Latest news with #film festival
Associated Press
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
American haute couture documentary up for accolades
American haute couture documentary short finalist in two film festivals LONG BEACH , CA, UNITED STATES, August 16, 2025 / / -- Monica Lawrence's directoral debut and first offering from her production company Mouse millinery works entertainment llc , ' American haute couture' is now a finalist in two film festivals. East Village New York film fest and AIMAFF. This documentary short about the history of the ribbon skirt native American women make and is a love letter to sewers. It also takes a look at the lack of any national dress in the USA. It's an unwavering look at the prejudice that holds back native American kraftworks from receiving the respect other artists garner. It premiered at the Idaho panhandle film fest and is now up for accolades in two film festivals. This has warmed the heart of the director and Zuni tribal member Monica Lawrence. " I'm so grateful to those that have enjoyed my wee film. I hope it has an impact on those who watch it with an open heart and mind.' Monica Lawrence is the president of her own production company, one of seven native American women owned production companies. She is also a Sagaftra member and has work in background for television and films. This film was made on a modest budget and with the help of her husband Christopher Lawrence camera man, who has since passed away. They bravely fought homelessness due to ageism together. She has kept the flame of this project alive for the both of them. This collaborative project was edited by a Scottish team. They also support her artistic endeavors. To date no native American women has ever won an Oscar for a short documentary. This could be the breakthrough film that ends this. 'American haute couture' is exclusive to Film freeway. Monica Lawrence plans on posting this on social media after it is through the festivals. Monica Lawrence Mouse millinery works entertainment/ +1 562-528-1625 email us here Visit us on social media: Facebook Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Daily Mail
06-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Jay Kelly FIRST LOOK: George Clooney stars as Hollywood actor who 'always plays himself' in new Netflix comedy - days after the Oscar winner furiously hit back at claims he lacked versatility
George Clooney takes on the role of a movie star who 'always plays himself' Netflix 's new comedy drama Jay Kelly - days after he furiously hit back at claims that he himself lacked onscreen versatility. In the first trailer for the film the Oscar winner, 64, is seen questioning his life choices, despite being fawned over by fans and staff. On a trip to an Italian film festival in his honour, joined by his manager played by Adam Sandler, he's hailed as the 'hero of cinema' before being brutally asked about always playing himself. To which he snaps back: 'You know how difficult it is to be yourself? You try it'. George's character is seen continually reminding himself that he is 'Jay Kelly' as he and his pal embark on a whirlwind trip through Europe as it appears the glamour of showbiz has lost its appeal. The star-studded cast also features fellow Oscar winners Laura Dern, Jim Broadbent as well as Isla Fisher, Billy Crudup and Barbie director Greta Gerwig. The movie is directed by Greta's husband and fellow Barbie scribe Noah Baumbach, who wrote the script alongside British actress Emily Mortimer. The offical synopsis reads: 'Two middle-aged friends rediscover their youthful spirit during a chaotic weekend reunion, facing hilarious mishaps and heartfelt moments that force them to finally grow up'. The actor has had an illustrious career spanning 40 years, in which he's bagged an Academy Award for his role in Syriana in addition to a wealth of other accolades. But earlier this week during a recent interview with Variety, the Ocean's 11 star was asked about the doubts about his range as an actor, with George furiously snapping back: 'Do people say that I only play myself? I don't give a sh*t.' He went on: 'There aren't that many guys in my age group that are allowed to do both broad comedies like O Brother [Where Art Though?] and then do Michael Clayton or Syriana. So if that means I'm playing myself all the time, I don't give a sh*t.' Echoing a quote from his character in upcoming project Jay Kelly, he added: Have you ever tried playing yourself? It's hard to do.' The Hollywood hunk continued: 'I've been the beneficiary of having my career not be massively successful in lots of different directions. I didn't really get successful, in the kind of success that can be blinding, until I was 33 years old [when ER began]. I'd been working for 12 years at that point. I had a real understanding of how fleeting all of it is and how little it has to do with you, quite honestly.' It comes after back in March, George quietly revealed the real reason he has quit starring in romantic comedies for good. The film star used to be one of the most sought after romantic comedy stars, but in recent years he has largely stepped away from the once-popular genre. George opened up about his changing career in an interview with 60 Minutes that that focused on his Broadway debut in Good Night, And Good Luck, a play adapted from the Oscar-nominated 2005 film that he directed, co-wrote and co-starred in. According to the A-list star, he has simply aged into a new phase of his career that doesn't align with most youth-focused rom-coms. 'Look, I'm 63 years old, I'm not trying to compete with 25-year-old leading men,' he admitted. 'That's not my job,' he continued, before declaring, 'I'm not doing romantic films anymore.' Part of what has made Clooney so popular — which often translates to box-office success — is that he's charming enough to make non-romantic comedies feel as if they are rom-coms. Although his blockbuster heist comedy thriller Ocean's 11 isn't a traditional romantic comedy, the tension and humor that he brought to it with his costar Julia Roberts made every scene that they shared feel like a rom-com. One of George's most acclaimed films in the genre was an earlier collaboration with his Ocean's series director Steven Soderbergh on Out Of Sight. Even though that film had elements of a crime comedy and a thriller, his burgeoning on-screen romance with Jennifer Lopez comfortably sits with the best romantic comedies. George also worked with the Coen brothers on the screwball comedy Intolerable Cruelty with costar Catherine Zeta-Jones, but his Cary Grant–like charm and screen presence means that even some of his more traditional romantic dramas get just enough comedy to feel like rom-coms. His last official rom-com to date was the 2022 box-office success Ticket To Paradise, which grossed nearly $169 million against a $60 million budget. He and Julia Roberts reunited for the film, in which they play divorced parents who team up to put a stop to their daughter's destination wedding in Bali. Clooney also notes in his 60 Minutes interview that his life has changed in other ways, as he's now a married man with children, rather than one of Hollywood's most eligible bachelors, as he was at the height of his commercial potential.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Rialto Distribution Sets U.S. Theatrical Release For ‘Tinā' By Samoan-New Zealand Filmmaker Miki Magasiva
Rialto Distribution has acquired worldwide rights to Tinā and is planning a nationwide U.S. theatrical release on August 29 for Labor Day weekend. The film, written and directed by Samoan-New Zealand filmmaker Miki Magasiva, premiered at the 2024 Hawaii International Film Festival, going on to garner multiple accolades including the Best Narrative Feature Award at the 2025 Palm Springs International Film Festival and the Golden Space Needle Award at the Seattle International Film Festival. More from Deadline Seattle International Film Festival: 'Seeds,' 'Tinā,' 'Suburban Fury,' 'The Crowd' Among Top Prize Winners Malachi Beasley To Star Opposite Jamie Foxx In Netflix Sports Drama 'Fight For '84' Broadway 'Smash' Actor John Behlmann Cast As Dolly Parton's Husband Carl Dean In 'Dolly' Nashville Musical Tinā has grossed over $10 million in box office revenue across New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific and currently stands as the most successful New Zealand release in nearly a decade. Rialto Distribution will spearhead the rest of the film's international rollout (excluding Australia and New Zealand) following its U.S. debut. Magasiva's feature debut is the deeply moving story of Mareta Percival, played by Anapela Polataivao (Our Flag Means Death, Night Shift), a grieving mother still mourning her daughter's death in the 2011 Christchurch earthquake. When she reluctantly takes a substitute teaching role at an elite, predominantly white, private school, she draws on the musical traditions of her Samoan roots to form a rebellious, soulful student choir, rekindling connection, identity and healing across generations. The film also stars Antonia Robinson (The New Legends of Monkey, The Brokenwood Mysteries), Beulah Koale (Hawaii Five-O, Next Goal Wins), Nicole Whippy (Madam, My Life Is Murder), Dalip Sondhi (Better Man, Mother of the Bride), Jamie Irvine (The Brokenwood Mysteries, Sweet Tooth) and Alison Bruce (The Power of the Dog, The World's Fastest Indian). It was produced by Magasiva alongside Dan Higgins and Mario Gaoa. Jamie Hilton and Victoria Dabbs served as Executive Producers. 'TINĀ is a rare gem – brimming with authenticity, rhythm and emotional power,' said Kelly Rogers, Managing Director of Rialto. 'We're incredibly proud to champion this uniquely Pasifika story and deliver it to global audiences hungry for heartfelt, original cinema.' 'This is a film made by our community, for our community,' Magasiva said, 'but from day one, we believed it could resonate everywhere. We're humbled and excited to finally share TINĀ with audiences across America, especially in cinemas – where stories like ours come to life in full.' Annie Murray, CEO of the New Zealand Film Commission, praising the U.S. release, called TINĀ 'a powerful film that's attracting record audiences here at home and drawing unprecedented interest from North America. It's a shining example of the strength and spirit of New Zealand storytelling, and we're so proud of Miki and the team for sharing this unforgettable film with the world.' Best of Deadline 'The Buccaneers' Season 2 Release Schedule: When Do New Episodes Come Out? 'The Buccaneers' Season 2 Soundtrack: From Griff To Sabrina Carpenter 2025 TV Series Renewals: Photo Gallery
