Gravitas Ventures’ THE JOB OF SONGS on Digital Platforms, Today November 21, 2023

Director and Writer: Lila Schmitz
Featuring: Katie Theasby, Luka Bloom, The Fiddle Case, Christy McNamara, Christy Barry-Doolin Music House, Anne Rynne, Yvonne Casey, Tunes From Doolin
Genre: Documentary
Run time: 1 hour 14 minutes

THE JOB OF SONGS

Tourists flock to the west coast of Ireland to take in the breathtaking Cliffs of Moher, but the real treasure lies in the soulful, acoustic sounds wafting out of pubs and living rooms of Doolin, County Clare. The denizens of this unspoiled coastal village of tight-knit neighbors and unlocked doors revel in the passion and history of their traditional folk songs, using music as a thread through generations to create community, connection, and joy.

The Cliffs of Moher meet the blue-grey water and the ominous clouds. Location: Cliffs of Moher, County Clare, Ireland Photo Credit: Anika Kan Grevstad

THE JOB OF SONGS was made by a crew of three women, who are first time feature filmmakers: LILA SCHMITZ (director, producer, editor), ANIKA KAN GREVSTAD (director of photography, producer), and FENGYI XU (producer). The film was made with the support of acclaimed documentarians double Oscar-winning writer-producer-director Bill Guttentag and Emmy and Grammy Award winning documentarian Doug Pray. The film has screened at numerous prestigious International Film Festivals including DOC NYC, Galway Film Fleadh, Newport Beach Film Festival, Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Festival, Milwaukee Film Festival, and many others. It won Best International Documentary at the Galway Film Fleadh.

For more information, go to: https://thejobofsongs.com/

SOCIAL HANDLES:
FB: @irishmusicfilm
IG: @thejobofsongs

A group of musicians sit in a warm pub playing music and laughing. Location: Fitz’s Pub in Doolin, County Clare, Ireland Left to right: Eoin O’Neill, Kieran O’Connell, Adam Shapiro Christy Mc Namara, Beth Tipton Photo credit: Anika Kan Grevstad

On Digital Platforms Tuesday, November 21,2023
Director and Writer: Lila Schmitz
Featuring: Katie Theasby, Luka Bloom, The Fiddle Case, Christy McNamara, Christy Barry-Doolin Music House, Anne Rynne, Yvonne Casey, Tunes From Doolin
Genre: Documentary
Run time: 1 hour 14 minutes
Cinematographer: Anika Kan Grevstad
Producers: Fengyi Xu, Anika Kan Grevstad and Lila Schmitz
Executive Producer Bill Guttentag
Consulting Producer: Doug Pray
Editor: Lila Schmitz
Distributor: Gravitas Ventures

THE JOB OF SONGS: Review

Release date: Opening on Digital Platforms on November 21, 2023
Director and Writer: Lila Schmitz
Featuring: Katie Theasby, Luka Bloom, The Fiddle Case, Christy McNamara, Christy Barry-Doolin Music House, Anne Rynne, Yvonne Casey, Tunes From Doolin
Genre: Documentary
Rating: Not Rated
Run time: 1 hour 13 minutes
Language: English
Country: Ireland

Music Connects Us to Our Past and to the Future

Writer, producer and director Lila Schmitz’s feature film debut, THE JOB OF SONGS tells the captivating story of Doolin, County Clare, Ireland’s vibrant history of songs, their musical instruments of choice, the fiddle and flute, going back a millennium, with the spectacular beauty of The Cliffs of Moher as its backdrop. Helping to share the wonderful music of Doolin are Katie Theasby, Luka Bloom, The Fiddle Case, Christy McNamara, Christy Barry-Doolin Music House, Anne Rynne, Yvonne Casey, and featuring Tunes from Doolin.

Worth noting, in addition to Lili, THE JOB OF SONGS, was headed by two other women, Anika Kan Grestad, director of photography and producer) and FENGYI XU producer. Also making their feature film debut.

The Cliffs of Moher meet the blue-grey water and the ominous clouds. Location: Cliffs of Moher, County Clare, Ireland Photo Credit: Anika Kan Grevstad

Luca Bloom, “the job of song is sometimes to entertain, but it has this way of giving people who don’t have songs, permission to feel things that are really deeply ingrained in them that they don’t necessary intellectually understand.’

Anika Kan Grevstad brings you right into the pubs, on the cliffs and into the homes of Doolin’s residents. The music score and performances are well incorporated into the film, helping to tell the story.

The natural settings of pubs, the Roadside Tavern in Lisdoonvarna, County Clare, Irelands and the Fitz’s Pub in Doolin, County Clare, Ireland, where Eoin O’Neill, Kieran O’Connell, Adam Shapiro Christy Mc Namara, Beth Tipton they gather; rhe Music house established by the parents of Christy Barry, and the homes of Doolin’s resident and the majestic Cliffs of Moher, adds to the captivating experience while watching THE JOB OF SONGS.

A woman with bright red hair plays the flute next to a bright window. Location: The Roadside Tavern in Lisdoonvarna, County Clare, Ireland Subject: Katie Theasby Photo Credit: Anika Kan Grevstad

Christy Barry, “no one knows for certain the effect music has on people but without it, we have nothing.” That is so evident, as shown by the impact on the daily life of Doolin.

As you learn about their 1000 years of songs and tradition still being handed down and the music they are creating today, keeps the the people of Doolin in close contact with their ancestors and future generations. THE JOB OF SONGS is a really good film that will both entertain and enlighten. leaving you with a greater understanding and appreciation of the music and culture of Doolin, Ireland.

Opening on Digital Platforms on November 21, 2023
Distributor: Gravitas Ventures
Director and Writer: Lila Schmitz
Featuring: Katie Theasby, Luka Bloom, The Fiddle Case, Christy McNamara, Christy Barry-Doolin Music House, Anne Rynne, Yvonne Casey, Tunes from Doolin
Genre: Documentary. Music
Run time: 1 hour 14 minutes
Cinematographer: Anika Kan Grevstad
Producers: Fengyi Xu, Anika Kan Grevstad and Lila Schmitz
Executive Producer Bill Guttentag
Consulting Producer: Doug Pray
Editor: Lila Schmitz

For more information, go to: https://thejobofsongs.com/

SOCIAL HANDLES:
FB: @irishmusicfilm
IG: @thejobofsongs

THE COLOR PURPLE 2023 Starring Taraji P. Henson, Fantasia Opens in Theatres December 25th

Release date: December 25, 2023
Director: Blitz Bazawule
Writers: Marcus Gardley, Alice Walker, Marsha Norman
Screenplay: Marcus Gardley
Based on the novel by Alice Walker and based on the musical stage play, book (of the musical stage play) by Marsha Norman, music and lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray
Starring : Starring: Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, H.E.R., Halle Bailey, Phylicia Pearl Mpasi, Fantasia Barrino, Ciara
Genre: Musical coming- of-age period drama
Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 2 hours 25 minutes
Language: English
Country: United States

Opening exclusively in theaters in North America on December 25th and internationally beginning on January 18th

ABOUT THE COLOR PURPLE

Produced by Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Scott Sanders and Quincy Jones, “The Color Purple” is a bold new take on the classic story of love and resilience, adapted from the beloved novel and the Broadway musical. Torn apart from her sister and her children, Celie faces many hardships in her life, but ultimately learns to find extraordinary strength in the unbreakable bonds of a new kind of sisterhood.

“The Color Purple” stars Oscar nominee Taraji P. Henson (“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”), SAG Award winner and Tony Award nominee Danielle Brooks (“The Color Purple,” “Orange Is the New Black”), Tony nominee and Emmy Award winner Colman Domingo (“Euphoria,” “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”), Tony Award nominee Corey Hawkins (“Six Degrees of Separation,” “In the Heights”), Oscar- and Grammy-winning artist H.E.R. (“Judas and the Black Messiah”), Grammy nominee Halle Bailey (“The Little Mermaid”), Oscar nominee Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor (“King Richard,” “Ray”), and Grammy-winning artist Fantasia Barrino in her major motion picture debut.

“The Color Purple” is directed by Blitz Bazawule, a multi-media artist who was a co-director on Beyonce’s Black is King and made his feature debut with the critically acclaimed Afrofuturistic The Burial of Kojo. The screenplay is by acclaimed playwright Marcus Gardley, who won a WGA Award for “Maid.” His script is based on the novel by Alice Walker and based on the musical stage play, book (of the musical stage play) by Marsha Norman, music and lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray.

Joining director Bazawule behind the camera are a roster of acclaimed artisans, including Oscar-nominated director of photography Dan Laustsen (“The Shape of Water”), Oscar-winning production designer Paul Denham Austerberry (“The Shape of Water”), editor Jon Poll (“Bombshell,” “Meet the Parents”), costume designer Francine Jamison-Tanchuck (“Glory,” “One Night in Miami…”) and choreographer Fatima Robinson (“Dreamgirls”). The music is by Oscar nominee Kris Bowers (“King Richard,” “Green Book,” documentary short “A Concerto Is a Conversation”).
Warner Bros. Pictures Presents, In Association with Domain Entertainment, An Amblin Entertainment Production, An OW Films Production, An SGS Pictures Production/A QJP Production, “The Color Purple.” It will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures and is set to open in theaters in North America on December 25, 2023 and internationally beginning 18 January 2024.

#TheColorPurple

Release Date: December 25, 2023
Distributor Worldwide: Warner Bros.
Production Co: Harpo Films, Amblin Entertainment, Scott Sanders Productions, Quincy Jones Productions
Director: Blitz Bazawule
Writers: Marcus Gardley, Alice Walker, Marsha Norman
Screenplay: Marcus Gardley
Starring: Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, H.E.R., Halle Bailey, Phylicia Pearl Mpasi, Fantasia Barrino
Producers: Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Scott Sanders, Quincy Jones
Executive Producers: Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Quincy Jones
Cinematography: Dan Laustsen
Editor: Jon Poll
Composer: Kris Bowers
Re-Recording Mixer: Paul Massey
Songwriters: Denisia “Blu” Andrews, Brittany “Chi” Coney
Costume Designers: Hooch Aller. Ager Dyer. Christina Battaglia.
Runtime: 2 hours 25 minutes

THE AFRICAN AMERICAN FILM CRITICS ASSOCIATION (AAFCA) SETS DECEMBER 3RD FOR THE 5TH ANNUAL AAFCA TV HONORS

RECOGNIZING OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS IN TELEVISION AND STREAMING

AAFCA WILL CELEBRATE ITS PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED WINNERS AT A PRIVATE LUNCHEON AT THE HOTEL CASA DEL MAR IN SANTA MONICA QUINTA BRUNSON, NIECY NASH-BETTS, “P-VALLEY,” JESSICA WILLIAMS, “TED LASSO,” JENNIFER HUDSON, MARLA GIBBS AND DEBBIE ALLEN AMONG THOSE TO BE CELEBRATED

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 10, 2023 – The African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) today announced a new date to celebrate its previously announced AAFCA TV Honors winners. The private, invitation-only event was previously scheduled for August 27th but was postponed due to the strike and will now be held on December 3rd at the Hotel Casa del Mar in Santa Monica, California.

Presented by the African American Film Critics Association the AAFCA TV Honors recognize outstanding achievements in Broadcast Television and Streaming with a special emphasis on entertainment representing the Black diaspora. Previously announced winners include Quinta Brunson, the cast of “P-Valley,” Jessica Williams, Debbie Allen, Niecy Nash-Betts, “The 1619 Project” and many more. Special honorees include Jennifer Hudson, who will receive the We See You Award, Delroy Lindo, who will receive the Legacy Award, and five-time Emmy® nominee Marla Gibbs who will receive the Legend Award. The Apple TV+ show “Ted Lasso'' will receive the Inclusion Award, and CBS’ “S.W.A.T.,'' produced by Sony Pictures Television in association with CBS Studios, will receive the Impact Award.

"We are happy that our industry can take a collective sigh of relief and get back to work, " stated AAFCA co-founder and president Gil Robertson. “We love a good party here at AAFCA and we’re going to pull out all the stops to celebrate our winners and honorees. With the industry in flux for so many months, we’re really looking forward to finally getting to recognize and celebrate these incredible talents.”

A full list of previously announced winners follows:

2023 AAFCA TV HONORS AWARD RECIPIENTS:

BEST TV COMEDY - "Abbott Elementary" (ABC)
BEST TV DRAMA - "P-Valley" (Starz)
BEST NEW SHOW - "Mo" (Netflix)
BEST DOCUMENTARY - "The 1619 Project" (Onyx Collective/Hulu)
BEST LIMITED SERIES - "The Best Man: The Final Chapters" (Peacock)
BEST TV MOVIE - “Shooting Stars” (Peacock)
BREAKOUT STAR - Jessica Williams - “Shrinking” (Apple TV+)
BEST ENSEMBLE - "P-Valley" (Starz)
BEST TV WRITING - Quinta Brunson - “Abbott Elementary” (ABC)
BEST TV DIRECTING - Mary Lou Belli, Debbie Allen, Tasha Smith, Henry Chan, Jordan E. Cooper - "The Ms. Pat Show" (BET+)
BEST TV ACTING (Female) - Niecy Nash-Betts - “Dahmer - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story” (Netflix)
BEST TV ACTING (Male) - J. Alphonse Nicholson and Nicco Annan - "P-Valley" (Starz)

ABOUT AAFCA
Established in 2003, AAFCA is the premier body of Black film critics in the world, actively reviewing film and television, with a particular emphasis on entertainment highlighting the Black experience in the US and throughout the rest of the African Diaspora. For more information on AAFCA and its programs visit http://AAFCA.com.

Watch New Clip: KING OF KILLERS (Lionsgate) on Blu-ray™ and DVD October 31st

Release Date: Available on Blu-ray™ and DVD on October 31st
Director and Writer: Kevin Grevioux
Genre: Action
Rating: R
Runtime: 1 hour 32 minutes
Cast: Alain Moussi (Nobody), Marie Avgeropoulos (“The 100,” 50/50), Georges St-Pierre ( Captain America: The Winter Soldier), Stephen Dorff (Blade, Old Henry), Frank Grillo (Captain America: The Winter Soldier), Kevin Grevioux (Underworld)

Based on a graphic novel by writer-director Kevin Grevioux, King of Killers follows former Agency hit man Marcus Garan (Alain Moussi) as he attempts to unravel the mystery behind a tragic incident. When offered a $10 million contract to eliminate the world’s greatest assassin, Marcus travels to Tokyo to meet the client (Frank Grillo), but discovers other professional killers have been invited as well. Now Marcus and the others must confront this deadly, mythical assassin…or die trying.

Available Now: “Sick Girl” (Lionsgate) – Dropping in Theaters and Digital/On Demand Today, Friday, October 20th, 2023

American Fiction: Review

No Matter What Challenges and Stereotypes You Face in Life, You Are Not Immune from the Challenges Within Your Own Family

Release dates: December 15, 2023 (United States)
Director: Cord Jefferson
Screenplay:Cord Jefferson
Based on Erasure by Percival Everett
Starring: Jeffrey Wright, Tracee Ellis Ross, John Ortiz, Erika Alexander, Leslie Uggams, Adam Brody, Keith David, Issa Rae, Sterling K. Brown
Genre: Comedy, drama
Run time: 1 hour 57 minutes
Country: United States
Language: English

Director and writer Cord Jefferson theatrical directorial debut ‘American Fiction’, based on the 2001 novel Erasure by Percival Everett, tells the challenges of writer and academic Thelonious "Monk" Ellison Jeffrey Wright) as he tries to comes to terms with the success and fame of writers/authors, especially Sinatra Golden (Issa Rae) whose books are full of all the stereotypes about African American while at the same time trying to cope with family dynamic with his sister Lisa Ellison (Tracee Ellis Ross), brother Clifford "Cliff" Ellison (Sterling K. Brown), his mother Agnes Ellison Leslie Uggams and affairs of the heart with Coraline (Erika Alexander).

American Fiction takes you through the up and downs of family life. You can share in the tough times of loss and the good times of celebration. It shows that being educated with financial means does not shield you from life’s trials and tribulations.

We are reminded of the importance of being seen and having our humanity acknowledged during a conversation between Monk and Cliff.

Monk said, “what if he rejected you? Referring to their father. Cliff, “at least he would have rejected the real me.”

Cord’s script finds a visually interesting way of bringing Monk’s characters Willey the Wonker (Keith David) along with his son, to life as he drafts his book full of African American stereotypes. It is like a live play within the film. This style used through-out brought added dimension to the film

The beautiful setting of his home state of Massachusetts, his family home and beach house shows without words the upper middle-class lifestyle that Monk and his family enjoyed.

As Monk struggles to understand the value in Sinatra Golden’s successful book He has a conversation with Sinatra and refers to the potential of a writer when Sinatra said, “potential is what they see when they think a person is not good enough.”

There is so much truth in her statement. It makes you think about the stereotype people hold that lets you know they do not think highly of the people they demean. how non-minorities think of people of color

About Jefferey Cord

Jefferey Cord’s T.V. credits include Succession, The Good Place, Master of None, and his 2020 Emmy winning episode This Extraordinary Being. He began his writing career with publications The Ringer, GQ, the New Yorker, and later serving as the editor of Gawker .

Production companies: Orion Pictures, MRC Film, T-Street Productions, 3 Arts Entertainment
Distributors: Amazon MGM Studios
Release dates: December 15, 2023 (United States)
Run time: 1 hour 57 minutes
Country: United States
Language: English
Director: Cord Jefferson
Screenplay:Cord Jefferson
Based on Erasure by Percival Everett
Producers: Cord Jefferson, Jermaine Johnson, Nikos Karamigios, Ben LeClair
Starring: Jeffrey Wright, Tracee Ellis Ross, John Ortiz, Erika Alexander, Leslie Uggams, Adam Brody, Keith David, Issa Rae, Sterling K. Brown
Cinematographer: Cristina Dunlap
Editor: Hilda Rasula
Music: Laura Karpman

Watch the First Official trailer from writer and director Cord Jefferson’s Theatrical Directorial Debut American Fiction Premiering in the United States December 15th

Release dates: December 15, 2023 United States
Director: Cord Jefferson
Screenplay:Cord Jefferson
Based on Erasure by Percival Everett
Starring: Jeffrey Wright, Tracee Ellis Ross, John Ortiz, Erika Alexander, Leslie Uggams, Adam Brody, Keith David, Issa Rae, Sterling K. Brown
Genre: Comedy, drama
Run time: 1 hour 57 minutes
Country: United States
Language: English

Writer and director Cord Jefferson's theatrical directorial debut American Fiction debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on September 8th and makes its limited theatrical release in the United States on December 15, 2023.

Cord Jefferson's romantic comedy film American Fiction shares the story of Monk, a writer , who becomes fed up with Black Americans being stereotyped in entertainment,as he goes on a quest to prove his point and writes a book full of all those kinds of exploitation and the results it has on his life.Starring in American Fiction is Jeffrey Wright, Tracee Ellis Ross, John Ortiz, Erika Alexander, Leslie Uggams, Adam Brody, Keith David, Issa Rae, and Sterling K. Brown.

About Cord Jefferson

Cord’s T.V. credits include Succession, The Good Place, Master of None, and his 2020 Emmy winning episode This Extraordinary Being. He began his writing career with publications The Ringer, GQ, the New Yorker, and later serving as the editor of Gawker

Release dates: December 15, 2023 (United States)
Production companies: Orion Pictures, MRC Film, T-Street Productions, 3 Arts Entertainment
Distributors: Amazon MGM Studios
Run time: 1 hour 57 minutes
Country: United States
Language: English
Director: Cord Jefferson
Screenplay:Cord Jefferson
Based on Erasure by Percival Everett
Producers: Cord Jefferson, Jermaine Johnson, Nikos Karamigios, Ben LeClair
Starring: Jeffrey Wright, Tracee Ellis Ross, John Ortiz, Erika Alexander, Leslie Uggams, Adam Brody, Keith David, Issa Rae, Sterling K. Brown
Cinematographer: Cristina Dunlap
Editor: Hilda Rasula
Music: Laura Karpman
Production companies: Orion Pictures, MRC Film, T-Street Productions, 3 Arts Entertainment
Distributors: Amazon MGM Studios
Release dates: December 15, 2023 United States
Run time: 1 hour 57 minutes
Director: Cord Jefferson
Screenplay:Cord Jefferson
Based on Erasure by Percival Everett
Producers: Cord Jefferson, Jermaine Johnson, Nikos Karamigios, Ben LeClair
Starring: Jeffrey Wright, Tracee Ellis Ross, John Ortiz, Erika Alexander, Leslie Uggams, Adam Brody, Keith David, Issa Rae, Sterling K. Brown
Cinematographer: Cristina Dunlap
Editor: Hilda Rasula
Music: Laura Karpman

KING OF KILLERS- Available on Blu-ray™ and DVD on October 31st Lionsgate

Release Date:Available on Blu-ray™ and DVD on October 31
Genre: Action
Rating: R
Runtime: 1 hour 32 minutes
Written & Directed by: Kevin Grevioux
Cast: Alain Moussi (Nobody), Marie Avgeropoulos (“The 100,” 50/50), Georges St-Pierre ( Captain America: The Winter Soldier), Stephen Dorff (Blade, Old Henry), Frank Grillo (Captain America: The Winter Soldier), Kevin Grevioux (Underworld)

Finding Her Beat released theatrically September 26th in Vancouver, Canada, before launching its USA theatrical release through Sonder Entertainment in October 2023

Cinema Verite style documentary “Finding Her Beat” is a moving and immersive cinematic experience from LGBTQ filmmakers and co-directors Dawn Mikkelson (“Minnesota Mean,” “Risking Light,” “The Red Tail”) and Keri Pickett (“Ribbon Skirt Warriors,” “First Daughter and the Black Snake,” “The Fabulous Ice Age”) who is also the director of photography. “Finding Her Beat” made by a predominantly female/non-binary, largely Asian-American and LGBTQ+ filmmaking team and cast is a feel good music documentary.

“Finding Her Beat” is directed by Dawn Mikkelson (“Minnesota Mean,” “Risking Light,” “The Red Tail”) and Keri Pickett (“Ribbon Skirt Warriors,” “First Daughter and the Black Snake,” “The Fabulous Ice Age”)who is also the director of photography; produced by Jennifer Weir (Executive Director of TaikoArts Midwest, Artistic Director of Enso Daiko) and Dawn Mikkelson; additional cinematography by Shiho Fukada (“Mosaic Street”), Caroline Mariko Stucky (“Caissa”), and Dawn Mikkelson; with original music by Me-Lee Hay (“Better Watch Out,” “Last Tree Standing”) and edited by Dawn Mikkelson, Sam Kaiser (“Road to Damascus,” “Inside”), Keri Pickett , and Carrie Shanahan (“Irv de Toilette,” Goodbye Hello”).

To learn more please visit www.herbeatfilm.com or to book the film in your market please contact Henry Lystad of Sonder Entertainment at: henrysonder8@gmail.com