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Annie Mae Aquash was a mother and an indomitable force in the fight for Indigenous rights. She was a warrior woman who went against the “giant,” and for decades, the story of her tragic death was deliberately buried.

Yvonne Russo directs Onyx Collective’s four-part docuseries “Vow of Silence: The Assassination of Annie Mae,” premiering Nov. 26 on Hulu. The series shines a light on one of the most infamous and mysterious crimes in Indian Country. It will also serve as a quest for truth, while placing Annie Mae’s story within the broader context of the American Indian Movement, examining the Movement’s rise to prominence and its efforts to advocate for Indigenous communities. Watch the trailer below.

“Annie Mae’s story is a raw, unfiltered journey—a complex love triangle entangled with the traditions, secrets, and contradictions of a movement that became her family,” Russo reveals in this Gold Derby exclusive.

Keke Palmer once held out hope that she would be a familiar face within Ryan Murphy’s television universe, popping up in his projects the same way Emma Roberts, Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, and Darren Criss have over the years.

But after Murphy allegedly “ripped” into Palmer and called her unprofessional while she was co-starring in Scream Queens — Murphy’s short-lived satirical slasher series — Palmer isn’t so sure that’s an option for her anymore, but she’s okay with that.

The admission was made in Palmer’s new book,...

The Bachelorette's Jenn Tran faces scrutiny over authenticity, with former contestants revealing producer manipulation and editing secrets. Producers use tactics like trauma bonding and emotional pasts to create drama, while contracts require contestants to follow all directions. Not all contestants are on the show for love, with some seeking fame or career boosts, and musical guests question the reality of relationships.

The new season of The Bachelorette kicks off on July 8, 2024 on ABC with Jenn Tran as the first Asian leading lady of the franchise, but fans are wondering how much of the show is authentic.

Franchise favorites like Matt James, Kaitlyn Bristowe and Rachel Lindsay have gone on record to reveal producer manipulation, editing secrets and other ways the crew tries to stir up drama for entertainment purposes.

This article will reveal exclusive details about how producers use trauma bonding and other manipulative tactics to force relationships. Then,...

Apple TV+ has unveiled the trailer for its new series ‘Lady in the Lake,’ the upcoming, seven-part limited series starring Academy Award and Golden Globe Award-winner Natalie Portman.’

Portman also serves as executive producer, and Emmy Award nominee Moses Ingram, and created and directed by Alma Har’el. “Lady in the Lake” will make its global debut on Apple TV+ with the first two episodes on Friday, July 19, 2024, followed by new episodes every Friday through August 23, 2024.

When the disappearance of a young girl grips the city of Baltimore on Thanksgiving 1966, the lives of two women converge on a fatal collision course. Maddie Schwartz (Portman), a Jewish housewife seeking to shed a secret past and reinvent herself as an investigative journalist, and Cleo Johnson (Ingram), a mother navigating the political underbelly of Black Baltimore while struggling to provide for her family. Their disparate lives seem parallel at first, but when Maddie becomes...

AppleTV+ has just released the trailer for their upcoming psychological horror series, Lady in the Lake. Lady in the Lake is a seven-part limited series starring Academy Award and Golden Globe Award-winner Natalie Portman, who also serves as executive producer, and Emmy Award nominee Moses Ingram, and created and directed by Alma Har’el. Lady in the Lake will make its global debut on Apple TV+ with the first two episodes on Friday, July 19, 2024, followed by new episodes every Friday through August 23, 2024.

The official synopsis reads,

“When the disappearance of a young girl grips the city of Baltimore on Thanksgiving 1966, the lives of two women converge on a fatal collision course. Maddie Schwartz (Portman), a Jewish housewife seeking to shed a secret past and reinvent herself as an investigative journalist, and Cleo Johnson (Ingram), a mother navigating the political underbelly of Black Baltimore while struggling to provide for her family. Their...

Today, Apple TV+ unveiled the trailer for Lady in the Lake, the upcoming, seven-part limited series starring Academy Award and Golden Globe Award winner Natalie Portman, who also serves as executive producer, and Emmy Award nominee Moses Ingram. Alma Har’el created and directed the series.

Lady in the Lake will make its global debut on Apple TV+ with the first two episodes on Friday, July 19, 2024, followed by new episodes every Friday through August 23, 2024.

When the disappearance of a young girl grips the city of Baltimore on Thanksgiving 1966, the lives of two women converge on a fatal collision course.

Maddie Schwartz (Portman) is a Jewish housewife seeking to shed a secret past and reinvent herself as an investigative journalist, and Cleo Johnson (Ingram) is a mother navigating the political underbelly of Black Baltimore while struggling to provide for her family.

Their disparate lives seem parallel at first, but when Maddie becomes...

Apple TV+ released a trailer for “Lady in the Lake,” the upcoming limited series based on Laura Lippman’s novel of the same name.

The thriller series follows the convergence of two women’s lives after the Thanksgiving 1966 disappearance of a young girl in Baltimore. Jewish housewife Maddie Schwartz (Natalie Portman) seeks to shed a secret past and reinvent herself as an investigative journalist while Cleo Johnson (Moses Ingram), a mother navigating the political underbelly of Black Baltimore while struggling to provide for her family. When Maddie becomes fixated on Cleo’s mystifying death, everyone around them is suddenly put in danger. The cast also includes Y’lan Noel, Brett Gelman, Byron Bowers, Noah Jupe, Josiah Cross, Mikey Madison, Pruitt Taylor Vince and Dylan Arnold.

“I saw you once, Maddie Schwartz,” Ingram’s Cleo narrates in the trailer. “Before any of this began, I saw you. Alive, I was Cleo Johnson.

Natalie Portman is a 1960s housewife turned investigative reporter for the Apple TV+ adaptation of novel “Lady in the Lake.”

Portman stars as Maddie Schwartz, a Jewish divorcée seeking to shed a secret past and reinvent herself as a journalist within a sexist newsroom. The murder of Cleo Johnson (Moses Ingram), a mother navigating the political underbelly of Black Baltimore while struggling to provide for her family, becomes a news story that Maddie just can’t let go of until justice is served.

“Anora” breakout Mikey Madison, Y’lan Noel, Brett Gelman, Dylan Arnold, Byron Bowers, Noah Jupe, Josiah Cross, and Pruitt Taylor Vince also star.

Lupita Nyong’o was originally set to play Cleo, however she exited the project due to unknown circumstances. “Obi-Wan Kenobi” breakout Ingram was cast as Nyong’o’s replacement.

Alma Har’el directs the limited series centered on the price women pay for chasing their dreams, as the official synopsis teased.

Natalie Portman is taking a page out of her “Jackie” days and venturing back to the 1960s — this time, to investigate a murder.

The Oscar winner leads Apple TV+ limited series “Lady in the Lake,” based on Laura Lippman’s novel of the same name. “Honey Boy” filmmaker Alma Har’el penned the pilot and will co-write the rest of the series with Dre Ryan (“The Man in the High Castle”); Har’el will also direct.

Portman plays housewife-turned-reporter Maddie Schwartz as she pursues the case of a missing woman named Cleo Sherwood (Moses Ingram), whose body was found in a city park lake. As Cleo’s ghost follows Maddie on her quest to uncover the mystery of her death, the two women’s lives become intertwined. The first-look photo of the series is above.

Y’lan Noel, Brett Gelman, Byron Bowers, Noah Jupe, Josiah Cross, Mikey Madison, and Pruitt Taylor Vince also star.

Apple TV+ today unveiled a first look at Lady in the Lake, the upcoming seven-part limited series starring Academy Award and Golden Globe Award-winner Natalie Portman, who also serves as executive producer, and Emmy Award nominee Moses Ingram.

Lady in the Lake will make its global debut on Apple TV+ with the first two episodes on Friday, July 19, 2024. New episodes will be added every Friday through August 23, 2024.

When the disappearance of a young girl grips the city of Baltimore on Thanksgiving 1966, the lives of two women converge on a fatal collision course. Maddie Schwartz (Portman), a Jewish housewife seeking to shed a secret past and reinvent herself as an investigative journalist, and Cleo Sherwood (Ingram), a mother navigating the political underbelly of Black Baltimore while struggling to provide for her family.

Their disparate lives seem parallel at first, but when Maddie becomes fixated on Cleo’s mystifying death, a chasm...

The premiere season of the Apple TV+ series Invasion (read our review Here) started airing in October of 2021 and wrapped up its ten episode run in December of that. The same week the season finale aired, it was announced that a second season of the show had been ordered. Invasion season 2 is set to make its debut on August 23rd – and with that date just a few weeks away, a trailer for the new episodes have arrived online! You can watch it in the embed above.

Created by Simon Kinberg and David Weil, Invasion is set across multiple continents and is described as a sweeping, character-driven science fiction drama series that follows an alien invasion through different perspectives around the world. Season 2 picks up 121 days after the invasion started.

The series stars Shamier Anderson (John Wick: Chapter 4), Golshifteh Farahani (the Chris Hemsworth Extraction), Sam Neill (Jurassic Park), Firas Nassar (Fauda...

The first of three “Vanderpump Rules” #Scandoval reunion episodes will air on May 24, but for fans who can’t wait that long for the fireworks that Bravo has promised, there’s a tailgating opportunity in the form of a documentary titled “The Randall Scandal: Love, Loathing, and Vanderpump.”

The 90-minute Hulu doc, which begins streaming on May 22, stems from the Los Angeles Times story, “The Man Who Played Hollywood: Inside Randall Emmett’s Crumbling Empire” written by Amy Kaufman and Meg James. The article, published in June 2022, revealed lawsuits, debts and troubling allegations regarding Emmett’s relationships with women, assistants and business partners.

See below for an exclusive clip from the documentary, the first collaboration between L.A. Times Studios and ABC News Studios.

It was in motion well before the #Scandoval about an affair between “Vanderpump Rules” stars Tom Sandoval and Raquel Leviss created a tabloid frenzy in March. The...

Randall Emmett is firing back at Hulu’s new documentary, “The Randall Scandal: Love, Loathing and Vanderpump”, claiming it portrays a biased narrative against him.

“Almost one year ago the Los Angeles Times wrote a highly biased and factually inaccurate hit piece on me. One of the writers, Amy Kaufman, seemed to have a personal vendetta against me, I believe due to her alleged friendship with my ex Lala Kent,” Emmett, 52, exclusively recounted to Page Six on Wednesday.

“Among other things, the article contained fictitious and greatly exaggerated stories made up by a few former disgruntled employees who had been dismissed,” he adds.

Read More: Lala Kent Reacts To Ex Randall Emmett Denying Engagement Rumours: ‘He’s Incapable Of Telling The Truth’

Emmett’s outspoken thoughts on the doc occurr just one day after ABC News Studios and LA Times Studios revealed they would be investigating the allegations of racial...

Another scandal surrounds the Vanderpump Rules cast and this time Lala Kent is opening up about her life with Hollywood producer Randall Emmett in Hulu’s The Randall Scandal: Love, Loathing, and Vanderpump. Watch the trailer in the video posted above.

ABC News Studios and LA Times Studios teamed up for an investigation into the allegations of race discrimination and workplace abuse against Emmett. The movie mogul denies all the allegations that includes questionable on-set behavior towards actor Bruce Willis as his mental acuity declined.

The 90-minute documentary features special access to interview footage of Kent, who opens up about her tumultuous relationship with Emmett and how she learned about the accusations against her ex-fiancé.

The Randall Scandal: Love, Loathing, and Vanderpump also includes exclusive interviews with those closest to Kent, including Lisa and Easton Burningham, her mother and brother, who describe alarming, never-before-told claims of Emmett’s alleged mistreatment towards Kent,...

Emily Ratajkowski is getting a lot off her chest — from her own insecurities when it comes to relationships with men to wanting to build her own full-blown media company, an inspiration conjured up by Reese Witherspoon. And, yes, she’s also opening up, albeit just a teensy bit, about her recent make-out session with Harry Styles that generated global headlines.

The 31-year-old supermodel chatted with the Los Angeles Times throughout two months of conversations and spoke candidly about the men in her life, her disdain for Hollywood, being a single mother and her life aspirations. Most recently, Ratajkowski made headlines after she was spotted making out with the “Watermelon Sugar” singer.

Just two weeks prior to the make-out sesh seen ’round the world, Ratajkowski had been in L.A. to model for a Versace show. And, after returning to her hotel after a fitting for a dress she would wear...

Leave it to the Oscars to stir up some trouble between Chris Rock and Will Smith.

During the 94th Academy Awards on March 27, presenter Chris Rock made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith being in “G.I. Jane 2” because of her short hair. Pinkett Smith has previously been vocal about having a hair-loss condition.

Her husband Will Smith’s response to Rock’s joke while presenting the Best Documentary Oscar to “Summer of Soul” proved to be unscripted. The telecast cut out the audio feed in the U.S. broadcast.

However, the Australian broadcast aired the whole, unedited sequence live. According to a leaked clip of the ceremony, Smith stormed onstage and smacked Rock in the face, with an audible thump.

“Will Smith just smacked the shit out of me,” Rock says while smiling.

Smith, meanwhile, yells from his seat, “Keep my wife’s name out of your fucking mouth.

Photo Courtesy Netflix

Here’s a look at the new trailer for Beasts Of No Nation, the powerful new film written and directed by Emmy Award winner Cary Fukunaga (True Detective, Sin Nombre) and starring Golden Globe winner Idris Elba (Luther, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom)

The movie will debut Friday, October 16, 2015 worldwide on Netflix and on the same day in select U.S. theaters.

Beasts Of No Nation is based on the highly acclaimed novel by Nigerian author Uzodinma Iweala, bringing to life the gripping tale of Agu, a child soldier torn from his family to fight in the civil war of an African country.

Newcomer Abraham Attah gives a stunning portrayal of Agu, while Elba dominates the screen in the role of Commandant, a warlord who takes in Agu and instructs him in the ways of war.

The film is produced by Amy Kaufman and Cary Fukunaga (who...

Netflix, Bleecker Street and Landmark announced a partnership on Thursday that will put Netflix’s first original film in 19 of the Us exhibitor’s markets.

Beasts Of No Nation, which will screen in competition in Venice and go on to play in Toronto after a possible Telluride world premiere, will debut on October 16 in Landmark theatres day-and-date with global streaming in all active Netflix territories.

Landmark theatre markets include New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington DC, Atlanta, Indianapolis, Detroit, Chicago, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, St Louis, Houston, Dallas, Denver, Seattle, San Francisco and San Diego.

Cary Fukunaga directs Idris Elba as Commandant, an African warlord who trains a child to become a soldier in his country’s civil war. The film is based on the novel by Nigerian author Uzodinma Iweala.

Amy Kaufman and Fukunaga, collaborators on Sin Nombre, will produce with Daniela Taplin Lundberg, Riva Marker and Dan Crown for Red Crown Productions, along with Elba...

Bleecker Street to partner with Netflix to distribute Cary Fukunaga’s Beasts Of No Nation theatrically.

Netflix has announced that the rollout of its original film initiative will begin with Beasts Of No Nation, the new film written and directed by Cary Fukunaga (True Detective, Sin Nombre) starring Idris Elba (Luther, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom).

The film will debut on October 16 worldwide on Netflix in all territories where the internet TV network is available and on the same day in select Us theatres.

Andrew Karpen’s New York-based Bleecker Street will distribute the film theatrically. The deal builds on the relationship between Karpen and Fukunaga from the days when the former was co-ceo at Sin Nombre and Jane Eyre distributor Focus Features.

Bleecker Street, backed by 5-Hour Energy founder Manoj Bhargava, has established early ties with the entertainment world’s digital titans. It will serve as theatrical distributor on Elvis & Nixon, which [link=co...

Child soldiers, bumbling cowboys, martial arts masters and an odd ’80s icon are coming your way starting in October, Netflix announced Tuesday.

The streaming video service released dates for a spate of original movies, starting with the Idris Elba-starring Beasts of No Nation on Friday, Oct. 16.

Related | BBC America Slates Luther Season 4

Beasts, based on Uzodinma Iweala’s novel, tells the story of Agu (played by newcomer Abraham Attah), who is ripped away from his family and forced to fight in an African country’s civil war. Elba (Luther) plays Comandant, the warlord who mentors Agu. The actor also produced the film,...

Exclusive: Netflix has firmed plans to release its first batch of theatrical-quality films. The streaming service’s feature film initiative begins with the October 16 release of Beasts Of No Nation, the drama about a child soldier torn from his family and pressed into fighting a civil war in an African country. The film is directed by True Detective‘s Cary Fukunaga and stars Idris Elba as a warlord who mentors the young man (played by Abraham Attah). Based on the novel by Nigerian author Uzodinma Iweala, Beasts will be released on Netflix in all territories, and on the same day it will be released in select U.S. theaters by distributor Bleecker Street. That will qualify the film for awards-season consideration. Amy Kaufman and Fukunaga produced with Daniela Taplin Lundberg, Riva Marker, Dan Crown and Elba. Jeff Skoll, Jonathan King, Laura Bickford and Donna Guiliatti are executive producers.

The second...

Yesterday it was announced Netflix had purchased the distribution rights for Cary Fukunaga's new film Beasts of No Nation, with plans for a simultaneous theatrical and streaming release later this year as well as an awards season push. Now, only a day later, Variety is reporting the four largest exhibitors -- AMC, Regal, Cinemark and Carmike -- separately told the trade they do not plan to show the movie as a result of Netflix's day-and-date release effort. The reason, they do not want to provide screens to films that do not honor what is typically a 90-day delay between a theatrical debut and a home entertainment release. Variety quotes Austin-based Alamo Drafthouse CEO and founder as saying he will still play the film, just as he did Snowpiercer last year when it had an On Demand release before going theatrical. League said, "I don't look at myself as a competitor to Netflix.

Exclusive: Cary Fukunaga directs Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom Golden Globe nominee Idris Elba in the child-soldier drama Beasts Of No Nation, adapted by Fukunaga from Uzodinma Iweala’s novel. Elba, who also is producing, stars as Commandant, whose guerrilla group young Agu is forced to join when civil war tears his family apart and militants kill his father. Fukunaga is coming off his acclaimed HBO drama series True Detective, which he’ll return to exec produce for a second season. He wrote Beasts and is directing and shooting it in Ghana. Producers are Amy Kaufman for Primary Productions, Daniela Taplin Lundberg […]...

Steve McQueen's "12 Years a Slave" received the most nominations at the 2013 Gotham Awards but in the end, the Coen Brothers' "Inside Llewyn Davis" took home the big award of the night -- the Best Feature award. Matthew McConaughey also beat "12 Years a Slave's" Chiwetel Ejiofor with his memorable, feel it in your bones performance as a dying AIDS patient in "Dallas Buyers Club."

Is this a sign to come this awards season? Stay tuned!

Here's the complete list of winners (highlighted) and nominees of the 2013 Gotham Awards:

Best Feature

12 Years a Slave

Steve McQueen, director; Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Bill Pohlad, Steve McQueen, Arnon Milchan, Anthony Katagas, producers. (Fox Searchlight Pictures)

Ain't Them Bodies Saints

David Lowery, director; Tony Halbrooks, James M. Johnston, Jay Van Hoy, Lars Knudsen, Amy Kaufman, Cassian Elwes, producers (IFC Films)

Before Midnight

Richard Linklater, director; Richard Linklater, Christos V. Konstantakopoulos, Sara Woodhatch,...

This is a tough awards season! Lots of great movies to see, so little time! I'm catching up like crazy before we vote for the Critics' Choice Movie Awards for the Broadcast Film Critics Association. So I apologize if I haven't updated you with the latest on the awards season 2013-2014! And there were many award-giving bodies announcing nominations.

We already told you about the Rome Film Festival and the Film Independent Spirit Awards, now let's talk about the 2013 Gotham Awards, the Ida Documentary Awards, the Cinema Eye, and the Producers Guild announcing its best documentary choices.

First stop, we have the 2013 Gotham Awards where Steve McQueen's "12 Years a Slave" topped the nominations with three nods including best feature, best actor for Chiwetel Ejiofor and breakthrough actor for Lupita Nyong'o.

Winners will be announced on Dec. 2nd where Richard Linklater, Forest Whitaker, and Katherine Oliver (head of the NYC...

When not busy making high end commercials for luxury brands (I caught the underwhelming video installation of Sleepwalking in the Rift in Karlovy Vary (see fest pic of the filmmaker above) or tinkering around with television ( True Detective – see below) Cary Fukunaga has been attached to a fair share of projects, but none appear to have been close to his filmmaking sensibilities (his Malick-like approach in African settings) until now. Deadline reports that Red Crown Productions is pairing actor Idris Elba (who happens to be a producer on the venture and the young filmmaker of Sin Nombre on Beasts of No Nation – a project that has been in the works for the better part of the last decade. Red Crown Productions’ Daniela Taplin Lundberg and Riva Marker, Fukunaga’s Parliament Of Owls’ and Amy Kaufman’s Primary Productions are producing while Daniel Crown and Bill Benenson will serve as executive producers.

Idris Elba will star and Cary Fukunaga ("Jane Eyre," "Sin Nombre") is set to direct "Beasts of No Nation" at Red Crown Productions.

An adaptation of Uzodinma Iweala’s bestselling novel, the story follows the journey of a young boy named Agu who, when civil war engulfs his West African country, is forced to join a unit of mercenary fighters.

After facing the death of his family and his new life of violence and brutality, he befriends a mute boy named Strika and together they face the hardships of war.

Elba, who also produces, will play the lead role of Commander. Fukunaga, Daniela Taplin Lundberg, Riva Marker and Amy Kaufman will produce.

Source: Deadline...

Idris Elba boards Beasts of No Nation adapted from Uzodinma Iweala bestselling novel The actor who can be seen next in Weinstein Co's Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom as Nelson Mandela, has been cast in Red Crown Productions' Beasts of No Nation based on the bestseller by Uzodinma which Cary Fukunaga (Sin Nombre, Jane Eyre) is directing. Deadline reports that Elba is also producing alongside Daniela Taplin Lundberg and Riva Marker of Red Crown Productions, as well as Amy Kaufman of Primary Productions.

Exclusive: Red Crown Productions has set Idris Elba to star and Cary Fukunaga to direct Beasts of No Nation, an adaptation of Uzodinma Iweala’s bestselling novel. The story follows the journey of a young boy, Agu, who, when civil war engulfs his West African country is forced to join a unit of mercenary fighters. Not only must Agu face the death of his father and disappearance of his mother and sister, but must also join a life of violence and brutality. Agu befriends a mute boy named Strika and together they face the crimes and hardships of war. Elba will play the lead role of Commander and he will serve in a producing capacity as well. Elba joins Red Crown Productions’ Daniela Taplin Lundberg and Riva Marker, Parliament Of Owls’ Cary Fukunaga and Primary Productions principal Amy Kaufman as producers on the film. Daniel Crown and Bill Benenson will serve as executive producers.

Ain’t Them Bodies Saints blew audiences away at its Sundance premiere, and it’s long been a movie on my radar to look forward to. The early reviews have only heightened the anticipation, coming away from Sundance with two awards to its name, and the film has more recently been shown at Cannes to continuing positive buzz.

Following the first clip this week from what promises to be one of the year’s most powerful movies, IFC have debuted the first trailer, giving us a terrific full look at the film.

Bob Muldoon (Casey Affleck) and Ruth Guthrie (Rooney Mara), an impassioned young outlaw couple on an extended crime spree, are finally apprehended by lawmen after a shootout in the Texas hills. Although Ruth wounds a local officer, Bob takes the blame. But four years later, Bob escapes from prison and sets out to find Ruth and their daughter,...

Ain’t Them Bodies Saints

Director/Writer: David Lowery

Producer(s): Parts and Labor’s Jay Van Hoy and Lars Knudsen, Primary Productions’ Amy Kaufman, Sailor Bear’s Toby Halbrook, Evolution Independent’s Cassian Elwes and James Johnston

U.S. Distributor: Rights Available

Cast: Rooney Mara, Ben Foster, Casey Affleck, Rami Malek, Keith Carradine, Nate Parker, Charles Baker, Kentucker Audley, Robert Longstreet

A Filmmaker Magazine’s 25 New Faces of Independent Film of 2011, David Lowery commenced the 2012 at January Sundance Screenwriters Laband quickly began filming in the summer. Ain’t Them Bodies Saints has some brilliant technical folk behind the camera in Cinematographer Bradford Young and Production Designer Jade Healy, and has some heavy hitters in front of the lenses with Rooney Mara, Ben Foster and Casey Affleck.

Gist: Embracing the atmosphere and tone of a modern-day Western, Ain’t Them Bodies Saints tells the story of an outlaw who...

He premiered his much talked about award-winning short film Pioneer at Sundance and SXSW in 2011, but film (all aspects of it) has been running in David Lowery’s veins for more than a decade now – its worth checking out his IMDb credits). Among Filmmaker Magazine’s 25 New Faces of Independent Film of 2011, the filmmaker has been on the fast track with his latest project – commencing 2012 at January Sundance Screenwriters Lab, picking up a slew of experienced indie producers (see impressive list below) and he began filming in the summer. Ain’t Them Bodies Saints has been in post since August (see tweet pic from the filmmaker above). Also worth noting: along with the brilliant technical folk behind the camera in Cinematographer Bradford Young and Production Designer Jade Healy, the pic includes such actors as Rooney Mara, Ben Foster and Casey Affleck – not a bad trio for a first film.

Gist:...

“In Production” is a regular column which focuses on notable independent films that are currently shooting.

Casey Affleck (The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford), Rooney Mara (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) and Ben Foster (Here) are among the impressive cast members assembled for newcomer David Lowery’s second feature, Ain’t Them Bodies Saints. Currently shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana, the drama-thriller has been described as a modern day Bonnie and Clyde. Coming off the success of his short film Pioneer (which got him on Filmmaker‘s “25 New Faces” list in 2011), Lowery developed Ain’t Them Bodies Saints at the Sundance Labs – always an indication of a promising film. Having a slew of successful indie producers involved doesn’t hurt either. Parts and Labor’s Jay Van Hoy and Lars Knudsen (Beginners) are producing along with Primary Productions’ Amy Kaufman (Sin Nombre), Sailor Bear’s Toby...

Evolution Independent, Lagniappe and Paradox Entertainment announce today that principal photography has begun on the new dramatic thriller Ain.T Them Bodies Saints, which was written and is being directed by David Lowery (.Pioneer.) and stars Academy Award-nominees Rooney Mara (.The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.) and Casey Affleck (.The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford.), and multiple award-winner Ben Foster (.3:10 To Yuma.). The film tells the story of Bob Muldoon (Affleck) and Ruth Guthrie (Mara), two young outlaws who are brought down by the law in the hills of Texas.

The financing of the picture was split three ways between Evolution Independent, Paradox Entertainment and Lagniappe, and was executive produced by Mark Burg (.Saw.) and Mike Menchel for Evolution Independent, Daniel Wagner (.Broken City.) and Fredrik Malmberg (.Let Me In.) for Paradox, and Logan Levy (.A Case of You.) and Jesse Kennedy (.Brooklyn.s Finest.) for Lagniappe.

Congratulations to the team behind the excellent Rachel Weisz drama “The Whistleblower” (Samuel Goldwyn Films, 8/5, R, trailer) — i.e. first-time feature co-writer/director Larysa Kondracki and her co-writer Eilis Kirwan; indie producers extraordinairre Celine Rattray (“The Kids Are All Right”), Amy Kaufman (“Sin Nombre”), and Christina Piovesan (“Amreeka”); Samuel Goldwyn’s Sr. VP of Publicity Liza Burnett Fefferman and her crew; and 42 West publicists Tom Piechura and Sara Groves — for scoring the major P.R. coup of motivating United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to not only watch their film (which is pointedly critical of the U.N.’s role in sex trafficking/sexual misconduct in Bosnia during the 1990s), but also to write about it.

Following the world premiere of “The Whistleblower” at the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival last September (after which Samuel Goldwyn Studios acquired its distribution rights), I wrote: “I can certainly envision the United Nations taking umbrage with such a film,...

The Sundance Institute announced today its participants for this year's Creative Producing Labs (July 18 - 22) and Creative Producing Summit (July 22 - 24). Nine projects have been selected to participate in the Labs and receive ongoing creative and strategic support throughout the year. Leaders in independent film, such as producers Paul Mezey ("Cold Souls"), Jay Van Hoy ("Beginners"), Alix Madigan ("Winter’s Bone") and Amy Kaufman ("Sin Nombre") will ...

Sneak Peek the new poster supporting the Canadian-produced thriller "The Whistleblower", directed by Larysa Kondracki, written by Kondracki and Eilis Kirwan, starring Rachel Weisz as 'Kathryn Bolkovac', Benedict Cumberbatch as 'Nick Philips', David Strathairn as 'Peter Ward', Monica Bellucci as 'Laura Levin', Nikolaj Lie Kaas as 'Jan' and David Hewlett as 'Fred Murray':

"...A policewoman (Weisz) risks her job and her own safety to uncover and bring to light a wide-scale scandal involving Us military contractors and the United Nations in postwar Bosnia..."

Produced by Christina Piovesan, Amy Kaufman and Celine Rattray, "The Whistleblower" will be released by Samuel Goldwyn Films, August 5, 2011.

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "The Whistleblower"...

Larysa Kondracki's feature directorial debut about secrets, lies, and government conspiracies is inspired by actual events.

Apparently Kathy, (Rachel Weisz) is an American police officer who takes a job working as a peacekeeper in post-war Bosnia. Her expectations of helping to rebuild a devastated country are dashed when she uncovers a dangerous reality of corruption, cover-up and intrigue amid a world of private contractors and multinational diplomatic doubletalk. There's lots of chasing, twists, running, guns, and danger!

Now, I may not have forgiven Weisz for marrying Daniel Craig, but I can't really blame her. Not really. I am, however, excited to see her abandon her glam and portray a real woman who is not only interesting, but relatable. In the trailer (posted below) there are scenes of sexism, powerful officials telling her to go fuck herself, and realistic-looking police procedures. I think I can like Weisz in this performance.

The Whistleblower is the real life story of Kathryn Bolkovac, who tried to break up a local sex ring, set up by United Nation Peacekeepers. She was unfairly sacked from her job and now her real life story is being told in theatres, through Samuel Goldwyn Films. This dramatic thriller will release in theatres August 5th, 2011 and Kathryn, played by Rachel Weisz, must battle her superiors to cover a story on prostitution, and corruption to save the underage girls therein. Have a look at an early trailer for The Whistleblower, which shows some of the real life struggles of Bolkovak and survivors of the Balkan War.

The synopsis for The Whistleblower is here:

"Inspired by actual events, Kathy (Rachel Weisz) is an American police officer who takes a job working as a peacekeeper in post-war Bosnia. Her expectations of helping to rebuild a devastated country are dashed when she uncovers a dangerous reality of corruption,...

2010 Spirit Awards 2010 Spirit Award nominations: Dec. 1, 2009 2010 Spirit Award winners: La Live in Los Angeles on Mar. 5, 2010 ("*" denotes the winner in each category) Gabourey Sidibe, Mo’Nique in Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire Best Feature (Award given to the Producer) (500) Days Of Summer - Producers: Mason Novick, Jessica Tuchinsky, Mark Waters, Steven J. Wolfe Amreeka - Producers: Paul Barkin, Christina Piovesan * Precious – Producers: Lee Daniels, Gary Magness, Sarah Siegel-Magness Sin Nombre – Producer: Amy Kaufman The Last Station – Producers: Bonnie Arnold, Chris Curling, Jens Meuer Best Foreign Film (Award given to the director) A Prophet (France) – Director: Jacques Audiard * An Education (UK/France)- Director: Lone Scherfig Everlasting Moments (Sweden) [...]...

For the silver anniversary, the Indie Spirit awards (you can follow them tomorrow night) decided to do the gala thing without the tent and a full 12 hours in advance of their regular Saturday time slot. For the fun of it, I've decided to put my expertise to the test. - For the silver anniversary, the Indie Spirit awards (you can follow them here tomorrow night) decided to do the gala thing without the tent and a full 12 hours in advance of their regular Saturday time slot. For the fun of it, I've decided to put my expertise to the test. Red highlighted titles are those that will win. Those in blue, are what should win, and finally, the picks in purple are when "will" and the "should" mix. Look for a brief commentary on each of the categories below. Best Feature Prior to Jason Reitman's win at Tiff for the audience award,...

The film which received no love at the Gothams tied for 1st in total amount of noms with Telluride's The Last Station (Michael Hoffman). Lee Daniel's Precious received noms in the Best Feature, Director, First Screenplay, Best Femle Lead and the most logical nomination and most deserving of them all: Best Supporting Female. - The film which received no love at the Gothams tied for 1st in total amount of noms with Telluride's The Last Station (Michael Hoffman). Lee Daniel's Precious received noms in the Best Feature, Director, First Screenplay, Best Femle Lead and the most logical nomination and most deserving of them all: Best Supporting Female. The Best Feature category is filled with four Sundance titles including Sin Nombre which received three nominations, however the biggest mysteries are how A Serious Man managed to grab noms in the Best Director and Best Cinematography categories and not Best Picture,...

Here’s the complete nominee list for the 25th Film Independent Spirit Awards. The awards ceremony will air live and uncut on Friday, March 5, 2010 at 8:00 p.m. Pst/11:00 p.m. Est on IFC (Independent Film Channel). Best Feature (500) Days Of Summer - Producers: Mason Novick, Jessica Tuchinsky, Mark Waters, Steven J. Wolfe Amreeka - Producers: Paul Barkin, Christina Piovesan Precious - Producers: Lee Daniels, Gary Magness, Sarah Siegel-Magness Sin Nombre - Producer: Amy Kaufman The Last Station - Producers: Bonnie Arnold, Chris Curling, Jens Meuer Best Director Ethan Coen, Joel Coen - A Serious Man Lee Daniels - Precious Cary Joji Fukunaga - Sin Nombre James Gray - Two Lovers Michael Hoffman - The Last Station Best Screenplay Alessandro Camon, Oren Moverman - [...]...

  The 25th Annual Indiependnent Spirit Awards were announced today in Los Angeles.  The awards will be handed out at a ceremony at LA Live in downtown Los Angeles on Sat. March 5 at 8:00 Pm Pst, 11:00 Pm Est on IFC.  The complete list of nominees are below.  Best Feature (Award given to the Producer, Executive Producers are not listed) "(500) Days Of Summer" Producers: Mason Novick, Jessica Tuchinsky, Mark Waters, Steven J. Wolfe "Amreeka" Producers: Paul Barkin, Christina Piovesan "Precious" Producers: Lee Daniels, Gary Magness, Sarah Siegel-Magness "Sin Nombre" Producer: Amy Kaufman "The Last Station" Producers: Bonnie Arnold, Chris Curling, Jens...

• Rachel Weisz has found herself not in hot water, but in friendly pool of young and talented female producers and will be lead by helmer Larysa Kondracki in The Whistleblower. Variety reports that the actress will be toplining the directorial debut for a shoot in Hungary sometime this summer. Based on the screenplay Kondracki and Ellis Kirwin, this is a true story of Kathryn Bolkovac, who traveled to Bosnia in 1999 as a U.N. Peacekeeper. Whistleblower chronicles the trials of a female cop from Nebraska who serves as a peacekeeper in post-war Bosnia and exposes a United Nations cover-up of a sex trafficking scandal. The project was included among the tale end of the inaugural Black List of 2005. The writing pair also have The Vanished with Hany Abu-Assad attached to direct. Recent Sundance attendees Primary Prods.' Amy Kaufman, First Generation's Christina Piovesan and Plum Pictures' Celine Rattray will be producing the project.

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Rachel Weisz is set to star in the independent drama "The Whistleblower" which Amy Kaufman from Primary Productions is producing along with Plum Pictures' Celine Ratttray and Christina Piovesan of First Generation.   Based on a true story, Weisz would play a female cop hailing from Nebraska who is a peacekeeper in post-war Bosnia and exposes a sex trafficking scandalcovered-up by the United Nations.   Weisz can be seen next in the adventure comedy "The Brothers Bloom" alongside Adrien Brody and Mark Ruffalo. The film sent out via Summit Entertainment ("Twilight") sees theatres on May 15th in limited areas followed by a wide release two weeks later on the 29th.   Kaufman produced "Sin Nombre," a Sundance Film Festival winner of the Cinematography Award and the Directing Award.

Rachel Weisz is set to star in the independent drama "The Whistleblower" which Amy Kaufman from Primary Productions is producing along with Plum Pictures' Celine Ratttray and Christina Piovesan of First Generation. Based on a true story, Weisz would play a female cop hailing from Nebraska who is a peacekeeper in post-war Bosnia and exposes a sex trafficking scandalcovered-up by the United Nations. Weisz can be seen next in the adventure comedy "The Brothers Bloom" alongside Adrien Brody and Mark Ruffalo. The film sent out via...

Rachel Weisz is set to star in the independent drama "The Whistleblower" which Amy Kaufman from Primary Productions is producing along with Plum Pictures' Celine Ratttray and Christina Piovesan of First Generation. Based on a true story, Weisz would play a female cop hailing from Nebraska who is a peacekeeper in post-war Bosnia and exposes a sex trafficking scandalcovered-up by the United Nations. Weisz can be seen next in the adventure comedy "The Brothers Bloom" alongside Adrien Brody and Mark Ruffalo. The film sent out via...

• I'm not a morning person and I can assure you it takes plenty of impetus to jump-start one's self for a mid festival screening slotted for 8:30 a.m. I knew going in that Sin Nombre (Cary Joji Fukunaga's debut film) was worth the "extra" effort. I think he was the only first time filmmaker who didn't have to worry about making a sales deal at Sundance since he had the fortune of making his debut film with some studio backing, and now that same studio is looking to tie up the young filmmaker (and recent Sundance prize winner for directing) for a pair of projects. Focus Features will get first dibs on the filmmaker make him write a project that will be nothing close to Sin Nombre, and then the parent company (Universal) will have Fukunaga embark on another project. Amy Kaufman who has been backing Fukunaga

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Fresh off a directing award at Sundance for Focus Features' "Sin Nombre," Cary Fukunaga is getting a big endorsement from Focus and parent company Universal.

The Wma- and Anonymous-repped Fukunaga has been given two blind deals -- a writing-directing pact at Focus and a writing deal at Universal, with the specialty division project likely coming first.

"Nombre," a thriller that centers on Mexican immigrants in the U.S. and which Fukunaga also wrote, won him the directing prize in the U.S. dramatic category in Park City and took a cinematography prize as well.

Fukanaga said he is playing with ideas for his Focus project but that it will differ from "Nombre."

"It probably won't be a sociopolitical thriller," he said. He added that he was hoping to make the film smaller after the complex road aspects of "Nombre." "I want to focus on a personal or emotional journey,...