Dark Matter Distribution today launched the website, trailer and poster for feature documentary The Leadership, following the announcement of the film’s world premiere in the 2020 Sydney Film Festival. Produced by multi-award winning Bunya Productions’ Greer Simpkin (Mystery Road, Sweet Country), The Leadership is written and directed by acclaimed documentary maker Ili Baré in her feature length debut.
A global pandemic and the urgent crisis of climate change are showing us that we need to be guided by science more than ever before. At the same time, our world leaders have never been more scrutinised. The world is crying out for the best minds of our generation for solutions. But women are disproportionately excluded from both leadership and STEMM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Maths and Medicine). The Leadership reveals the systemic challenges and obstacles for women in STEMM and why it could have a profound impact on us all.
In 2016, an ambitious leadership initiative for women working in STEMM fields called Homeward Bound was launched. As the maiden voyage of the pilot program set sail for Antarctica with the first 76 scientists on board, documentary maker Ili Baré and her small film crew joined the voyage to document the experiment ‘warts and all’.
Filmed on location in Antarctica, Argentina, Indonesia, China, Australia, United Kingdom, France and United States, the film follows a handful of the scientists back to their homes and workplaces to reflect on their journeys post-voyage.
Director/writer Ili Baré said “When I boarded the ship to Antarctica in 2016 I had no idea what to expect. But as events unfolded on board I began to see the ship as a microcosm for a wider story about us all. And four years later, it is amazing to me that this film we have created about science, women and leadership feels more relevant by the day.”
Producer Greer Simpkin said “‘In a time of great change, director Ili Baré has delivered a complex and compelling film about the change we want to see. We are incredibly grateful to the Sydney Film Festival for bringing our film to audiences right now. Bunya is immensely proud of The Leadership and we congratulate Ili on her feature doc debut.”
The Leadership screens in competition for Sydney Film Festival’s Documentary Australia Foundation Award for Best Australian Documentary.
The Leadership is one of the 2016 cohort of Good Pitch Australia films alongside 2040, In My Blood It Runs, Ghosthunter, Dying to Live and Guilty.
The Leadership is ProducedbyBunyaProductionsinassociationwithScreenAustralia, Good Pitch Australia and ScreenNSW. Director/Writer: Ili Baré; Producer: Greer Simpkin; Executive Producer: David Jowsey.
The Leadership will release in cinemas nationally later in 2020 through Dark Matter Distribution and will be accompanied by a 3 year social impact campaign.
The new live-action Disney+ original movie, “Secret Society of Second-Born Royals,” will stream exclusively on the service starting Friday, July 17, 2020.
Below is a link to view the trailer for this cinematic movie that combines the allure of royalty with the action-packed adventures of superheroes-in-training.
Peyton Elizabeth Lee (“Andi Mack”) leads a dynamic ensemble cast of royal recruits who inspires audiences of all ages to forge their own destinies and tap into their inner superheroes.
“Secret Society of Second-Born Royals” follows Sam, a rebellious teenage royal who unknowingly develops superpowers from a genetic trait attributed only to second-borns of royal lineage. Second-in-line to the throne of the kingdom of Illyria, Sam constantly questions what it means to be royal and wants to create her own legacy. Unlike Sam’s picture-perfect older sister Eleanor who will become the next queen, Sam would rather rock out with her bandmate and best friend Mike at an illegal protest or ditch a royal engagement for a wild night out.
Fed up with her daughter’s misbehavior, Queen Catherine sends Sam to a summer boarding school where she and four other second-born royals – Tuma, Roxana, January and Matteo – discover they have unique super-human abilities and are invited to join a secret society with a longstanding tradition of covertly keeping the peace. With a new sense of purpose and a little help from their Secret Society instructor James, Sam and her fellow royal recruits must learn to harness their newfound powers and work together as a team before they can save the world.
Starring is Peyton Elizabeth Lee as Sam; Skylar Astin (Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist”) as James; Olivia Deeble (“Home and Away”) as Roxana; Niles Fitch (“This is Us”) as Tuma; Faly Rakotohavana (“Raven’s Home”) as Matteo; Isabella Blake Thomas (“Once Upon A Time”) as January; Elodie Yung (“Daredevil”) as Queen Catherine; Ashley Liao (“Always Be My Maybe”) as Eleanor; Noah Lomax (“Trial By Fire”) as Mike; and Greg Bryk (“Handmaid’s Tale”) as the villainous Inmate 34.
“Secret Society of Second-Born Royals” is directed by Anna Mastro (Marvel’s “Runaways,” “The Bold Type”) and executive produced by Zanne Devine (“I, Tonya”), Mike Karz (“Valentine’s Day”) and Austin Winsberg (“Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist”) with Juliana Janes (“Butter”) serving as co-producer. The teleplay was written by Alex Litvak (“Masters of the Universe”) and Andrew Green (“Hannah Montana”) and is based on an original story by Litvak, Green and Winsberg.
Secret Society of Second-Born Royals streaming from July 17 on Disney+
Australian animated film 100% Wolf is to be released on VOD platforms on the 29th May. The film was created by Australian company Flying Bark Productions and tells the story of a young werewolf who is surprised that on his 14th birthday he turns into a poodle.
Freddy the werewolf is voiced by actor and Triple J radio host Ilai Swindells and has a stellar supporting cast of Samara Weaving, Jai Courtney, Magda Szubanski, Jane Lynch, Rhys Darby and Akmal Saleh.
100% Wolf will be released on premium VOD on May 29th.
Successful author Veronica Henley finds herself trapped in a horrifying reality and must uncover the mind-bending mystery before it’s too late.
ANTEBELLUM is a terrifying new thriller from the producer of the acclaimed films GET OUT and US, and groundbreaking directors Gerard Bush and Christopher Renz (Bush+Renz) – an exciting new voice in filmmaking.
ANTEBELLUM is directed by Gerard Bush and Christopher Renz and stars Janelle Monáe, Eric Lange, Jena Malone, Jack Huston, Keirsey Clemons and Gabourey Sidibe
Actor-comedian Jamie Kennedy’s new stand-up comedy special Jamie Kennedy: Stoopid Smart will premiere exclusively on the #1 free streaming app Tubi TV on Monday, May 25, 2020.
Loved by audiences for his ‘90s classics Kickin’ It Old School and Malibu’s Most Wanted, Jamie Kennedy takes center stage in this one-hour installment directed by Kurt Kubicek. Stoopid Smart features Kennedy’s hilarious jokes about life as an unmarried man, being recognized in an Olive Garden, Alexander Graham Bell’s thoughts on sexting, and America’s most bizarre college majors.
The comedy special was filmed in Orange County’s REC ROOM when Kennedy embarked on a nationwide headlining stand-up tour.
To coincide with the release and his 50th birthday on May 25, Kennedy will participate in a CYA livestream HERE: https://www.cya.live/event/1970 Jamie Kennedy: Stoopid Smart will also be available on Amazon, iTunes and Digital platforms in June 2020.
Today, Disney+ and Walt Disney Animation Studios launched the new, 10-episode animated short-form series and soundscape experience, “Zenimation.”
Unplug, relax, and refresh your senses for a moment of mindfulness with Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Zenimation” – an animated soundscape experience.
Whether it’s baby Moana being called by the ocean, Anna and Kristoff walking through an icy forest, or Baymax and Hiro Hamada flying over San Fransokyo, these iconic scenes become an aural experience like no other with the sounds of ocean waves, an icy forest and soaring flight.
“Zenimation” pays tribute to both the visual and sound artists who have created Walt Disney Animation Studios’ legacy of films. Created and edited by David Bess. From Walt Disney Animation Studios.
Stan today announced the brand new series P-Valley will premiere on Sunday, 12 July only on Stan, with new episodes weekly — same day as the US. Stan also released two first look images and a new teaser trailer for the eight-part series.
Down deep in the Mississippi Delta lies an oasis of grit and glitter in a rough patch of human existence where beauty can be hard to find. This southern-fried, hour-long drama tells the kaleidoscopic story of a little-strip-club-that-could and the big characters who come through its doors—the hopeful, the lost, the broken, the ballers, the beautiful, and the damned. Trap music meets film noir in this lyrical and atmospheric series that dares to ask what happens when small-town folk dream beyond the boundaries of the Piggly Wiggly and the pawnshop.
Based on her play Pussy Valley, creator Katori Hall (The Mountaintop, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical) serves as showrunner as well as executive producer.
“I can’t tell you how proud I am to be bringing this passion project into living rooms all across America,” said Hall. “For too long, exotic dancers have been dismissed and shamed, while their culture has been appropriated by the mainstream. This project moves past the blue lights and haze of the main stage, where dancers take to the air like super-sheroes, to the locker room and beyond, where these women—inspired by the dozens of dancers I’ve interviewed—live their lives unapologetically.”
The series also features an all-women director lineup, including award-winning music video director Karena Evans (Drake: Nice for What, SZA: Garden), who directed the premiere episode, as well as Kimberly Peirce (Boys Don’t Cry), Millicent Shelton (30 Rock), Tamra Davis (Single Ladies), Geeta V. Patel (Superstore), Tasha Smith (Black Lightning), Sydney Freeland (Grey’s Anatomy) and Barbara Brown (Scream Queens).
P-Valley stars Brandee Evans (The Bobby Brown Story) as Mercedes, Nicco Annan (This is Us) as Uncle Clifford, Shannon Thornton (Power) as Miss Mississippi, Elarica Johnson (Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince) as Autumn Night, Skyler Joy (Ma) as Gidget, J. Alphonse Nicholson (Chicago P.D.) as Lil’ Murda, Parker Sawyers (Southside With You) as Andre, Harriet D. Foy (Elementary) as Pastor Woodbine, Tyler Lepley (The Haves and the Have Nots) as Diamond, and Dan J. Johnson (Underemployed) as Tyler. Chernin Entertainment also serves as Executive Producer.
P-Valley premieres 12 July only on Stan, with new episodes weekly — same day as the US.
Emmy Nominated and Golden Globe® Award-winning actress Tracee Ellis Ross has released the official music video to “Love Myself”. This is the first single to the upcoming film The High Note in which Tracee Ellis Ross stars in as recording artist “Grace Davis.”
Last week, Tracee Ellis Ross debuted “Love Myself” on Instagram Live to fans and friends including, Michelle Obama, Janelle Monáe, Lena Waithe, Sarah Paulson, Kerry Washington and her incredible mother Diana Ross.
Written by Australian Sarah Aarons [Alessia Cara, John Legend, Khalid] and Greg Kurstin [Paul McCartney, P!nk, Céline Dion], “Love Myself” is a pivotal song in the movie performed by Tracee Ellis Ross as “Grace Davis.” This notably marks the first time the actress has released a song, which highlights her dynamic voice as “Grace Davis” and sets the stage for both the record and the upcoming film.
Produced by GRAMMY® Award-winner Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins [Michael Jackson, Beyoncé],the 15-song Original Motion Picture Soundtrack features new recordings by cast members Ross and Kelvin Harrison, Jr. Beyond “Love Myself,” Ross delivers stunning performances of “Bad Girl,”“Stop For A Minute,” “New To Me,” and a duet with Harrison, Jr. on “Like I Do.” Additionally, classics from Donny Hathaway, Maxine Brown, and Aretha Franklin as well as the single “Mind Over Matter” by Anthony Ramos round out the tracklisting.
The High Note, coming to Australian cinema soon, is set in the dazzling world of the LA music scene comes the story of Grace Davis (Tracee Ellis Ross), a superstar whose talent, and ego, have reached unbelievable heights, and Maggie (Dakota Johnson), her overworked personal assistant. While stuck running errands, Maggie still aspires to her childhood dream of becoming a music producer. When Grace’s manager (Ice Cube) presents her with a choice that could alter the course of her career, Maggie and Grace come up with a plan that could change their lives forever.
Summary: Set in a suburban fantasy world, two teenage elf brothers, Ian and Barley Lightfoot, go on an journey to discover if there is still a little magic left out there in order to spend one last day with their father, who died when they were too young to remember him.
Year: 2020
Australian Cinema Release Date: TBA
Thailand Cinema Release Date: TBA
Australian Home Entertainment Release Date: 1st May 2020
Country: United States
Director: Dan Scanlon
Screenwriter: Dan Scanlon, Jason Headley, Keith Bunin
Cast: Kyle Bornheimer (Wilden Lightfoot (Dad)(voice)), Grey Griffin (Dewdrop (voice)), Tom Holland (Ian Lightfoot (voice)), Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Laurel Lightfoot (voice)), Chris Pratt (Barley Lightfoot (voice)), George Psarras (Officer Avel (voice)), John Ratzenberger (Construction Worker Fenwick (voice)), Mel Rodriguez (Colt Bronco (voice)), Octavia Spencer (The Manticore (voice)), Tracey Ullman (Grecklin (voice)), Wilmer Valderrama (Gaxton (voice)), Lena Waithe (Officer Spector (voice)), Ali Wong (Officer Gore (voice))
Running Time: 102 mins
Classification: PG (Australia) TBC (Thailand)
OUR ONWARD REVIEWS & RATINGS:
Dave Griffiths’ Onward Review:
Twelve months ago if you asked any film fan if they were excited about any animation films that were set to be released the answer most likely would have been a resounding ‘no.’ Hollywood was getting slammed from pillar to post because it felt that the animated films that it was producing where all mirror images of each other or just another instalment in what were becoming tired franchises.
Even the animation leaders Pixar were not immune from the backlash with many believing that films like Toy Story 4 and The Incredibles 2 were inferior films in what had once been brilliant film universes. The question seemed to be ‘why can’t Hollywood be making animated movies with the creativity being shown by their Asian counterparts?’
Well it seems like the Hollywood filmmakers were listening. Earlier this year we had the surprisingly creative Spies In Disguise starring Will Smith and Tom Holland and now Pixar has just released one of the most intriguing films of the year – the very creative Onward which again stars Tom Holland (Spider-Man: From Far Home) this time alongside his Marvel universe co-star Chris Pratt (Guardians Of The Galaxy).
Together they voice Ian (Holland) and Barley Lightfoot (Pratt). Two teenage elf brothers growing up in a land that resembles The Shire from Lord Of The Rings but also contains all the modern day suburban comforts that you and I are used to in everyday life. It is those modern day comforts that have led to serious issues though for the inhabitants of the land that the Lightfoot’s call home. Technology means that the ancient magic of the wizards of that has been long forgotten, while characters like pixies and fairies have even forgotten what their wings are for.
Some people live in hope though. Barley preciously lives the lives of his ancestors through this dungeon and dragons style role-playing games while at the same time trying to look after Ian and their mother Laurel (Julia Louis-Dreyfus – The Seinfeld) who was left a widow after the death of her husband shortly after the birth of Ian.
The two boys have always wondered what their father may have been like but nothing prepares them for what happens on Ian’s sixteenth birthday when Laurel gives them a gift their father had prepared before he passed away. The staff that he leaves them tells them he was in fact a wizard and the spell that goes with it allows them the opportunity to bring their father back for a day. However, when Ian only manages to bring back half of their father (his legs) he is forced to team up with Barley to go on an odyssey that will see them have to revert back to the ways of their ancestors before them.
Onward is like nothing Pixar has ever created before. Director/screenwriter Dan Scanlon (Monsters University) has delved deep into his creative bank to create what could be loosely described as a ‘stoner’ film for families. While the film’s plot does at times feel a little light on you can’t help but fall in love with it as it introduces you to characters and a world that you simply just want to know more about.
While they are elves most audience members will find themselves drawn to Ian and Barley from the very beginning. There is something so natural about Ian – a young boy who feels that part of his identity is missing because he never knew his father and Barley – an almost lost teenager who society frowns up because of the energy that he puts into his faithful van and his path of discovering the lost arts of those that came before him.
As a filmmaker Scanlon doesn’t allow Onward to become a lazy film because of its supernatural elements either. No amount of great visual effects can ever make up for the connection that an audience can get from well-rounded characters. Here that connection is made straight away and throughout the film Scanlon plays on that garnishing suspense from putting the loved characters in peril while also allowing a more emotionally touching side of the film to shine through as the characters learn some valuable morals revolving around what they are going through as a family. Scanlon also weaves some true comedic moments into the film with some great sequences featuring Ian and Barley’s battle with the biker pixies and their distrust of their mother’s boyfriend Officer Colt Bronco (Mel Rodriguez – Little Miss Sunshine).
Perhaps the biggest weakness of Onward is the fact that Scanlon at times seems to make the brother’s quests just a little too easy to overcome, something that seems to be highlighted even more so due to the fact that the world the boys live in is so interesting that you can’t help but feel you want to see more of it and know more about it.
Still at the end of the day this is the kind of animated film that audiences have been waiting for. To be honest it is kind of unexpected that Pixar would deliver a film that seems to have a Gothic edge while embracing the quirkiness of a film like Planet 51, but they have and it works wonderfully well. Many asked for more creativity when it comes to the kind of animated films that we are singing in cinemas and if a film is like Onward is anything to go back it looks like that request has well and truly be delivered. Onward is the kind of film that can be enjoyed by family members of all ages – so sit back and enjoy a little bit of Pixar magic.
