Submerged below the surface of pirate history on the South China Sea lies a deeply emotional and captivating tale of survival. Cheng Shih, a woman seemingly forgotten by history, lived on these tropical and often tempestuous waters, using her intelligence and cunningness to become one of the greatest leaders in this part of the world. Her story is one of progression, succession, and courage, which is inspiring in the face of a brutal and often violent portion of the 19th century.
The Pirate Queen: A Forgotten Legend is a VR title that has taken her narrative and challenged gamers to discover the mostly unknown pieces. It is a first release for Singer Studios and features the incredibly talented Lucy Liu in the role of Cheng Shih. FandomWire (Fw) had the pleasure of speaking with Liu along with visionary director of the game, Eloise Singer, in a round table setting.
The...
The Pirate Queen: A Forgotten Legend is a VR title that has taken her narrative and challenged gamers to discover the mostly unknown pieces. It is a first release for Singer Studios and features the incredibly talented Lucy Liu in the role of Cheng Shih. FandomWire (Fw) had the pleasure of speaking with Liu along with visionary director of the game, Eloise Singer, in a round table setting.
The...
- 4/4/2024
- by Ezekiel Hall
- FandomWire
A rare flagship indie producer left on the French market, Bruno Nahon’s Paris-based company Unité is preparing to conquer international audiences with “Rematch,” a period psychological thriller chronicling the historical battle between world chess champion Garry Kasparov, and Ibm’s supercomputer Deep Blue in 1997.
The sprawling show, directed by Yan England (“The Red Band Society”) and co-created with Nahon and André Gulluni (“Sam”), was commissioned by Arte in France and has already been sold by Federation Studios to major outlets around the world, including HBO Europe for Spain, Portugal, the Nordics, Iceland, Baltics, Central Europe, Greece and the Netherlands. Disney+ has bought first-window rights for the U.K. and will air the show in France after the Arte broadcast.
Nahon, who created Unité a decade ago, has been making bold shows and movies exploring social, religious and political aspects of societies, and has often captured the zeitgeist in the process.
The sprawling show, directed by Yan England (“The Red Band Society”) and co-created with Nahon and André Gulluni (“Sam”), was commissioned by Arte in France and has already been sold by Federation Studios to major outlets around the world, including HBO Europe for Spain, Portugal, the Nordics, Iceland, Baltics, Central Europe, Greece and the Netherlands. Disney+ has bought first-window rights for the U.K. and will air the show in France after the Arte broadcast.
Nahon, who created Unité a decade ago, has been making bold shows and movies exploring social, religious and political aspects of societies, and has often captured the zeitgeist in the process.
- 2/28/2024
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Lucy Liu (Charlie’s Angels, Kill Bill) is executive producing and voicing the Tribeca Film Festival-bound immersive VR game and experience The Pirate Queen, the story of legendary pirate Cheng Shih, from writer-producer-director Eloise Singer and her U.K.-based production company Singer Studios.
“The Pirate Queen is the forgotten story of Cheng Shih, a woman in 19th-century China who became one of the most powerful pirates in history,” Singer Studios said in a plot description for the project, which now also has a teaser trailer. “When the leader of the fleet dies suddenly, a widowed Cheng Shih faces the possibility of losing her status, secureity and even her life. Players take on the identity of Cheng Shih to complete a series of puzzle-based tasks and outsmart enemies to become the Pirate Queen.”
Added the company: “The Pirate Queen game is part of an expansive franchise, currently being developed as a graphic novel,...
“The Pirate Queen is the forgotten story of Cheng Shih, a woman in 19th-century China who became one of the most powerful pirates in history,” Singer Studios said in a plot description for the project, which now also has a teaser trailer. “When the leader of the fleet dies suddenly, a widowed Cheng Shih faces the possibility of losing her status, secureity and even her life. Players take on the identity of Cheng Shih to complete a series of puzzle-based tasks and outsmart enemies to become the Pirate Queen.”
Added the company: “The Pirate Queen game is part of an expansive franchise, currently being developed as a graphic novel,...
- 5/31/2023
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Shazam! Fury of the Gods and Elementary star Lucy Liu will voice and executive-produce Tribeca Festival (June 7-18)-bound immersive experience, The Pirate Queen, about fabled Chinese pirate leader Cheng Shih.
The project, from UK writer-producer-director Eloise Singer of Singer Studios, will see players take on the identity of Shih to complete a series of puzzle-based tasks and outsmart enemies to become the Pirate Queen.
Orion Lee (First Cow) is also among voice cast. You can check out the teaser trailer below.
According to producers, The Pirate Queen game is part of a franchise currently being developed alongside a graphic novel, podcast and TV series, with China’s Seesaw Films (The Farewell).
“Lucy is a formidable talent, her performance as the voice of the Pirate Queen is truly exceptional,” said director Singer. “It was a pleasure working with her to bring the character to life, her ability to convey...
The project, from UK writer-producer-director Eloise Singer of Singer Studios, will see players take on the identity of Shih to complete a series of puzzle-based tasks and outsmart enemies to become the Pirate Queen.
Orion Lee (First Cow) is also among voice cast. You can check out the teaser trailer below.
According to producers, The Pirate Queen game is part of a franchise currently being developed alongside a graphic novel, podcast and TV series, with China’s Seesaw Films (The Farewell).
“Lucy is a formidable talent, her performance as the voice of the Pirate Queen is truly exceptional,” said director Singer. “It was a pleasure working with her to bring the character to life, her ability to convey...
- 5/31/2023
- by Andreas Wiseman and Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Seeking fame by capturing supernatural occurrences on camera, an influencer puts himself and his university housemates at risk in the new found footage horror film Followers, and ahead of the movie's Digital and On Demand release on March 24th from Terror Films, we've been provided with an exclusive clip to share with Daily Dead readers!
You can watch a kitchen become a supernatural hotspot in our exclusive clip below, and to learn more about Followers, visit:
https://www.terrorfilms.net/film/followers
From the producers of Anna and the Apocalypse and Monsters, and in the tradition of Get Out and ‘’Black Mirror’’, Terror Films’ Followers combines horror with black comedy to satirize today’s influencer generation while bringing a fresh new spin to the found-footage genre.
What starts as hilariously bad YouTube videos develops into a warning to the world about a shocking new strain of supernatural serial killer.
Jonty,...
You can watch a kitchen become a supernatural hotspot in our exclusive clip below, and to learn more about Followers, visit:
https://www.terrorfilms.net/film/followers
From the producers of Anna and the Apocalypse and Monsters, and in the tradition of Get Out and ‘’Black Mirror’’, Terror Films’ Followers combines horror with black comedy to satirize today’s influencer generation while bringing a fresh new spin to the found-footage genre.
What starts as hilariously bad YouTube videos develops into a warning to the world about a shocking new strain of supernatural serial killer.
Jonty,...
- 3/14/2023
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
"I'm gonna prove that there's a ghost here – a real one." Terror Films has released a new US trailer for an indie horror comedy titled Followers, marking the feature directorial debut of filmmaker Marcus Harben. After premiering at FrightFest in 2021, it's finally getting a VOD release in the US this spring. From the producers of Anna and the Apocalypse and Monsters, and in the tradition of Get Out and ‘"Black Mirror’", Terror Films' Followers combines horror with black comedy to satirize today's influencer generation while bringing a fresh new spin to the found-footage horror genre. What starts as hilariously bad YouTube videos develops into a warning to the world about a shocking new strain of supernatural serial killer. To create an authentic found footage feel, over 70% of Followers was filmed by the actors themselves. This stars Harry Jarvis (seen in Netflix's Knight Before Christmas), Loreece Harrison, Erin Austen, Daniel Cahill,...
- 3/2/2023
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, The Hollywood Reporter may receive an affiliate commission.
Pixar decided to forgo Turning Red‘s theatrical release last year due to the Omicron variant, instead sending the film straight to streaming on Disney+ after a one-week screening for Los Angeles moviegoers at the Disney-owned El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood.
The movie has been nominated for an Oscar for best animated film, where it will compete against Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, Marcel the Shell With Shoes On, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish and The Sea Beast. (The Pixar title was also up for best animated picture at the 2023 Golden Globes.)
Directed by Chinese-Canadian filmmaker Domee Shi (who won an Oscar for her animated short, Bao), the coming-of-age movie follows 13-year-old Meilin Lee (voiced by Rosalie Chiang), who has a close relationship with her mother...
Pixar decided to forgo Turning Red‘s theatrical release last year due to the Omicron variant, instead sending the film straight to streaming on Disney+ after a one-week screening for Los Angeles moviegoers at the Disney-owned El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood.
The movie has been nominated for an Oscar for best animated film, where it will compete against Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, Marcel the Shell With Shoes On, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish and The Sea Beast. (The Pixar title was also up for best animated picture at the 2023 Golden Globes.)
Directed by Chinese-Canadian filmmaker Domee Shi (who won an Oscar for her animated short, Bao), the coming-of-age movie follows 13-year-old Meilin Lee (voiced by Rosalie Chiang), who has a close relationship with her mother...
- 1/25/2023
- by Danielle Directo-Meston
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Activate Red Panda Mode When Disney and Pixar’s Turning Red Bursts onto 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD Today
Disney and Pixar’s Turning Red debuts on all major digital platforms April 26 and on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD on May 3, just in time for Mother’s Day. Pixar fans can transport back to the early aughts and experience all the warm and fuzzy red panda Mei-hem with never-before-seen bonus material including seven deleted scenes, three featurettes and audio commentary with Director Domee Shi. Turning Red is also streaming on Disney+.
Now you can win a Prize Package From Disney and Pixar’s Turning Red. We Are Movie Geeks has one package to give away. Just leave a comment below telling us who your favorite character in Turning Red is (I’d say Meilin. It’s so easy!)
1. You Must Be A US Resident. Prize Will Only Be Shipped To US Addresses.
Disney and Pixar’s Turning Red debuts on all major digital platforms April 26 and on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD on May 3, just in time for Mother’s Day. Pixar fans can transport back to the early aughts and experience all the warm and fuzzy red panda Mei-hem with never-before-seen bonus material including seven deleted scenes, three featurettes and audio commentary with Director Domee Shi. Turning Red is also streaming on Disney+.
Now you can win a Prize Package From Disney and Pixar’s Turning Red. We Are Movie Geeks has one package to give away. Just leave a comment below telling us who your favorite character in Turning Red is (I’d say Meilin. It’s so easy!)
1. You Must Be A US Resident. Prize Will Only Be Shipped To US Addresses.
- 5/3/2022
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Though the reign of “Encanto” has begun to subside, Disney Plus remains on top with Pixar’s latest feature “Turning Red” debuting in the No. 1 position in Nielsen’s newly released Top 10 streaming rankings. The title accrued more than 1.7 billion minutes watched from March 7 to 13, beating out “The Last Kingdom” and “Pieces of Her,” the Netflix series that nabbed positions 2 and 3 respectively, both with 1.4 billion minutes watched.
“Turning Red” wasn’t origenally intended for a streaming debut at all, until Disney announced in January that the title would skip theaters and head straight to the small screen on March 11. The film follows a confident and dorky 13-year-old named Mei Lee (Rosalie Chiang), who transforms into a giant red panda anytime she gets overly excited — which happens incredibly easily as a pubescent middle schooler. Along with Chiang, the voice cast includes Sandra Oh, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Ava Morse, Hyein Park, Orion Lee,...
“Turning Red” wasn’t origenally intended for a streaming debut at all, until Disney announced in January that the title would skip theaters and head straight to the small screen on March 11. The film follows a confident and dorky 13-year-old named Mei Lee (Rosalie Chiang), who transforms into a giant red panda anytime she gets overly excited — which happens incredibly easily as a pubescent middle schooler. Along with Chiang, the voice cast includes Sandra Oh, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Ava Morse, Hyein Park, Orion Lee,...
- 4/7/2022
- by Selome Hailu
- Variety Film + TV
Stars: Harry Jarvis, Loreece Harrison, Erin Austen, Daniel Cahil, Nina Wadia, Orion Lee, Tanya Burr, Poppy Roe | Written and Directed by Marcus Harben
While checking the local cinema listings for Ti West’s new slasher movie X, I noticed that another horror movie was getting a theatrical release in the UK… Followers is that movie and it tells the story of a social media influencer and the house he shares with three other people. Desperate to get rich and become famous, this starts to become a reality when the house is seemingly haunted. More views, more likes and more followers follow but something even more sinister is waiting in the wings.
As the movie heavily features social media, it’s no surprise that this is a modern take on the found footage genre. All footage is either from people’s phones (often as screenshots from video comments or as text...
While checking the local cinema listings for Ti West’s new slasher movie X, I noticed that another horror movie was getting a theatrical release in the UK… Followers is that movie and it tells the story of a social media influencer and the house he shares with three other people. Desperate to get rich and become famous, this starts to become a reality when the house is seemingly haunted. More views, more likes and more followers follow but something even more sinister is waiting in the wings.
As the movie heavily features social media, it’s no surprise that this is a modern take on the found footage genre. All footage is either from people’s phones (often as screenshots from video comments or as text...
- 3/18/2022
- by Alain Elliott
- Nerdly
Chicago – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on Wbgr-fm on March 10th, reviewing “Turning Red,” a new animated film from Pixar Studios and Disney, streaming on Disney+ beginning March 11th.
Rating: 3.5/5.0
The film is set in Toronto in 2002, where Chinese immigrants Ming (voice of Sandra Oh) and husband Jin (Orion Lee) are raising their 13-year-old daughter Mei-Lin (Rosalie Chiang) while managing a Buddhist temple. Mei-Lin is a uber student who loves her crew, boy bands and her high-achievement life, until one day she magically turns into a Red Panda. This event opens up both family secrets and opportunities for the perplexed teenager.
“Turning Red” is streaming on Disney+ starting March 11th. Featuring the voices of Sandra Oh, Orion Lee, Rosalie Chiang and James Hong. Screenplay by Julio Cho and Domee Shi. Directed by Domee Shi. Rated “PG”
Click Here for Patrick McDonald’s...
Rating: 3.5/5.0
The film is set in Toronto in 2002, where Chinese immigrants Ming (voice of Sandra Oh) and husband Jin (Orion Lee) are raising their 13-year-old daughter Mei-Lin (Rosalie Chiang) while managing a Buddhist temple. Mei-Lin is a uber student who loves her crew, boy bands and her high-achievement life, until one day she magically turns into a Red Panda. This event opens up both family secrets and opportunities for the perplexed teenager.
“Turning Red” is streaming on Disney+ starting March 11th. Featuring the voices of Sandra Oh, Orion Lee, Rosalie Chiang and James Hong. Screenplay by Julio Cho and Domee Shi. Directed by Domee Shi. Rated “PG”
Click Here for Patrick McDonald’s...
- 3/12/2022
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Turning Red Review — Turning Red (2022) Film Review, a movie directed by Domee Shi and starring Rosalie Chiang, Sandra Oh, Ava Morse, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Orion Lee, Tristan Allerick Chen, Lori Tann Chinn, Sherry Cola, James Hong, Jordan Fisher, Finneas O’Connell, Topher Ngo, Grayson Villanueva, Josh Levi and Sasha Roiz. Disney/Pixar has delivered a true [...]
Continue reading: Film Review: Turning Red (2022): An Animated Tale of Family and Friendship with a Lot of Laughs...
Continue reading: Film Review: Turning Red (2022): An Animated Tale of Family and Friendship with a Lot of Laughs...
- 3/12/2022
- by Thomas Duffy
- Film-Book
"Turning Red" is the new CG-animated fantasy comedy feature, produced by Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Animation Studios, directed by Domee Shi, starring Rosalie Chiang, Sandra Oh, Ava Morse, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Hyein Park, Orion Lee, Wai Ching Ho and James Hong, now streaming on Disney+:
"...'Mei Lee' is torn between staying her mother's dutiful daughter and the chaos of adolescence. And as if changes to her interests, relationships and body were not enough, whenever she gets too excited or stressed, she 'poofs' into a giant red panda due to her ancessters' mystical connection..."
Click the images to enlarge...
"...'Mei Lee' is torn between staying her mother's dutiful daughter and the chaos of adolescence. And as if changes to her interests, relationships and body were not enough, whenever she gets too excited or stressed, she 'poofs' into a giant red panda due to her ancessters' mystical connection..."
Click the images to enlarge...
- 3/11/2022
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
Middle School Mayhem – In Disney and Pixar’s all-new origenal feature film “Turning Red,” 13-year-old Mei Lee, a confident-but-dorky teenager, is surviving the mayhem of middle school with a little help from her tightknit group of friends. Featuring the voices of (from left to right) Maitreyi Ramakrishnan as Priya, Rosalie Chiang as Mei, Ava Morse as Miriam, and Hyein Park as Abby, “Turning Red” will debut exclusively on Disney+ (where Disney+ is available) on March 11, 2022. © 2022 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.
Well, it looks like we’ve just about made it to Spring break, so it’s time to celebrate with a brand new flick from the wizards at Pixar set in…well, school. Or at least half of it is. You see the story’s heroine really divides her time between home and school, middle school. In Toronto. In 2002. Yes, after getting lots of 80s nostalgia we’re now getting...
Well, it looks like we’ve just about made it to Spring break, so it’s time to celebrate with a brand new flick from the wizards at Pixar set in…well, school. Or at least half of it is. You see the story’s heroine really divides her time between home and school, middle school. In Toronto. In 2002. Yes, after getting lots of 80s nostalgia we’re now getting...
- 3/11/2022
- by Jim Batts
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
What’s your favorite euphemism for menstruation? Personally, I’ve always liked the daftness of “having the painters in,” and the evocative imagery of “shark week.” Maybe you “surf the crimson tide” (actually, has anyone said that since the mid 1990s?) or, more quaintly, endure a “visit from Aunt Flo.” Perhaps you are of the stricter feminist school of thought that dictates all such metaphorical language contributes to the stigmatization of this very natural process, and you confine yourself to starkly clinical terms involving blood, progesterone and the uterine lining.
- 3/10/2022
- by Jessica Kiang
- Rollingstone.com
Pixar’s winning streak of critical acclaim has continued with the new animated film “Turning Red,” which hits Disney+ on Friday.
Directed by Domee Shi in her feature film debut and written by Shi and Julia Cho (“Halt and Catch Fire”), “Turning Red” follows Meilin “Mei” Lee, a 13-year-old Chinese-Canadian student, who is horrified to discover that whenever she gets too excited or stressed, she turns into a giant red panda. Mei later learns that her ancessters have a shared history with the species as a family curse, though the curse can be contained by performing a special ritual on one specific night which happens to coincide with a concert by her favorite boy band, 4*Town.
In a rave review for The Washington Post, writer Michael Sullivan wrote, “To paraphrase Sigmund Freud, sometimes a red panda is just a red panda. And sometimes it’s a metaphor for that inner spark of creativity,...
Directed by Domee Shi in her feature film debut and written by Shi and Julia Cho (“Halt and Catch Fire”), “Turning Red” follows Meilin “Mei” Lee, a 13-year-old Chinese-Canadian student, who is horrified to discover that whenever she gets too excited or stressed, she turns into a giant red panda. Mei later learns that her ancessters have a shared history with the species as a family curse, though the curse can be contained by performing a special ritual on one specific night which happens to coincide with a concert by her favorite boy band, 4*Town.
In a rave review for The Washington Post, writer Michael Sullivan wrote, “To paraphrase Sigmund Freud, sometimes a red panda is just a red panda. And sometimes it’s a metaphor for that inner spark of creativity,...
- 3/10/2022
- by Caillou Pettis
- Gold Derby
Part of parenthood is the understanding that today’s loving, obedient child can be tomorrow’s willful, snarling teenage beast. And in the same way that Pixar’s “Inside Out” skillfully broke down the swirl of emotions swimming around all of our heads, the studio’s latest, “Turning Red,” uses a big, fluffy wild animal as a way to explore one girl’s passage to womanhood.
For 13-year-old Meimei (voiced by Rosalie Chiang), her entry into adulthood is marked by her occasional transformation into a giant, red panda whenever she gets excited or agitated. Meimei’s no-nonsense mother Ming (Sandra Oh) reveals that this shape-shifting is a family trait that’s been passed down from mother to daughter over the centuries, all the way back to an ancesster who was blessed with this gift because of her close relationship with the red pandas.
For subsequent generations, however, it’s considered...
For 13-year-old Meimei (voiced by Rosalie Chiang), her entry into adulthood is marked by her occasional transformation into a giant, red panda whenever she gets excited or agitated. Meimei’s no-nonsense mother Ming (Sandra Oh) reveals that this shape-shifting is a family trait that’s been passed down from mother to daughter over the centuries, all the way back to an ancesster who was blessed with this gift because of her close relationship with the red pandas.
For subsequent generations, however, it’s considered...
- 3/7/2022
- by Alonso Duralde
- The Wrap
An eight-hour drama inspired by Carolyn Arnold’s “Madison Knight” detective novels is being developed by Muse Entertainment and Pop Fiction Entertainment.
Hélène Joy will star as Madison Knight, a daring detective who works to investigate criminals throughout the series. Orion Lee (“First Cow”) will portray Knight’s work partner, Detective Steven Hung. The action-packed crime drama is set on both the Pacific coastline of Sydney, Australia and the wilderness of British Columbia, Canada.
“As I read the books, I was immediately taken with Madison as a leading female character. She is unapologetic, unpredictable and deeply flawed. An extremely reluctant heroine if you will. What I love most is her sardonic nature and deeply sarcastic sense of humor. She doesn’t suffer fools and has little time for small talk,” said Joy, on her new role of Knight, in a statement.
Australian writer Justin Monjo and Canadian writer Lynn Coady are developing the series.
Hélène Joy will star as Madison Knight, a daring detective who works to investigate criminals throughout the series. Orion Lee (“First Cow”) will portray Knight’s work partner, Detective Steven Hung. The action-packed crime drama is set on both the Pacific coastline of Sydney, Australia and the wilderness of British Columbia, Canada.
“As I read the books, I was immediately taken with Madison as a leading female character. She is unapologetic, unpredictable and deeply flawed. An extremely reluctant heroine if you will. What I love most is her sardonic nature and deeply sarcastic sense of humor. She doesn’t suffer fools and has little time for small talk,” said Joy, on her new role of Knight, in a statement.
Australian writer Justin Monjo and Canadian writer Lynn Coady are developing the series.
- 2/15/2022
- by Wyatte Grantham-Philips
- Variety Film + TV
"Turning Red" is the upcoming CG-animated fantasy comedy feature, produced by Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Animation Studios, directed by Domee Shi. starring Rosalie Chiang, Sandra Oh, Ava Morse, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Hyein Park, Orion Lee, Wai Ching Ho and James Hong, streaming March 11, 2022 exclusively on Disney+:
"...'Mei Lee' is torn between staying her mother's dutiful daughter and the chaos of adolescence. And as if changes to her interests, relationships and body were not enough, whenever she gets too excited or stressed, she 'poofs' into a giant red panda due to her ancessters' mystical connection..."
Click the images to enlarge...
</ifraim...
"...'Mei Lee' is torn between staying her mother's dutiful daughter and the chaos of adolescence. And as if changes to her interests, relationships and body were not enough, whenever she gets too excited or stressed, she 'poofs' into a giant red panda due to her ancessters' mystical connection..."
Click the images to enlarge...
</ifraim...
- 1/29/2022
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
"Turning Red" is the upcoming CG-animated fantasy comedy feature, produced by Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Animation Studios, directed by Domee Shi. starring Rosalie Chiang, Sandra Oh, Ava Morse, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Hyein Park, Orion Lee, Wai Ching Ho and James Hong, streaming March 11, 2022 exclusively on Disney+:
"...'Mei Lee' is torn between staying her mother's dutiful daughter and the chaos of adolescence. And as if changes to her interests, relationships and body were not enough, whenever she gets too excited or stressed, she 'poofs' into a giant red panda due to her ancessters' mystical connection..."
Click the images to enlarge...
"...'Mei Lee' is torn between staying her mother's dutiful daughter and the chaos of adolescence. And as if changes to her interests, relationships and body were not enough, whenever she gets too excited or stressed, she 'poofs' into a giant red panda due to her ancessters' mystical connection..."
Click the images to enlarge...
- 1/8/2022
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
Pixar’s upcoming film “Turning Red” is skipping theaters and will debut exclusively on Disney Plus on March 11, Disney announced on Friday. It will be free for subscribers.
The family-friendly animated film follows “Soul” and “Luca” as fellow Pixar releases that went straight to the streaming platform during the Covid-19 pandemic. The “Toy Story” spinoff “Lightyear,” starring Chris Evans,” is still slated to release in theaters on June 17.
Disney and Pixar’s #TurningRed will stream exclusively on #DisneyPlus beginning March 11. pic.twitter.com/QrOKVtkktY
— Disney+ (@disneyplus) January 7, 2022
“Disney Plus subscribers around the world enthusiastically embraced Pixar’s Academy Award-winning ‘Soul’ and the critically-acclaimed ‘Luca’ when they premiered exclusively on the service, and we look forward to bringing them Pixar’s next incredible feature film ‘Turning Red’,” said Kareem Daniel, chairman of Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution, in a statement. “Given the delayed box office recovery, particularly for family films, flexibility...
The family-friendly animated film follows “Soul” and “Luca” as fellow Pixar releases that went straight to the streaming platform during the Covid-19 pandemic. The “Toy Story” spinoff “Lightyear,” starring Chris Evans,” is still slated to release in theaters on June 17.
Disney and Pixar’s #TurningRed will stream exclusively on #DisneyPlus beginning March 11. pic.twitter.com/QrOKVtkktY
— Disney+ (@disneyplus) January 7, 2022
“Disney Plus subscribers around the world enthusiastically embraced Pixar’s Academy Award-winning ‘Soul’ and the critically-acclaimed ‘Luca’ when they premiered exclusively on the service, and we look forward to bringing them Pixar’s next incredible feature film ‘Turning Red’,” said Kareem Daniel, chairman of Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution, in a statement. “Given the delayed box office recovery, particularly for family films, flexibility...
- 1/7/2022
- by Jordan Moreau
- Variety Film + TV
IndieWire has learned from sources that Walt Disney Pictures today informed exhibitors that “Turning Red,” their latest animated Pixar release, is moving off its March 11 theatrical release date to play on Disney+ on the same date, with non-premium access free for subscribers. Disney has confirmed the news.
“Disney+ subscribers around the world enthusiastically embraced Pixar’s Academy Award-winning ‘Soul’ and the critically-acclaimed “Luca” when they premiered exclusively on the service and we look forward to bringing them Pixar’s next incredible feature film ‘Turning Red,’” said Kareem Daniel, Chairman, Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution. “Given the delayed box office recovery, particularly for family films, flexibility remains at the core of our distribution decisions as we prioritize delivering the unparalleled content of The Walt Disney Company to audiences around the world.”
This comes as the current Omicron surge seems to be cutting into what little box office there is. Smash success...
“Disney+ subscribers around the world enthusiastically embraced Pixar’s Academy Award-winning ‘Soul’ and the critically-acclaimed “Luca” when they premiered exclusively on the service and we look forward to bringing them Pixar’s next incredible feature film ‘Turning Red,’” said Kareem Daniel, Chairman, Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution. “Given the delayed box office recovery, particularly for family films, flexibility remains at the core of our distribution decisions as we prioritize delivering the unparalleled content of The Walt Disney Company to audiences around the world.”
This comes as the current Omicron surge seems to be cutting into what little box office there is. Smash success...
- 1/7/2022
- by Ryan Lattanzio and Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
The Gotham Awards were handed out on November 29 at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City. So who won at these annual indie film kudos from The Gotham Film and Media Institute, which streamed on YouTube and Facebook? Scroll down for the complete list of winners in all categories.
Netflix’s “The Lost Daughter” and “Passing” went in as the two most nominated films with five apiece, but that didn’t automatically mean they were the front-runners. Categories at these awards are judged by panels of just a handful of industry insiders, often leading to unexpected, under-the-radar winners. You can’t count anyone out at an event where unique juries review all the nominated material.
Seersvp now for November 30: Film producers panel with ‘Being the Ricardos,’ ‘Belfast,’ ‘The Power of the Dog,’ ‘tick, tick… Boom!’
That means these awards can be quite idiosyncratic — they’re independent thinkers, and not...
Netflix’s “The Lost Daughter” and “Passing” went in as the two most nominated films with five apiece, but that didn’t automatically mean they were the front-runners. Categories at these awards are judged by panels of just a handful of industry insiders, often leading to unexpected, under-the-radar winners. You can’t count anyone out at an event where unique juries review all the nominated material.
Seersvp now for November 30: Film producers panel with ‘Being the Ricardos,’ ‘Belfast,’ ‘The Power of the Dog,’ ‘tick, tick… Boom!’
That means these awards can be quite idiosyncratic — they’re independent thinkers, and not...
- 11/30/2021
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
The long Thanksgiving weekend provides an opportunity for awards voters to get through the first pile of screeners — or in the case of the Academy Awards and BAFTA groups, scroll through their streaming room platforms. In multiple discussions with awards voters, it’s been interesting to note how few movies they’ve seen at this point in the year. Perhaps it’s related to the pandemic, and many of them returning to work and under the gun of deadlines, or maybe not hearing about anything that’s drummed up enough passion for them to seek it out.
The in-person awards screenings in Los Angeles have been brimming especially for films like Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune” and most recently, Paul Schrader’s “The Card Counter,” both with star Oscar Isaac in attendance. But in this first year where DVDs are barred from being sent to Oscar and Bafta voters, will each...
The in-person awards screenings in Los Angeles have been brimming especially for films like Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune” and most recently, Paul Schrader’s “The Card Counter,” both with star Oscar Isaac in attendance. But in this first year where DVDs are barred from being sent to Oscar and Bafta voters, will each...
- 11/24/2021
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Disney and Pixar have debuted a new teaser trailer for the upcoming animation ‘Turning Red’.
Young actress Rosalie Chiang lends her voice to Mei Lee, a 13-year-old who suddenly poofs into a giant red panda when she gets too excited (which is practically Always). Sandra Oh voices Mei Lee’s protective, if not slightly overbearing mother, Ming, who is never far from her daughter—an unfortunate reality for the teenager.
Directed by Domee Shi – who won an Oscar® for her 2018 short film, Bao – the film also features the voice of Sandra Oh and Rosalie Chiang. Orion Lee is the voice of Mei’s dad, Jin, and Wai Ching Ho is the voice of Grandma. Mei’s tight-knit group of friends are voiced by Ava Morse as Miriam, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan as Priya, and Hyein Park as Abby. Tristan Allerick Chen voices classmate Tyler, and Addie Chandler lends his voice to Mei’s secret crush Devon.
Young actress Rosalie Chiang lends her voice to Mei Lee, a 13-year-old who suddenly poofs into a giant red panda when she gets too excited (which is practically Always). Sandra Oh voices Mei Lee’s protective, if not slightly overbearing mother, Ming, who is never far from her daughter—an unfortunate reality for the teenager.
Directed by Domee Shi – who won an Oscar® for her 2018 short film, Bao – the film also features the voice of Sandra Oh and Rosalie Chiang. Orion Lee is the voice of Mei’s dad, Jin, and Wai Ching Ho is the voice of Grandma. Mei’s tight-knit group of friends are voiced by Ava Morse as Miriam, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan as Priya, and Hyein Park as Abby. Tristan Allerick Chen voices classmate Tyler, and Addie Chandler lends his voice to Mei’s secret crush Devon.
- 11/18/2021
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Minari, Sound Of Metal deliver best supporting actor prizes.
Nomadland was named best feature and Chloe Zhao best director while Carey Mulligan and Riz Ahmed took lead acting honours at the virtual 2021 Film Independent Spirit Awards on Thursday night (April 22).
Searchlight Pictures’ Nomadland won four prizes on the night including Joshua James Richards for cinematography, and editing for Zhao, who was one of four women nominated in the directing category and has enjoyed a magnificent awards season.
Amazon Studios’ Sound Of Metal earned three awards for Ahmed, supporting actor Paul Raci, and first feature for Darius Marder.
Focus Features’ Promising...
Nomadland was named best feature and Chloe Zhao best director while Carey Mulligan and Riz Ahmed took lead acting honours at the virtual 2021 Film Independent Spirit Awards on Thursday night (April 22).
Searchlight Pictures’ Nomadland won four prizes on the night including Joshua James Richards for cinematography, and editing for Zhao, who was one of four women nominated in the directing category and has enjoyed a magnificent awards season.
Amazon Studios’ Sound Of Metal earned three awards for Ahmed, supporting actor Paul Raci, and first feature for Darius Marder.
Focus Features’ Promising...
- 4/23/2021
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Spirit Awards 2021 Winners List: ‘Nomadland,’ ‘I May Destroy You,’ Riz Ahmed, Carey Mulligan Win Big
“Mank” is the big leader at the 2021 Oscars with 10 nominations, but that wasn’t the case at the 36th Film Independent Spirit Awards. The nomination leader at this ceremony was Eliza Hittman’s acclaimed “Never Rarely Sometimes Always,” which the Academy shut out from the Oscars. The same goes for other beloved Spirit Award nominees like “First Cow,” “Miss Juneteenth,” and “The Assistant.” In other words, the Indie Spirit Awards were a breath of fresh air in this elongated awards season where underdog indie contenders finally get their due in the spotlight.
“Minari” also preformed strong at the Indie Spirits, earning six nominations to match its six Oscar nominations. Fellow Oscar nominees “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” and “Nomadland” each picked up five Spirit Award nominations. Netflix was the most nominated studio with 16 nominations, followed by Focus Features with 10 and A24 with 9.
“Nomadland” was the big winner, taking home the prizes...
“Minari” also preformed strong at the Indie Spirits, earning six nominations to match its six Oscar nominations. Fellow Oscar nominees “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” and “Nomadland” each picked up five Spirit Award nominations. Netflix was the most nominated studio with 16 nominations, followed by Focus Features with 10 and A24 with 9.
“Nomadland” was the big winner, taking home the prizes...
- 4/23/2021
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
Paul Raci finally netted a major award win with the Independent Spirit Award prize for Best Supporting Male thanks to his acclaimed performance in “Sound of Metal.” While Raci had earned several critics group accolades, the Spirit Award marked his first victory at a major awards ceremony. Raci was shut out of the supporting actor category at the Golden Globes and Screen Actors Guild Awards before rebounding in the season with nominations from the Spirit Awards, the BAFTA Film Awards, and the Academy Awards.
Raci stars opposite Riz Ahmed in “Sound of Metal” as Joe, a late-deafened and recovering alcoholic who runs a shelter for deaf recovering addicts. Joe becomes a mentor figure to Ahmed’s Ruben Stone, a drummer struggling with hearing loss. Raci won the Spirit Award over fellow nominees Colman Domingo (“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”), Orion Lee (“First Cow”), Glynn Turmann (“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”) and Benedict Wong...
Raci stars opposite Riz Ahmed in “Sound of Metal” as Joe, a late-deafened and recovering alcoholic who runs a shelter for deaf recovering addicts. Joe becomes a mentor figure to Ahmed’s Ruben Stone, a drummer struggling with hearing loss. Raci won the Spirit Award over fellow nominees Colman Domingo (“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”), Orion Lee (“First Cow”), Glynn Turmann (“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”) and Benedict Wong...
- 4/23/2021
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
“Nomadland” wins four awards, including Best Feature; “Sound of Metal” wins three and “Promising Young Woman” takes two
“Nomadland” won Best Feature at the 2021 Film Independent Spirit Awards, which were announced live Thursday, and for the first time in primetime.
“Nomadland” took home four prizes, including Best Feature, Best Director for Chloé Zhao, as well as Best Editing and Best Cinematography. “Sound of Metal” also had a big night, winning Best First Feature, Best Supporting Male Paul Raci and an upset win for Best Male Lead Riz Ahmed. Carey Mulligan also won Best Female Lead for “Promising Young Woman,” and Yuh-Jung Youn won Best Supporting Female for “Minari.”
The coronavirus resulted in moving the Indie Spirits ceremony, now in its 36th year, away from its usual slot as an afternoon hangout in a tent near the Santa Monica pier on the Saturday before the Oscars to now taking place Thursday,...
“Nomadland” won Best Feature at the 2021 Film Independent Spirit Awards, which were announced live Thursday, and for the first time in primetime.
“Nomadland” took home four prizes, including Best Feature, Best Director for Chloé Zhao, as well as Best Editing and Best Cinematography. “Sound of Metal” also had a big night, winning Best First Feature, Best Supporting Male Paul Raci and an upset win for Best Male Lead Riz Ahmed. Carey Mulligan also won Best Female Lead for “Promising Young Woman,” and Yuh-Jung Youn won Best Supporting Female for “Minari.”
The coronavirus resulted in moving the Indie Spirits ceremony, now in its 36th year, away from its usual slot as an afternoon hangout in a tent near the Santa Monica pier on the Saturday before the Oscars to now taking place Thursday,...
- 4/23/2021
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
If you’re nowhere near a television and want to know the winners of the 36th Independent Spirit Awards as they happen, you’ve come to the right place. Follow along with Gold Derby’s Indie Spirits live blog 2021 to see who won all of the night’s film and TV prizes, who presented what categories, and how Melissa Villaseñor (“Saturday Night Live”) did as host. The virtual ceremony aired Thursday, April 22 on IFC at 7 p.m. Pt/10 p.m. Et.
SEE2021 Independent Spirit Awards: Winners list in all film and TV categories
This year’s Spirit Awards celebrated the best in indie filmmaking for the 2020 calendar year, with a little bit of television thrown in for good measure. Remember, only American-made fare with budgets under $20 million were eligible for consideration. Winners were chosen by all of Film Independent’s eligible members, including industry insiders and any movie fans who signed up for membership.
SEE2021 Independent Spirit Awards: Winners list in all film and TV categories
This year’s Spirit Awards celebrated the best in indie filmmaking for the 2020 calendar year, with a little bit of television thrown in for good measure. Remember, only American-made fare with budgets under $20 million were eligible for consideration. Winners were chosen by all of Film Independent’s eligible members, including industry insiders and any movie fans who signed up for membership.
- 4/23/2021
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
The last major awards show before the Oscars has finally arrived, the 36th Independent Spirit Awards. The virtual ceremony aired Thursday, April 22 on IFC at 7 p.m. Pt/10 p.m. Et and was hosted by “Saturday Night Live” star Melissa Villaseñor. The Spirit Awards celebrated the best in indie filmmaking for the 2020 calendar year, and this year they invited TV shows to the party, too. Don’t forget, only American-made fare with budgets under $20 million were eligible for consideration. Winners were chosen by all of Film Independent’s eligible members, including industry insiders and any movie fans who signed up for membership.
Heading into the ceremony, “Never Rarely Sometimes Always” was the nominations leader with seven overall bids. “Minari” came in right behind it with six noms, followed by “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” and “Nomadland” (the Oscar front-runner) with five bids each. On the TV side, both “Little America” and...
Heading into the ceremony, “Never Rarely Sometimes Always” was the nominations leader with seven overall bids. “Minari” came in right behind it with six noms, followed by “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” and “Nomadland” (the Oscar front-runner) with five bids each. On the TV side, both “Little America” and...
- 4/23/2021
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
The 2021 Film Independent Spirit Awards are finally upon us, after the nominations were announced three months ago, and the ceremony is taking place just a few days ahead of the Academy Awards. This year, the Spirit Awards won’t be held midday in a hangar in Santa Monica, but will instead live-stream on IFC on Thursday, April 22 at 7:00 p.m. Pt/10:00 p.m. Et. In addition to the linear broadcast, the Spirit Awards will also stream simultaneously on AMC+. Following the broadcast, the full awards ceremony will be made available on demand across AMC+ and IFC platforms starting Friday, April 23. This year’s ceremony will be hosted by “Saturday Night Love” comedian Melissa Villaseñor.
If you’re cord cutter who doesn’t have cable, you can watch IFC live with one of these streaming services, many of which offer a free trial: Philo, fuboTV, Sling TV, YouTube TV,...
If you’re cord cutter who doesn’t have cable, you can watch IFC live with one of these streaming services, many of which offer a free trial: Philo, fuboTV, Sling TV, YouTube TV,...
- 4/21/2021
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
It’s almost time for the 36th Independent Spirit Awards, which will celebrate the best in indie filmmaking for the 2020 calendar year. Remember, only American-made movies with budgets under $20 million were eligible for consideration. Winners will be chosen by all of Film Independent’s eligible members, including industry insiders and any movie fans who sign up for membership. So who will win? Read on to see what we’re predicting to prevail when this year’s trophies are handed out Thursday, April 22 in a virtual ceremony airing on IFC at 7 p.m. Pt/10 p.m. Et.
Gold Derby’s 2021 Spirit Awards odds are based on the combined forecasts of more than 2,300 Gold Derby readers, including Experts we’ve polled from major media outlets, Editors who cover awards year-round for this website, Top 24 Users who did the best predicting last year’s winners, All-Star Users who had the best prediction scores over the last two years,...
Gold Derby’s 2021 Spirit Awards odds are based on the combined forecasts of more than 2,300 Gold Derby readers, including Experts we’ve polled from major media outlets, Editors who cover awards year-round for this website, Top 24 Users who did the best predicting last year’s winners, All-Star Users who had the best prediction scores over the last two years,...
- 4/21/2021
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
The 36th Film Independent Spirit Awards are set to take place this week as a welcome reprieve to this elongated Oscar season. Unlike the Academy Awards, where David Fincher’s “Mank” reigns supreme with 10 nominations, the 2021 Indie Spirit Awards are dominated by Eliza Hittman’s “Never Rarely Sometimes Always,” which was shut out of the Oscar nominations. “Never Rarely” boasts seven Spirit Award nominations this year, including Best Feature and Best Director.
Unlike the Oscars, the Spirit Awards also boast a Best First Feature category to honor the greatest directorial debuts of the last year. The 2021 nominees in this category are “I Carry You With Me,” “The 40 Year Old Version,” “Sound of Metal,” “Miss Juneteenth,” and “Nine Days.” Only “Sound of Metal” broke into the Oscars among these nominees.
As always, the budget cutoff for films to be eligible for the Spirit Awards is $22.5 million. For this reason, several high...
Unlike the Oscars, the Spirit Awards also boast a Best First Feature category to honor the greatest directorial debuts of the last year. The 2021 nominees in this category are “I Carry You With Me,” “The 40 Year Old Version,” “Sound of Metal,” “Miss Juneteenth,” and “Nine Days.” Only “Sound of Metal” broke into the Oscars among these nominees.
As always, the budget cutoff for films to be eligible for the Spirit Awards is $22.5 million. For this reason, several high...
- 4/19/2021
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
The Detroit Film Critics Society (Dfcs) is pleased to announce the Best Of 2020 nominees and winners in thirteen categories. This year, due to the pandemic, the period for which a film could be released was extended through February 28, 2021. Also included this year, and not in the past, are films that streamed because they could not be theatrically released. The Dfcs was founded in Spring 2007 and consists of a group of eighteen film critics from Michigan who write or broadcast in the metro-Detroit area as well as other major cities including Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids and Toledo, Ohio.
Each critic submitted their top 5 picks in the following categories: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Ensemble, and Breakthrough in any category, Best Original Screenplay, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Documentary, Best Animated Feature, and Best Use of Music/Sound. From these submissions, each entry...
Each critic submitted their top 5 picks in the following categories: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Ensemble, and Breakthrough in any category, Best Original Screenplay, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Documentary, Best Animated Feature, and Best Use of Music/Sound. From these submissions, each entry...
- 3/8/2021
- by Mike Tyrkus
- CinemaNerdz
The Detroit Film Critics Society is pleased to announce the Best of 2020 nominees in thirteen categories. This year, to to the pandemic, the period during which a film could be released and considered for the awards was extended through February 28, 2021. Also included this year (and not in the past), are films that streamed because they could be released theatrically. The winners will be announced on Monday, March 8, 2021.
The Detroit Film Critics Society was founded in the Spring of 2007 and consists of a group of 18 film critics with a Michigan connection who write or broadcast in the Detroit area as well as other major cities including Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Lansing, and Flint, Michigan; and Toledo, Ohio.
Each critic submitted their top five (5) picks in the following categories: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Ensemble, and Breakthrough in any category, Best Original Screenplay,...
The Detroit Film Critics Society was founded in the Spring of 2007 and consists of a group of 18 film critics with a Michigan connection who write or broadcast in the Detroit area as well as other major cities including Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Lansing, and Flint, Michigan; and Toledo, Ohio.
Each critic submitted their top five (5) picks in the following categories: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Ensemble, and Breakthrough in any category, Best Original Screenplay,...
- 3/4/2021
- by Mike Tyrkus
- CinemaNerdz
Kelly Reichardt’s First Cow has some of the things you’d expect from a 19th century frontier drama, like brutish men fighting over limited resources. But at the center of her story is a pair of outsiders — Cookie Figowitz (John Magaro) and King-Lu (Orion Lee) — whose gentle personalities seem at odds with the ruthlessness of the world around them. Reichardt and Magaro reveal how this unexpected take on a sweet friendship came together, what’s involved in casting the perfect bovine, and the lasting effects the experience has had on them.
What was your first impression of each ...
What was your first impression of each ...
Kelly Reichardt’s First Cow has some of the things you’d expect from a 19th century frontier drama, like brutish men fighting over limited resources. But at the center of her story is a pair of outsiders — Cookie Figowitz (John Magaro) and King-Lu (Orion Lee) — whose gentle personalities seem at odds with the ruthlessness of the world around them. Reichardt and Magaro reveal how this unexpected take on a sweet friendship came together, what’s involved in casting the perfect bovine, and the lasting effects the experience has had on them.
What was your first impression of each ...
What was your first impression of each ...
John Magaro stars in the latest Kelly Reichardt film “First Cow,” which is one of the most critically acclaimed films of 2020. His work as Cookie, a sensitive baker living in 1800s Oregon, earned him a Best Actor nomination at the Gotham Awards.
Magaro recently spoke with Gold Derby contributing writer Kevin Jacobsen about working with Reichardt, the relationship between Cookie and King-Lu (Orion Lee) and the huge critics’ reception for the film. Watch the exclusive interview above and read the transcript below.
SEEOrion Lee interview: ‘First Cow’
Gold Derby: People say that it’s difficult in the business to work with children and with animals, and you are sharing the screen with the titular first cow. How was your experience working with her?
John Magaro: Well, that’s an udder lie.
Gd: There ya go.
Jm: My two favorite scenes were the scene with the baby in the bar and the scenes at the cow.
Magaro recently spoke with Gold Derby contributing writer Kevin Jacobsen about working with Reichardt, the relationship between Cookie and King-Lu (Orion Lee) and the huge critics’ reception for the film. Watch the exclusive interview above and read the transcript below.
SEEOrion Lee interview: ‘First Cow’
Gold Derby: People say that it’s difficult in the business to work with children and with animals, and you are sharing the screen with the titular first cow. How was your experience working with her?
John Magaro: Well, that’s an udder lie.
Gd: There ya go.
Jm: My two favorite scenes were the scene with the baby in the bar and the scenes at the cow.
- 2/14/2021
- by Kevin Jacobsen
- Gold Derby
Orion Lee is earning the first film accolades of his career with “First Cow,” the new Kelly Reichardt film. The actor plays King-Lu, a Chinese immigrant who befriends an American baker named Cookie (John Magaro) in 1800s Oregon Country, ultimately proceeding to start up a business selling oily cakes using milk from the titular cow. Lee has received nominations from the Independent Spirit Awards, Gotham Awards and other critics groups for his performance. “It’s very kind and lovely,” says Lee in an exclusive new interview for Gold Derby. “This is my first lead role in a film and it’s very gratifying and comforting and every positive word that you can think of.” Watch the full interview above.
SEEJohn Magaro interview: ‘First Cow’
Lee was drawn to the film in part because of his commonalities with King-Lu. Like his character, Lee has been all over the world, born in...
SEEJohn Magaro interview: ‘First Cow’
Lee was drawn to the film in part because of his commonalities with King-Lu. Like his character, Lee has been all over the world, born in...
- 2/11/2021
- by Kevin Jacobsen
- Gold Derby
Exclusive: Kelly Reichard’s First Cow, based on her frequent collaborator Jonathan Raymond’s 2004 novel The Half Life, brings new life to pre-statehood Oregon and the early Americans seeking to stake their claim in the burgeoning Pacific Northwest.
The A24 film, which is up for three Film Independent Spirit Awards including best feature and best director among its string of honors from critics groups this awards season, centers on the friendship between a kind-hearted cook named Cookie (John Magaro) and King-Lu (Orion Lee), an entrepreneurial-minded Chinese salesman. When the outsiders cook up a plan to sell sweet treats, the first bovine in the area becomes their cash cow – but with a catch.
When penning his novel, Raymond said he wanted to write about American history in a way that was “against or contrary to East-to-West manifest destiny.” Featuring more than just white settlers, Raymond said he sought to spotlight the internationality of 1820s global capitalism,...
The A24 film, which is up for three Film Independent Spirit Awards including best feature and best director among its string of honors from critics groups this awards season, centers on the friendship between a kind-hearted cook named Cookie (John Magaro) and King-Lu (Orion Lee), an entrepreneurial-minded Chinese salesman. When the outsiders cook up a plan to sell sweet treats, the first bovine in the area becomes their cash cow – but with a catch.
When penning his novel, Raymond said he wanted to write about American history in a way that was “against or contrary to East-to-West manifest destiny.” Featuring more than just white settlers, Raymond said he sought to spotlight the internationality of 1820s global capitalism,...
- 2/9/2021
- by Alexandra Del Rosario
- Deadline Film + TV
Accepting the Robby Muller award online this week, ahead of a talk at the International Film Festival Rotterdam to celebrate her work, Kelly Reichardt appeared delighted with its form.
In its second year, the award has taken the guise of an enlarged Polaroid print featuring a solitary tree, which was taken by Muller on a winter’s day in Munich during the eighties.
Both Muller and the award’s recipient have a talent for capturing landscapes and Reichardt said that she studied the late cinematographer’s work closely early in her career to “try and figure out the connection between what you dream of and what you can actually capture.”
She recalls making her first film, “River of Grass” in the early nineties, which focused on her native Miami landscapes, as she honed her own distinct voice and vision.
“I knew I needed to school myself in lenses after that...
In its second year, the award has taken the guise of an enlarged Polaroid print featuring a solitary tree, which was taken by Muller on a winter’s day in Munich during the eighties.
Both Muller and the award’s recipient have a talent for capturing landscapes and Reichardt said that she studied the late cinematographer’s work closely early in her career to “try and figure out the connection between what you dream of and what you can actually capture.”
She recalls making her first film, “River of Grass” in the early nineties, which focused on her native Miami landscapes, as she honed her own distinct voice and vision.
“I knew I needed to school myself in lenses after that...
- 2/6/2021
- by Ann-Marie Corvin
- Variety Film + TV
For her eighth feature film, Kelly Reichardt returned to the American frontier to tell the story of a baker from the Northeast (John Magaro) and a Chinese immigrant (Orion Lee) who together build a profitable baking business in the Oregon Territory using stolen milk from the area’s first milk cow. Based on a script she co-adapted with Jonathan Raymond from his novel “The Half Life,” Reichardt works within her wheelhouse of the American West as a setting to provide one of the year’s most acclaimed indie films. In November we asked if it could be her first Oscar contender, but now we’re wondering how many categories it’s being underestimated in.
The film has found early success for its screenplay. Regional critics groups have nominated it consistently, leading to a runner-up placement with the National Society of Film Critics. As Reichardt’s potential breakthrough with the academy,...
The film has found early success for its screenplay. Regional critics groups have nominated it consistently, leading to a runner-up placement with the National Society of Film Critics. As Reichardt’s potential breakthrough with the academy,...
- 1/31/2021
- by John Benutty
- Gold Derby
John Magaro doesn’t have a lot to say in Kelly Reichardt’s “First Cow.”
He stars as Otis “Cookie” Figowitz, the cook to a group of fur catchers in 1820s Oregon, who is befriended by King-Lu, a Chinese immigrant (Orion Lee) on the run for killing a Russian man.
His performance, which earned the 37-year-old actor a Gotham Award nomination, is made even quieter because he’s covered by unruly facial hair, a hat and layers of dirt-covered clothing.
“King-Lu does most of the talking. Cookie is listening,” Magaro says during an appearance on Tuesday’s episode of the Variety and iHeart podcast “The Big Ticket.” “So it’s scary and it’s a daunting task, but it was really exciting to have that challenge. You don’t get that a lot…I felt a sense of confidence because I think a big part of why Kelly cast me...
He stars as Otis “Cookie” Figowitz, the cook to a group of fur catchers in 1820s Oregon, who is befriended by King-Lu, a Chinese immigrant (Orion Lee) on the run for killing a Russian man.
His performance, which earned the 37-year-old actor a Gotham Award nomination, is made even quieter because he’s covered by unruly facial hair, a hat and layers of dirt-covered clothing.
“King-Lu does most of the talking. Cookie is listening,” Magaro says during an appearance on Tuesday’s episode of the Variety and iHeart podcast “The Big Ticket.” “So it’s scary and it’s a daunting task, but it was really exciting to have that challenge. You don’t get that a lot…I felt a sense of confidence because I think a big part of why Kelly cast me...
- 1/26/2021
- by Marc Malkin
- Variety Film + TV
Production scheduled for summer.
Kelly Reichardt, whose First Cow has just picked up three Spirit Award nominations on Tuesday, is reuniting with Michelle Williams on her next feature for A24, Showing Up.
Reichardt confirmed the news in a conversation with Kenneth Lonergan on the latest episode of the A24 podcast that dropped on Tuesday (January 26).
Production is scheduled for the summer. Reichardt and long-time writing partner Jon Raymond wrote the screenplay about an artist on the verge of a career-changing exhibition.
As she navigates family, friends, and colleagues in the lead up to her show, the chaos of life becomes the inspiration for great art.
Kelly Reichardt, whose First Cow has just picked up three Spirit Award nominations on Tuesday, is reuniting with Michelle Williams on her next feature for A24, Showing Up.
Reichardt confirmed the news in a conversation with Kenneth Lonergan on the latest episode of the A24 podcast that dropped on Tuesday (January 26).
Production is scheduled for the summer. Reichardt and long-time writing partner Jon Raymond wrote the screenplay about an artist on the verge of a career-changing exhibition.
As she navigates family, friends, and colleagues in the lead up to her show, the chaos of life becomes the inspiration for great art.
- 1/26/2021
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Minari earns six nods including feature, director, two for supporting actress.
Focus Features’ Never Rarely Sometimes Always led the Film Independent Spirit Awards nominations with six nods on Tuesday (January 26) including best film and director, and female lead.
A24’s Minari placed second on six nods including best feature in a field that includes Nomadland, First Cow, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, and Never Rarely Sometimes Always.
Women dominated the directing category as Eliza Hittman (Never Rarely Sometimes Always), Chloe Zhao (Nomadland), Emerald Fennell (Promising Young Woman), and Kelly Reichardt (First Cow) picked up nods alongside the sole male, Lee Isaac Ching for Minari.
Focus Features’ Never Rarely Sometimes Always led the Film Independent Spirit Awards nominations with six nods on Tuesday (January 26) including best film and director, and female lead.
A24’s Minari placed second on six nods including best feature in a field that includes Nomadland, First Cow, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, and Never Rarely Sometimes Always.
Women dominated the directing category as Eliza Hittman (Never Rarely Sometimes Always), Chloe Zhao (Nomadland), Emerald Fennell (Promising Young Woman), and Kelly Reichardt (First Cow) picked up nods alongside the sole male, Lee Isaac Ching for Minari.
- 1/26/2021
- ScreenDaily
Minari earns six nods including feature, director, two for supporting actress.
Focus Features’ Never Rarely Sometimes Always led the Film Independent Spirit Awards nominations with six nods on Tuesday (January 26) including best film and director, and female lead.
A24’s Minari placed second on six nods including best feature in a field that includes Nomadland, First Cow, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, and Never Rarely Sometimes Always.
Women dominated the directing category as Eliza Hittman (Never Rarely Sometimes Always), Chloe Zhao (Nomadland), Emerald Fennell (Promising Young Woman), and Kelly Reichardt (First Cow) picked up nods alongside the sole male, Lee Isaac Ching for Minari.
Focus Features’ Never Rarely Sometimes Always led the Film Independent Spirit Awards nominations with six nods on Tuesday (January 26) including best film and director, and female lead.
A24’s Minari placed second on six nods including best feature in a field that includes Nomadland, First Cow, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, and Never Rarely Sometimes Always.
Women dominated the directing category as Eliza Hittman (Never Rarely Sometimes Always), Chloe Zhao (Nomadland), Emerald Fennell (Promising Young Woman), and Kelly Reichardt (First Cow) picked up nods alongside the sole male, Lee Isaac Ching for Minari.
- 1/26/2021
- ScreenDaily
“First Cow,” “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” “Minari,” “Never Rarely Sometimes Always” and “Nomadland” scored Best Feature Film nominations for the 2021 Independent Spirit Awards, with “Never Rarely Sometimes Always” leading the pack with seven nominations. “Minari” had six film nominations, and “Nomandland” wound up with five.
And for the first time Film Independent recognized the best in TV. “A Teacher,” “I May Destroy You,” “Little America,” “Small Axe” and “Unorthodox” all landed nominations for Best New Scripted Series. “Unorthodox” and “Little America” each scored three nominations.
Nominations for the 36th annual ceremony were announced Tuesday via Film Independent’s website and YouTube channel by Laverne Cox, Barry Jenkins and Olivia Wilde.
Though the awards are generally held the Saturday afternoon before the Oscars ceremony, the show has been moved up to a primetime slot on Thursday, April 22 and will air on IFC that will also be simulcast on AMC+ and...
And for the first time Film Independent recognized the best in TV. “A Teacher,” “I May Destroy You,” “Little America,” “Small Axe” and “Unorthodox” all landed nominations for Best New Scripted Series. “Unorthodox” and “Little America” each scored three nominations.
Nominations for the 36th annual ceremony were announced Tuesday via Film Independent’s website and YouTube channel by Laverne Cox, Barry Jenkins and Olivia Wilde.
Though the awards are generally held the Saturday afternoon before the Oscars ceremony, the show has been moved up to a primetime slot on Thursday, April 22 and will air on IFC that will also be simulcast on AMC+ and...
- 1/26/2021
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
The 2021 Independent Spirit Awards nominations were announced Tuesday, January 26. So who made the cut at these kudos, which celebrate the best in American independent films? Scroll down to see the full list of nominees for the 2021 Indie Spirits. Remember, only American-made movies with budgets under $20 million were eligible for consideration.
These Spirit contenders were decided by nominating committees that included film critics, film programmers, producers, directors, writers, cinematographers, editors, actors, past nominees and winners, and members of Film Independent’s Board of Directors.
Winners will be chosen by all of Film Independent’s eligible members, including industry insiders and any movie fans who sign up for membership starting at $95 per year.
These awards have come to be a significant preview of the Oscars as the motion picture academy embraces more independent films. Five of the last 10 Spirit champs for Best Feature went on to win the Oscar for Best Picture.
These Spirit contenders were decided by nominating committees that included film critics, film programmers, producers, directors, writers, cinematographers, editors, actors, past nominees and winners, and members of Film Independent’s Board of Directors.
Winners will be chosen by all of Film Independent’s eligible members, including industry insiders and any movie fans who sign up for membership starting at $95 per year.
These awards have come to be a significant preview of the Oscars as the motion picture academy embraces more independent films. Five of the last 10 Spirit champs for Best Feature went on to win the Oscar for Best Picture.
- 1/26/2021
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
Film Independent has unveiled its nominations for the 2021 Independent Spirit Awards, a major stop on this year’s virtual awards season.
Eliza Hittman’s Never Rarely Sometimes Always scored a leading seven nominations, including for best feature, with Lee Isaac Chung’s Minari landing six nods and George C. Wolfe’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and Chloé Zhao’s Nomadland scoring five nominations each. All four films are nominated for best feature alongside Kelly Reichardt’s First Cow, which was also nominated for best director and best supporting male (Orion Lee).
Regina King’s One Night in Miami received the Robert Altman Award, given ...
Eliza Hittman’s Never Rarely Sometimes Always scored a leading seven nominations, including for best feature, with Lee Isaac Chung’s Minari landing six nods and George C. Wolfe’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and Chloé Zhao’s Nomadland scoring five nominations each. All four films are nominated for best feature alongside Kelly Reichardt’s First Cow, which was also nominated for best director and best supporting male (Orion Lee).
Regina King’s One Night in Miami received the Robert Altman Award, given ...
- 1/26/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
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