![Image](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BNTE3ZjA2MWQtMGQzZC00N2RmLThiZWUtYzMyMjQyNWQ1MzY2XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTE0MzQwMjgz._V1_QL75_UY281_CR91,0,500,281_.jpg)
“Mark, Mary & Some Other People” opens with one of the strangest meet cutes in recent memory: Slacker dog-walker Mark (Ben Rosenfield) and brash singer Mary (Hayley Law) reconnect for the first time since college at a convenience store, where the former joins the latter in the bathroom — eventually singing loudly and crazily to boot — while she takes a pregnancy test. That introduction is emblematic of the jaunty weirdness of Hannah Marks’ romantic comedy, which concerns its protagonists’ ensuing decision to attempt an open relationship. Embellishing stock formula with plenty of personality, it’s
With a jokey ’70s mustache and matching curly hair, Mark is a good-natured goof whose self-possessed oddness (exemplified by his collaboration with his father on a “life cup” birth control device that works with saliva) is ideally suited for Mary, a Black rocker with long braids and a dreary day job recording voiceovers for commercials for...
With a jokey ’70s mustache and matching curly hair, Mark is a good-natured goof whose self-possessed oddness (exemplified by his collaboration with his father on a “life cup” birth control device that works with saliva) is ideally suited for Mary, a Black rocker with long braids and a dreary day job recording voiceovers for commercials for...
- 8/30/2021
- by Nick Schager
- Variety Film + TV
![Image](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BYmEyNmI1OTEtNzAyMS00MDhkLWFmYzItMzJhN2ExYzkwYzgyXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTE0MzQwMjgz._V1_QL75_UX500_CR0,26,500,281_.jpg)
Seven out of the 21 titles are world premieres – a record high for the French festival
TV series festival and industry event Series Mania, which is taking place in Lille from August 26-September 2, has announced the line-up for its Forum Exclusives section, also known as the Buyers’ Showcase.
Seven out of the 21 series are world premieres, the highest number since the creation of the forum in 2013.
These include Algiers Confidential - a French and German four-part series about a police inspector attached to the German embassy in Algiers who has a forbidden love affair with an Algerian investigating judge, made even...
TV series festival and industry event Series Mania, which is taking place in Lille from August 26-September 2, has announced the line-up for its Forum Exclusives section, also known as the Buyers’ Showcase.
Seven out of the 21 series are world premieres, the highest number since the creation of the forum in 2013.
These include Algiers Confidential - a French and German four-part series about a police inspector attached to the German embassy in Algiers who has a forbidden love affair with an Algerian investigating judge, made even...
- 8/5/2021
- by Mona Tabbara
- ScreenDaily
![Image](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BNDVlYmNhN2QtMDBiOC00N2Q4LTkxZjYtNmQ3ZDZhOWE4OWI3XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTE0MzQwMjgz._V1_QL75_UX500_CR0,0,500,281_.jpg)
Series Mania, the annual series jamboree at Lille, France, has revealed 21 high-end series from 19 countries that will be part of its Forum Exclusives strand.
Seven of these titles are world premieres, a new record since the creation of the Forum in 2013, Laurence Herszberg, founder and general director of Series Mania (Aug. 26 – Sept. 2), and Francesco Capurro, director of Series Mania Forum (Aug. 30 – Sept. 1), said on Thursday.
The 21 Forum Exclusives have been selected by Series Mania’s artistic director Frédéric Lavigne and his team and will be available to screen exclusively to registered participants at the on-site screening room and on the Series Mania Digital platform from Aug. 30 through Sept. 18. These high-end worldwide series are produced and/or distributed by leading international distributors including Banijay Rights, Beta Films, About Premium Content, Keshet International, Newen Connect, Snd, Zodiac Pictures and Inter Medya.
The world premieres include “Algiers Confidential” (France/Germany), a Watch Next...
Seven of these titles are world premieres, a new record since the creation of the Forum in 2013, Laurence Herszberg, founder and general director of Series Mania (Aug. 26 – Sept. 2), and Francesco Capurro, director of Series Mania Forum (Aug. 30 – Sept. 1), said on Thursday.
The 21 Forum Exclusives have been selected by Series Mania’s artistic director Frédéric Lavigne and his team and will be available to screen exclusively to registered participants at the on-site screening room and on the Series Mania Digital platform from Aug. 30 through Sept. 18. These high-end worldwide series are produced and/or distributed by leading international distributors including Banijay Rights, Beta Films, About Premium Content, Keshet International, Newen Connect, Snd, Zodiac Pictures and Inter Medya.
The world premieres include “Algiers Confidential” (France/Germany), a Watch Next...
- 8/5/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
![Fairuza Balk, Neve Campbell, Robin Tunney, and Rachel True in The Craft (1996)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BZTBkMWE1NGItZTgxMi00ZTE0LWIzZjAtNzQ5ZGZlZTQxN2EwXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTQxNzMzNDI@._V1_QL75_UX140_CR0,0,140,207_.jpg)
![Fairuza Balk, Neve Campbell, Robin Tunney, and Rachel True in The Craft (1996)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BZTBkMWE1NGItZTgxMi00ZTE0LWIzZjAtNzQ5ZGZlZTQxN2EwXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTQxNzMzNDI@._V1_QL75_UX140_CR0,0,140,207_.jpg)
“We Are The Weirdos, Mister.” A phrase you’ll find printed over t-shirts, pin badges, mugs, earrings, tote bags, necklaces, and more all over the internet. It’s the most iconic line from The Craft, a film released 25 years ago that still has a rabid following today. For anyone unfamiliar with The Craft, it’s a line spoken by Fairuza Balk’s Nancy, an inferno in black lippy and sunglasses, the de facto leader of a homemade coven made up of outsiders who have taken the raw deal the world has given them and rejected it by learning to harness the power of nature. This line is everything. We are no longer going to be victims, it says. We will no longer be afraid. We reclaim our space, our power. That we are four teenaged girls will no longer mean we have to watch out for ‘weirdos’ – because it is us who are the weirdos.
- 5/3/2021
- by Rosie Fletcher
- Den of Geek
![Image](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BYTY5ODY1YzItZTk1OS00ZmY1LWExZjUtNzdmMjQyNmU0ZjA3XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTE0MzQwMjgz._V1_QL75_UY140_CR34,0,140,140_.jpg)
![Image](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BYTY5ODY1YzItZTk1OS00ZmY1LWExZjUtNzdmMjQyNmU0ZjA3XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTE0MzQwMjgz._V1_QL75_UY140_CR34,0,140,140_.jpg)
This weekly feature is in addition to TVLine’s daily What to Watch listings and monthly guide to What’s on Streaming.
With nearly 500 scripted shows now airing across broadcast, cable and streaming, it’s easy to forget that a favorite comedy is returning, or that the new “prestige drama” you anticipated is about to debut. So consider this our reminder to set your DVR, order a Season Pass, pop a fresh Memorex into the Vcr… however it is you roll.
More from TVLineWhat's New on NetflixBlack History Month Specials, Movies and DocumentariesCBS' Equalizer: Grade Queen Latifah's Debut as the...
With nearly 500 scripted shows now airing across broadcast, cable and streaming, it’s easy to forget that a favorite comedy is returning, or that the new “prestige drama” you anticipated is about to debut. So consider this our reminder to set your DVR, order a Season Pass, pop a fresh Memorex into the Vcr… however it is you roll.
More from TVLineWhat's New on NetflixBlack History Month Specials, Movies and DocumentariesCBS' Equalizer: Grade Queen Latifah's Debut as the...
- 2/6/2021
- by Ryan Schwartz
- TVLine.com
![Image](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BMmYzYzE2NWItODlhMC00MTA5LWI1NjMtMWJjYTZhYjVmN2MwXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTE0MzQwMjgz._V1_QL75_UX140_CR0,0,140,140_.jpg)
![Image](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BMmYzYzE2NWItODlhMC00MTA5LWI1NjMtMWJjYTZhYjVmN2MwXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTE0MzQwMjgz._V1_QL75_UX140_CR0,0,140,140_.jpg)
When it released Wonder Woman 1984 to its HBO Max servers in December, WarnerMedia made it abundantly clear that it was ready for a new era of movie distribution. Now, in its list of new releases for February 2021, Warner is attempting another grand experiment for HBO Max.
Judas and the Black Messiah premieres on HBO Max this Feb. 12 and is by every indication the kind of film that awards shows go gaga over. Both Daniel Kaluuya and and Lakeith Stanfield look to be at the top of their respective games in this story about Black Panther Party chairman Fred Hampton and the FBI that wants to take him down. Will this have the same rhetorical oomph on the small screen? Guess we’ll find out!
Read more Movies How Wonder Woman 1984’s Practical Effects Set it Apart By Delia Harrington Movies Why It’s Important that Themyscira Is Back...
Judas and the Black Messiah premieres on HBO Max this Feb. 12 and is by every indication the kind of film that awards shows go gaga over. Both Daniel Kaluuya and and Lakeith Stanfield look to be at the top of their respective games in this story about Black Panther Party chairman Fred Hampton and the FBI that wants to take him down. Will this have the same rhetorical oomph on the small screen? Guess we’ll find out!
Read more Movies How Wonder Woman 1984’s Practical Effects Set it Apart By Delia Harrington Movies Why It’s Important that Themyscira Is Back...
- 1/31/2021
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
![Image](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BMjM4MmEwMWQtMWMyOC00YzlhLThhODktNTIwYzg3YzMyNzM5XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTE0MzQwMjgz._V1_QL75_UY140_CR23,0,140,140_.jpg)
![Image](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BMjM4MmEwMWQtMWMyOC00YzlhLThhODktNTIwYzg3YzMyNzM5XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTE0MzQwMjgz._V1_QL75_UY140_CR23,0,140,140_.jpg)
Hockey analyst Jeremy Roenick filed suit Friday in Manhattan Supreme Court against NBC Sports, saying he was wrongfully dismissed for making a comment about a desired “threesome” with an on-air partner while other commentators said equally racy remarks and went unpunished.
Roenick, age 50, said the network applied a different standard to his remarks than those by skating commentators Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski in a different video. His lawsuit does not ask for a specific amount in damages.
NBC fired the former NHL forward in February for comments he made on a Dec. 18 episode of the Barstool Sports podcast “Spittin’ Chiclets.” On that show, Roenick joked about his hopes to “go to bed” with his wife and coworker Kathryn Tappen on a vacation in Portugal.
Roenick’s lawsuit claims former figure skating Olympians Lipinski and Weir said equally disturbing things on a July 2 video of 1998 Olympic gold medalist figure skater Bradie Tennell.
Roenick, age 50, said the network applied a different standard to his remarks than those by skating commentators Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski in a different video. His lawsuit does not ask for a specific amount in damages.
NBC fired the former NHL forward in February for comments he made on a Dec. 18 episode of the Barstool Sports podcast “Spittin’ Chiclets.” On that show, Roenick joked about his hopes to “go to bed” with his wife and coworker Kathryn Tappen on a vacation in Portugal.
Roenick’s lawsuit claims former figure skating Olympians Lipinski and Weir said equally disturbing things on a July 2 video of 1998 Olympic gold medalist figure skater Bradie Tennell.
- 7/18/2020
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
While in Panama for the film festival, one of the notable people I met was Jorge Ameer.
Jorge left his home in Panama at age 16 in the late 1980s due to political unrest and civil instability. The country’s dictator and drug king Noriega was recruiting young men to fight in his military army as the looming confrontation with the United States approached. In 1989, the United States invaded Panama under the name of “Just Cause” ousted the Panamanian dictator.
Living in Los Angeles, at the age of 18, he was selected to participate in the Walt Disney College Program. He worked in the marketing departments of New Line Cinema, Paramount and Columbia Pictures. In motion picture development, Jorge worked as a story analyst for Richard Gere's production company and Wendy Finerman's productions at Tri Star Pictures in the early nineties and the now defunct Fries Entertainment.
He also tried his hand at acting and was in Gramercy's "Panther" and "Tales from the Hood", HBO's "Social Friction Fables" New Line's "Friday" along with other cameos and supporting roles. He co-starred opposite award winning actor Matthew Leitch (Star of “Aka”) in the carnival romp "Sabor Tropical".
Ameer served as the coordinator for the 1988 Latino Entertainment Industry Conference and as a member of the advisory board of the Methodfest Film Festival. He was also the U.S. representative for the Barcelona G & L Film Festival and a film programmer for the Palm Springs G & L Film Festival.
In October 1997, he founded and executive directed The Continental Film Festival, better known as the first American Independent film festival held overseas on the island of Contadora, off the Gulf of Panama. There is where his film career actually began. He served as a festival coordinator during the very beginnings of the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival founded by Edward James Olmos and Marlene Dehmer.
At these festivals, Ameer helped in the selection of many foreign features. After noticing a lack of recognition of foreign and independent gay themed films released theatrically, he founded the International Gay Film Awards, the Glitter Awards (2001-2008), at that time the only award show of its kind.
In 1997, Ameer also started Hollywood Independents, a distribution company which launched with the theatrical release of "California Myth" starring Tyron Powers Jr.
Thereafter, the company has released such titles as the Jamaican/American co-production "Klash" starring Jazmine Guy, "Eastside" starring Mario Lopez, "Tequila Body Shots" starring Joey Lawrence, "Poor White Trash" starring Jamie Pressley, Jason London, William Devane and Sean Young, Spain's Academy Awards Winning film (Goya Winner) "I will Survive" (Sobrevivire), and "Hotel Room" from the director of "Nico & Dani". Other releases include his film "The Singing Forest", and "Junked" starring Thomas Jane (star of "The Mist", "Punisher" and the popular HBO series "Hung") and Jordan Ladd (star of "Cabin Fever", "Hostel 2").
Jorge Ameer's theatrical distribution company Hollywood Independents International opened its theatrical distribution operations in Central and South America in 2006 with the theatrical release of "Grande Ecole" a film by Robert Salis. The French film was censored and banned in Panama due to its explicit sexual content
Ameer took a trip to Panama to denounce the banning of this film. After outrage was expressed by the Panamanian press, the film opened successfully in Panama. It opened number one at the Alhambra-Plus Transistmica beating studio films "Night at the Museum" and "Deja Vu". It broke box office records locally, playing in theaters for eight weeks.
On January 26, 2009 the Library of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Fairbanks Center for Motion Picture study invited Mr. Ameer's to have his screenplays be a permanent part of "The Core Collection". The screenplays in this collection are made accessible for research purposes; students, filmmakers, writers and actors are among the patrons.
In April 2011, Mr. Ameer started his own film series in Panama called Jorge Ameer presents Cine Serie Independiente, a showcase to promote and exhibit high profile award winning independent and foreign films in Panama.
He brought in Aluzio Abranche's controversial incestuous drama of brotherly love "From Beginning to End" (“Do Comeco ao Fim”), Andre Shortell's "Psych 9" starring Sara Foster & Cary Elwes and Karee Andrew's "Altitude".
During the film presentations, directors presented their work to Panamanian audiences in person and live via skype. This is the first time in Panama's cinema history technology has allowed local cinephiles the opportunity to interact with award winning filmmakers virally before and after their film presentations.
Unfortunately, the presenting cinema and only theatre exhibitor to support independent films - the Alhambra Theatres- closed the following year, 2012, due to financial troubles. It was the last of a series of vintage stand-alone cinemas constructed during the boom of single screen theatres and drive-ins in Panama.
There are currently only two theatre chain exhibitors (Cinepolis & Cinemark) operating in Panama. Both chains have their multiplex cinemas located throughout today's popular mega malls.
Several months after his film series, Mr. Ameer produced the opening night after-party to the October 2011 edition of Screamfest, the world's premiere horror film festival based in Hollywood, California. The event was held at the Hollywood Renaissance Hotel. The event brought luminaries of the genre such as Paranormal Activity's Oren Peli, "Saw" and "Insidious" director James Wan, as well as "Grease", "Summer Lovers", "Blue Lagoon" director Randal Kleiser and "Firestarters", "Class of 1984" director Mark Lester to name a few celebrity attendees. With a seance theme, over 400 votive candles were used to create the atmosphere. In addition over one hundred skulls, the Screamfest symbol, were featured as centerpieces and part of the morbid "look" throughout the event. A well-lit coffin surrounded by neon lights was featured in the gift room where guests retrieved their gift bags from the open casket.
Mr. Ameer has authored, produced, and directed the theatrical features "The Truth Within", "Strippers","The Singing Forest", "Contadora is for lovers", "The House of Adam", "The Dark Side of Love","Sabor Tropical", "D'Agostino". All projects released theatrically through Hollywood Independents.
Ameer has produced, written and directed countless 35mm comedic shorts films to name a few "My Straight Boyfriend", "Popcorn & Coke", "Uninhibited", "Midnight Snack", "Tease" now available on DVD as a compilation of shorts called “Straight Men & the Men Who Love Them”.
This collection has been so successful that he has executive produced, programmed and curated two more such programs “Straight Men & the Men Who Love Them 2” and the upcoming “Straight Men & the Men Who Love Them 3”. The latest compilation of shorts is a collection of international shorts curated from the Cannes Film Festival Short Film Corner.
Ameer made a documentary "Classic Hollywood Cinemas" an in depth look at the old Hollywood movie palaces, their historic and preservation value and impact.
He's also produced and arranged the publishing of the historical and award winning first ever "Guide to Gay & Lesbian Film which has won many book awards for its detail, educational and historical contribution to independent gay and lesbian films released in theaters.
In addition to filmmaking, within the exhibition industry, Jorge Ameer was the last person to re-open the historic Vogue theatre in Hollywood as a movie theatre to showcase independent films. Films such as "Nico and Dani" (Tla Releasing) and "Just one time" from the now defunct Cowboy Releasing played at this theatre. The resurgence of film exhibition at the Vogue was short lived due to alleged hauntings at the venue where a paranormal research group leased the theatre from Mann theaters to set up shop as headquarters for their research group.
Jorge Ameer's "The Dark Side of Love " was the last film to shoot at the Regent Showcase Theatre in Hollywood prior to its closing. "The Regent Showcase Theatre, originally the Gordon Theatre (1938), is one of the older art houses in Los Angeles until its closing in May 2009.
A human rights activist, Ameer has spent most of his career creating controversial, cutting edge trivial stories with thought provoking subject matters to challenge audiences from the stereotypical social conventions and outdated traditional values which detract from enhancing the global human experience.
He is currently working on his latest film project “Oasis” to be shot in Panama during the month of August. Oasis” is a twisted thriller set in the backdrop of Panama's paradise its about a newlywed American who decides to visit a friend while in Panama on business, to rekindle their friendship to prove his love to his wife by killing him.
Also, on the current issue of Scream Magazine issue # 35, the worlds largest horror film magazine, his “Medusa” has received with extensive coverage. The film is currently playing in theaters in the U.S. through Regal Cinemas after having its world premiere at the Cannes Film Market.
“Medusa” had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival Marche along with a horror short he starred in called "Find Pauletta" in the Short Film Corner. This was the first time a Panamanian has had two films in two different programs of the Cannes Film Festival.
VFX for “Medusa” was by Jeremy Vanneman who has worked on many studio films including the upcoming “Ghostbusters”, “Guardians of the Galaxy”, “San Andreas”, etc. “Medusa” also has a celebrity cameo by 80's hearthrob William McNamara.
Jorge is the only Panamanian filmmaker who writes, direct, produces and own his own production and distribution company in Hollywood.
Jorge Ameer has also pioneered and procured the opening of the first high school film program at one of the oldest (110 years) and most prestigious private high schools in Panama, the Pan American Institute (Instituto Panamericano) in Panama City.
The film program curriculum was designed by Ameer and approved by the Ministry of Education.
It launched in 2015 with the first class schedule to graduate in 2017.
In his own words:
The high school film program was an idea that started because of the lack of opportunity and education in film that I myself had when growing up. I loved film so much; film was my babysitter during my childhood years. Whenever I wasn't in school I was at the movie theatre watching several films a day until my mom picked me up from the theatre. I attended the Pan American Institute (Instituto Panamericano) from kindergarten through graduation 1989.
Decades later as a filmmaker, distributor and film buyer, I approached the principal of the high school with the high risk idea of starting a film school program for an industry that even though in its infancy I knew it would grow leaps and bounds if those who pushed hard enough would stick with it to create some semblance of film opportunities and production here in Panama. Ten years later after designing a very thorough program that includes script writing, production, distribution, film marketing, campaign strategy, film fund and grant writing as well as crowdfunding to use donors as ambassadors to promote the film, the Ministry of Education approved the program.
Last year, the first students, approximately 27 brave souls, risking the uncertainty the entertainment field has to offer, weathered the scrutiny of their parents to become the pioneering and prototype Class of 2017. This Class, now in the 11th grade, is gearing up to produce its first set of shorts for the Ipa Student Film Festival. The first film festival of its kind, it showcases the works of these film students with the goal of creating filmmakers from an early stage who will graduate with films reels in their areas of interest which will show their talents to prospective universities, scholarship programs and other international student competitions.
I got the Ministry of Industry and Commerce Film Department called Di Cine in conjunction with the Panama Film Commission to fund the projections of these works which will take place as an outdoor cinema event on the school grounds. on Friday, August 5 at 7pm. Provided the students meet the minimum Gpa, they will be required to do internships placed and provided through the Film Commission in conjunction with other private film entities such as the Tvn Channel 2, one of Panama's major television networks as well as The Panama Canal Chanel among other companies offering opportunities for these students to practice their craft prior to graduating.
Currently, under construction, is an upcoming state of the art film lab studio facility providing students with the opportunity to develop their talents. Also a new auditorium will host film events and eventually the high school graduation ceremony.
Jorge left his home in Panama at age 16 in the late 1980s due to political unrest and civil instability. The country’s dictator and drug king Noriega was recruiting young men to fight in his military army as the looming confrontation with the United States approached. In 1989, the United States invaded Panama under the name of “Just Cause” ousted the Panamanian dictator.
Living in Los Angeles, at the age of 18, he was selected to participate in the Walt Disney College Program. He worked in the marketing departments of New Line Cinema, Paramount and Columbia Pictures. In motion picture development, Jorge worked as a story analyst for Richard Gere's production company and Wendy Finerman's productions at Tri Star Pictures in the early nineties and the now defunct Fries Entertainment.
He also tried his hand at acting and was in Gramercy's "Panther" and "Tales from the Hood", HBO's "Social Friction Fables" New Line's "Friday" along with other cameos and supporting roles. He co-starred opposite award winning actor Matthew Leitch (Star of “Aka”) in the carnival romp "Sabor Tropical".
Ameer served as the coordinator for the 1988 Latino Entertainment Industry Conference and as a member of the advisory board of the Methodfest Film Festival. He was also the U.S. representative for the Barcelona G & L Film Festival and a film programmer for the Palm Springs G & L Film Festival.
In October 1997, he founded and executive directed The Continental Film Festival, better known as the first American Independent film festival held overseas on the island of Contadora, off the Gulf of Panama. There is where his film career actually began. He served as a festival coordinator during the very beginnings of the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival founded by Edward James Olmos and Marlene Dehmer.
At these festivals, Ameer helped in the selection of many foreign features. After noticing a lack of recognition of foreign and independent gay themed films released theatrically, he founded the International Gay Film Awards, the Glitter Awards (2001-2008), at that time the only award show of its kind.
In 1997, Ameer also started Hollywood Independents, a distribution company which launched with the theatrical release of "California Myth" starring Tyron Powers Jr.
Thereafter, the company has released such titles as the Jamaican/American co-production "Klash" starring Jazmine Guy, "Eastside" starring Mario Lopez, "Tequila Body Shots" starring Joey Lawrence, "Poor White Trash" starring Jamie Pressley, Jason London, William Devane and Sean Young, Spain's Academy Awards Winning film (Goya Winner) "I will Survive" (Sobrevivire), and "Hotel Room" from the director of "Nico & Dani". Other releases include his film "The Singing Forest", and "Junked" starring Thomas Jane (star of "The Mist", "Punisher" and the popular HBO series "Hung") and Jordan Ladd (star of "Cabin Fever", "Hostel 2").
Jorge Ameer's theatrical distribution company Hollywood Independents International opened its theatrical distribution operations in Central and South America in 2006 with the theatrical release of "Grande Ecole" a film by Robert Salis. The French film was censored and banned in Panama due to its explicit sexual content
Ameer took a trip to Panama to denounce the banning of this film. After outrage was expressed by the Panamanian press, the film opened successfully in Panama. It opened number one at the Alhambra-Plus Transistmica beating studio films "Night at the Museum" and "Deja Vu". It broke box office records locally, playing in theaters for eight weeks.
On January 26, 2009 the Library of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Fairbanks Center for Motion Picture study invited Mr. Ameer's to have his screenplays be a permanent part of "The Core Collection". The screenplays in this collection are made accessible for research purposes; students, filmmakers, writers and actors are among the patrons.
In April 2011, Mr. Ameer started his own film series in Panama called Jorge Ameer presents Cine Serie Independiente, a showcase to promote and exhibit high profile award winning independent and foreign films in Panama.
He brought in Aluzio Abranche's controversial incestuous drama of brotherly love "From Beginning to End" (“Do Comeco ao Fim”), Andre Shortell's "Psych 9" starring Sara Foster & Cary Elwes and Karee Andrew's "Altitude".
During the film presentations, directors presented their work to Panamanian audiences in person and live via skype. This is the first time in Panama's cinema history technology has allowed local cinephiles the opportunity to interact with award winning filmmakers virally before and after their film presentations.
Unfortunately, the presenting cinema and only theatre exhibitor to support independent films - the Alhambra Theatres- closed the following year, 2012, due to financial troubles. It was the last of a series of vintage stand-alone cinemas constructed during the boom of single screen theatres and drive-ins in Panama.
There are currently only two theatre chain exhibitors (Cinepolis & Cinemark) operating in Panama. Both chains have their multiplex cinemas located throughout today's popular mega malls.
Several months after his film series, Mr. Ameer produced the opening night after-party to the October 2011 edition of Screamfest, the world's premiere horror film festival based in Hollywood, California. The event was held at the Hollywood Renaissance Hotel. The event brought luminaries of the genre such as Paranormal Activity's Oren Peli, "Saw" and "Insidious" director James Wan, as well as "Grease", "Summer Lovers", "Blue Lagoon" director Randal Kleiser and "Firestarters", "Class of 1984" director Mark Lester to name a few celebrity attendees. With a seance theme, over 400 votive candles were used to create the atmosphere. In addition over one hundred skulls, the Screamfest symbol, were featured as centerpieces and part of the morbid "look" throughout the event. A well-lit coffin surrounded by neon lights was featured in the gift room where guests retrieved their gift bags from the open casket.
Mr. Ameer has authored, produced, and directed the theatrical features "The Truth Within", "Strippers","The Singing Forest", "Contadora is for lovers", "The House of Adam", "The Dark Side of Love","Sabor Tropical", "D'Agostino". All projects released theatrically through Hollywood Independents.
Ameer has produced, written and directed countless 35mm comedic shorts films to name a few "My Straight Boyfriend", "Popcorn & Coke", "Uninhibited", "Midnight Snack", "Tease" now available on DVD as a compilation of shorts called “Straight Men & the Men Who Love Them”.
This collection has been so successful that he has executive produced, programmed and curated two more such programs “Straight Men & the Men Who Love Them 2” and the upcoming “Straight Men & the Men Who Love Them 3”. The latest compilation of shorts is a collection of international shorts curated from the Cannes Film Festival Short Film Corner.
Ameer made a documentary "Classic Hollywood Cinemas" an in depth look at the old Hollywood movie palaces, their historic and preservation value and impact.
He's also produced and arranged the publishing of the historical and award winning first ever "Guide to Gay & Lesbian Film which has won many book awards for its detail, educational and historical contribution to independent gay and lesbian films released in theaters.
In addition to filmmaking, within the exhibition industry, Jorge Ameer was the last person to re-open the historic Vogue theatre in Hollywood as a movie theatre to showcase independent films. Films such as "Nico and Dani" (Tla Releasing) and "Just one time" from the now defunct Cowboy Releasing played at this theatre. The resurgence of film exhibition at the Vogue was short lived due to alleged hauntings at the venue where a paranormal research group leased the theatre from Mann theaters to set up shop as headquarters for their research group.
Jorge Ameer's "The Dark Side of Love " was the last film to shoot at the Regent Showcase Theatre in Hollywood prior to its closing. "The Regent Showcase Theatre, originally the Gordon Theatre (1938), is one of the older art houses in Los Angeles until its closing in May 2009.
A human rights activist, Ameer has spent most of his career creating controversial, cutting edge trivial stories with thought provoking subject matters to challenge audiences from the stereotypical social conventions and outdated traditional values which detract from enhancing the global human experience.
He is currently working on his latest film project “Oasis” to be shot in Panama during the month of August. Oasis” is a twisted thriller set in the backdrop of Panama's paradise its about a newlywed American who decides to visit a friend while in Panama on business, to rekindle their friendship to prove his love to his wife by killing him.
Also, on the current issue of Scream Magazine issue # 35, the worlds largest horror film magazine, his “Medusa” has received with extensive coverage. The film is currently playing in theaters in the U.S. through Regal Cinemas after having its world premiere at the Cannes Film Market.
“Medusa” had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival Marche along with a horror short he starred in called "Find Pauletta" in the Short Film Corner. This was the first time a Panamanian has had two films in two different programs of the Cannes Film Festival.
VFX for “Medusa” was by Jeremy Vanneman who has worked on many studio films including the upcoming “Ghostbusters”, “Guardians of the Galaxy”, “San Andreas”, etc. “Medusa” also has a celebrity cameo by 80's hearthrob William McNamara.
Jorge is the only Panamanian filmmaker who writes, direct, produces and own his own production and distribution company in Hollywood.
Jorge Ameer has also pioneered and procured the opening of the first high school film program at one of the oldest (110 years) and most prestigious private high schools in Panama, the Pan American Institute (Instituto Panamericano) in Panama City.
The film program curriculum was designed by Ameer and approved by the Ministry of Education.
It launched in 2015 with the first class schedule to graduate in 2017.
In his own words:
The high school film program was an idea that started because of the lack of opportunity and education in film that I myself had when growing up. I loved film so much; film was my babysitter during my childhood years. Whenever I wasn't in school I was at the movie theatre watching several films a day until my mom picked me up from the theatre. I attended the Pan American Institute (Instituto Panamericano) from kindergarten through graduation 1989.
Decades later as a filmmaker, distributor and film buyer, I approached the principal of the high school with the high risk idea of starting a film school program for an industry that even though in its infancy I knew it would grow leaps and bounds if those who pushed hard enough would stick with it to create some semblance of film opportunities and production here in Panama. Ten years later after designing a very thorough program that includes script writing, production, distribution, film marketing, campaign strategy, film fund and grant writing as well as crowdfunding to use donors as ambassadors to promote the film, the Ministry of Education approved the program.
Last year, the first students, approximately 27 brave souls, risking the uncertainty the entertainment field has to offer, weathered the scrutiny of their parents to become the pioneering and prototype Class of 2017. This Class, now in the 11th grade, is gearing up to produce its first set of shorts for the Ipa Student Film Festival. The first film festival of its kind, it showcases the works of these film students with the goal of creating filmmakers from an early stage who will graduate with films reels in their areas of interest which will show their talents to prospective universities, scholarship programs and other international student competitions.
I got the Ministry of Industry and Commerce Film Department called Di Cine in conjunction with the Panama Film Commission to fund the projections of these works which will take place as an outdoor cinema event on the school grounds. on Friday, August 5 at 7pm. Provided the students meet the minimum Gpa, they will be required to do internships placed and provided through the Film Commission in conjunction with other private film entities such as the Tvn Channel 2, one of Panama's major television networks as well as The Panama Canal Chanel among other companies offering opportunities for these students to practice their craft prior to graduating.
Currently, under construction, is an upcoming state of the art film lab studio facility providing students with the opportunity to develop their talents. Also a new auditorium will host film events and eventually the high school graduation ceremony.
- 4/26/2016
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
This week on Off The Shelf, Ryan is joined by Brian Saur and Scott Nye to take a look at the new DVD and Blu-ray releases for the week of August 11th, 2015, and chat about some follow-up and home video news.
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Episode Links & Notes Follow-up Dressed To Kill Follow-up Vudu Aspect Ratios The Simpsons DVD sales Don Hertzfeldt’s Kickstarter News Arrow Announcements: Jacques Rivette box set, Honeymoon Killers, Nekromantik 2, Moc Announcements: Imamura box set, Naked Prey, Man With A Movie Camera, Seconds Kino Lorber Studio Classics: How I Won The War, Salaam Bombay, Cop, Bray Studios Kickstarter Toy Story That Time Forgot – November 3rd Twilight Time: November / December 2015 titles Star Wars Blu-ray Re-release / Steelbooks New Code Red Blu-rays up for order – Sweet Sixteen, Trick or Treats & The Cheerleaders More Sony Supreme Cinema Series Blu-rays announced: The Fifth Element and Leon The Professional...
Subscribe in iTunes or RSS.
Episode Links & Notes Follow-up Dressed To Kill Follow-up Vudu Aspect Ratios The Simpsons DVD sales Don Hertzfeldt’s Kickstarter News Arrow Announcements: Jacques Rivette box set, Honeymoon Killers, Nekromantik 2, Moc Announcements: Imamura box set, Naked Prey, Man With A Movie Camera, Seconds Kino Lorber Studio Classics: How I Won The War, Salaam Bombay, Cop, Bray Studios Kickstarter Toy Story That Time Forgot – November 3rd Twilight Time: November / December 2015 titles Star Wars Blu-ray Re-release / Steelbooks New Code Red Blu-rays up for order – Sweet Sixteen, Trick or Treats & The Cheerleaders More Sony Supreme Cinema Series Blu-rays announced: The Fifth Element and Leon The Professional...
- 8/12/2015
- by Ryan Gallagher
- CriterionCast
Birthday shoutouts go to Sean Maher (above), who is 38, Ellen Barkin is 59, and Dusty Springfield would have been 74. Jeremy Irons: "I Wish I'd Buttoned My Lip." Ian McKellen on Margaret Thatcher. In ratings news, Defiance was Syfy's most watched series debut since Eureka in 2006. Darren plays pocket pool at Coachella.
David and Neil attend the 2013 Point Honors Gala in NYC.
Below you can see the latest trailer for Star Trek Into Darkness, in which we finally see what Benedict Cumberbatch's villain is packing.
Introducing our new feature - The Weekly ShoutOUT™. Each week we're going to focus on one out athlete/performer and feature a daily pic and career timeline. We'll be showcasing the big names, but also the lesser-known gay celebs who deserve more recognition. This week we give a ShoutOUT to ... Will Young. After winning the first Pop Idol, Will continued his music career, but also branched out into acting,...
David and Neil attend the 2013 Point Honors Gala in NYC.
Below you can see the latest trailer for Star Trek Into Darkness, in which we finally see what Benedict Cumberbatch's villain is packing.
Introducing our new feature - The Weekly ShoutOUT™. Each week we're going to focus on one out athlete/performer and feature a daily pic and career timeline. We'll be showcasing the big names, but also the lesser-known gay celebs who deserve more recognition. This week we give a ShoutOUT to ... Will Young. After winning the first Pop Idol, Will continued his music career, but also branched out into acting,...
- 4/16/2013
- by snicks
- The Backlot
![John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John in Grease (1978)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BZmUyMDEyOTgtZmUwOS00NTdkLThlNzctNTM1ODQ4M2VhMjdhXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNzkwMjQ5NzM@._V1_QL75_UX140_CR0,7,140,207_.jpg)
![John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John in Grease (1978)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BZmUyMDEyOTgtZmUwOS00NTdkLThlNzctNTM1ODQ4M2VhMjdhXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNzkwMjQ5NzM@._V1_QL75_UX140_CR0,7,140,207_.jpg)
With the possible exception of Steven Spielberg, no 1980s filmmaker was responsible for more watershed Generation X films than Randal Kleiser: starting with "Grease" in 1978, Kleiser created a seemingly neverending series of coming-of-age films, including "Summer Lovers," "The Blue Lagoon," "Flight of the Navigator" and "Big Top Pee Wee," that continue to entertain and resonate with audiences. Recently, MGM's DVD-on-demand service released "Getting It Right," another of the director's films from that era, and although it was set in London and featured decidedly more R-rated content than its predecessors, it too was another tale of a young person finding his footing in an adult world.
IFC caught with Kleiser to talk about the release of "Getting It Right"; additionally, the accomplished filmmaker offered some insights into how he managed to make so many terrific, iconic '80s films, and reflected on his history as one of Hollywood's great purveyors of films about growing up.
IFC caught with Kleiser to talk about the release of "Getting It Right"; additionally, the accomplished filmmaker offered some insights into how he managed to make so many terrific, iconic '80s films, and reflected on his history as one of Hollywood's great purveyors of films about growing up.
- 12/16/2011
- by IFC
- ifc.com
"I'd hate to die young and never have made Grapes of Wrath. Life goes by so fast...I just don't want to miss out on anything." Jon-Erik Hexum Jon-Erik Hexum (he was advised to drop the 'C' in favour of a 'K' as it looked much stronger,) and used to go by the name of Jack; was born November 5 1957 in Englewood, New Jersey. He was 6' 1", and of Norweigan/Icelandic descent. His parents Gretha and Thorleif Hexum separated when he was 5. He had an older brother, Gunnar. The two were raised by their mother, who held down two jobs. Though they couldn't afford to, his mother also bought him a piano. As a child, Jon-Erik took violin, singing and dancing lessons, also playing the baritone horn and was very eager to play Flight of the Bumble Bee after only one lesson on the piano. His interests included writing, cinema, football,...
- 11/8/2011
- by mhasan@corp.popstar.com (Mila Hasan)
- PopStar
Three years ago on St. Patrick's Day we presented ten Irish men we'd love to share a shamrock shake with, and the list (Colin Farrell, Pierce Brosnan, Bono, Jonathan Rhys Myers, Stuart Townsend, Liam Neeson, Aidan Quinn, Cillian Murphy, Daniel-Day Lewis, and Ronan Keating) turned out to be a "Greatest Hits" of irish hotness.
We thought it was time for an update, so we're giving you ten more Irish guys we'd love to go brogue with! Okay, that was terrible, but don't let that stop you from perusing these pots o' gold!
Mark Feehily
On our first list we featured hot Irish boybander Ronan Keating, which was a difficult decision considering there are approximately 1,753 hot Irish boybanders.
For instance, Westlife singer Mark Feehily, who's not only hot and Irish, but openly gay, and engaged to Kevin McDaid, who is also hot, a former boybander, but strangely ... not Irish.
Aidan Turner...
We thought it was time for an update, so we're giving you ten more Irish guys we'd love to go brogue with! Okay, that was terrible, but don't let that stop you from perusing these pots o' gold!
Mark Feehily
On our first list we featured hot Irish boybander Ronan Keating, which was a difficult decision considering there are approximately 1,753 hot Irish boybanders.
For instance, Westlife singer Mark Feehily, who's not only hot and Irish, but openly gay, and engaged to Kevin McDaid, who is also hot, a former boybander, but strangely ... not Irish.
Aidan Turner...
- 3/17/2011
- by snicks
- The Backlot
![Penn Badgley](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BNGJmOTlmNWEtNDFmMy00MTQ2LThlZTItNzZlZGQzMzlhYjk4XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTU3NjIxODkz._V1_QL75_UY207_CR13,0,140,207_.jpg)
![Penn Badgley](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BNGJmOTlmNWEtNDFmMy00MTQ2LThlZTItNzZlZGQzMzlhYjk4XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTU3NjIxODkz._V1_QL75_UY207_CR13,0,140,207_.jpg)
Blake Lively was in a similar outfit yesterday afternoon to continue shooting Gossip Girl in NYC. She reconvened with Ed Westwick, Penn Badgley, Chace Crawford, Clemence Poesy, and Leighton Meester on the Upper West Side to work on scenes at the Empire Hotel. Blake and Penn stuck together, though the Summer lovers kept the Pda to a minimum on set. Blake's hanging out in the Big Apple with her longtime boyfriend Penn, who just revealed a new talent - in a video for the magazine Bullett, which is after the jump, he's showing playing the piano and singing in a dapper 60s style. View 10 Photos › To see more from the set and Penn singing, just read more. View 10 Photos › Bullett Magazine + Penn Badgley from Bullett Magazine on Vimeo.
- 8/12/2010
- by PopSugar
- Popsugar.com
The beach movie has come a long way from the days of Frankie & Annette, Gidget and The Ghost in the Invisible Bikini.
On second thought, maybe it hasn't changed at all. They've always been about the same things: babes, beefcake, and trying to get laid without getting sand in your nether regions.
Of course, the beach films of yesteryear could only hint at it, but you knew that beneath the Aquanet and Brylcreem, those kids were waiting to sexually explode (in between having to dodge all those giant radioactive insects so prominent in that era).
The beach films of recent times don't have to hint at anything, and can be as blatantly sexual and nuded up as they want. And they don't have to tiptoe around the "love that dare not speak its name" either, although if you read between the lines of those 60's films, we were always there,...
On second thought, maybe it hasn't changed at all. They've always been about the same things: babes, beefcake, and trying to get laid without getting sand in your nether regions.
Of course, the beach films of yesteryear could only hint at it, but you knew that beneath the Aquanet and Brylcreem, those kids were waiting to sexually explode (in between having to dodge all those giant radioactive insects so prominent in that era).
The beach films of recent times don't have to hint at anything, and can be as blatantly sexual and nuded up as they want. And they don't have to tiptoe around the "love that dare not speak its name" either, although if you read between the lines of those 60's films, we were always there,...
- 7/28/2010
- by dennis
- The Backlot
November 5, 1957 - October 18, 1984
October 18, 1984. "A day that will live in infamy." At least in my mind — and a bunch of other gay boys of a certain age.
This Sunday marks the 25th anniversary of the death of mega-hunk, Jon-Erik Hexum.
The event can only be described as tragic — a hot, young, rising star accidentally shoots himself with a prop gun while on the set of his latest TV show. My best friend and I were devastated when we learned of the tragedy. At the time, neither of us knew the other was gay (remember, this was the '80s and we were kids). Yet for a brief moment, we let down our guard to lament the horrible tragedy: How could someone so young and talented (not to mention handsome) be gone forever?
Over two decades later I would include the incident in my debut novel, Band Fags!
“Oh, my God…...
October 18, 1984. "A day that will live in infamy." At least in my mind — and a bunch of other gay boys of a certain age.
This Sunday marks the 25th anniversary of the death of mega-hunk, Jon-Erik Hexum.
The event can only be described as tragic — a hot, young, rising star accidentally shoots himself with a prop gun while on the set of his latest TV show. My best friend and I were devastated when we learned of the tragedy. At the time, neither of us knew the other was gay (remember, this was the '80s and we were kids). Yet for a brief moment, we let down our guard to lament the horrible tragedy: How could someone so young and talented (not to mention handsome) be gone forever?
Over two decades later I would include the incident in my debut novel, Band Fags!
“Oh, my God…...
- 10/16/2009
- by franQ
- The Backlot
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