Independent Films – Page 11 – Unspool Hollywood

Matt Waldeck’s Directorial Feature Film Debut “Lovely Jackson” has World Premiere at American Black Film Festival on June 17th.

Zodiac Features’ bold new biographical true crime DocuThriller, “Lovely Jackson”, the feature film directorial debut from filmmaker Matt Waldeck, p.g.a. (“I See You”) ahead of its world premiere at the iconic American Black Film Festival on June 17th.

A True Crime – In 1975 YOUNG RICKEY and his two friends are convicted of the robbery and murder of Harold Franks without any physical evidence and based largely on the coerced false eye-witness testimony of then 12-year-old neighborhood paperboy, YOUNG EDWARD VERNON. At just eighteen-years-old, Rickey is sentenced to die in the electric chair. He spends two and a half years on death row and sees a number of his fellow death row inmates complete the “Death Walk”, the name given by the condemned to the “last thirty steps of your life” before getting strapped in to ride the lighting and die. Rickey is just 82 days away from death by electrocution when miraculously, executions in Ohio are temporarily outlawed and all death sentences are commuted to life in prison. Rickey stays alive for now, but before him lay a different challenge—surviving general population in Ohio’s most dangerous prison.

Film Synopsis:

LOVELY JACKSON is exonerated prisoner Rickey Jackson’s daring first-hand account of the psychology of survival and spiritual fortitude required to withstand 39 years of wrongful incarceration for a murder he didn’t commit. At the time of his release in 2014, Rickey was the longest wrongfully incarcerated person in U.S. history—spending 39 years on death row and in Ohio’s most dangerous prisons after being convicted solely on the coerced eye-witness testimony of a 12-year-old neighborhood paper boy.

Lovely Jackson sees Rickey return to the prison where he was sent in 1976 on his way to the electric chair where he narrates and stars in reenactments alongside professional actors (one playing his younger self), and the (then) 12-year-old paper boy, now in his late 50’s.

Lovely Jackson is a boldly cinematic, epic journey that begins in tragedy, hopelessness, injustice, and death, but ends in hope, beauty, and new life.

“Lovely Jackson” is presented by H.E.L.P. in association with Zodiac Holdings and is a Zodiac Features production, directed by Matt Waldeck, written by Rickey Jackson and Matt Waldeck, producers are Rickey Jackson, Matt Waldeck, Ben Hecht (“I See You”), Travis Killian, and Jillian Wolstein, with music by Jacques Brautbar (“It Ain’t Over”),mcinematography by John Turk (“Madtown”), and editing by Mark Andrew Hamer (“The Hunting”) and Lori Lovoy-Goran (“Kid 90”).

‘THE QUEST: Nepal’ Movie Review

Year: 2022
Director and Writer: Alex Harz
Starring: Alex Harz, Tashi Sherpa, Hanuman Baba, Russell Brice, Mike Hamill, and more,
Genre: Documentary

The Many Rewards in Fulfilling a Childhood Promise

Harz said, “often, the best way to get to know the true essence of a city, is walking its streets and talking to its people.”

He is true to his word as he explores the villages and the people of the city of Kathmandou and the country of Nepal, that call it home, as he prepares to take on the Himalayan mountain’s Mt. Everest.

It includes stops along the Bagmati River, a holy river to both the Hindu and Buddhist religions, where cremations are performed for Hindu believers. The Sherpa culture is explained. He visits the town of Namche Bazaar, in the north-eastern area of Nepal, that is a major trading hub for the area.

Alex Approaching the South Summit of Everest

We see the memorial for all those who lost their life in their own quest to climb the mountain

The beauty of the environment and the primitive natural of so much of daily life in the Khumka Valley and the Sherpa culture that required to make the climb, stands out in the film. Human, animals and helicopters are the only mean of transportation for people and transporting of goods.

The cinematography provides a fantastic background and setting for the harrowing climb. The dialogue provides a great opportunity to learn about the people and the history of the region. Hart's editing gives a nice flow from the first the last scene. 

‘THE QUEST: Nepal’ is a good film that accomplishes a promise that is rewarding by itself, when combined with the introduction of the people of Kathmandou and the history of their city and country of Nepal, beauty of Mt. Everest and the surrounding Himalayan mountain adds to magnificence of Harz's journey.

Release May 2022
Distributor: Gravitas Ventures (2022) (USA) (all media), The Quest (2021) (USA) (all media)
Executive Producer:  Alex Harz 
Producer: Tate Zandstra  
Production Co: The Quest
Run time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Starring: Hanuman Baba as Hindu Sadhu, Russell Brice as Expedition Operator, Mike Hamill as Expedition Operator. Alex Harz Alex Harz as Host, Ang Tshering Lama as Mountain Guide,Erlend Ness as Everest Climber,Lama Nawang Paljor as Tibetan Buddhist Monk, Caroline Pemberton as Everest Journalist,Kumar Rupakheti as Nepalese Historian,Lakpa Rita Sherpa as Basecamp Manager,Mingma Chiri Sherpa as Everest Climber,Pasang T. Sherpa as Sherpa Barista,Pasang Temba Sherpa as Puja Monk, Phunjo Lama Sherpa as Mountain Guide,Riten Jangbu Sherpa as Expedition Sirdar, Tashi Sherpa as Trekking Guide, Tshering Sherpa as SPCC Director, Tshering Sarg Sherpa as Expedition Manager
Director and Writer: Alex Harz
Cinematographers: Alex Harz, Ang Tshering Lama, Manish Maharjan, Samuel Emerson Morgan, Alex Schauer, Riten Jangbu Sherpa, Ryan Waters 
Editors: Greg Bartlett, Alex Harz, Nicholas Orris, Tate Zandstra

’18 1/2′: Review

Year: 2021
Director:  Dan Mirvish  
Starring: Willa Fitzgerald, John Magaro, Vondie Curtis Hall, Catherine Curtin, Richard Kind, Sullivan    	Jones, Alanna Saunders, Claire Saunders, Ted Raimi, Jon Cryer, Bruce Campbell
Genre: Comedy/Thriller
Run time: 1 hour 28 minutes
Country: United States
Language: English

When You Don’t Know What Happened, Let Your Imagination Run Wild
Director Dan Mirvish’s comical thriller “18 1/2” is about, what was, the biggest political crime in American history, until January 6^th,^tthe erased 18 ½ minutes of Richard Nixon’s Watergate tapes. 
Using his vivid imaginations to create a narrative and characters that never existed, it is a White House transcriber, who works for OMB (U.S. Office of Management and Budget), Connie Lashley (Willa Fitzgerald) who, while transcribing her final tape of the day, hears the voices of Nixon (Bruce Campbell) and Haig (Ted Raimi). This leads to a great discovery.

Realizing the importance of what she has heard, she teams up with New York Times reporter Paul Marrow (John Magaro) and they both decide to listen to the tape together, in private, In order to listen to the tape together,  Connie and Paul rent a room from Jack (Richard Kind)  at a local hotel. A creepy and dreary place that provide a great backdrop for the what is to follow.
Having the tape with the missing 18 ½ minutes creates a paranoia of being watched and conversations listened to, leading to Connie and Paul looking over their shoulder at every turn.  Which can not be missed as they encounter a group of hippies and their leader Barry (Sullivan Jones), and staying in the cottage next door, Samuel (Vondie Curtis-Hall) and Lena (Catherine Curtin) that leads to many funny encounters that eventually turn dark.

18andaHalf_HallMagaroFitzgeraldCurtin_4shotsmiling

“18 1/2” transports you right into the 1970s with its authentic costumes, set designs and photography. Every detail of Costume designer Sarah Cogan is realistic of clothes worn during this period, giving the impression of a film made in the 1970s.

“18 1/2” is a must see and very entertaining comedic thriller that feeds into the many conspiracy theories about Nixon, his secretary Rose Mary Woods and the missing 18 ½ minutes of the Watergate tape.

Release Date: May 27, 2022
Distributor: Adventure Entertainment
Co-executive Producer: Dana Altman, Frédéric Forestier
Production Co:  101 Films International, Bugeater Films and  Kyyba Films, Syncopated Daydreams and Terry Keefe Media.

Run time: 1 hour 28 minutes
Starring: Willa Fitzgerald, John Magaro, Vondie Curtis Hall, Catherine Curtin, Richard Kind, Sullivan    	    Jones, Alanna Saunders, Claire Saunders, Ted Raimi, Jon Cryer, Bruce Campbell
Director: Dan Mirvish 
Story by: Daniel Moya, Dan Mirvish
Cinematography: Elle Schneider 
Editor:  Dan Mirvish
Music:  Luis Guerra 
Run time: 1 hour 28 minutes

GUIDANCE Released in U. S. on VOD June 17

Guidance US Poster (Good Deed Entertainment)

Director: Neysan Sobhani
Cast: Sun Jia (Han Miao), Harry Song (Mai Zi Xuan) and Francesco Chen (Su Jie)
Country: China
Language: Mandarin Chinese with English subtitles
Year: 2021
Run Time: 1 hour 33 minutes

GUIDANCE on all major platforms including: Apple TV/iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, Vudu, XFinity Cable, and more on June 17th

(L-R) Francesco Chen and Sun Jia in Neysan Sobhani's GUIDANCE. (Photo Credit: Good Deed Entertainment)

L-R) Sun Jia in in Neysan Sobhani's GUIDANCE.
(Photo Credit: Good Deed Entertainment) — L-R) Sun Jia in in Neysan Sobhani's GUIDANCE. (Photo Credit: Good Deed Entertainment)

In the not-too-distant future, humanity slowly rebuilds itself a decade after The Great War. Believing that the ability to lie is the root cause of the devastating conflict, a tech entrepreneur creates a pill containing a nanotechnology app known as “Guidance” that allegedly will make everyone more enlightened. Once swallowed, an A.I. “installs” in the person’s nervous system and aids their ability to detect deception in other people among other enhancements.

A young couple goes on a weekend retreat to the countryside, and they begin to use Guidance. However, recent events have potentially compromised their trust in one another. With the tech in their bodies, the couple tries to subvert Guidance in the hopes of saving their relationship before it’s too late.

About Neysan Sobhani, Writer/Director/Producer

Writer/Director Neysan Sobhani is an award-winning writer and director making short films and now his feature debut, GUIDANCE, in Asia. Raised in Asia and North America and at times officially stateless, his identity was shaped by the diverse places he lived, having fled war and conflict twice while young.

As a diaspora filmmaker, Sobhani’s films have flavors of Asian and Western cinema, with his short films appearing in over 40 international film festivals around the world. Reframing audience perceptions of Chinese films through a blended genre approach, his feature film, GUIDANCE (2021), was released in cinemas across China in late 2021.

(L-R) Harry Song and Sun Jia in Neysan Sobhani's GUIDANCE.
(Photo Credit: Good Deed Entertainment) — (L-R) Harry Song and Sun Jia in Neysan Sobhani's GUIDANCE. (Photo Credit: Good Deed Entertainment)

(L-R) Sun Jia in Neysan Sobhani's GUIDANCE.
(Photo Credit: Good Deed Entertainment) — (L-R) Sun Jia in Neysan Sobhani's GUIDANCE. (Photo Credit: Good Deed Entertainment)

ABOUT GOOD DEED ENTERTAINMENT
Good Deed Entertainment (GDE) is an Ohio based independent studio dedicated to producing, financing, and distributing quality entertainment for under-served audiences. Its distribution slate includes recent releases Summertime, Ma Belle, My Beauty, and Lucky Grandma, in addition to the Academy Award nominated, Loving Vincent, and Spirit Award nominated, To Dust.

Website: http://www.gooddeedentertainment.com/

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“THE QUEST: Nepal” Release Today, May 24th Across All TVOD/Digital Platforms Throughout North America

Gravitas Ventures will release “THE QUEST: Nepal” across all TVOD/Digital platforms throughout North America – beginning today, May 24th, 2022, perfectly timed to International Everest Day.

“THE QUEST: Nepal” is like combining Werner Herzog with Anthony Bourdain and a bit of Bear Grylls on an extraordinary Quest to deeper understand and climb the most iconic mountain in the world, Everest, while unveiling the fascinating culture, history and nature of Nepal. Become enthralled by one of the most surreal cities on earth, Kathmandu, before embarking on an expedition up the sacred valley of the indigenous Sherpa people during a spectacular 9-day trek to Mt. Everest Base Camp situated at a staggering height of 17,500 feet / 5334 meters above sea level.

Alex Approaching the South Summit of Everest (2)

Feel what life is like to climb and survive for 43 more grueling days at 17,500 feet and above as we continue our epic Quest upward to try to reach the daunting 29,032 foot / 8849 meter summit of planet earth. From experiencing Mt. Everest like never before to witnessing remarkable rarely seen stories from one of the most unique countries in the world, “THE QUEST: Nepal” is truly a one-of-a-kind cinematic journey like no other, and one which embodies the incredible human spirit of adventure that lives inside us all.

Film Threat Award This! Announces 2022 The Best of Independent Film Winners

Film Threat Celebrates The Best of Indie Filmmaking at Live In-Theater Ceremony

Film Threat,led by founder and filmmaker Chris Gore, and in conjunction with their partner Magical Threads, are thrilled to announce the Award This! 2022 winners. Award This!! nominees were selected from the nearly 2,000 indie films reviewed on Film Threat in 2021 (this year we extended our deadline into the first quarter of 2022 due to the pandemic). Award This! returned for its fourth year with a live in-person, in-theater event on Saturday, May 21^st at non-profit arthouse cinema the Frida Cinema to honor the best and brightest in independent film. Film Threat’s Award This! has become an independent film industry staple celebrating the best in independent cinema.

“This years’ incredibly diverse Award This! nominees made deliberations brutal for our team. Amid two years of literal pandemic struggle, we saw the independent spirit in all its glory. We are honored to share our winners and encourage you to watch this years’ nominees,” said Chris Gore.

This years’ Award This! bold and diverse categories including Indie Sci-Fi, Indie Horror, Indie Comedy, Indie LGBTQ+ Film, Indie Action/Thriller, WTF Indie, Indie Romantic Comedy, Indie Drama, Music Documentary, Pop Culture Documentary, Socially-Relevant Documentary, Best Director, Best Directress, Indie Made for Less Than the Contents of an Oscar Gift Bag (Under $100K), and Indie Movie of the Year. The nominating board of Award This! is comprised of the staff of Film Threat’s editors and critics which number 30+ worldwide along with an advisory board of media figures and independent film luminaries.

Below please find this years’ winning films along side the complete list of independent films nominated for the Film Threat’s 2022 Award This! event.

Award This! Film About Movies or Filmmaking

Clapboard Jungle

Cleanin' Up the Town: Remembering Ghostbusters

Clerk.

Film Fest

Sam and Mattie Make a Zombie Movie – WINNER

Award This! Music Documentary **(This Category was a tie)**

Holding These Moments – WINNER

The Jesus Music

Miss Angela

Rock Camp the Movie

The United States of Insanity – WINNER

Award This! Socially Relevant Documentary **(This Category was a tie)**

Bastards' Road – WINNER

The Boys in Red Hats – WINNER

Finding Kendrick Johnson

Pharma Bro

Rebel Hearts

The Reunited States

Stronger For Life

Award This! Pop Culture Documentary

Cleanin' Up the Town: Remembering Ghostbusters

Clerk.

Lily Topples the World

More Than Miyagi – WINNER

Satoshi Kon: The Illusionist

Smoke and Mirrors: The Story of Tom Savini

Award This! Documentary

Bastards' Road – WINNER

Clerk.

Finding Kendrick Johnson

Pharma Bro

Sam and Mattie Make a Zombie Movie

The United States of Insanity

Award This! Short Film

ASMR for White Liberals

Billy Kills the Internet – WINNER

BoxLife

Heavy Petting

KIA Summer Sales Event

Snake Dick

Award This! Indie Sci-Fi

The Changed

Glasshouse

God of Dreams – WINNER

Man Under Table

Nebulous Dark

Repeat

Award This! Indie Horror

Agnes

The Great And Terrible Day Of The Lord – WINNER

The Nest

Night At The Eagle Inn

Psycho Goreman

Slashening: The Final Beginning

Award This! Indie Comedy

Donny’s Bar Mitzvah

Golden Arm

Kitty Mammas

Spirit Quest

Tango Shalom – WINNER

Win a Trip to Browntown!

Award This! Indie LGBTQ+ Themed Film

HipBeat

Road Head

Shit & Champagne

Swan Song

X –WINNER

Award This! Indie Animation

Cryptozoo

Flee

The Spine Of Night – WINNER

Award This! Indie Action/Thriller

100 Days to Live

The Beta Test

Delicate State

How To Deter A Robber

Mafia Inc.

Shut In – WINNER

Award This! WTF Indie Like “What The Fuck Is This Move Even? **(This Category was a tie)**

Baby Oopsie

Donny’s Bar Mitzvah

I, Challenger – WINNER

Mother Schmuckers

Road Head

Willy’s Wonderland – WINNER

Award This! Indie Romantic Comedy

Borrelia Borealis

Christmas On The Carousel

Honesty Weekend – WINNER

Lost At Christmas

Threebound

Win a Trip to Browntown!

Award This! Indie Drama

The In-Between

Lola

Shiva Baby

Single Mother By Choice – WINNER

Sweet Thing

Weekenders

Award This! Indie Made for Less Than the Contents of an Oscar Gift Bag (Under $100k)

Delicate State - WINNER

God of Dreams

Lola

Road Head

Tango Shalom

Win a Trip to Browntown! – WINNER

Award This! Director **(This Category was a tie)**

The Beta Test (Jim Cummings, P.J. McCabe)

The Changed (Michael Mongillo)

Donny’s Bar Mitzvah (Jonathan Kaufman) – WINNER

God of Dreams (Jurian Isabelle)

Lola (Antonie Allen)

Shit & Champagne (D'Arcy Drollinger)

Shut In (D.J. Caruso)

Single Mother By Choice (Dan Levy Dagerman) – WINNER

Award This! Directress **(This Category was a tie)**

Borrelia Borealis (Kathryne Isabelle Easton) – WINNER

Delicate State (Paula Rhodes) – WINNER

Glasshouse (Kelsey Egan)

Golden Arm (Maureen Bharoocha)

Honesty Weekend (Leslie Thomas)

How To Deter A Robber (Maria Bissell)

The In-Between (Mindy Bledsoe)

Shiva Baby (Emma Seligman)

Award This! Indie Movie of the Year

The Beta Test

Borrelia Borealis

The Changed

Delicate State

Donny’s Bar Mitzvah – WINNER

Night At The Eagle Inn

Repeat

Shiva Baby

Shut In

The Spine Of Night

Check out the official Award This! site for more information, including eligibility requirements for next year and don't forget to follow Award This! on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

“U Ý R A THE RISING FOREST ” World Premiere at the 2022 Frameline Film Festival

Run time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Rating: Not Yet Rated
Genre: Documentary, Environmental, LGBTQIA+

A STORY BY UÝRA SODOMA
DIRECTED BY JULIANA CURI

Uýra, a trans-indigenous artist travels through the Amazon forest on a journey of self-discovery using performance art and ancestral messages to teach indigenous youth and confront structural racism and transphobia in Brazil.

UÝRA - THE RISING FOREST is directed by Juliana Curi, and written by Curi and Martina Sönksen. Produced by João Henrique Kurtz, Juliana Curi, Lívia Cheibub, Martina Sönksen, and Uýra Sodoma. Edited by Lívia Cheibub, Lucas Camargo De Barros, and Renan Cipriano. Cinematography by Thiago Moraes. Music by Nascuy Linares, featuring Josyara and Zahy Guajajara. A Story by Uýra Sodoma. A Production of Azores Filmes (Brazil) and Mama Wolf (USA), in co-production with Abou Farman with the support of Doc Society and BRIC Brooklyn.

Wednesday, June 22nd at 8:30pm
The New Parkway Theater, Oakland, CA
June 24 - June 30
Streaming Encore - Available Online (U.S. Only)
Tickets +Passes Available Soon

Uýra, a trans-indigenous artist, travels through the Amazon on a journey of self-discovery using performance art to teach indigenous youth that they are the guardians of ancestral messages of the Amazon forest.

The Race to Alaska” in Theatres Today, Friday, May 20th

The Race to Alaska”, a feature film debut from director Zach Carver, has its theatrical release today in over 40 markets across North America.

“The Race to Alaska” spans 750 miles. Icy water. No motors. No support. Described as “the Iditarod on a boat with a chance of drowning or being eaten by a Grizzly bear,” this epic endurance race attracts the intrepid and unhinged who find their edge along a coastline that is as punishing as it is beautiful.

Directed by Zach Carver produced by Carver, Ian Morland (“Dear White People”) and Liv von Oelreich (“The Girl in the Spider’s Web”), with an original score by Spencer Worth-Davis and edited by Greg King (“Lessons”).

About Adventure Entertainment:
Sydney-based, and operating in 28 countries on 5 continents, Adventure Entertainment is making literal and metaphorical waves in the adventure film world with over 10 film touring platforms, and dozens of feature films in recent distribution. Specializing in producing live, eventized, theatrical film screenings, AE is leading the way in innovative, community-based marketing and generating pre, and post-show buzz in the entertainment industry. In addition to "Rookie Season", other 2021/22 titles include National Geographic's" Torn", Red Bull Media House's " La Liste: Everything or Nothing", and "Buried", from Oscar-winning producers Evan Hayes and Michael Sugar.

See more at adventureentertainment.com

Buffalo 8 “Along Came Wanda” on Tubi starting Friday, May 6th

Director and Writer: Jan Miller Corran
Starring: Constance Brenneman, Cathy DeBuono, Isabella Hofman, Monica Young, Rich Ceraulo Ko, Adam Huss, Roberta Hanlen, Carly Frintner, Kyla Harris, Monica Young
Genre: Comedy
Runtime: 1 hour 34 minutes
Rating: Not yet rated
Country: United States
Language: English

Available across North America (USA & Canada), the UK and Australia on all TVOD/Digital platforms.

Along Came Wanda” is an artful journey of self-discovery as love blooms from friendship. A stylist cinematic sibling in many ways to “Eat, Pray, Love” and “Imagine Me & You” this moving Lesbian love story is honest and genuine without needing to sell on sex, instead offering a beautiful, meaningful film for global audiences. “Along Came Wanda” emphasizes the true meaning of life and it’s often overwhelming lessons we must all know and learn. Through her journey, our central character displays resilience, humor (in moments artfully breaking the fourth wall to invite audiences into her dilemma’s) and strength as she moves through doubt, fear, loss, and uncertainty.

“Along Came Wanda” stars Constance Brenneman (“Alias,” “Batgirl Rises”), Cathy DeBuono (“And Then Came Lola,” “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine”), Max Adler (“Glee,” “Love and Honor”), Isabella Hofmann (“Burlesque,” “The Flash”), Monica Young (“Modern Family,” Community”), Rich Ceraulo Ko (“Tenet,” “The Walking Dead”), Roberta Hanlen (“NCIS,” “Honey, I Blew Up the Kid”), Hank Matusek (“How ‘Bout a Cuppa Tea”), Carly Frintner (Operation Gratitude”), and Adam Huss (“Power,” “The Bold & The Beautiful”).

“Along Came Wanda” Synopsis
For many months, delivery person Wanda has been dropping off packages to Mary Beth Higgins during which they have developed a close friendship. With Mary Beth's divorce almost final, Wanda suggests a road trip in her RV which doubles as a Soup food truck. Hesitant at first, Mary Beth gives in and the journey begins. Along the way, Wanda takes Mary Beth to two notable destinations- one a spiritual retreat and the other a camping adventure complete with the famous psychic Davina Moonbeam. Throughout, both women are learning about life and each other. By the end of this journey, unexpected love for each other has arrived for both of them.

Gerard Damiano Sr.’s Controversial Film “Deep Throat” Returns to Cinemas for a Global Event Cinema Celebrating the 50th Anniversary

The Zeitgeist of the Sexual Revolution and first adult film to debut in mainstream theatrical cinema breaking box office records in 1972, filmmaker Gerard Damiano Sr.’s controversial film “Deep Throat” had an unprecedented impact on popular culture and society. It changed the way we discussed sexuality and is still considered to be the most profitable film of all time.

Damiano Films will tour the globe this year with this pop culture phenom timed to the film’s 50^th anniversary for the first time in decades offering Q&As with the filmmaker’s son Gerard Damiano Jr. a filmmaker in his own right, and daughter Christar – who can offer illuminating context to the film that helped to create the Adult Film Industry, beginning with a sneak preview on June 10^th, 2022, in New York. Damiano Films holds the rights to their father’s most important feature films. A documentary on “Deep Throat” director Gerard Damiano Sr. helmed by Damiano Jr. is currently in the works.

In the summer of 1972 “Deep Throat” brought adult films into the mainstream and kick-started the Sexual Revolution. Its success was unprecedented, breaking box office records in its very first week of theatrical exhibition. Lauded as one of the first hardcore films to feature a plot, character development, and production values, it pushed the limits of what could be shown on screen and made an international celebrity of its star, Linda Lovelace. Busted by police, picketed, and banned, the ongoing persecution only added to the film’s popularity. It would help to create the Adult Film Industry and an audience hungry for feature length films with adult content. Celebrities, dignitaries, couples, and women joined the usual “raincoat crowd,” waiting in lines that wrapped around the block just to see it.

"We have succeeded in preserving our father's best known film in a complete 4K restoration so that it can be shared not only with his old fans, but with new generations. We are excited to present “Deep Throat” as a theatrical experience, the way it was originally shown, and add in-person talk backs to discuss its impact then, and its relevance today" shares Gerard Jr. of Damiano Films.

Unsatisfied and unfulfilled, a young woman (Linda Lovelace), derives little pleasure from sex. She feels a lot of “little tingles”, but wants “Bells Ringing! Dams Bursting! and Bombs going off!” Her roommate (Dolly Sharp ) sends her to an unconventional therapist (Harry Reems), who discovers the root of her problem. Her clitoris is deep down in her throat! The solution: a technique known as “Deep Throat.” Once cured, she devotes herself to helping others to find the sexual satisfaction that she so desired.

This light, campy, comedy was one of the first full length feature films to include hard-core sex and became an instant phenomenon. Made in 1972 for a mere $25,000, it was reported to have made over $600,000,000. It came to define what was known as “Porno Chic” reaching mainstream audiences.

The response was not all positive. Conservative Christian groups and Anti-Porn Feminists sought to ban on the film. It was prosecuted on both local and federal levels resulting in many high-profile cases reaching all the way to the Supreme Court. “Deep Throat” became a household word and lent its name to the Watergate informant who brought down then President Richard Nixon. It enjoys a cult status today. “Deep Throat” has been referenced in all forms of popular culture from late night monologues to feature films. It has inspired songs, books, movies, musicals, even a rock opera. The acclaimed documentary “Inside Deep Throat” sought to tell the true story, while “Lovelace ” which starred Amanda Seyfried offered a fictionalized version. Burt Reynolds famously styled himself after Gerard Damiano Sr. for his appearance as porn director Jack Horner in Paul Thomas Andersons “Boogie Nights.” For those interested in booking “Deep Throat” in their markets, please contact bookings@damianofilms.com.

About Damiano Film, LLC
Noted auteur filmmaker Gerard Damiano Sr. is best known for the iconic film “Deep Throat, ” but went on to make some of the best and most critically acclaimed films of the genre. Damiano Films LLC was founded by his son Gerard Damiano Jr. and daughter Christar, to preserve their father’s legacy. They are lovingly restoring his most significant films such as “The Devil in Miss Jones, ” “Memories within Miss Aggie,” the cult classic “Let My Puppets Come,” as well as his masterpiece “The Story of Joanna.” The Damianos are joined by Robin Leonardi, daughter of legendary Porn Star and Activist Gloria Leonard. Together they represent the second generation of the pioneers of “The Golden Age of Porn.”