerforlife.film

Production Co.: Gravitas Ventures
Executive Producers: Ilaria Montagnani, Leslie Rankow
Producer: Dahlia Waingort Guigui
Editor: Corey Florin
Consulting Producer: Federico Rosenzvit
Director of Photography: Noriko Sugiura
Music: Ched Tolliver

Watch Trailer Below!

OTT.X ANNOUNCES SECOND ANNUAL IMPACT AWARDS

Streaming Video Industry trade association OTT.X seeks nominations for original online programming that inspires positive action and promotes acceptance and equality.

OTT.X, the industry trade association supporting the OTT streaming ecosystem, has opened submissions for the second annual OTT.X Impact Awards. The OTT.X Impact Awards is a program created by and for the over-the-top streaming industry to recognize creators, producers, platforms and channels who are using the power of streaming video to make a positive impact. Submissions are being accepted from June 23 through September 30, 2021 for audio visual works that premiere and are distributed through OTT channels and platforms. Nominations will be announced on November 9 and winners will be announced at the Impact Awards Ceremony to be held on December 9, 2021.

“Our industry has the attention of millions of people globally,” said Mark Fisher, OTT.X President and CEO. “The stories we tell, messages we send and truths we reveal have the power to change the world. Using this power to promote understanding, acceptance, equality and to inspire positive action is a responsibility that OTT.X and our membership are committed to.” Paul Colichman, CEO of Here Media and OTT.X Impact Awards Steering Committee Chair commented, “As streaming transforms the entertainment landscape it also democratizes video content distribution. This allows for more programs that focus on social justice, equality, kindness and compassion.”

The inaugural OTT.X Impact Awards was held virtually on December 10, 2020 and recognized three winners including Here Media’s “Girls Voices Now - ‘Not Quite Here, Not Quite There’” for Impactful Short Title, Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment’s “Going From Broke’ for Impactful Series, and Passion River’s “Intelligent Lives” for Impactful Full-Length Feature.

What: Second annual OTT.X Impact Awards – Recognizing content and innovation in the OTT streaming industry that inspires positive action and promotes acceptance of and equality for all people.

How to Apply: Visit https://www.entmerch.org/impact-awards/

Key Dates:

Submissions open – June 23
Submissions close – September 30
Nominations announced – November 9
Awards Ceremony / Winners Announced – December 9
Qualifications: Content must premiere on an OTT channel or platform, maintain exclusive availability via OTT distribution and be available in the US for at least 3 weeks. Qualifying period is the twelve-months ending September 30, 2021.

For more information as well as content submissions visit the OTT.X Impact Awards site; https://ottximpactawards.org/

About OTT.X

OTT.X is the not-for-profit international trade association dedicated to advancing the interests of the multi-billion home entertainment industry. OTT.X-member companies operate business that engage in or support the commercial OTT distribution of audiovisual entertainment. Membership comprises the full spectrum of the ecosystem, including digital retailers, MVPDs, AVOD and SVOD networks and channels, platforms, companies creating and/or distributing content for these channels of distribution, and companies providing services or technology for the use of others in this community. OTT.X (formerly EMA) was established in April 2006 through the merger of the Video Software Dealers Association (VSDA) and the Interactive Entertainment Merchants Association (IEMA).

To learn more, go to www.ottx.org.

MEDIA CONTACT

MILLENNIAL PR
Mitch Swan
323.378.6687
mitch@millennialpublicrelations.com

2022 List of Walk of Fame Honorees

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce's Walk of Fame Selection Panel have announced the 38 new honorees to the 2022 Hollywood Walk of Fame.

MOTION PICTURES:
Francis Ford Coppola, Macaulay Culkin, Willem Dafoe, Salma Hayek, James Hong, Helen Hunt, Michael B. Jordan, Regina King, Ray Liotta, Ewan McGregor, Adam McKay, Jason Momoa, Tessa Thompson and Carrie Fisher (posthumous)

TELEVISION:
Byron Allen, Greg Berlanti, Ricky Gervais, Peter Krause, Bob Odenkirk, Holly Robinson-Peete, Norman Reedus, Tracee Ellis Ross, Jean Smart, Ming-Na Wen and Kenan Thompson

RECORDING:
Black Eyed Peas, George E. Clinton Jr., Ashanti Douglas, DJ Khaled,
Avril Lavigne, Los Huracanes Del Norte, Martha Reeves and Ermias “Nipsey Hussle” Asghedom (posthumous)

LIVE THEATRE/LIVE PERFORMANCE:
Patti LuPone, Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr. and Angelica Vale

RADIO:
Richard Blade

New category, Sports Entertainment:
Michael Strahan

About:
The man credited with the idea for creating a Walk of Fame, was E. M. Stuart, who served in 1953 as the volunteer president of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. In that year, according to a Chamber press release he proposed the Walk as a means to “maintain the glory of a community whose name means glamour and excitement in the four corners of the world.” He appointed a committee to begin fleshing out the idea and the architectural firm of Periera and Luckman was employed to develop some specific proposals. Where the original idea came from is not certain; however, the ceiling of the dining room of the historic Hollywood Hotel once had stars painted on the ceiling with the names of celebrities and that may have been a precursor of the idea to place stars in the sidewalks.

THE ACCIDENTAL PRESIDENT in Limited U.S. Theaters June 21

Director: James Fletcher
Featuring: Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders, Kellyanne Conway,
Piers Morgan, Mary Katharine Ham, Aaron Sorkin, Anthony Scaramucci,
David Pakman, Molly Ball, April Ryan, Steve Schmidt, and Van Jones
Runtime: 1 hour 46 minutes
Rating: Not Yet Rated
Genre: Documentary

As America began to try and come to terms with the surprising (and for many voters, horrifying) results of the presidential race of 2016, the subsequent rapid-fire speed of events and jam-packed news cycles meant that nobody would ever have the opportunity to truly and properly reflect on what exactly just happened -- and how did it?

Directed and produced by British filmmaker/journalist James Fletcher, THE ACCIDENTAL PRESIDENT uncovers a detailed play-by-play from all angles on how it all went down, the state of America that led to the results, what the electorate was really motivated by, and how a former reality show host with an elevated understanding of the media and entertainment was able to connect with voters from all walks of life and stage a takeover of Washington D.C. -- whether he meant to or not.

Featuring an impressively diverse and balanced set of fascinating interviews from both sides of the aisle, THE ACCIDENTAL PRESIDENT is an educated examination of the most controversial election in modern history, and one that every future campaign - most notably the one currently in play - should study with an electron microscope.

THE ACCIDENTAL PRESIDENT will be screening in limited U.S. theaters beginning Monday, June 21, 2021, and will be coming soon to Starz.

Follow THE ACCIDENTAL PRESIDENT:
IMDb: www.imdb.com/title/tt12920934/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/theaccidentalpresident
Twitter: www.twitter.com/TheAccidental45

View Trailer Below!

‘The Dark Hobby’: Review

Year of Film: 2021
Director: Paula Fouce
Writers: Paula Fouce, William Haugse
Name of leads: Cast: Kimokeo Kapahulehua, Robert Wintner, Willy Kaupiko, Kaimi Kaupiko, Gail Grabowsky, Ben Williamson, Jessica Wooley, Jonathan Balcombe, Teresa Telecky, Kealoha Pisciotta, Keith Christie, Taylor Nicole Dean, Paul Cox
Stars 4/5
Language: English

The Beautiful Hawaiian Ocean Reefs' and Its Tragic Degradation and Destruction

A powerful and compelling story of the colorful, vibrant variety of species that call the Hawaiian ocean's reefs home,
in director Paula Fouce's film 'The Dark Hobby' about the lucrative and destructive practice of catering to the aquariam hobbiest also known as pet fish owners.

Told through the eyes of Kimokeo Kapahulehua, the founder of the Kimokeo Foundation, who is dedicated to preserving and perpetuating the Hawai'ian culture;

Robert Wintner is the owner of Snorkel Bob, the largest reef outfit in Hawaii;

Willy Kaupiko is the Mayor of Milolilii, and hard to believe, it is the last fishing village on the Big Islands;

Gail Grabowsky, Ph.D. and an Associate Professor and Director of the Environmental Studies program at Chaminade University;

Ben Williamson is PETA’s senior international media director;

Jessica Wooley is a former member of the House of Representatives and Deputy Attorney General, representing the Clean Water, Drinking Water,
and Wastewater Branches for the Department of Health;

Jonathan Balcombe is an ethologist and author of the New York Times best-selling book 'What a Fish Knows';

Teresa Telecky, Ph.D. is the Vice President of the Wildlife Department for Humane Society International and is an expert on the United Nations Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of
Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and she specializes in the international wildlife trade;

Kealoha Pisciotta founded the marine protection group Kai Palaoa and is currently is the President of Mauna Kea Anaina Hou;

Keith Christie filmed the beautiful and often heartbreaking shots, for The Dark Hobby, of ocean life and its reefs in Hawaii and as he traveled the world going to the Cuban coast, the Gulf of Ana Maria, St. Croix, Batu Balong, Indonesia, The Blue Corner, Palau, Dumaguete, the Philippines, the Somo Somo Straits of Taveuni, Fiji.

YouTube star and influencer, Taylor Nicole Dean, makes an appearance and is considered the Queen of the “PetTube genre;

Photography Paul Cox is committed to the world's oceans, with his primary focus on the South Kona Coast.

The use of dynamite and cyanide to takes the various species of fish and coral, not only endangers the animals and reefs but the people as well and causes damage to the fishermen that use these harmful practices.

The damage done by the direct action, of over fishing for aquarium use, also brings into focus the effects of client change, pollution, land development, and more on life under the ocean.

The willingness of elected officials to look the other way while the destruction takes place, shows the power of the lobby industry and the hard work that must continue to make lasting change around the world's ocean reefs.

As you look at the beautiful Hawaiian Islands and stop to think about what is happening below the ocean's surface, you realize catering to a specific industry, that supplies these endangered fish to be kept in aquariums needs to end.

Editors, William Haugse, Tim Kettle scenes flow beautifully as they help tell director Paula Fouce's story of The Dark Hobby.

A good and well-made film that educates the movie viewer of the true dangers posed by the worldwide pet fish industry.

Production Co: Paradise Filmworks International
Run time: 1 hour 13 minutes
Cast: Kimokeo Kapahulehua, Robert Wintner, Willy Kaupiko, Kaimi Kaupiko, Gail Grabowsky, Ben Williamson, Jessica Wooley,
Jonathan Balcombe, Teresa Telecky, Kealoha Pisciotta, Keith Christie, Taylor Nicole Dean a YouTube star and influencer,, Paul Cox: Underwater photographer
Director: Paula Fouce
Writers: Paula Fouce, William Haugse
Cinematographer: Keith Christie
Editors: William Haugse, Tim Kettle
Composer: Luciano Storti
Producers: Paula Fouce
Co-Producers: William Haugse, Tim Kettle, Benjamin Zuckerman, Michael X. Flores, George R. Pierce
Executive Producers: Stephen Nemeth, Maria Florio

‘THE DARK HOBBY’ Available On Demand and Digital Platforms Today, May 21

Featuring: Kimokeo Kapalehuahua,Kupuna and Robert Wintner, reef activist, AKA Snorkel Bob

The Dark Hobby debuts today, May 21 on the following platforms:

iTunes, AppleTV, YouTube, GooglePlay, Vudu and Vimeo

ABOUT

Like The Cove and Blackfish, The Dark Hobby follows conservationists and scientists who will stop at nothing to protect what's underwater.

The Dark Hobby tracks the turbulent crusade to save the reef life at stake in an age old struggle that pits conservation against commerce. Aquarium trade extraction, an industry worth billions, has devastated reef species and habitat globally. Aloha from Hawaii continues the fight.

Willy Kaupiko is Mayor of Millolii, Hawaii’s last working fishing village. Kaimi Kaupiko is a teacher and Hawaiian practitioner. Gail Grabowsky is Director of Environmental Studies at Chaminade University. A Martinez hosts Take Two on KPCC radio, LA. Jonathan Balcombe is author of What a Fish Knows. Ben Williamson, formerly of PETA, is now with World Animal Protection. Teresa Telecky, Vice President at Humane Society International, and Jessica Wooley was instrumental in passing Senate Bill 1240, halting Hawaii’s aquarium trade.

View Trailer Below!