Kodak, which had a momentous 2023 with more than 60 movies shot on film has gotten off to a promising start in 2024 with Luca Guadignino’s “Challengers” and Jane Shoenbrun’s “I Saw the TV Glow, which A24 released wide May 17. Upcoming releases include Jeff Nichols’ “The Bikeriders” and Robert Eggers’ “Nosferatu.”
Meanwhile, Kodak premiered 29 movies shot on film at Cannes. These included Sean Baker’s Palme d’Or winner, “Anora,” and four other contenders: Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Kinds of Kindness,” Andrea Arnold’s “Bird,” Karim Aïnouz’s “Motel Destino,” and Miguel Gomes’ “Grand Tour.”
Additionally, four movies were featured in Un Certain Regard, and 16 titles across Directors’ Fortnight and Critics’ Week were captured on film. Meanwhile, 16mm film continues to prove its popularity and relevance, with 23 of the on-film titles at the festival choosing it as their capture medium.
This article was first published January 27, 2024. It has been updated.
Cannes 2024 Premieres ‘Kinds...
Meanwhile, Kodak premiered 29 movies shot on film at Cannes. These included Sean Baker’s Palme d’Or winner, “Anora,” and four other contenders: Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Kinds of Kindness,” Andrea Arnold’s “Bird,” Karim Aïnouz’s “Motel Destino,” and Miguel Gomes’ “Grand Tour.”
Additionally, four movies were featured in Un Certain Regard, and 16 titles across Directors’ Fortnight and Critics’ Week were captured on film. Meanwhile, 16mm film continues to prove its popularity and relevance, with 23 of the on-film titles at the festival choosing it as their capture medium.
This article was first published January 27, 2024. It has been updated.
Cannes 2024 Premieres ‘Kinds...
- 5/27/2024
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
Returning to the official competition for a second time, this is American indie filmmaker Sean Baker‘s third consecutive trip to Cannes after The Florida Project premiering in the Directors’ Fortnight in 2017 and Red Rocket (read our ★★★★ review) premiering in 2021 (the film scored an average of 3.5 with our jury). Shot (mostly) in New York City, clocking in over the two-hour mark, production on Anora is Baker’s eighth feature to date took place under the radar and we find him re-teaming with cinematographer Drew Daniels on this project. Neon landed the rights on this shot on 35mm project.…...
- 5/22/2024
- by Eric Lavallée
- IONCINEMA.com
Sean Baker is officially returning to Cannes with his new rom-com “Anora.”
While the plot details remain under wraps, the feature is billed as an adventure rom-com, with the first look image showing a neon-lit club scene. Baker writes and directs the feature, which will debut at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival.
The cast includes Mikey Madison, Mark Eydelshteyn, Yura Borisov, Karen Karagulian, and Vache Tovmasyan. Drew Daniels served as director of photography and shot the feature on 35mm film. The feature was filmed in Brooklyn and will be released by Neon later this year.
“Making an independent film is never easy no matter how many you have under your belt!” Baker said in a 2023 press statement (via Variety). “I feel so fortunate to have been given the resources and support to fulfill my vision in an uncompromised way. Thank you to my collaborators including Glen Basner and the FilmNation team,...
While the plot details remain under wraps, the feature is billed as an adventure rom-com, with the first look image showing a neon-lit club scene. Baker writes and directs the feature, which will debut at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival.
The cast includes Mikey Madison, Mark Eydelshteyn, Yura Borisov, Karen Karagulian, and Vache Tovmasyan. Drew Daniels served as director of photography and shot the feature on 35mm film. The feature was filmed in Brooklyn and will be released by Neon later this year.
“Making an independent film is never easy no matter how many you have under your belt!” Baker said in a 2023 press statement (via Variety). “I feel so fortunate to have been given the resources and support to fulfill my vision in an uncompromised way. Thank you to my collaborators including Glen Basner and the FilmNation team,...
- 4/22/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
2023 may not have been an excellent year for movies, but in spite of everything stacked against it (read: greedy conglomerates run amok), it turned out to be an excellent year of movies. While the fallout of the recent work stoppages will be felt for time to come, some of 2023’s losses will prove to be 2024’s gains, as much-anticipated but strike-delayed films like “Dune: Part Two,” “Drive-Away Dolls,” and Luca Guadagnino’s horny tennis drama “Challengers” have all secured fresh release dates in the first half of the new year.
Those titles will be joined by some of the most promising Hollywood blockbusters in recent memory, must-see work from some of the world’s greatest auteurs, and huge swings from essential artists ranging from new voices like Jane Schoenbrun (“I Saw the TV Glow”) and Duke Johnson (“The Actor”) to venerated masters like Francis Ford Coppola (“Megalopolis”) and Mike Leigh...
Those titles will be joined by some of the most promising Hollywood blockbusters in recent memory, must-see work from some of the world’s greatest auteurs, and huge swings from essential artists ranging from new voices like Jane Schoenbrun (“I Saw the TV Glow”) and Duke Johnson (“The Actor”) to venerated masters like Francis Ford Coppola (“Megalopolis”) and Mike Leigh...
- 12/29/2023
- by IndieWire Staff
- Indiewire
Neon has acquired North American rights to the romantic dramedy Anora, the latest feature from award-winning indie filmmaker Sean Baker (The Florida Project). It will be released in theaters sometime next year.
Mikey Madison, Mark Eydelshteyn, Yuriy Borisov, Karren Karagulian, and Vache Tovmasyan star in the pic, shot on 35mm by DoP Drew Daniels, the synopsis for which remains under wraps. Samantha Quan, Alex Coco, and Baker served as producers. FilmNation Entertainment is handling worldwide rights, having already licensed to Le Pacte in France, Lev in Israel, Kismet in Australia and New Zealand, and Focus Features/Universal Pictures International for the rest of the world.
News of the acquisition follows Neon’s announcement of They Follow, a sequel to David Robert Mitchell’s cult classic horror It Follows, on which Mitchell is set to reteam with star Maika Monroe. Neon will produce, distribute and handle international sales. Other titles on...
Mikey Madison, Mark Eydelshteyn, Yuriy Borisov, Karren Karagulian, and Vache Tovmasyan star in the pic, shot on 35mm by DoP Drew Daniels, the synopsis for which remains under wraps. Samantha Quan, Alex Coco, and Baker served as producers. FilmNation Entertainment is handling worldwide rights, having already licensed to Le Pacte in France, Lev in Israel, Kismet in Australia and New Zealand, and Focus Features/Universal Pictures International for the rest of the world.
News of the acquisition follows Neon’s announcement of They Follow, a sequel to David Robert Mitchell’s cult classic horror It Follows, on which Mitchell is set to reteam with star Maika Monroe. Neon will produce, distribute and handle international sales. Other titles on...
- 11/2/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Neon has acquired the North American rights to Sean Baker’s latest film, “Anora,” starring Mikey Madison, Mark Eydelshteyn, Yuriy Borisov, Karren Karagulian and Vache Tovmasyan. The synopsis is being kept under wraps, but Neon is referring to it as a “romantic dramedy.” The movie was shot in 35 mm by cinematographer Drew Daniels with filming completed earlier this year; it is currently in post-production. It will be released in 2024.
“Anora” follows Baker’s 2021 film “Red Rocket,” which starred Simon Rex and premiered at Cannes and his 2017 film “The Florida Project,” which garnered an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for Willem Dafoe’s sensitive turn as the manager of a rundown Orlando motel. Both were released by A24.
The deal was negotiated by Neon’s VP of Acquisitions Jason Wald with FilmNation’s CEO Glen Basner on behalf of the filmmakers. FilmNation Entertainment is handling the worldwide rights, and...
“Anora” follows Baker’s 2021 film “Red Rocket,” which starred Simon Rex and premiered at Cannes and his 2017 film “The Florida Project,” which garnered an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for Willem Dafoe’s sensitive turn as the manager of a rundown Orlando motel. Both were released by A24.
The deal was negotiated by Neon’s VP of Acquisitions Jason Wald with FilmNation’s CEO Glen Basner on behalf of the filmmakers. FilmNation Entertainment is handling the worldwide rights, and...
- 11/2/2023
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
FilmNation Entertainment has acquired worldwide rights to Sean Baker’s new romantic dramedy film “Anora.”
Following the acquisition, FilmNation sold rights internationally to Le Pacte in France, Lev in Israel, Kismet in Australia and New Zealand and Focus Features and Universal Pictures International in the rest of the world, excluding North America.
The film was written and directed by Baker, who is best known for directing “Tangerine” and “The Florida Project.” It shot on location at the beginning of the year in Brooklyn and stars Mikey Madison, who appeared as Manson Family follower Susan “Sadie” Atkins in “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.” Plot details are being kept under wraps.
FilmNation previously worked with Baker on 2021’s critically heralded “Red Rocket.”
“Sean Baker is an American master unafraid to shine a light on the characters that have been left behind by American cinema,” said FilmNation CEO Glen Basner. “Working with Sean and his producers,...
Following the acquisition, FilmNation sold rights internationally to Le Pacte in France, Lev in Israel, Kismet in Australia and New Zealand and Focus Features and Universal Pictures International in the rest of the world, excluding North America.
The film was written and directed by Baker, who is best known for directing “Tangerine” and “The Florida Project.” It shot on location at the beginning of the year in Brooklyn and stars Mikey Madison, who appeared as Manson Family follower Susan “Sadie” Atkins in “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.” Plot details are being kept under wraps.
FilmNation previously worked with Baker on 2021’s critically heralded “Red Rocket.”
“Sean Baker is an American master unafraid to shine a light on the characters that have been left behind by American cinema,” said FilmNation CEO Glen Basner. “Working with Sean and his producers,...
- 10/25/2023
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
In the new Amazon series Swarm, a fanatical devotee of a Beyoncé-esque pop star embarks on a quest to meet the singer, with a few stops along the way to dispose of those who have disparaged her idol online. Created by Donald Glover and Janine Nabers, the show hops around between Texas, Georgia, Tennessee, Seattle and L.A., but was shot largely in Atlanta by Drew Daniels. The Red Rocket and Krisha Dp spoke to Filmmaker about the influence of Michael Haneke, the beauty of imperfect camera moves and Swarm’s extremely last-minute switch to 35mm film. Filmmaker: Let’s start with some […]
The post “Friday Morning Donald Called Me and Said, ‘We’re Shooting Film'”: Dp Drew Daniels on Swarm first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post “Friday Morning Donald Called Me and Said, ‘We’re Shooting Film'”: Dp Drew Daniels on Swarm first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 5/1/2023
- by Matt Mulcahey
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
In the new Amazon series Swarm, a fanatical devotee of a Beyoncé-esque pop star embarks on a quest to meet the singer, with a few stops along the way to dispose of those who have disparaged her idol online. Created by Donald Glover and Janine Nabers, the show hops around between Texas, Georgia, Tennessee, Seattle and L.A., but was shot largely in Atlanta by Drew Daniels. The Red Rocket and Krisha Dp spoke to Filmmaker about the influence of Michael Haneke, the beauty of imperfect camera moves and Swarm’s extremely last-minute switch to 35mm film. Filmmaker: Let’s start with some […]
The post “Friday Morning Donald Called Me and Said, ‘We’re Shooting Film'”: Dp Drew Daniels on Swarm first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post “Friday Morning Donald Called Me and Said, ‘We’re Shooting Film'”: Dp Drew Daniels on Swarm first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 5/1/2023
- by Matt Mulcahey
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
In Donald Glover and Janine Nabers’ “Swarm,” a highly-detailed dedication to all-things Beyoncé and her “Bey Hive” fanbase is key to the show’s menacingly satirical look at obsessive fandom turned murderous.
Credit “Swarm” production designer Sara K White with taking its creators’ ideal of singing sensation Ni’Jah (Nirine S. Brown) to nuanced extremes, while folding “The Swarm” and its greatest devotee Dre (Dominique Fishback) into Glover’s dreamlike “Atlanta” universe.
“I knew ‘Swarm’ was a sister to ‘Atlanta,’” said White of Glover’s beloved FX series. “What I wanted to evoke, then, was their shared interest in authenticity and irreverence to the point of whimsy.”
To heighten these qualities within Dre’s hardcore obsessions, “Ni’Jah and food”, production designer White — with set decorator Laura Wallgren, costume designer Dominique Dawson and cinematographer Drew Daniels — had to make Ni’Jah’s world palpable.
“I was given the first episode in December 2021, developed a look-book,...
Credit “Swarm” production designer Sara K White with taking its creators’ ideal of singing sensation Ni’Jah (Nirine S. Brown) to nuanced extremes, while folding “The Swarm” and its greatest devotee Dre (Dominique Fishback) into Glover’s dreamlike “Atlanta” universe.
“I knew ‘Swarm’ was a sister to ‘Atlanta,’” said White of Glover’s beloved FX series. “What I wanted to evoke, then, was their shared interest in authenticity and irreverence to the point of whimsy.”
To heighten these qualities within Dre’s hardcore obsessions, “Ni’Jah and food”, production designer White — with set decorator Laura Wallgren, costume designer Dominique Dawson and cinematographer Drew Daniels — had to make Ni’Jah’s world palpable.
“I was given the first episode in December 2021, developed a look-book,...
- 3/30/2023
- by A.D. Amorosi
- Variety Film + TV
Weird stuff can happen at Bonnaroo, but stumbling into a wellness group/cult situation led by Billie Eilish is pretty extraordinary. Episode 4 of “Swarm,” written by Ibra Ake, Stephen Glover, and Janine Nebers and directed by Ake, puts Dre (Dominique Fishback) in Eilish’s path and simultaneously creates one of the most stable-seeming and dangerous-feeling locations that the murderous fan has encountered yet — which is saying something for a character who bit the show’s Beyoncé stand-in an episode earlier.
The show goes to great lengths to make Eva (Eilish), the head of an Nxivm-esque female empowerment collective, feel as powerful as she does. This included custom building the sweat-lodge location where Eva entrances Dre into reliving repressed moments of trauma from her past — and spilling compromising details about herself. “[It was the most] creative build that we had on this show, actually,” production designer Sara K White said of Eilish’s lair.
“Originally,...
The show goes to great lengths to make Eva (Eilish), the head of an Nxivm-esque female empowerment collective, feel as powerful as she does. This included custom building the sweat-lodge location where Eva entrances Dre into reliving repressed moments of trauma from her past — and spilling compromising details about herself. “[It was the most] creative build that we had on this show, actually,” production designer Sara K White said of Eilish’s lair.
“Originally,...
- 3/27/2023
- by Sarah Shachat
- Indiewire
Murder, like everything else, just hits different on film. Prime Video series “Swarm” — co-created by Janine Nabors and Donald Glover — creates rich visual contrasts that amp up the awkwardness and obsessiveness of Dre (Dominique Fishback), a superfan of a Beyoncé-esque pop singer who is more than willing to kill in the name of her idol. Fishback’s performance allows us to glimpse how Dre’s innate strangeness and years of trauma inform what she does, but there’s always an essential wrongness to her and a brutal, unglamorous messiness to her kills. That wrongness comes from the image itself, and cinematographer Drew Daniels knew he could only convey that by shooting on film.
Daniels, who shot six of the show’s seven episodes (Gabriel Patay shot Episode 6’s mockumentary tangent), had strong initial instincts for how the story should look and feel. He wanted to avoid the easy excitement...
Daniels, who shot six of the show’s seven episodes (Gabriel Patay shot Episode 6’s mockumentary tangent), had strong initial instincts for how the story should look and feel. He wanted to avoid the easy excitement...
- 3/23/2023
- by Sarah Shachat
- Indiewire
Stars: Simon Rex, Suzanna Son, Bree Elrod, Brittany Rodriguez, Ethan Darbone | Written by Sean Baker, Chris Bergoch | Directed by Sean Baker
Finding himself down and out in Los Angeles, ex-porn star Mikey Saber (Simon Rex) decides to crawl back to his hometown of Texas City, Texas, where his estranged wife and mother-in-law are living. Just as this dysfunctional family seems to be making things work, Mikey meets a young woman named Strawberry (Suzanna Son) working the cash register at a local doughnut shop.
I must confess right out of the gate that I’m not a big fan of Sean Baker‘s work. In the months leading up to The Florida Project‘s wide release, all I was hearing was just how much of a masterpiece it was, only for me to eventually watch it and hate it. To this day I genuinely have no idea how it got so...
Finding himself down and out in Los Angeles, ex-porn star Mikey Saber (Simon Rex) decides to crawl back to his hometown of Texas City, Texas, where his estranged wife and mother-in-law are living. Just as this dysfunctional family seems to be making things work, Mikey meets a young woman named Strawberry (Suzanna Son) working the cash register at a local doughnut shop.
I must confess right out of the gate that I’m not a big fan of Sean Baker‘s work. In the months leading up to The Florida Project‘s wide release, all I was hearing was just how much of a masterpiece it was, only for me to eventually watch it and hate it. To this day I genuinely have no idea how it got so...
- 10/26/2022
- by Caillou Pettis
- Nerdly
Nina Dobrev looks amazing with bold pink eyeshadow. Pic credit: ©ImageCollect.com/Birdie Thompson/AdMedia
Nina Dobrev stunned in hot pink minidress and leggings.
It seems like a lot of celebrities are channeling Barbie these days. From Madalaine Petsch to Sabrina Carpenter, and now Nina Dobrev gave us a hot pink moment as well.
The Vampire Diaries actress co-hosted the Valentino Pink Pp and Saks Fifth Avenue luncheon which took place on the Terrace at L’Avenue at Saks in New York City. This was a lunch dedicated to celebrating the launch of Valentino’s Fall/Winter 2022-23 collection.
Dobrev wore a pink minidress that was embellished with flowers, with a matching cropped coat, and some leggings underneath.
Continuing this never-ending pink moment, the actress put on some opera gloves and carried around a Valentino Garavani’s Mini One Stud handbag.
She parted her hair down the middle and tied it in a slick ponytail,...
Nina Dobrev stunned in hot pink minidress and leggings.
It seems like a lot of celebrities are channeling Barbie these days. From Madalaine Petsch to Sabrina Carpenter, and now Nina Dobrev gave us a hot pink moment as well.
The Vampire Diaries actress co-hosted the Valentino Pink Pp and Saks Fifth Avenue luncheon which took place on the Terrace at L’Avenue at Saks in New York City. This was a lunch dedicated to celebrating the launch of Valentino’s Fall/Winter 2022-23 collection.
Dobrev wore a pink minidress that was embellished with flowers, with a matching cropped coat, and some leggings underneath.
Continuing this never-ending pink moment, the actress put on some opera gloves and carried around a Valentino Garavani’s Mini One Stud handbag.
She parted her hair down the middle and tied it in a slick ponytail,...
- 9/16/2022
- by Barbara Gutierrez
- Monsters and Critics
“I really love to embrace limitations,” says cinematographer Drew Daniels. “I try to limit some of my choices on any film I do.” With Red Rocket, the opportunities to welcome constraints were plentiful. The latest from Tangerine and The Florida Project filmmaker Sean Baker, Red Rocket was shot in 23 days entirely on practical Texas locations with a supporting cast largely populated by local first-time actors. The crew boasted 10 members, including producers doing double duty as assistant directors or costume designers. The grip/electric department was a literal one man band, armed with Digital Sputniks, a few Astera tubes and […]
The post 23 Days, Ten Crew Members, Two Lenses and One Joker: Dp Drew Daniels on Red Rocket first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post 23 Days, Ten Crew Members, Two Lenses and One Joker: Dp Drew Daniels on Red Rocket first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 3/15/2022
- by Matt Mulcahey
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
“I really love to embrace limitations,” says cinematographer Drew Daniels. “I try to limit some of my choices on any film I do.” With Red Rocket, the opportunities to welcome constraints were plentiful. The latest from Tangerine and The Florida Project filmmaker Sean Baker, Red Rocket was shot in 23 days entirely on practical Texas locations with a supporting cast largely populated by local first-time actors. The crew boasted 10 members, including producers doing double duty as assistant directors or costume designers. The grip/electric department was a literal one man band, armed with Digital Sputniks, a few Astera tubes and […]
The post 23 Days, Ten Crew Members, Two Lenses and One Joker: Dp Drew Daniels on Red Rocket first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post 23 Days, Ten Crew Members, Two Lenses and One Joker: Dp Drew Daniels on Red Rocket first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 3/15/2022
- by Matt Mulcahey
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
Premiering in Cannes and nominated for three Gotham Awards, Red Rocket, a darkly funny, live-wire film,arrives March 15 on DVD and Blu-ray from Lionsgate.
Written and directed by Sean Baker, the movie features Simon Rex, Bree Elrod (in her major debut role), and Suzanna Son (feature film debut). Red Rocket will be available on DVD for the suggested retail price of $19.98 and on Blu-ray for the suggested retail price of $21.99.
Mikey Saber (Simon Rex) is back home in small-town Texas after burning bridges and flaming out all over Los Angeles. A hustler, operator, and charismatic con man, Mikey quickly learns that no one wants him back. When he meets a teenager working at the local donut shop, he sees his ticket back to the big time, in this darkly funny, live-wire film from acclaimed writer-director Sean Baker.
Blu-ray / DVD Special Features
Audio Commentary with Writer-Director Sean Baker, Cinematographer Drew Daniels,...
Written and directed by Sean Baker, the movie features Simon Rex, Bree Elrod (in her major debut role), and Suzanna Son (feature film debut). Red Rocket will be available on DVD for the suggested retail price of $19.98 and on Blu-ray for the suggested retail price of $21.99.
Mikey Saber (Simon Rex) is back home in small-town Texas after burning bridges and flaming out all over Los Angeles. A hustler, operator, and charismatic con man, Mikey quickly learns that no one wants him back. When he meets a teenager working at the local donut shop, he sees his ticket back to the big time, in this darkly funny, live-wire film from acclaimed writer-director Sean Baker.
Blu-ray / DVD Special Features
Audio Commentary with Writer-Director Sean Baker, Cinematographer Drew Daniels,...
- 1/18/2022
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
The latest desolate, yet splendidly hilarious, comedic offering from writer/director Sean Baker (whose previous works include the formidable The Florida Project [2017] and the equally impressive Tangerine [2015]), Red Rocket, paints a cynical, and often despondent view of a somewhat ubiquitous hustler in Texas trying to make the next big score.
The problem that Mikey (Simon Rex) faces however, are not the obstacles in the way of his plans to make the big score, but rather his own penchant for self-destructive and often just plain stupid behavior. As the film begins, Mikey is returning from a failed life as a porn star in California and is hoping to stay at the home of the wife (Bree Elrod) and mother-in-law (Brenda Deiss) he left behind when he moved out West. In exchange for room and board, Mikey offers to help around the house, which amounts to riding his bike (he can’t...
The problem that Mikey (Simon Rex) faces however, are not the obstacles in the way of his plans to make the big score, but rather his own penchant for self-destructive and often just plain stupid behavior. As the film begins, Mikey is returning from a failed life as a porn star in California and is hoping to stay at the home of the wife (Bree Elrod) and mother-in-law (Brenda Deiss) he left behind when he moved out West. In exchange for room and board, Mikey offers to help around the house, which amounts to riding his bike (he can’t...
- 12/25/2021
- by Mike Tyrkus
- CinemaNerdz
For better or worse, you will hear about Red Rocket. From who? It’s a coin toss between a raving cinephile and a sanctimonious pop culture prognosticator behind a line in the sand. But make no mistake, they’re talking about the same movie.
Provocation has always been on the frontlines in Sean Baker’s work. Seven features deep, the writer, director, producer, editor, and casting director is known for portraying the unsexy realms of America’s working class in full color, earning newfound acclaim with Tangerine and The Florida Project. Diving headfirst into beauty and darkness, he takes an uncensored approach, more interested in the cinematic search for truth than catering to the faint of heart. He tells stories about people on the fringe, bruised characters too complex to simply love. Or––in the case of Mikey Saber––hate.
The bubbly, airheaded ex-porn star (played by an electric Simon Rex...
Provocation has always been on the frontlines in Sean Baker’s work. Seven features deep, the writer, director, producer, editor, and casting director is known for portraying the unsexy realms of America’s working class in full color, earning newfound acclaim with Tangerine and The Florida Project. Diving headfirst into beauty and darkness, he takes an uncensored approach, more interested in the cinematic search for truth than catering to the faint of heart. He tells stories about people on the fringe, bruised characters too complex to simply love. Or––in the case of Mikey Saber––hate.
The bubbly, airheaded ex-porn star (played by an electric Simon Rex...
- 12/10/2021
- by Luke Hicks
- The Film Stage
Sean Baker's films often touch on complex aspects of human life and don't shy away from getting into survival's grittiness.
Red Rocket once again proves Baker's skills while highlighting fantastic performances throughout the whole cast.
Simon Rex provides a masterful performance to Baker's excellent directing skills and creates a beautiful film.
The film is set in a small town in 2016, Texas, where Rex's character Mikey Saber returns after doing porn for years.
The whole film sets itself against the 2016 presidential election campaigns. While not a significant plot point in the film, the election as the backdrop made for interesting dynamics and viewpoints.
The writing and directing stood out significantly, making this a great follow-up from Baker's 2017 film The Florida Project.
The two films have a lot in common: they're both character-driven stories, the setting feels like a character, and the style feels intimate.
Simon Rex's character takes center stage in Red Rocket,...
Red Rocket once again proves Baker's skills while highlighting fantastic performances throughout the whole cast.
Simon Rex provides a masterful performance to Baker's excellent directing skills and creates a beautiful film.
The film is set in a small town in 2016, Texas, where Rex's character Mikey Saber returns after doing porn for years.
The whole film sets itself against the 2016 presidential election campaigns. While not a significant plot point in the film, the election as the backdrop made for interesting dynamics and viewpoints.
The writing and directing stood out significantly, making this a great follow-up from Baker's 2017 film The Florida Project.
The two films have a lot in common: they're both character-driven stories, the setting feels like a character, and the style feels intimate.
Simon Rex's character takes center stage in Red Rocket,...
- 11/27/2021
- by Michael T. Stack
- TVfanatic
With the musical accompaniment of ‘N Sync’s “Bye Bye Bye,” A24 has released the first trailer for Sean Baker’s “Red Rocket” with Simon Rex.
Shot in secret during the pandemic, the upcoming dramedy is written by Baker and Chris Bergoch. It stars Rex as Mikey Saber, a porn star who returns to his hometown of Texas City, Texas, after his Los Angeles lifestyle leaves him broke. When he arrives home, claiming to be a reformed man, his ex-wife Lexi (Bree Elrod) and mother-in-law Lil (Brenda Deiss) aren’t happy to see him, and things take another turn when a teen girl named Strawberry catches his eye.
Displaying Mikey’s smooth-talking charm in a turquoise tie-dye shirt, the trailer shows him bike-riding to job interviews, getting into verbal spats and claiming to be able to “100% out-cardio” a guy who gut-punches him outside a drive-thru donut shop. “Red Rocket” premiered...
Shot in secret during the pandemic, the upcoming dramedy is written by Baker and Chris Bergoch. It stars Rex as Mikey Saber, a porn star who returns to his hometown of Texas City, Texas, after his Los Angeles lifestyle leaves him broke. When he arrives home, claiming to be a reformed man, his ex-wife Lexi (Bree Elrod) and mother-in-law Lil (Brenda Deiss) aren’t happy to see him, and things take another turn when a teen girl named Strawberry catches his eye.
Displaying Mikey’s smooth-talking charm in a turquoise tie-dye shirt, the trailer shows him bike-riding to job interviews, getting into verbal spats and claiming to be able to “100% out-cardio” a guy who gut-punches him outside a drive-thru donut shop. “Red Rocket” premiered...
- 10/5/2021
- by Clayton Davis and Selome Hailu
- Variety Film + TV
Red Rocket director Sean Baker is prepared to receive hate mail, he said at a press conference in Cannes on Thursday.
Baker said he’s been the recipient of plenty of angry comments before, so he is philosophical about the impending reaction to Red Rocket‘s open-ended tale of a washed-up porn star in pursuit of a teenager. He’s also confident that A24, the film’s U.S. distributors, will support him.
“A24 is taking it domestically in the United States, and you know they’re a fearless company, and I think they’re going to take anything that comes our way head on,” he said. “But I don’t want to be negative about it. I know we’re tackling tough subjects here, and I know there are themes and images that are triggering in this film, I get it. But again, it’s part of the discussion…...
Baker said he’s been the recipient of plenty of angry comments before, so he is philosophical about the impending reaction to Red Rocket‘s open-ended tale of a washed-up porn star in pursuit of a teenager. He’s also confident that A24, the film’s U.S. distributors, will support him.
“A24 is taking it domestically in the United States, and you know they’re a fearless company, and I think they’re going to take anything that comes our way head on,” he said. “But I don’t want to be negative about it. I know we’re tackling tough subjects here, and I know there are themes and images that are triggering in this film, I get it. But again, it’s part of the discussion…...
- 7/15/2021
- by Antonia Blyth
- Deadline Film + TV
The analog comeback continues for cinematography, as this week’s Cannes Film Festival boasts 19 titles shot on Kodak film, with eight competing for the Palme D’Or, highlighted by Wes Anderson’s “The French Dispatch” (Searchlight Pictures). The multi-layered ode to journalism, with an ensemble cast consisting ofTilda Swinton, Bill Murray, Timothee Chalamet, Lea Seydoux, Benicio del Toro, Elisabeth Moss, Owen Wilson, and Frances McDormand, was shot in both 35mm color and black-and-white by go-to cinematographer Robert Yeoman.
The other Palme D’Or entries shot on film include Sean Baker’s “Red Rocket” (Dp Drew Daniels), Ildikó Enyedi’s “The Story of My Wife,” (Dp Marcell Rév), Mia Hansen-Løve’s “Bergman Island” (Dp Denis Lenoir), Juho Kuosmanen’s “Compartment No. 6” (Dp Jani-Petteri Passi), Sean Penn’s “Flag Day” (Dp Daniel Moder), Joachim Trier’s “The Worst Person in the World” (Dp Kasper Tuxen), and Apichatpong Weerasethakul’s “Memoria” (Dp Sayombhu Mukdeeprom).
Additionally,...
The other Palme D’Or entries shot on film include Sean Baker’s “Red Rocket” (Dp Drew Daniels), Ildikó Enyedi’s “The Story of My Wife,” (Dp Marcell Rév), Mia Hansen-Løve’s “Bergman Island” (Dp Denis Lenoir), Juho Kuosmanen’s “Compartment No. 6” (Dp Jani-Petteri Passi), Sean Penn’s “Flag Day” (Dp Daniel Moder), Joachim Trier’s “The Worst Person in the World” (Dp Kasper Tuxen), and Apichatpong Weerasethakul’s “Memoria” (Dp Sayombhu Mukdeeprom).
Additionally,...
- 7/6/2021
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
A24 has released the first official look at Sean Baker’s “Red Rocket” ahead of the film’s world premiere next month in competition at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival. “Red Rocket” is Baker’s first Palme d’Or contender, although he’s no stranger to Cannes as his last directorial effort, “The Florida Project,” was one of the most acclaimed breakouts in the Directors’ Fortnight sidebar of the 2017 festival. Baker’s previous efforts screened at festivals such as Sundance (“Tangerine”), SXSW (“Starlet”), and more.
While A24 has not released an official synopsis for “Red Rocket,” here’s how Deadline described the movie when it was first announced last year: “‘Red Rocket’ is a darkly comedic film about Mikey Saber, a 39-year old ‘suitcase pimp.’ That is the kind of pimp who lives off of women in the adult film industry. Finding himself down and out in Los Angeles, Mikey decides...
While A24 has not released an official synopsis for “Red Rocket,” here’s how Deadline described the movie when it was first announced last year: “‘Red Rocket’ is a darkly comedic film about Mikey Saber, a 39-year old ‘suitcase pimp.’ That is the kind of pimp who lives off of women in the adult film industry. Finding himself down and out in Los Angeles, Mikey decides...
- 6/24/2021
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
Indie filmmaker Sean Baker has emerged for his first project since 2017’s Academy Award-nominated feature “The Florida Project,” and it’s a dazzling, 1970s-esque, gritty and glamorous throwback on the streets of New York for fashion line Khaite. The short film serves as a showcase for Khaite’s fall/winter collections for 2021. Check it out below.
Shot on the streets of New York and within its subterranean corridors, the short hearkens back to classic New York cinema from the ’70s. The film was produced by Prodject in creative collaboration with Superprime.
“This project has honestly been one of the most creatively cathartic experiences I have worked on. This is our crazy love letter to New York City and I hope audiences have as much fun watching as we had making it,” Baker said.
Baker’s next feature “Red Rocket,” starring Simon Rex as a washed-up porn star returning to his small hometown in Texas,...
Shot on the streets of New York and within its subterranean corridors, the short hearkens back to classic New York cinema from the ’70s. The film was produced by Prodject in creative collaboration with Superprime.
“This project has honestly been one of the most creatively cathartic experiences I have worked on. This is our crazy love letter to New York City and I hope audiences have as much fun watching as we had making it,” Baker said.
Baker’s next feature “Red Rocket,” starring Simon Rex as a washed-up porn star returning to his small hometown in Texas,...
- 3/6/2021
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
A24 has acquired North American distribution rights to Sean Baker’s Red Rocket. They acquired the rights from FilmNation Entertainment, who owns global rights to the project. This is the first film since Baker’s Oscar-nominated The Florida Project, which A24 also released.
Film stars Simon Rex in an iconic new role alongside discoveries Bree Elrod and Suzanna Son. The film, which is currently in post-production, was written by Baker and frequent collaborator Chris Bergoch. Director of Photography is Drew Daniels .
“I am very excited to be reuniting with the wonderful team at A24 who will once again be bringing my film to US audiences,” Baker said. “As a champion of the theatrical experience, I am thrilled A24 will give my film a theatrical release with their talent for bold marketing and distribution savvy. My gratitude goes out to FilmNation and the Red Rocket cast and crew for helping me bring the film to fruition.
Film stars Simon Rex in an iconic new role alongside discoveries Bree Elrod and Suzanna Son. The film, which is currently in post-production, was written by Baker and frequent collaborator Chris Bergoch. Director of Photography is Drew Daniels .
“I am very excited to be reuniting with the wonderful team at A24 who will once again be bringing my film to US audiences,” Baker said. “As a champion of the theatrical experience, I am thrilled A24 will give my film a theatrical release with their talent for bold marketing and distribution savvy. My gratitude goes out to FilmNation and the Red Rocket cast and crew for helping me bring the film to fruition.
- 2/25/2021
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
A24 has acquired the North American rights to “Red Rocket,” the next film from director Sean Baker.
“Red Rocket” is currently in postproduction and is Baker’s first film since 2017’s “The Florida Project,” which was also released by A24 and went on to score an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor for Willem Dafoe.
The new film stars Simon Rex (also known as Dirt Nasty) as Mikey Saber, a washed-up porn star who returns to his small Texas hometown, even though no one there really wants him back. Bree Elrod and Suzanna Son also star.
Baker wrote “Red Rocket” with his frequent collaborator Chris Bergoch. The director of photography is Drew Daniels. Sean Baker, Alex Coco, Samantha Quan, Alex Saks and Shih-Ching Tsou are the producers on the film, while Jackie Shenoo serves as executive producer.
A24 picked up the rights to “Red Rocket” from FilmNation Entertainment, which holds global rights to the film.
“Red Rocket” is currently in postproduction and is Baker’s first film since 2017’s “The Florida Project,” which was also released by A24 and went on to score an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor for Willem Dafoe.
The new film stars Simon Rex (also known as Dirt Nasty) as Mikey Saber, a washed-up porn star who returns to his small Texas hometown, even though no one there really wants him back. Bree Elrod and Suzanna Son also star.
Baker wrote “Red Rocket” with his frequent collaborator Chris Bergoch. The director of photography is Drew Daniels. Sean Baker, Alex Coco, Samantha Quan, Alex Saks and Shih-Ching Tsou are the producers on the film, while Jackie Shenoo serves as executive producer.
A24 picked up the rights to “Red Rocket” from FilmNation Entertainment, which holds global rights to the film.
- 2/25/2021
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Late last year it was revealed that Sean Baker had secretly shot a new feature marking his follow-up to The Florida Project. Titled Red Rocket and starring Simon Rex, not much else was known about the project, but now we finally have the first plot details.
With the news that FilmNation will sell the film globally, Deadline reports the first synopsis: “Red Rocket is a darkly comedic film about Mikey Saber, a 39-year old “suitcase pimp.” That is the kind of pimp who lives off of women in the adult film industry. Finding himself down and out in Los Angeles, Mikey decides to crawl back to his hometown of Texas City, Texas, where his estranged wife and mother-in-law are living. Just as this dysfunctional family seems to be making things work, Mikey meets a young woman named Strawberry working the cash register at a local doughnut shop. He falls right back into his old habits.
With the news that FilmNation will sell the film globally, Deadline reports the first synopsis: “Red Rocket is a darkly comedic film about Mikey Saber, a 39-year old “suitcase pimp.” That is the kind of pimp who lives off of women in the adult film industry. Finding himself down and out in Los Angeles, Mikey decides to crawl back to his hometown of Texas City, Texas, where his estranged wife and mother-in-law are living. Just as this dysfunctional family seems to be making things work, Mikey meets a young woman named Strawberry working the cash register at a local doughnut shop. He falls right back into his old habits.
- 2/9/2021
- by Leonard Pearce
- The Film Stage
Exclusive: FilmNation Entertainment has landed worldwide rights to Red Rocket, the first film that Sean Baker has directed since his Oscar-nominated film The Florida Project. FilmNation will sell the film globally.
Red Rocket was one of the first projects to safely and successfully shoot during the Covid-19 pandemic, using rigorous safety protocols.
Baker wrote the script with frequent collaborator Chris Bergoch, and the film stars Simon Rex, Bree Elrod and Suzanna Son. Red Rocket is a darkly comedic film about Mikey Saber, a 39-year old “suitcase pimp.” That is the kind of pimp who lives off of women in the adult film industry. Finding himself down and out in Los Angeles, Mikey decides to crawl back to his hometown of Texas City, Texas, where his estranged wife and mother-in-law are living. Just as this dysfunctional family seems to be making things work, Mikey meets a young woman named Strawberry working...
Red Rocket was one of the first projects to safely and successfully shoot during the Covid-19 pandemic, using rigorous safety protocols.
Baker wrote the script with frequent collaborator Chris Bergoch, and the film stars Simon Rex, Bree Elrod and Suzanna Son. Red Rocket is a darkly comedic film about Mikey Saber, a 39-year old “suitcase pimp.” That is the kind of pimp who lives off of women in the adult film industry. Finding himself down and out in Los Angeles, Mikey decides to crawl back to his hometown of Texas City, Texas, where his estranged wife and mother-in-law are living. Just as this dysfunctional family seems to be making things work, Mikey meets a young woman named Strawberry working...
- 2/9/2021
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
If you love independent cinema, you’re almost certainly a fan of Sean Baker. Along with his partner in crime and writer Chris Bergoch, Bake has been making beloved indies that even manage to be elevated towards Oscar contention. The Florida Project was cited with an Academy Award nomination, but Tangerine was a close miss, while other work of theirs like Starlet is top notch as well. Yesterday, some news came down the pike about their next project. That alone would be exciting, but add in that Baker and Bergoch not only have penned the flick, but it’s almost finished shooting. Read on for a bit more about this development… According to an exclusive from Variety, Baker and Bergoch are almost done with a new movie called Red Rocket. Starring Simon Rex, nothing is known about it just yet, but indie cinema fans should obviously be excited. More when we have it,...
- 11/11/2020
- by Joey Magidson
- Hollywoodnews.com
Other than the strange saga earlier this year of Bella Thorne’s aborted OnlyFans documentary and having video discussions with Abel Ferrara, Tangerine director Sean Baker has been busy, but mostly quiet, about upcoming projects since the release of 2017’s highly acclaimed The Florida Project.
That hiatus is over, but Baker remains ever unpredictable with his choices, revealing today that he shot and produced a film in secret during quarantine. Speaking to Variety, Baker disclosed that the film is a dark comedy called Red Rocket and stars Simon Rex, a prolific actor whose biggest mainstream credit is an appearance in the Scary Movie franchise. The rest of his work we’ll let you discover for yourself.
Co-written with Chris Bergoch, who had a hand in previous Baker films including Tangerine, The Florida Project, and Starlet, the film was lensed by Waves cinematographer Drew Daniels. Baker is currently looking for distribution.
That hiatus is over, but Baker remains ever unpredictable with his choices, revealing today that he shot and produced a film in secret during quarantine. Speaking to Variety, Baker disclosed that the film is a dark comedy called Red Rocket and stars Simon Rex, a prolific actor whose biggest mainstream credit is an appearance in the Scary Movie franchise. The rest of his work we’ll let you discover for yourself.
Co-written with Chris Bergoch, who had a hand in previous Baker films including Tangerine, The Florida Project, and Starlet, the film was lensed by Waves cinematographer Drew Daniels. Baker is currently looking for distribution.
- 11/10/2020
- by Michael Snydel
- The Film Stage
Sean Baker is nearing completion on “Red Rocket,” a dark comedy he’s been shooting in secret in Texas. Variety first reported the news, adding that production on “Red Rocket” will finish before the end of the month. Plot details for the movie are being kept under wraps. “Red Rocket” stars “Scary Movie” franchise veteran Simon Rex. Additional cast members are not known at this time. Baker often works with non-actors, so it wouldn’t be surprising to hear the cast is made up largely of unknown talents.
Baker was last in theaters with “The Florida Project,” which debuted to rapturous acclaim in the Directors Fortnight sidebar of the 2017 Cannes Film Festival. A24 released “The Florida Project” in the U.S. to a $5.9 million gross. The indie ended its run globally with $11 million. At the Oscars, “The Florida Project” picked up a nomination for Best Supporting Actor thanks to Willem Dafoe’s performance.
Baker was last in theaters with “The Florida Project,” which debuted to rapturous acclaim in the Directors Fortnight sidebar of the 2017 Cannes Film Festival. A24 released “The Florida Project” in the U.S. to a $5.9 million gross. The indie ended its run globally with $11 million. At the Oscars, “The Florida Project” picked up a nomination for Best Supporting Actor thanks to Willem Dafoe’s performance.
- 11/10/2020
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
Sean Baker is close to wrapping “Red Rocket,” a secret film he has been shooting in Texas.
The dark comedy will star Simon Rex of the “Scary Movie” franchise and “Jack & Jill.” Plot details are being kept under wraps, but production should be finished this month. The film was independently financed and will be looking for distribution.
Baker isn’t the only director to take up his camera in secret. Steven Soderbergh applied a similar under-the-radar approach while making his upcoming movie “Let Them All Talk,” which will star Meryl Streep and Gemma Chan.
Work on “Red Rocket” commenced as Hollywood and the independent film community that Baker belongs to are trying to find a way to make movies safely during coronavirus. The film has employed industry standard safety protocols.
“Red Rocket” marks Baker’s first feature since 2017’s “The Florida Project,” which earned rhapsodic reviews, as well as...
The dark comedy will star Simon Rex of the “Scary Movie” franchise and “Jack & Jill.” Plot details are being kept under wraps, but production should be finished this month. The film was independently financed and will be looking for distribution.
Baker isn’t the only director to take up his camera in secret. Steven Soderbergh applied a similar under-the-radar approach while making his upcoming movie “Let Them All Talk,” which will star Meryl Streep and Gemma Chan.
Work on “Red Rocket” commenced as Hollywood and the independent film community that Baker belongs to are trying to find a way to make movies safely during coronavirus. The film has employed industry standard safety protocols.
“Red Rocket” marks Baker’s first feature since 2017’s “The Florida Project,” which earned rhapsodic reviews, as well as...
- 11/10/2020
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Stars: Taylor Russell, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Alexa Demie, Bill Wise, David Garelik, Justin R. Chan, Lucas Hedges, Joshua Brockington, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Sterling K. Brown, Clifton Collins Jr. | Written and Directed by Trey Edward Shults
From the very first frame of Waves we are placed in the centre of this family drama, as the camera spins and turns we soon find our self caught by the movie’s power. Before we know it, the waves have crashed over us and we have been submerged into this world.
Tyler (Kelvin Harrison Jr) has everything going for him, the star of the school wrestling team, a beautiful girlfriend and a life of endless parties. As the film progresses and we follow his story of dealing with an injury that could ruin his chances of being a future athlete, we see his father (Sterling K Brown) baring down and adding even more weight...
From the very first frame of Waves we are placed in the centre of this family drama, as the camera spins and turns we soon find our self caught by the movie’s power. Before we know it, the waves have crashed over us and we have been submerged into this world.
Tyler (Kelvin Harrison Jr) has everything going for him, the star of the school wrestling team, a beautiful girlfriend and a life of endless parties. As the film progresses and we follow his story of dealing with an injury that could ruin his chances of being a future athlete, we see his father (Sterling K Brown) baring down and adding even more weight...
- 1/28/2020
- by Alex Ginnelly
- Nerdly
“Waves,” the latest collaboration between cinematographer Drew Daniels and writer-director Trey Edward Shults, is an emotional drama centered on an upper-middle class African-American family in Florida. Daniels’ camera work highlights the characters’ stories while celebrating the film’s setting.
When you first saw the script, what jumped out as things you could highlight or play with to help both propel the story and convey the South Florida setting?
It was immediately the most heartbreaking and dynamic script I’ve ever read. Music was embedded in the script … the music itself had this sort of rhythm to it. Since Trey and I have worked together for so long, I could sense the emotion and knew what he wanted; we like to have our films evolve and change, and the cinematic language changes throughout this film with the characters’ emotions and as the story arc changes. We built this really detailed camera...
When you first saw the script, what jumped out as things you could highlight or play with to help both propel the story and convey the South Florida setting?
It was immediately the most heartbreaking and dynamic script I’ve ever read. Music was embedded in the script … the music itself had this sort of rhythm to it. Since Trey and I have worked together for so long, I could sense the emotion and knew what he wanted; we like to have our films evolve and change, and the cinematic language changes throughout this film with the characters’ emotions and as the story arc changes. We built this really detailed camera...
- 1/3/2020
- by Paula Hendrickson
- Variety Film + TV
What an incredible evolution filmmaker Trey Edward Shults has gone through in just a few short years. As much as his debut Krisha, as well as his sophomore outing It Comes At Night, hinted at his talents, this week we see the true measure of his abilities. Waves is not just the best work of Shults’ young career, it’s one of the best works of 2019, period. Whatever you’ve heard about this one on the fall film festival circuit is not just appropriate buzz, but a mere hint of the power this contains. In terms of vibrant experiences, nothing in cinemas right now can compare to it. The film is a keenly observed family drama and a modern American story. Taking place in South Florida, the Williams family is an upper class African American clan. Tyler (Kelvin Harrison Jr.) is a star wrestler in high school and constantly under...
- 11/13/2019
- by Joey Magidson
- Hollywoodnews.com
This emotional typhoon unleashed in Waves is the work of Trey Edward Shults, 31, the Texas-born writer-director marked as a talent to watch thanks to his first two features: the blistering family melodrama/portrait of an addict Krisha (2014) and the blistering family melodrama/psychological horror movie It Comes at Night (2017). The visual styling and deliberate pacing of his work have brought not always favorable (or fair) comparisons to his mentor Terrence Malick (The Tree of Life, Song to Song). But this is a young filmmaker who goes his own way, pouring...
- 11/11/2019
- by Peter Travers
- Rollingstone.com
The first few minutes of Trey Edward Shults’ Waves are positively dizzying. Amidst a throbbing Trent Reznor-Atticus Ross score, a high school wrestler, Tyler, drives with his girlfriend, hits wrestling practice, goes to class, works out, hangs with friends, and lives out a normal school day. It’s the type of schedule that seems exhausting to anyone older than their mid-20s. But this, Shults is saying, is the reality of life for a young man being pulled in seemingly endless numbers of different directions. As we watch this intense opening and dive deep into Tyler’s day-to-day, questions emerge. How is it possible for a teenager like Tyler—one with an entire future mapped out and waiting—to not make mistakes? And what if these mistakes led to others? Waves is a film that truly understands how dominoes start to fall in a young life. Just as importantly,...
- 9/11/2019
- by Christopher Schobert
- The Film Stage
Samantha Jayne’s Quarter Life Poetry began life as a Tumblr and Instagram, transforming her millennial 20something experiences into doodles and poems. Now it’s an ambitious series set to premiere on FX Networks later this year, brought to life with director Arturo Perez Jr. helming all ten episodes. Via email, cinematographer Drew Daniels addressed the challenges of crafting their own visual language and using a jib for a shot it wasn’t intended for. Filmmaker: How and why did you wind up being the cinematographer of your film? What were the factors and attributes that led to your being hired for this job? Daniels: I’ve […]...
- 1/31/2019
- by Filmmaker Staff
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Samantha Jayne’s Quarter Life Poetry began life as a Tumblr and Instagram, transforming her millennial 20something experiences into doodles and poems. Now it’s an ambitious series set to premiere on FX Networks later this year, brought to life with director Arturo Perez Jr. helming all ten episodes. Via email, cinematographer Drew Daniels addressed the challenges of crafting their own visual language and using a jib for a shot it wasn’t intended for. Filmmaker: How and why did you wind up being the cinematographer of your film? What were the factors and attributes that led to your being hired for this job? Daniels: I’ve […]...
- 1/31/2019
- by Filmmaker Staff
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
Waves
Rapidly transitioning from sophomore film club and into production with his third oeuvre, Trey Edward Shults was the talk of the town with his award winning SXSW, Cannes price of a Volkswagen debut Krisha. Filming on Waves took place over the past summer, with Lucas Hedges, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Taylor Russell, Alexa Demie and Sterling K. Brown all cast in the Florida set backdrop. Regular Dp in Drew Daniels and a Trent Reznor/Atticus Ross score assures a bonafide fest if A24 decides to move in that direction.
Gist: Two young couples experience growing up and falling in love.…...
Rapidly transitioning from sophomore film club and into production with his third oeuvre, Trey Edward Shults was the talk of the town with his award winning SXSW, Cannes price of a Volkswagen debut Krisha. Filming on Waves took place over the past summer, with Lucas Hedges, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Taylor Russell, Alexa Demie and Sterling K. Brown all cast in the Florida set backdrop. Regular Dp in Drew Daniels and a Trent Reznor/Atticus Ross score assures a bonafide fest if A24 decides to move in that direction.
Gist: Two young couples experience growing up and falling in love.…...
- 1/25/2019
- by Eric Lavallée
- IONCINEMA.com
Trey Edward Shults blasted onto the scene with his award winning SXSW, Cannes debut Krisha (2015) which was followed up with It Comes at Night (2017) which A24 decided to world premiere at the Overlook Film Festival. With the distributor handling a pretty heavy 2019 slate, while Waves (which was filmed this past July) would be a good Sundance fit, there are better chances that this receives a year end release a la Moonlight. With Lucas Hedges, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Taylor Russell, Alexa Demie and Sterling K. Brown cast, the Florida project sees contributions from his regular Dp in Drew Daniels and a score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross.…...
- 11/23/2018
- by Eric Lavallée
- IONCINEMA.com
An empathetic turn by Susan Sarandon as an anxious mother whose journalist son is being held hostage by overseas extremists is enough to hold together “Viper Club.” But it’s not quite enough to render this subject as compelling as it should be; the intimacy of the protagonist’s viewpoint also results in an isolated and monotonously apolitical look at a narrow civilian aspect of turbulent global politics.
YouTube Originals and Roadside Attractions plans a U.S. theatrical release on Oct. 26, and an awards campaign for the star could stir some interest. Yet this earnest drama, a second narrative feature for director/co-scribe Maryam Keshavarz (following 2011’s Iran-set “Circumstance”) feels like it would be most at home on the small screen.
Helen Sterling (Susan Sarandon) is a longtime ER nurse at an upstate New York hospital. She’s such a pro that she can handle her everyday duties and even...
YouTube Originals and Roadside Attractions plans a U.S. theatrical release on Oct. 26, and an awards campaign for the star could stir some interest. Yet this earnest drama, a second narrative feature for director/co-scribe Maryam Keshavarz (following 2011’s Iran-set “Circumstance”) feels like it would be most at home on the small screen.
Helen Sterling (Susan Sarandon) is a longtime ER nurse at an upstate New York hospital. She’s such a pro that she can handle her everyday duties and even...
- 9/12/2018
- by Dennis Harvey
- Variety Film + TV
Prolific cinematographer Drew Daniels has shot more than 40 shorts and features since 2009. His recent credits include the films of Trey Edward Shults (Krisha and It Comes at Night) and the SXSW-winning short Thunder Road. Daniels was tapped by first-time feature director Jonathan Watson to shoot Arizona, a darkly comic thriller featuring Danny McBride, Rosemarie DeWitt and Seth Rogen. Below, Daniels discusses the film’s visual influences, his love of natural light and capturing the “dusty, burnt out quality of the suburban Southwest.” Arizona screens in the Midnight lineup at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival. Filmmaker: How and why did you wind […]...
- 1/22/2018
- by Filmmaker Staff
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
The month of June has been flying by quicker than I can even believe, as we’re already a week out from the end of the 2017 Dances With Films festival, which took over the historic Chinese Theater in Los Angeles earlier this month. During Dwf, I had the opportunity to catch several intriguing genre films, including Devil’s Whisper, Inheritance, Imitation Girl, and Central Park, and here’s a summary of my thoughts on these four flicks:
Devil’s Whisper: There are a few aspects that I enjoyed about Devil’s Whisper, but unfortunately in the end, a somewhat predictable conclusion coupled with some hokey dialogue ends up derailing the supernatural story from becoming anything beyond “it’s fine.”
Co-writer/director Adam Ripp admirably takes the road left traveled in Devil’s Whisper (especially in relation to other recent possession-related movies), as we follow a teenager named Alex (Luca Oriel...
Devil’s Whisper: There are a few aspects that I enjoyed about Devil’s Whisper, but unfortunately in the end, a somewhat predictable conclusion coupled with some hokey dialogue ends up derailing the supernatural story from becoming anything beyond “it’s fine.”
Co-writer/director Adam Ripp admirably takes the road left traveled in Devil’s Whisper (especially in relation to other recent possession-related movies), as we follow a teenager named Alex (Luca Oriel...
- 6/20/2017
- by Heather Wixson
- DailyDead
Independent horror has been having a bit of a resurgence these days, as I’ve spoken of over the past couple of years. Auteur driven scares are on the rise, even if studios are largely still trying to bank on reboots, remakes, and sequels. This week, an original outing comes our way when It Comes At Night hits theaters, hoping to scare not just indie audiences, but the moviegoing populace at large. The recent tradition started by the likes of The Babadook, It Follows, and The Witch, to name three, will likely continue here. This flick is going to develop quite the following. The film is a chamber piece, set in the aftermath of some sort of apocalyptic event. Paul (Joel Edgerton) keeps himself and his family alive using a very strict set of rules. These rules apply to everyone, even said family. It has protected his wife Sarah (Carmen Ejogo...
- 6/8/2017
- by Joey Magidson
- Hollywoodnews.com
The threat of the unknown lurks behind every door, every parcel of darkness, and every character motivation in It Comes at Night. While the world writer-director Trey Edward Shults hints at is larger than in Krisha, it’s a similarly scaled exercise in wringing out tension — one that’s more patient than his debut, even if the whole is not as great as the sum of its formally impressive parts. The details in this post-apocalyptic chamber drama — flat-out horror this is not — are spare, an initially refreshing decision that ultimately results in a rather empty, half-formed narrative.
Living in and around a boarded-up home within a world where a disease has infected much of the population — or at least, that’s the extent of the damage hinted at — Paul (Joel Edgerton) and his wife, Sarah (Carmen Ejogo), primarily seek to survive and protect their family, including son Travis (Kelvin Harrison Jr.), at all costs.
Living in and around a boarded-up home within a world where a disease has infected much of the population — or at least, that’s the extent of the damage hinted at — Paul (Joel Edgerton) and his wife, Sarah (Carmen Ejogo), primarily seek to survive and protect their family, including son Travis (Kelvin Harrison Jr.), at all costs.
- 6/6/2017
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
No false promises in the title: It Comes at Night comes right at you, leaving you unnerved, maybe even a little unhinged – and completely exhilarated. You want horror that screws with your head? This is your ticket. It's the work of Trey Edward Shults, a writer-director whose 2016 indie debut feature, Krisha, was shot for practically nothing in his parents' house in Texas, with his family members and himself cast in key roles. More importantly, it showed the seeds of a talent ready to spread its wings – the kind of young...
- 6/6/2017
- Rollingstone.com
The legendary Kane Hodder, whose film contributions are many, but is most known for his portrayal of Jason Voorhees (Friday the 13th Part VII, Friday the 13th Part VIII, Jason Goes to Hell, Jason X), has a documentary coming out about his intriguing life called To Hell and Back, and a new clip from the film has been released. Also: details on the Sdcc 2017 exclusive Twin Peaks sign, Central Park and Inheritance Dances with Films screening info, release details on the Camera Obscura soundtrack and White Raven release.
To Hell and Back: The Kane Hodder Story: "In a candid moment, Robert Englund reveals that horror films used to not garner much respect among the film industry, but is now “a go-to, popcorn ingredient in the soul of Hollywood.” Felissa Rose (Sleepaway Camp) describes stories of Kane’s strong relationship with his fans, while Ted White (Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter...
To Hell and Back: The Kane Hodder Story: "In a candid moment, Robert Englund reveals that horror films used to not garner much respect among the film industry, but is now “a go-to, popcorn ingredient in the soul of Hollywood.” Felissa Rose (Sleepaway Camp) describes stories of Kane’s strong relationship with his fans, while Ted White (Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter...
- 5/25/2017
- by Tamika Jones
- DailyDead
As he did in the stunner Krisha, Trey Edward Shults confines most of the action in his sophomore feature to the interiors of a private home. But in It Comes at Night, that house is not just a cauldron of domestic tensions, but a fortress against a dangerous world. Set in an unspecified very-near future, when a mysterious plague has apparently decimated the population, the story of a family defending itself against whatever’s out there grabs you by the throat from its first, wrenching moments and doesn’t let go.
The film confirms that Shults, working again with Dp Drew Daniels,...
The film confirms that Shults, working again with Dp Drew Daniels,...
- 5/16/2017
- by Sheri Linden
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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