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

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

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

SOCIAL HANDLES:
FB: @irishmusicfilm
IG: @thejobofsongs

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

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.

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

‘Freestyle 101 Hip Hop History’ Starring Ice T, RZA, Cypress Hill, The Game, Chuck D, and many more, Opens on Digital Platforms October 24th

Director, Writer, Editor: Frank Meyer
Producer: Robert Juster
Narrator: Chuck D
Starring: Ice T, Rza, Cypress Hill, The Game, Chuck D, And Featuring Many Other Rapper and Hip Hop Stars
Genre: Documentary
Country: U.S.
Language: English
Run time: 1 hour 41 minutes

Class is in session in director’s Frank Meyers documentary Freestyle 101 Hip Hop History that gives ani informative look at the art of freestyling and how it has evolved over time as shown by film footage of times gone by and the interviews of legendary MCs and musical artists.

The main focus of the film was on Open Mike Eagle from Los Angeles and Iron Solomon from New York and how hard they grind to make it in the business. From being their own booking agent, musical producer and distributor. Open Mike and Iron do it all to make it in this business.

Iron Solomon: Freestyle 101 Hip Hop History

Freestyle 101 takes you to its beginning in New York during the 1970s and how freestylers were break dancers and graffiti artist who performed magic with their words, Sugarhill Gang was the start of hip hop with the release of Rappers Delight, the first hip-hop party. Meyer’s documentary would not be complete without coming to Los Angeles, CA. And hearing from people long in the game like Ice T, RZA, Cypress Hill, The Game, Chuck D, and many others as they share the ups and downs of getting into the music business and what it takes to stay there.

Ice T: Freestyle 101 Hip Hop History

RZA says, “Let the lyrics flow freely through you and come off your head,”

RZA’s statement helps to explain the comparison between improvisational jazz and freestyling.

It is fascinating to hear about the ‘science of rapping and the way the mind reacts. Especially when watching the rap battles and getting a little understanding of what the freestylers are experiencing in real time.

Open Mike Eagle: Freestyle 101 History of Hip Hop - Hero

One of the rappers that stand out is Supernatural. He holds the world record for the longest freestyle that was nearly10 hours of rhyming and just a few 5-minute breaks. Supernatural gives a clinic on how to Freestyle.

Frank Meyer’s Freestyle 101 Hip Hop History gives a crash course in the art form that leaves you knowledge and greater understanding of an often-overlooked art. Must see film.

About the Team:

Digital Reacharound’s previous documentary Risen: The Story of Chron “Hell Razah” Smith was named Best Music Documentary at Film Threat's 2021 AwardThis!, won Best Music Documentary at New York’s People’s Film Festival, Best Documentary at Hollywood Verge Film Festival and was named an Official Selection by Los Angeles Independent Film Festival Awards, Los Angeles Cinefest and International Independent Film Awards.

For more information, go to: www.freestyle101movie.com

SOCIAL MEDIA HANDLES:
IG @freestyle101hiphophistory
FB @freestyle101hiphophistory
Threads @freestyle101hiphophistory
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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)

Bobi Wine: The People’s President Movie Review

Directors: Moses Bwayo and Christopher Sharp
Featuring: Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu and Barbara Itungo Kyagulanyi
Genre: Documentary
Country: Uganda, United Kingdon and the United States.
Language: English
Run time: 1 hour 58 minutes

When your passion and purpose in life meet

Directors Moses Bwayo and Christopher Sharp extraordinary documentary film “Bobi Wine: The People’s President” tells the story of Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, known professionally as super star musician Bobi Wine and his wife Barbara “Barbie” Itungo Kyagulanyi, an accomplished author and human rights activist.

The films spans a five-year period as he performs around the world and enters the world of politics and eventually becoming the leader of the biggest political opposition organization in Uganda, the National Unity Platform (NUP) and the People Power Movement and mounts a formidable challenge against Ugandan President Museveni. Providing a portrait of the impact one individual can make and how important it is for a country’s citizens to stand together in solidarity against oppression.

Bobi Wine on top of his vehicle during the 2021 presidential campaigns as he solicited for support in Nakaseke, Central Uganda on November 18, 2020. (photo credit: Lookman Kampala)

While watching Bobi Wine, I couldn’t help but be reminded of the 1960s in the United States and the challenges faced by African Americans and the civil rights movement and how Bobi utilizing the non-violent principles of Dr. Marting Luther King, Jr. in his fight for freedom from government oppression. Of course, the major difference is it now 2020s and Bobi was running for president against Uganda’s current dictator.

Bobi Wine: The People’s President is an excellent film that uses the beautiful words and sounds of music to tell a brutal and harrowing story of torture, death, and perseverance, all in the pursuit of the human desire to be and live free.

Bobi Wine as he took his supporters on a run on a marram road in Katakwi district in Eastern Uganda, November 14, 2020. (photo credit: Lookman Kampala)

One of the many fascinating things that stood out when watching this film is how Bobi, his fans and supporters stayed united even in the face of the government of Uganda trying its best to turn people against Bobi and his wife. Only making the bond stronger.

Director of Photography, Moses Bwayo excellent work captures the graphic scenes of the beautiful and vibrant colors of Ugandan life, the wonderful music, and the struggles of a people trying to overcome the hardship and poverty that goes along with a dictator government. He brings you into story and makes you feel like you are right there, up close in the car, on the car, in the crowds, with the crowds, in the mist of the struggles, seeing it all.

Paul Carlin’ editing brings it to life as the story flows effortlessly from one scene to the next. Connecting the five-years of footage into a compelling narrative.

As Bobi said, "we must get our freedom or die trying.

The film shows the truth of his words and convictions as he and Barbi risk it all. Risking it all, not just themselves but also for their fellow citizens of Uganda. All in the pursuit of the basic human right of living free. Free from oppression, freedom to pick ones' elected representatives.

Filmed in Uganda, United Kingdom and the United States while Bobi and Barbie worked, performed and campaigned for president, the film gives a up-close look at the struggles of today’s Ugandans. Struggles that should be a thing of the past.

Music is a universal language and the soundtrack does a great job in helping to tell the tale and making it so much easier to take in the horrors that are experienced by the people of Uganda, Bobi and Barbie.

Bobi Wine: The People’s President is an exceptional film that shares how Bobi’s passion for music and his determination for he , his wife, family and his fellow citizens of Uganda to live free, come together creating a formidable husband and wife who fight the oppression and brutality of Ugandan President Museveni. A must-see film.

VIEW TRAILER BELOW

Streaming Release Date: October 6, 2023
Distributor: National Geographic Documentary Films
Producer: Christopher Sharp and John Battsek
Directors: Moses Bwayo and Christopher Sharp
Cinematography: Sam Benstead, Moses Bwayo, Michele Sibiloni
Editor: Paul Carlin
Composer: Music Editor & Additional Orchestration: Simon Birch
Runtime: 1 hour 58 minutes
Music: Dan Jones
Co-Producer: Megan Hollinghurst
Executive Producers: Humble Lukanga, Sol Guy, Alastair Siddons

Documentary Feature Film “Odd Hours, No Pay, Cool Hat” TVOD/Digital Release on July 27th

Sub-Genre Media engaging documentary “Odd Hours, No Pay, Cool Hat, ” a Vignette Production and Hold Fast Features Project from filmmaking co-directing team Gary Matoso & Cameron Zohoori will be released in North American on TVOD/Digital platforms July 27^th, 2023.

“Odd Hours, No Pay, Cool Hat” is inspired by an original story by Peter Yoakum and takes audiences behind the lines of America’s volunteer fire service community. The film is truly a tribute to the nearly 700,000 volunteer firefighters around the country – highlighting their selfless bravery, compassion, motivation, and unfaltering sense of community. The film is presented by John Deere in association with the National Volunteer Fire Council, Hold Fast Features, and Vignette. “Odd Hours, No Pay, Cool Hat” is both a non AMPTP project and distributor, the film is a complete independent.

The 90-minute film grants audience’s exclusive access to follow the inspiring journey of the most remarkable neighbors whose help you hope you never need - volunteer firefighters - as they encounter heart-breaking challenges and exhilarating triumphs to fulfill a single mission: serving their community. Heart-warming, humorous, and thrilling, this sweeping portrait of bravery will capture your heart and inspire.

The “Odd Hours, No Pay, Cool Hat” filmmaking team is led by Co-Director, DP & Producer Gary Matoso, Co-Director & Editor Cameron Zohoori, Executive Producer Peter Yoakum, Casting Director & Associate Producer Louise Colette Matoso, and Composer Dillon Byron.

To support the film in theatres and follow it's journey: www.oddhoursfilm.com