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Ciudad Juárez is notorious for its violence, especially against women. In the first four months of 2020, 987 women and young girls were murdered in Mexico. Of those deaths, 308 were categorized as femicide. Directors Paola Calvo and Patrick Jasim shine light on this deadly issue through a sympathetic and empowering lens with their SXSW […]

The post ‘Luchadoras’ Review: The Female Wrestlers of Juárez Take to the Ring to Conquer a Devastating National Plight [SXSW 2021] appeared first on /Film.

One of the most violent Mexican cities since the first years of the so-called "drug war" is Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua. In 2010, the most violent year in its history, there were more than 3,000 murders. The case of "the dead women of Juárez" in the nineties – a dark and notorious chapter of the city – shows the gender violence and impunity that, unfortunately, continues to devastate the country. Ciudad Juárez is not even close to being safe: according to Expansión, during 2020 it was the Mexican city with the most femicides. The documentary Luchadoras, directed by Paola Calvo and Patrick Jasim, follows three women who practice professional lucha libre (wrestling) in this difficult context. The wrestler Lady Candy works at a funeral home when...

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"We are not afraid. We are organized and united." A festival promo trailer is available for the documentary film titled Luchadoras, made by cinematographers / filmmakers Paola Calvo & Patrick Jasim. This film is premiering at the 2021 SXSW Film Festival coming up this month, playing in the "Global" category at the fest. Luchadoras portrays the courageous female wrestlers of Ciudad Juárez, Mexico (see Google Maps), a city known for its very high murder rate against women - who in the ring and in their daily lives fight to redefine the image of what it means to be a woman in Mexico. Everyone knows and loves the Netflix show "Glow", but this is a real-life look at some badass Mexican women who put their lives on the line to fight and wrestle and remain strong together. This looks fantastic! The perfect film to share with the SXSW audience. Here's the first official trailer...

Paola Calvo and Patrick Jasim's documentary Luchadoras will have its World premiere at SXSW 2021 Online, running March 16th - 20th. Screen Anarchy is honored to have your first look at the trailer for Luchadoras. Check it out below.    The courageous female wrestlers of Ciudad Juárez, a city known for its high murder rate against women - who fight in the ring and in their daily lives to redefine the image of what it means to be a woman in Mexico.   Over my years of travel into Mexico I've seen my share of Lucha Libre wrestling matches. I know what the appeal is of this high flying, entertaining sport. I've also seen, heard really, the banter between the crowd and the wrestlers, and...

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Demi Lovato’s new docuseries has been set as the opening night headliner at the 2021 South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Festival.

South by Southwest (SXSW) Conference and Festivals announced that the YouTube Originals docuseries “Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil,” directed by Michael D. Ratner, will make its world premiere and kick off the 2021 online event, which runs March 16-20.

In the project (which is set to debut on YouTube in March), Lovato opens up for the first time about her nearly fatal overdose, dissecting every aspect that led to the 2018 incident and her awakenings in the aftermath. Lovato is said to have granted Ratner “unprecedented access to [her] personal and musical journey during the most trying time of her life as she unearthed her prior traumas and discovered the importance of her physical, emotional, and mental health.” A description of the project paints it as, “far deeper than an inside look beyond the celebrity surface,...

“Demi Lovato: Dancing With the Devil,” a docuseries exploring the singer’s near fatal overdose, will open the 2021 SXSW Film Festival in March, the festival announced Thursday.

Michael D. Ratner directed the YouTube Originals docuseries, which will look at Lovato’s awakenings following her 2018 overdose and her return to music. Ratner was granted unprecedented access to the pop star’s personal and musical journey.

“It’s impressive and rare to see a pop superstar tell their story so authentically and without pretense,” said Janet Pierson, director of film at SXSW. “We’re privileged to present this intimate journey told with such vulnerability. Demi Lovato’s profound interest in mental health awareness is helping change the landscape of a crucial issue in this year of national and international trauma and loss.”

Pierson added: “We are excited to share a handful of films from various sections of the festival to give you a taste of the talent,...

As Austin-based South by Southwest shifts online this year, the SXSW Film Festival isn’t slowing down when it comes to bringing progressive, exciting, envelope-pushing — and sometimes delightfully bizarre cinema from all over the world. The film festival will kick off with the World Premiere of YouTube Originals docuseries Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil as its Opening Night Headliner. SXSW Online kicks off on March 16 and continues through March 20.

Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil explores every aspect that led to Lovato’s nearly fatal overdose in 2018, and her awakenings in the aftermath. Director Michael D. Ratner was granted unprecedented access to the superstar’s personal and musical journey during the most trying time of her life as she unearthed her prior traumas and discovered the importance of her physical, emotional, and mental health. Far deeper than an inside look beyond the celebrity surface, the docuseries is an intimate portrait of addiction,...

After last year’s South by Southwest was among the first major events to be derailed by the pandemic, the annual series of conferences and festivals is making its return with a 2021 online edition. On Thursday, festival organizers announced the first nine titles in its film and TV lineup, including a docuseries exploring Demi Lovato’s near-fatal overdose, a true-crime miniseries from Joe Berlinger, and Justine Bateman’s directorial debut starring Olivia Munn and Justin Theroux.

SXSW will offer an online program of events from March 16-20, with film screenings, conference sessions, music showcases, exhibitions, meetups, and other virtual versions of the annual festival’s mainstays.

The opening night headliner will be “Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil,” from director Michael D. Ratner. Like his “Justin Bieber: Seasons” docuseries, the Demi Lovato title is a YouTube Original. The series explores “every aspect” that led to Lovato’s nearly fatal...

Amp Films International handles sales on Travis Stevens’ Jakob’s Wife.

The world premiere of YouTube Originals docuseries Demi Lovato: Dancing With The Devil will open SXSW Online 2021 on March 16.

Michael D. Ratner’s series plays in Headliners and examines the lead-up to the pop superstar’s near-fatal overdose in 2018 and her subsequent recovery.

Festival brass released a teaser trailer on Thursday (January 14) that gave a preview of the Lovato documentary and a further eight anticipated titles.

Documentary and Global selection Luchadoras (Germany) by Paola Calvo and Patrick Jasim chronicles female wrestlers in Ciudad Juárez, the notorious Mexican city renowned...