Sweet 180 Presents MY NAME IS PEDRO

Releasing in Virtual Theaters in New York (The Maysles Cinema) September 17 and Los Angeles (Laemmle) on October 2 with major cities to follow

(L-R) Pedro Santana and students  in Lillian LaSalle's MY NAME IS PEDRO 
(Photo Credit: New York Times/ Sweet 180)
(L-R) Pedro Santana and students in Lillian LaSalle's MY NAME IS PEDRO (Photo Credit: New York Times/ Sweet 180)

Directed by: Lillian La Salle
Documentary
Runtime: 2 hours 7
Language:  English

Lillian LaSalle's award-winning, powerful documentary MY NAME IS PEDRO explores what public education meant to South Bronx Latino maverick educator, Pedro Santana, and what he, in turn, meant to public education. The film is also especially timely in this moment of national reckoning since the murder of George Floyd and subsequent protests.

Infectious in his optimism, Santana becomes one of the most influential public-school teachers and then administrators in the New York public school system after turning his troubled Bronx middle school, MS 391, around. He is unapologetic in his commitment to create change for kids, no matter the odds. When a glowing front-page New York Times article catapults him into the spotlight, he is recruited and then accepts a promotion to use his famed 'out of the box' and transformative practices to save a corrupt and divided suburban school district. But the political challenges there may simply be too great, even for the infallible Santana.

In order to continue his life's mission that 'every kid can learn', (he himself was labeled 'special ed' as a child), he realizes that he must venture beyond not only the restrictive 'four walls' of the public education system, but also his own neighborhood, city and even his own country.

MY NAME IS PEDRO is a profound story of how one person actualizes learning and positive change in children, adults, environments and communities through an 'impact' ripple effect strategy that he has effortlessly perfected. The film is also an essential and timely reminder of the importance of great educators that exist within the infrastructure of our country's public education system.

Lillian LaSalle, Director

MY NAME IS PEDRO is a 7 year-long filmmaking journey, marking Lillian LaSalle’s directorial debut.

LaSalle is the recipient of the 2016 Peabody "Futures of Media” Award for Producing the web-series, Halal In The Family, starring Aasif Mandvi, which garnered wide-spread media attention for taking on Islamophobia through the use of comedy and parody.

LaSalle is the Producer of several feature films including, Loggerheads, which premiered in competition at The Sundance Film Festival and Sweet Land, which won the Independent Spirit Award for Best First Feature for writer/director, Ali Selim. LaSalle’s other notable feature Producing credits include: Today's Special, which premiered at the BFI London Film Festival and won the audience award at the Palm Springs Film Festival, Just Like the Son from director Morgan Freeman, Find Love, Heavy Petting, and Mentor, as well as Southern Belles and American Cannibal: The Road to Reality. 

LaSalle is currently Executive Producing the feature length animated feature, The Night Diary, based on the award-winning book, alongside animator/writer Gitanjali Rao (Bombay Rose, Tribeca Film Festival) and writer/director, Sabrina Dahwan, (Monsoon Wedding) with Hyde Park Entertainment. LaSalle will also produce the feature film, Our Lady Of The Snow , from award winning writer/director, Tom Gilroy (Spring Forward, The Cold Lands) .

SWEET 180

Sweet 180 is a New York based talent management and production company. In business for over 20 years, they represent award-winning talent across all platforms – film, television and theater.
Website: https://sweet180.com

 OFFICIAL SELECTION AND AWARDS:

Winner: Best Documentary, Golden Door International Film Festival
Winner: Spotlight on Documentary Award, St. Louis International Film Festival
Winner: Audience Award, Chicago Latino International Film Festival
Winner: Audience Award, Brooklyn Film Festival
Winner: Award of Merit, Impact Docs
Winner: Honorable Mention, Woodstock Film Festival

MY NAME IS PEDRO- Connect on Social Media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mynameispedrodoc/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MyNameisPedrodoc/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PedroSantanaDoc]

PR CONTACT:
Emma Griffiths (EG-PR)f
emma@eg-pr.com
www.eg-pr.com

 

Dark Star Pictures THE ANTENNA Opening in Virtual Theaters Friday, October 2

WITH A NORTH AMERICAN VOD RELEASE TO FOLLOW ON OCTOBER 20 ON ALL MAJOR PLATFORMS

VIRTUAL THEATERS (October 2)-Including: Los Angeles (Laemmle), New York and major cities (Alamo On Demand) and Philadelphia (Film Society).

VOD (US & Canada) (October 20): Including: iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, Xbox, Vudu, Dish Network and all major cable providers.

The Antenna Key Art

Runtime: 1 hour. 45 minutes;
Language: Turkish with English subtitles
Rating: Not Rated
Genre: Horror
Distributed in North America by: Dark Star Pictures

THE ANTENNA 
is an Official Selection: Toronto International Film Festival and many more.

DIRECTED & WRITTEN BY: Orçun Behram

CAST:  Ihsan Önal, Gül Arici, Levent Ünsal, Isil Zeynep, Murat Saglam, Elif Çakman, Mert Toprak Yadigar and Eda Öze.

In a dystopian Turkey, the Government installs new networks throughout the country to monitor information.

The installation goes wrong in a crumbling apartment complex and Mehmet (Ihsan Önal), the building intendant, will have to confront the evil entity behind the inexplicable transmissions that threaten the residents.

Born in 1987, filmmaker Orçun Behram graduated from Columbia College, Chicago majoring film in 2011. Establishing himself in Istanbul, he has worked on variety of projects from music videos and short films to documentaries. The Antenna (2019) is the director’s first feature.


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. The company is committed to releasing auteur-driven, original cinema in the theatrical, digital and home video space. Dark Star’s goal is to create original marketing campaigns directly catered to audiences who will embrace our brand of thought-provoking cinema. The company also services distribution companies and producers in the theatrical, digital, and festival space.

PR Contact:
Emma Griffiths (EG-PR)

Movie Review: THE PREY

Gu key pic

Director: Jimmy Henderson
Written by: Jimmy Henderson, Michael Hodgson, Kai Miller
Starring: Byron Bishop, Sahajak Boonthanakit, Nophand Boonyai, Vithaya Pansringarm, Gu Shang Wei
Genre:  Horror
Language: Cambodian and Chinese (Mandarin) with English subtitles
Rating: Not rated

         From the Right Side of the Law to the              Inside of Prison

Director Jimmy Henderson’s (Jailbreak) new film THE PREY, inspired by Richard Connell’s The Most Dangerous Game, is a riveting drama about  Xin (Gu Sheng Wei, “Bloody Destiny”), an Chinese undercover police officer, working an international case in Cambodia, who gets caught-up in a police raid and ends up at the mercy of The Warden (Vithaya Pansringarm “Only God Forgives”) the ruthless, demonic head of a remote prison located in the jungles Cambodia.

It didn’t take long for Xin to become a central figure in The Warden’s sadistic ritual of a human hunting season for those with the money pay and the stomach to endure the gruesomeness of the sport. The Warden’s obvious pleasure in the torture of prisoners, while singing and dancing, is disturbing all so many levels.

 

The Prey Group Hunters

Henderson, Michael Hodgson, Kai Miller’s storyline with the mental instability of The Warden and unsettling desires of the hunters provides for some unpredictable outcomes, because you never know what someone void of human emotions can do.

With the male dominated prison storyline,  , they found a great way to bring in female character, Detective Li (Dy Sonita “Jailbreak”.) in a male dominated environment. Her button-up blouse and unassuming ponytail gives the impression of a meek personality. That assumption is soon put to rest as she holds her own against the ruthless Warden and hunters as she fights for survival.

As The Warden said to Xin, “you thought hell was a fairy tale. I made it real.”

The hell on earth was brought into existence with the help and participation of Mat (Byron Bishop “Only God Forgives”), Makara (Sahajak Boonthanakit “Only God Forgives”), Ryu (Dara Our “Jailbreak”), the hunters who paid the big bucks to hunt humans.
The idea of rich people going on a hunting trip where prisoners are the prey seems farfetched, yet it is possible that some hunters who become bored with hunting animals, would turn to hunting those who are left, human beings.

The lush, green and serene interior of the jungle and the beautiful, scenic water fall and river provides a contrast to the violence of the hunters and the lack of humanity in the murder of the hunted in its mist really stands out and adds to the experience.
Officer Xin and all the other prisoners truly have hell to pay, at the hands of The Warden, while on the inside of prison. THE PREY is a good film with plenty of action and suspense to keep your eyes on the screen.
Run time: 1 hr. 33 min
Distributor: Dark Star Pictures, North American Distribution
Production Co: Altered Vision Films, Prince Social Marketing, Kongchak Pictures
Cast: Byron Bishop, Sahajak Boonthanakit, Nophand Boonyai, Vithaya Pansringarm, Gu Shangwei,
with Rous Mony, Dy Sonita
Executive Producers: Chen Zhi, Guy Chhay
Producers: Jimmy Henderson
Associate Producers: Loy Te, Li Tao,
Director: Jimmy Henderson
Written by: Jimmy Henderson, Michael Hodgson, Kai Miller
Director of Photography: Lucas Gath
Music: Sebastien Pan
Release date: August 21, 2020 in North America
Virtual Theaters: August 21. Including Los Angeles (Laemmle), New York (Alamo On Demand), and major cities
VOD (US & Canada): August 25, 2020. Including ITunes, Amazon, Google Play, Xbox, Vudu, DirecTV, Dish Network and all major cable providers

View trailer below!

BEYONCE’S NEW VIDEO ALBUM BLACK IS KING RELEASED ON DISNEY+

An extravagance story of black life and its African lineage and heritage, Beyonce’s new video album began streaming on Disney+ on Friday, July 31, 2020.

The 90 minutes of music from Bey was inspired by the 2019 Lion King theme song, “The Lion King: The Gift. Beyonce was the voice of Nala, Simba’s lady love in the 2019 film. The Lion King is all about uplifting people with valuable life lessons. Lessons of loyalty, love and determination which is expanded upon with Black is King.

A showcase of blackness in all its hues and glory is truly uplifting during this time of racial protest and reckoning. It’s a magnificent reminder of the Kings and Queens from whom we are descendants. Something we should constantly reminded ourselves.

Joining Bey on Black is King are Pharrell Williams and Kendrick Lamar, Childish Gambino, Lord Afrixana, Wizkids   and her husband Jay-Z. You know the video album would not be complete with an appearance by Blue Ivy.

Black is King is written, directed and executive produced by Queen Bey.  Full of wonderful sounds and visual inspiring, Black is King is what we needed.

Dark Star Pictures THE PREY New Trailer

THE PREY a new film by director Jimmy Henderson’s opens in VIRTUAL THEATERS on August 21n 2020 in Los Angeles at Laemmle and in New York on Alamo On Demand and major cities.

On VOD in US and Canada on August 25th. Including on  iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, Xbox, Vudu,  Direct TV, Dish Network and all major cable providers.

THE PREY was an official selection at the Busan International Film Festival, BFI London Film Festival and Fantasia Film Festival.

Directed by Jimmy Henderson (JAILBREAK) and written by Jimmy Henderson, Michael Hodgson, Kai Miller.

It stars Byron Bishop, Sahajak Boonthanakit, Nophand Boonyai, Vithaya Pansringarm (ONLY GOD FORGIVES), Gu Shangwei

THE PREY is loosely based on Richard Connell’s story of survival and adventure The Most Dangerous Game,  

Undercover Chinese cop Xin (newcomer Gu Shangwei), is on a secret international mission when a surprise raid puts him in a remote Cambodian jungle prison that plays by its own rules.Ruthless warden (Vithaya Pansringarm of ONLY GOD FORGIVES ) sells prisoners as human prey for rich hunters looking for thrills in the jungle.

After years of hunting down ruthless criminals, Xin suddenly finds himself running for his life. If Xin manages to survive this sadistic game, he’ll walk out of the jungle the same way he came in: as a free man. If Xin fails, he’s just another hunting trophy.
Runtime: 93 minutes
Rating: Not Rated
Language: Cambodian and Chinese (Mandarin) with English subtitles
Distributed by LA-based Dark Star Pictures. 

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. The company is committed to releasing auteur-driven, original cinema in the theatrical, digital and home video space. Dark Star’s goal is to create original marketing campaigns directly catered to audiences who will embrace our brand of thought-provoking cinema. The company also services distribution companies and producers in the theatrical, digital, and festival space.

Lights, Camera, Action! Hollywood Productions Resume June 12, 2020

TCL Grauman's Chinese Theatre
TCL Grauman's Chinese Theatre. Photo: Yevette Renee

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Order of the Health Officer has released the REOPENING SAFER AT WORK AND IN THE COMMUNITY FOR CONTROL OF COVID-19.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has announced that the Music, film and television production can reopen during Stage 3 on Friday, June 12, 2020.  All productions prior to resuming must prepare, implement and post the required Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Reopening Protocol for Music, Film and Television Production.

There are five areas that all productions must address prior to reopening: Workplace policies and practices to protect employee health, Measures to ensure physical distancing, measures to ensure infection control, communication with employees and the public, measures to ensure equitable access to critical service.

Physical Distancing

They suggest any employee that can work from home, should do so. The workplace must provide all personal protective equipment (PPE), all visitors and employees must wear face covering.

All productions and recording sessions are required to have a written protocol before they can start work to ensure six (6) feet or more between people.  With only essential cast and crew on or near the set at any time. If cast and musicians are unable to wear face coverings must be a minimum of 8 feet of social distancing.  Whenever possible, workspaces are to have one directional traffic.  When riding the elevator, the capacity limit is based on the ability to maintain six (6) feet distance. They also suggest easing elevator traffic by opening stairwells for up and down traffic.

All shops shall be by appointment only to prevent lines forming.

Television and film productions are required to give periodic testing to cast and crew, especially those in high-rick scenes requiring close contact without masks.

Infection Control

Ventilation must be increased in all spaces. All contracts, music sheet, scripts and other documents must be distributed digitally or printed and given to everyone. Before and after filming and other sessions, all commonly touched areas must be disinfected at least three times a day. The entire facility must be cleaned daily i.e. sets, production spaces. Minor child actors can be accompanied by up to two adults. Payment portals, props, costumes, set materials, trucks and other vehicles must be disinfected after each use.

All Productions must provide a copy of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health protocol to every person that come on-set or enters the production facility.

The movie extra industry will suffer a major impact with productions being told to avoid large crowd scenes.

 

 

Craft services: people will only be able to eat and drink in a designated area. The cast and crew must eat and drink in production set area in staggered schedules.

Food buffets are not allowed as well as no communal food or drink services (no coffee pots). Food must be single serve only. People who bring in their own food cannot share their food.

The date, time and name of the crew currently in session must be recorded to assist in contact tracing when necessary.

Production locations must be completely secure from the public with enough space for everyone stay six (6) to social distance.

URSULA VON RYDINGSVARD: INTO HER OWN Film Review

Von Rydingsvard in her Williamsburg studio on South 5th Street, surrounded by the cedar cast of katul katul, 2002.
Von Rydingsvard in her Williamsburg studio on South 5th Street, surrounded by the cedar cast of katul katul, 2002.

Premieres May 29, 2020 at Film Forum in New York

Opens June 5, 2020 in the major cities of Los Angeles, Berkeley, San Francisco, Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia and more cities to be announced.

Director: Daniel Traub
Feature Documentary

Director Daniel Traub’s gives an in depth look at the life of sculptor Ursula Von Rydingsvard in his new film URSULA VON RYDINGSVARD: INTO HER OWN.

A compelling story of her birth in Germany, the five years she and her family lived in a displaced person camp prior to her parents and four siblings moving to the United States, her marriage to her husband of nine-years, who was institutionalized with schizophrenia and her eventual rise as one of the few women who specialize in monument sculptors.

Ona, Barclays Center, Brooklyn, 2013.
Ona, Barclays Center, Brooklyn, 2013.

It is fascinating to see how Ursula who grew up during the war and lived in poverty and despair as a displaced person was able to rise to such great heights as an artist. Hearing her speak about being in the 3rd grade and being elected to create posters and other art assignments in school appear to be the spark that ignited her passion for the arts. It is as though the world of art was her calling, her destiny.

One usually thinks of an artist and the creation of their work as an individua effort yet with Ursula, you see her chosen genre of working with large sculptures made out of cedar and eventually working with bronze, requires a team effort. A team she clearly admires and respect. It is a great opportunity for young artist to work and learn from a master of the arts like Ursula. She and her team have lunch together everyday, which gives you a sense of a family unit. That cohesiveness is displayed in the seamlessness of the sculptures that they create together.

Von Rydingsvard drawing cut lines on a 4x4" cedar beam, 2016.
Von Rydingsvard drawing cut lines on a 4x4" cedar beam, 2016.

It was intriguing watching as she traveled to Poland for the first time and see the similarities between of the large, neat stacks of wood used for heating their homes and her large stacks of 4x4 cedar blocks used in her sculptures and other Polish items that had been unknowingly created in her art. It provides an innate connection between her and her family’s homeland.

Composer Simon Taufique original scores provides a great backdrop to Ursula’s life journey from Germany to her new life in the United States.

An enjoyable film about the  humbly beginnings of a woman determined to be an artist. An artist who chose a genre without many woman role models and excelled.

Production Company: Itinerant Pictures
Run time: 57 minutes
Director: Daniel Traub
Producers: Daniel Traub, Ken Kobland, Simon Taufique
Executive Producer: Morning Slayter
Editors: Ken Kobland, Melody London
Cinematographer: Daniel Traub
Composer: Simon Taufique

View Trailer Below

URSULA VON RYDINGSVARD: INTO HER OWN- In Virtual Theaters Starting June 5

URSULA VON RYDINGSVARD INTO HER OWN

 Premieres Friday, May 29, 2020 at Film Forum in New York.

Open June 5, 2020 in the major cities of Los Angeles, Berkeley, San Francisco, Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia with more cities to be announced.

URSULA VON RYDINGSVARD: INTO HER OWN is an artistic biography of one of the few women in the world working in monumental sculpture. Von Rydingsvard’s work has been featured in the Venice Biennale and is held in the collections of some of the world’s great museums, including New York’s Museum of Modern Art, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. But she may be best-known for her staggering, triumphant body of work in public spaces – imposing pieces painstakingly crafted with complex surfaces including: a series of early installations reminiscent of wings in what became New York’s Battery Park; a monumental yet inviting piece outside Brooklyn’s Barclays Center and the stunning “Scientia” at M.I.T. which evokes the power of nature and the firing of brain synapses.

In Daniel Traub’s intimate documentary, he goes behind the scenes with von Rydingsvard, as she and her collaborators – cutters, metal-smiths, and others – produce new work, including challenging commissions in copper and bronze. The film also delves into the artist’s personal life, and how it has shaped her work

 

URSULA VON RYDINGSVARD: INTO HER OWN
URSULA VON RYDINGSVARD: INTO HER OWN

Born in Poland during the Second World War, she was partly raised in a displaced persons camp and came to the US as a refugee with her nine-person family. Brought up in a blue-collar environment, she became a teacher and then, as a single mother, moved to New York in the 1970s to take up her artistic practice full-time.

Interviews with curators, patrons, family, fellow artists (including luminaries such as artist Sarah Sze and museum director Adam Weinberg), as well as the artist herself, are intertwined with studio visits and behind-the-scenes footage of her mammoth creations being installed. All combine to show how, through sheer talent and determination (and countless planks of cedar), she has become one of the world’s greatest artists (and one of a very few women) working in monumental sculpture.

DANIEL TRAUB is a New York-based filmmaker and photographer. He lived in China from 1998 to 2007, working as cinematographer on documentary films for various networks and production companies, including PBS, German television ZDF and Arte. More recently, Traub directed the feature-length Barefoot Artist about Lily Yeh and her collaborative artworks in war-torn communities and Xu Bing: Phoenix about the condition of Chinese migrant laborers.

Ursula 7

Traub’s photographs have been exhibited internationally, including solo exhibitions at the Catherine Edelman Gallery in Chicago, Slought Foundation in Philadelphia and the Lianzhou Foto Festival in China. His work can be found in public and private collections, such as The Margulies Collection at the Warehouse and San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

ABOUT THIS RELEASE
The virtual theatrical release of URSULA VON RYDINGSVARD: INTO HER OWN supports local theaters, museums and arts organizations across the U.S. and Canada. Participating organizations receive a branded page and have no overhead costs in these presentations. The ticket price is $9.99 for a 48-hour streaming period. Of the proceeds, 50% benefits the presenting organization.

ICARUS FILMS
Since 1978, Icarus Films has been a leading distributor of documentary films in North America. Icarus Films meets the needs of activists, educators and service providers, challenging audiences with original creative works.

LIST OF CITY OPENINGS

JUNE 5, 2020
Berkeley (Pacific Film Archive with Q and A), Los Angeles (Laemmle Theaters), San Francisco (Roxie Theater), San Rafael (Rafael Film Center), Chicago (Gene Siskel Film Center with Q and A), Detroit (Detroit Institute Of Arts), Philadelphia (Lightbox Film Center with Q and A), Camas (Liberty Theater), Port Townsend (Rose Theater) and more.

JUNE 12, 2020
Kansas City (Nelson Atkins Museum), Hudson, NY (Time and Space Limited).

JUNE 17, 2020
Houston (MFA Houston).

View the trailer below:

 

I PROMISE a Documentary about Lebron James Public School in Akron

Lebron James

Lebron James new documentary tells the story about his Akron, Ohio school, I Promise.

Dedicated to helping underserved kids. Kids that are dealing with the same challenges Lebron faced as a child.

Lebron James is truly making a difference in the lives kids that live in his hometown of Akron.

View  the trailer below.

Bad Boys For Life World Premiere in Hollywood

download

Run time 2:03
Action, Comedy, Crime
Rated R

The World Premiere of Bad Boys For Life with the dynamic of Will Smith and Martin Lawrence in Hollywood.

Tuesday's premiere comes 25 years after Bad Boys 1995 opening and 17 years after Bad Boys 2.

Giving people ample time to miss the two.

The third installment finds Detective Mike Lawry (Will Smith) leading a group of millinial police officers in AMMO and Detective Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) a police inspector looking forwad ready to retire when a  mafia boss seeks revenge for his brother who was brought down by Lawry and Burnett.

Bad Boys For Life was made on a $90 million budget compared to the $19 million for the 1995 Bad Boys and $130 million for Bad Boys 2 in 2003

Directors: Adil El Arbi, Bilall Fallah.

Producers: Jerry Bruckheimer, Will Smith, Doug Belgrad

Screenplay: Chris Bremner, Peter Craig, Joe Carnahan.

Story by: Peter Criag, Joe Carnahan.

Based on characters by: George Gallo.

Cast: Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, Charles Melton, Paola Nunez, Kate del Castillo, Nicky Jam, Joe Pantoliano

Music: Lorner Balfe

Cinematographer: Robrecht Heyvaert

Editor: Dan Lebental, Peter McNulty

Production Company: Columbia Pictures, 2.0 Entertainment, Don Simpson/Jerry Bruckheimer Films

Distributor: Sony Pictures Releasing