Latest news with #SunriseFilms
Epoch Times
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Epoch Times
‘Sew Torn': A Seamstress So Torn Between Right and Wrong
R | 1h 40m | Crime, Thriller, Comedy | 2025 'Sew Torn,' directed by Freddy Macdonald, is an eccentric, whimsical crime thriller that's not a time-loop movie, but may appeal to those who enjoy choose-your-own-adventure novels. Barbara (Eve Connolly), a beautiful, introverted, and anxious American living in Switzerland, runs a sewing supply shop and a mobile seamstress business that her mother left her after she died. One day, Barbara, driving scenic Swiss mountain backroads, happens upon what initially looks like the aftermath of a drug deal gone terribly wrong—it's actually a crime in progress. Two motorcyclists have crashed. There's white powder strewn about, there's a bulky metal case we immediately surmise is chock full of cash, and the injured and bleeding men are crawling down the road. One is in hot (if snail-paced and agonized) pursuit of the other, with murderous intent. Which Scenario? Much like the 1999 German movie 'Run Lola Run,' three very different timelines are presented: 1) commit the perfect crime, 2) call the police, or 3) just drive away. Which do you fancy? (L–R) Beck (Thomas Douglas), Barbara (Eve Connolly), and Joshua (Calum Worthy) in "Sew Torn." Sunrise Films The film's main conceit and artifice (and fun) is the revelation that Barbara is a seamstress version of big wall rock climber. She's got fancy knots, she knows pulleys, anchoring, hauling, and grappling-iron techniques, but on a Lilliputian scale. And so, utilizing only the contents of her mobile sewing kit, she outwits, outsmarts, and outguns the bad guys with elaborate Rube Goldberg-esque contraptions. She can rig a makeshift blow gun, blow a threaded needle across a room, and set a booby-trap. Or reel in a pistol without getting fingerprints on it. Only instead of a 9.5mm climbing rope, carabiners, and ice axes, she uses thread and sewing needles. Most of Barbara's little contraptions aren't traced out in enough detail to be persuasive, but enough to be able to suspend disbelief, if only for the sake of comedy. Related Stories 5/2/2025 4/30/2025 The Bad Guys The drug dealer and drug buyer are Joshua (Calum Worthy) and Beck (Thomas Douglas), respectively. Sometimes they're Barbara's allies, sometimes they're antagonists, but in every timeline she has to deal with Hudson (John Lynch), the drug-dealing head honcho, who demeans and verbally abuses both her, and Joshua, his son. It's only when the last domino falls that you fully understand these elaborate, inventive, and unique ways of clobbering criminals with simple household objects. But in the same way all the thread-centric gizmos, contraptions, and strategies gloss over establishing realism and stretch credibility to the max, the entire blackly comedic and surprisingly violent yarn, er, thread, is kind of threadbare—lots of loose ends. Promotional poster for "Sew Torn." Sunrise Films Ultimately, not all will find this far-fetched concept agreeable. The film's main error is revealing the outcome of each particular story-thread in the film's opening moments. When it's evident each discrete section won't end well, it dulls the suspense, which is why talking about it here isn't really a spoiler. But 'Sew Torn' is more about the journey than the destination, and viewers who can appreciate the whimsy and idiosyncratic inventiveness will enjoy the ride. Also, there's a more profound theme at work here, whether intentional or not. In Norse mythology, the Norns—Urd, Veroandi, and Skuld—are the three goddesses who govern destiny. Living at the foot of Yggdrasil, the World Tree, the Norns tirelessly weave the tapestry of human fate, with each string representing a life, and the string's length representing brevity or longevity. Barbara (Eve Connolly) experiencing a bad outcome resulting from her deeds, in "Sew Torn." Sunrise Films Each of Barbara's life threads ends badly. Why? Could it be that because, regardless of the scenario, the overwhelming desire to abscond with that briefcase full of money, and the cold, calculated, lack of remorse behind her ruthless string-pulling—is the constant? Could it be that the karma emanating from those thoughts unswervingly leads her back to the same outcome, until such time when she divests herself of them via harsh life lessons? If that's intentionally what's going on here, that's pretty brilliant. 'Sew Torn' is on digital platforms from 31 March. Promotional poster for "Sew Torn." Sunrise Films 'Sew Torn' Director: Freddy Macdonald Starring: Eve Connolly, Calum Worthy, Thomas Douglas, John Lynch MPAA Rating: R Running Time: 1 hour, 40 minutes Release Date: April 25, 2025 Rating: 3 stars out of 5 Would you like to see other kinds of arts and culture articles? Please email us your story ideas or feedback at
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Luna Carmoon's BAFTA Nominated ‘Hoard' Acquired by Piece of Magic in France and Benelux (EXCLUSIVE)
Belgian distributor Piece of Magic has acquired distribution rights for France and Benelux for Luna Carmoon's 'Hoard,' which is BAFTA nominated in the outstanding debut by a British filmmaker catagory. The deal was brokered by Alpha Violet, a sales company based in Paris. The film was also nominated at the European Film Awards in the European Discovery Prix Fipresci category, and competed at the BFI London Film Festival in the first feature competition section. More from Variety Denzel Washington Still Has Never Been Nominated for a BAFTA After Latest 'Gladiator 2' Snub BAFTA Nominations Predictions: 'Conclave' and 'Emilia Pérez' Expected to Lead; 'Challengers' and Mark Edelshteyn Could Surprise Does Irish Hit 'Kneecap' Have the Legs to Make It to the Oscars? At the British Independent Film Awards the film was nominated for supporting performance (Hayley Squires), joint lead performance (Joseph Quinn, Saura Lightfoot Leon), best debut director (Carmoon), breakthrough performance (Saura Lightfoot-Leon), casting (Heather Basten), and production design (Bobbie Cousins). Sunrise Films previously acquired the film for the U.S. and Canada. Vertigo Releasing holds the rights for the U.K. and Ireland. The film is set in London in 1984. Seven-year-old Maria and her mother live in their own loving world built on sorting through bins and collecting shiny rubbish. One night, their world falls apart, and we join Maria a decade later, living with her foster mother. An older stranger, Michael, then enters their home, opening the door to past trauma, magic and madness. The film is produced by Loran Dunn of Delaval, Helen Simmons of Erebus Production and Andrew Starke of Anti-Worlds, with the support of the BBC and the BFI. The cast is led by Saura Lightfoot Leon (Maria), Hayley Squires (Mother) and Joseph Quinn (Michael). The cinematographer is Nanu Segal, the editor is Rachel Durance, the production designer is Bobbie Cousins, the costume designer is Nat Turner and music is by Jim Williams. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week What's Coming to Netflix in February 2025 What's Coming to Disney+ in February 2025
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Film Industry Prejudice Drama ‘In Camera' Lands North American Deal Following BAFTA Nod for Star Nabhaan Rizwan (EXCLUSIVE)
Sunrise Films has secured North American distribution rights to British film 'In Camera,' the feature debut from writer-director Naqqash Khalid, following lead actor Nabhaan Rizwan's nomination for the BAFTA Rising Star Award. The deal, inked with Together Films, sets the film for an April 15 release. The film stars Rizwan as Aden, a young thespian trapped in a series of nightmarish auditions who decides to forge his own path after facing multiple rejections. BAFTA winner Amir El-Masry ('2021') rounds out the cast of the formally inventive drama that takes aim at film industry prejudice and social hypocrisy through the lens of a struggling British Asian actor's experience. More from Variety 'Kaos' Star Nabhaan Rizwan and 'Doctor Foster's' Suranne Jones Join Aimee Lou Wood in BBC Rom-Com 'Film Club' Josh O'Connor's Queer Teen Romance 'Bonus Track' Finds U.S. Home With Sunrise Films (EXCLUSIVE) Luna Carmoon's Venice Winner 'Hoard' Acquired for U.S. and Canada by Sunrise Films (EXCLUSIVE) 'Self-reflexive satirical filmmaking of this nature is relatively rare on the British independent scene — perhaps, in part, because financing and producing features at all is such a strenuous endeavor that artists are loath to bite any of the various hands feeding them,' wrote Guy Lodge, reviewing the film for Variety. ''In Camera' is notable as a debut for the gutsy, darkly hilarious accuracy of its take on an industry where people of color are still patronized as interchangeable quota-fillers, and where notions of 'authenticity' are commodified to the extent that they become entirely imitative poses.' Public Dreams' BAFTA-winning producer Mary Burke and Prettybird U.K.'s Juliette Larthe produced the feature, marking the first title from Prettybird's British arm. BBC Film and the BFI backed the project with National Lottery funding, with additional support from Uncommon Creative Studio. The film had a stellar festival run including Karlovy Vary, Zurich, London, Thessaloniki, Stockholm and Goa. The distribution pact was hammered out between Sunrise Film's Andrew Nerger, who heads U.S. and international distribution, and Together Films' Jess Reilly, international sales and acquisitions manager. ''In Camera' is an extraordinary debut that speaks to the struggles and resilience of creatives everywhere,' Reilly said. 'Naqqash Khalid's distinctive voice and Nabhaan Rizwan's compelling performance make this a standout title.' Nerger added, 'Naqqash and Nabhaan are both extraordinary talents and are primed for big things ahead. We are delighted to bring this fantastic showcase of next gen British talent to audiences in North America.' The acquisition adds to Sunrise Films' growing slate of independent features, which includes Luna Carmoon's BIFA-nominated 'Hoard' and Julia Jackman's London Film Festival-premiered queer rom-com 'Bonus Track.' Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week What's Coming to Netflix in February 2025 What's Coming to Disney+ in February 2025
