Latest news with #EmmaSeligman
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
‘Hilarious' 2020s comedy is an ‘instant classic' and streaming for free
The film boasts a rare 96% Rotten Tomatoes score An 'absolutely hilarious' coming-of-age drama that was dubbed an 'instant classic' is now streaming on BBC iPlayer. The 2020 comedy Shiva Baby, which bagged a stellar 96% Rotten Tomatoes score, is now available to watch for free. Written and directed by Emma Seligman, the film is set during an uncomfortable Jewish funeral service. We follow 20-something university student Danielle (played by Rachel Sennott), who attends the sombre service with her parents Joel (Fred Melamed) and Debbie (Polly Draper). Much to her horror, Danielle discovers that her ex-girlfriend Maya (portrayed by The Bear's Molly Gordon) and sugar daddy Max (played by Oppenheimer's Danny Deferrari) are also in attendance. Tensions rise even higher when Max's wife Kim (depicted by Glee star Dianna Agron) and their baby join the service. Shiva Baby marked Seligman's directorial debut, and was closely followed by her 2023 hit comedy Bottoms, which also starred Sennott opposite The Bear actor Ayo Edebiri. With just two feature films under her belt, Seligman has managed to impress viewers and critics alike. Taking to Rotten Tomatoes, one viewer raved about Shiva Baby, branding it "a masterpiece and an instant classic." Someone else praised: "Shiva Baby has to be the most edge-of-your-seat-awkward film I've seen this year - possibly ever. That's not a criticism, on the contrary, Emma Seligman's ability to make the audience feel the tension in the room is remarkable." Another viewer hailed the comedy's ability to depict the relatable experience of a 'quarter-life crisis.' "I can safely say that not many times have I seen such accurate and ultimately endearing representations of the infamous "quarter-life crisis" as Shiva Baby managed to pull off," they penned. Over on Google reviews, one moviegoer recommended: "I had no idea how good this movie would be! Absolutely hilarious , highly recommend! If you are having a bad, this movie will definitely turn your day around!" Meanwhile, a second fan described what sets the comedy apart, penning: "Shiva Baby is like being trapped at the most awkward family reunion imaginable, except it's not your family, and you can't stop watching the chaos unfold." They continued: "It's a recipe for disaster deliciously baked to perfection, with every cringe-worthy moment seasoned just right for maximum discomfort."
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
TIFF Next Wave Film Festival: Emma Seligman, 'Bottoms' and 'Shiva Baby' filmmaker, among special guests
The 14th edition of the TIFF Next Wave Film Festival kicks off next month (April 10-13), with some notable alumni returning as special guests. Notably, filmmaker Emma Seligman will screen her films Shiva Baby and Bottoms, followed by a Q&A, on April 13. Additionally, I Like Movies writer-director Chandler Levack will host a screening of Fast Times at Ridgemont High on April 10. And drag performer Miss Moço will host a quote-along screening of Josie and the Pussycats. But the stars of the event are the 10 films that have been selected to be part of the festival, made by young filmmakers between the ages of 14 and 24. The themes of the films include, "coming-of-age, exploring new friendships, finding your place in the world, and self-expression through creativity and art." Films are selected by the TIFF Next Wave Committee, which is made up of 12 teen film lovers and creators ranging in ages from 15 to 18, from across the Greater Toronto Area. "TIFF's Next Wave Film Festival reflects our mission to empower young creators and cultivate an exciting relationship with cinema for Toronto's youth that we hope will last a lifetime," a statement from Anita Lee, Chief Programming Officer at TIFF, reads. "This is absolutely one of our favourite events of the year as we welcome both new and now-established directors who were themselves a part of this Festival not too long ago, including Emma Seligman. Emma's journey is a testament to how TIFF has nurtured young creators, and the impact of our commitment to discovering new talent and launching the next generation of original storytellers." Brides, dir. Nadia Fall, United Kingdom, 2025 - Canadian Premiere The Dog Thief (El ladrón de perros), dir. Vinko Tomičić Salinas, Bolivia/Chile/Mexico/France/Ecuador, 2024 - Toronto Premiere Manas, dir. Marianna Brennand, Brazil/Portugal, 2024 - Canadian Premiere Pools, dir. Sam Hayes, USA, 2024 - North American Premiere Queens of Drama (Les reines du drame), dir. Alexis Langlois, France/Belgium, 2024 - Toronto Premiere Rape Play, dir. Gabriella Mykal, USA, 2023 - International Premiere Seaside Serendipity (海辺へ行く道), dir. Satoko Yokohama, Japan, 2025 - North American Premiere The Virgin of the Quarry Lake (La Virgen de la Tosquera), dir. Laura Casabe, Argentina/Spain/Mexico, 2025 - Canadian Premiere We Were Dangerous, dir. Josephine Stewart-Te Whiu, New Zealand, 2024 - Toronto Premiere Where the Wind Comes From, dir. Amel Guellaty, Tunisia/France/Qatar, 2025 - Canadian Premiere Opening Night: Battle of the Scores & After Party — April 11 Battle of the Scores, co-presented by Insomniac Film Festival, involves four up-and-coming bands being challenged to score two silent short films, and the audience then picks the winner. Loved It: Chandler Levack on Fast Times at Ridgemont High (April 10 at 7:30 pm) Quote-along screening of Josie and the Pussycats (April 12 at 8:00 pm) hosted by drag performer Miss Moço Double-bill screening of Emma Seligman's Shiva Baby and Bottoms with Q&A (starting at 6:30pm on April 12) First-feature director Sam Hayes and producer Jack Heston present the North American Premiere of their film Pools followed by a Q&A Gabriella Mykal will present her debut film Rape Play The Young Creators Co-Lab is a space for young and emerging artists in Toronto to connect with their peers and industry professionals. This year's lab sessions include a new to the festival Focus on Actors panel, with actors sharing advice on "how to navigate the industry and hone your craft as a young actor." There will also be the interactive Let's Get Weird! panel with seven members of the New Toronto Bizarre film movement about building community, DIY filmmaking techniques, and "keeping cinema weird." Francisca Duran and Derek Jenkins will have a panel on the history of expanded cinema and the process of creating moving-image art. In Coming-of-age Confrontations, directors Chandler Levack, Emma Seligman and Sam Hayes will revisit "the scenes that defined their characters' turning points," breaking down their approaches to "accurately and empathetically" representing experiences of being young and "navigating the world on your own terms." Celebrating boundary-pushing work by emerging filmmakers, the Young Creators Showcase focuses on themes of "connection, identity, and finding community," a shorts programme created for youth, by youth.
