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From Martin Scorsese to Woody Allen, filmmakers have been fascinated by New York for a plethora of reasons. The city has such an undeniable charm that someone like me living thousands and thousands of miles away from it is pulled towards its magnetic current. However, while most filmmakers have often romanticized the city, filmmaker Alex Andre whose debut feature “Pratfall” is set almost entirely on the city’s many conjoining streets has different plans altogether. While he does romanticize the city to an extent, he also carefully administers the darkness that the isolation of being in the maximum city brings to its many lonely citizens.

When we first meet Eli (Joshua Burge) he feels like a self-talking, deeply troubled middle-aged man who has developed an entirely distinct personality from his own; someone who is constantly bringing him down and pushing him towards a kind of hopelessness about simply living in this world.

While many films show the flashy sides of New York City, Pratfall offers an intimate glimpse into what the city means for two people trying to find their way. Directed by Alex Andre in his feature debut, Pratfall follows Eli, a troubled New Yorker played by Joshua Burge, and Joelle, a French tourist portrayed by Chloé Groussard, as they cross paths one night and embark on an unexpected adventure through the streets and parks of Manhattan.

Plagued by insomnia after recent losses, Eli spends his nights drifting alone until he encounters the wide-eyed Joelle in Central Park. What begins as a simple encounter quickly evolves as Joelle latches onto Eli, curious to experience the city through a local’s eyes. Eli reluctantly agrees to show Joelle around, weaving tales that bring the city to life while struggling with his own inner demons.

Shot on a minimal budget yet packed with vivid storytelling,...

Neon has released an official trailer for Pamela Adlon‘s directorial debut “Babes,” a comedy starring Ilana Glazer and Michelle Buteau.

“Babes” follows childhood best friends Eden (Glazer) and Dawn (Buteau) as Eden becomes pregnant after a one night stand and leans on Dawn to guide her through her pregnancy and beyond. While Dawn navigates motherhood and raising her second child with her husband (Hasan Minaj), she and Eden explore their vastly different adulthoods with one another.

Glazer, the co-creator and star of Comedy Central’s sitcom “Broad City,” co-wrote the screenplay with Josh Rabinowitz. She also produced the movie. The film, which premiered at the SXSW Film Festival last month, is set to release on May 17.

Watch the trailer below.

Black Comedy Thriller ‘Anywhere’ Begins Production in Oklahoma

Adam Seidel’s upcoming black comedy thriller “Anywhere” has commenced production in Oklahoma.

The film’s description reads, “A lonesome roughneck...

If you are familiar with the anarchically grungy films of Joel Potrykus, then you’ve certainly seen the talents of Joshua Burge. His latest lead performance is in Alex Andre’s feature directorial debut Pratfall, in which Burge plays Eli, a troubled insomniac who encounters Joelle (Chloé Groussard), an enigmatic French tourist in Central Park. The two set off on a sleepless New York adventure as the city casts a shadow over them. Ahead of a world premiere at Brooklyn Film Festival 2023 this Saturday, June 3 featuring a Q&a, we’re pleased to exclusively premiere the first trailer.

Here’s an expanded synopsis: “Pratfall centers around Eli, a deeply troubled New Yorker grappling with devastating loss. Reeling from the death of his mother and girlfriend Tina, who tragically succumbed to a drug addiction fueled by the city’s underworld, Eli suffers from insomnia. His life becomes an unending cycle of sleepless nights,...