Exclusive: Texas Monthly, the magazine that has been chronicling life in the Lone Star State since 1973, has continued its expansion into film and TV by setting its first-ever feature documentary, to be made in partnership with Peabody and Critics’ Choice Award-winning filmmaker Deborah Esquenazi (Southwest of Salem: The Story of the San Antonio Four).
The currently untitled film centers on James Reyos, a gay Apache man who for 40 years has sought to clear his name of the brutal murder of a Catholic priest in oil-rich West Texas. Embedding with the Innocence Project of Texas that has taken up Reyos’ case, Esquenazi with her doc sheds new light on a story that has eluded detectives, crime researchers and amateur sleuths for four decades, exposing a web of media lore and homophobia, as well as whispers of a possible serial killing team targeting clergy in the 1980s. The project extends coverage of...
The currently untitled film centers on James Reyos, a gay Apache man who for 40 years has sought to clear his name of the brutal murder of a Catholic priest in oil-rich West Texas. Embedding with the Innocence Project of Texas that has taken up Reyos’ case, Esquenazi with her doc sheds new light on a story that has eluded detectives, crime researchers and amateur sleuths for four decades, exposing a web of media lore and homophobia, as well as whispers of a possible serial killing team targeting clergy in the 1980s. The project extends coverage of...
- 7/6/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Greenwich Entertainment is going big on Loudmouth. The company has acquired North American rights to the documentary about the Rev. Al Sharpton, and plans a December 9 theatrical release for the film just as Oscar shortlist voting rolls around.
The film directed by Josh Alexander held its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in June, examining an activist, commentator and occasional political candidate who has been a major part of American life for almost 40 years.
“Sharpton has been a polarizing figure, inspiring both love and hate on local and national stages,” a release for the film stated. “Chronicling his work for social change from the streets of 1980s Brooklyn to 2020s Minneapolis, Loudmouth presents never-before-seen footage of the social justice titan on the frontlines, in the media as well as in the corridors of power, to paint an intimate and revealing portrait of a tireless warrior who has never...
The film directed by Josh Alexander held its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in June, examining an activist, commentator and occasional political candidate who has been a major part of American life for almost 40 years.
“Sharpton has been a polarizing figure, inspiring both love and hate on local and national stages,” a release for the film stated. “Chronicling his work for social change from the streets of 1980s Brooklyn to 2020s Minneapolis, Loudmouth presents never-before-seen footage of the social justice titan on the frontlines, in the media as well as in the corridors of power, to paint an intimate and revealing portrait of a tireless warrior who has never...
- 9/28/2022
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
Ahead of its world premiere at Hot Docs, London-based MetFilm Sales has acquired worldwide rights (excluding the U.S.) for feature documentary “Delikado,” directed by Karl Malakunas.
The film is an environmental thriller set in Palawan, one of Asia’s hottest new tourist destinations. Within this idyllic setting, forests and wildlife are being pillaged by criminal gangs, often supported by politicians and their cronies.
Human life is cheap and mortal danger constant and pulpable. In such an environment, a tiny network of environmental crusaders, led by the charismatic Bobby, Tata and Mayor Nieves, risk their lives and the safety of their families to prevent the thieving and destruction of their homeland.
The film is the first feature film for filmmaker and journalist Karl Malakunas, who has been covering environmental issues, conflict, natural disasters and political upheavals for two decades. After living in the Philippines for eight years while working as Afp’s Manila bureau chief,...
The film is an environmental thriller set in Palawan, one of Asia’s hottest new tourist destinations. Within this idyllic setting, forests and wildlife are being pillaged by criminal gangs, often supported by politicians and their cronies.
Human life is cheap and mortal danger constant and pulpable. In such an environment, a tiny network of environmental crusaders, led by the charismatic Bobby, Tata and Mayor Nieves, risk their lives and the safety of their families to prevent the thieving and destruction of their homeland.
The film is the first feature film for filmmaker and journalist Karl Malakunas, who has been covering environmental issues, conflict, natural disasters and political upheavals for two decades. After living in the Philippines for eight years while working as Afp’s Manila bureau chief,...
- 4/28/2022
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
“Pray Away,” a documentary that holds a microscope to the “pray away the gay” movement, is coming to Netflix.
The film, from executive producers Jason Blum and Ryan Murphy, will debut on the streaming service in August. Prior to its arrival on Netflix, “Pray Away” will premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 16.
“Pray Away” was initially slated to open at the 2020 Tribeca Film Festival, which was paused in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. This year’s edition will run from June 9 through 20 and will be held across New York City’s five boroughs.
Kristine Stolakis directed the film in her feature filmmaking debut. The doc examines the enduring harm of conversion therapy and centers on former leaders of religious anti-gay campaigns. It also focuses on survivors, who seek healing and acceptance from more than a decade of trauma.
Stolakis produced “Pray Away” with Jessica Devaney and Anya Rous.
The film, from executive producers Jason Blum and Ryan Murphy, will debut on the streaming service in August. Prior to its arrival on Netflix, “Pray Away” will premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 16.
“Pray Away” was initially slated to open at the 2020 Tribeca Film Festival, which was paused in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. This year’s edition will run from June 9 through 20 and will be held across New York City’s five boroughs.
Kristine Stolakis directed the film in her feature filmmaking debut. The doc examines the enduring harm of conversion therapy and centers on former leaders of religious anti-gay campaigns. It also focuses on survivors, who seek healing and acceptance from more than a decade of trauma.
Stolakis produced “Pray Away” with Jessica Devaney and Anya Rous.
- 5/12/2021
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Ahead of the pic’s June 16 world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival, Netflix has snapped up the Blumhouse TV and Ryan Murphy executive produced documentary Pray Away which investigates the enduring harm of conversion therapy and the “pray the gay away” movement. An August release on the streamer is currently set.
In the Kristine Stolakis-directed and produced docu, former leaders of the “pray the gay away” movement contend with the aftermath unleashed by their actions, while a survivor seeks healing and acceptance from more than a decade of trauma. In the 1970s, five men struggling with being gay in their Evangelical church started a bible study to help each other leave the “homosexual lifestyle.” They quickly received over 25K letters from people asking for help and formalized as Exodus International, the largest and most controversial conversion therapy organization in the world. But leaders struggled with a secret: their...
In the Kristine Stolakis-directed and produced docu, former leaders of the “pray the gay away” movement contend with the aftermath unleashed by their actions, while a survivor seeks healing and acceptance from more than a decade of trauma. In the 1970s, five men struggling with being gay in their Evangelical church started a bible study to help each other leave the “homosexual lifestyle.” They quickly received over 25K letters from people asking for help and formalized as Exodus International, the largest and most controversial conversion therapy organization in the world. But leaders struggled with a secret: their...
- 5/12/2021
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
“Pray Away” will premiere at Tribeca Film Festival on June 16
The documentary “Pray Away,” executive produced by Jason Blum and Ryan Murphy, has landed at Netflix, the streamer announced on Wednesday.
“Pray Away,” which examines the harm of conversion therapy and the “pray the gay away” movement, will have its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 16. It will then debut on Netflix in August.
Kristine Stolakis directed the documentary and also produced alongside Jessica Devaney and Anya Rous. Murphy and Blum executive produced alongside Jeremy Gold, Marci Wiseman, Mary Lisio, Amanda Spain, Daniel J. Chalfen, Jim Butterworth, Katy Drake Bettner, Johnny Symons, Julie Parker Benello, Patty Quillin, Nion McEvoy, Leslie Berriman, Regina K. Scully and Alexis Martin Woodall.
The official logline reads: “Former leaders of the ‘pray the gay away’ movement contend with the aftermath unleashed by their actions, while a survivor seeks healing and acceptance from...
The documentary “Pray Away,” executive produced by Jason Blum and Ryan Murphy, has landed at Netflix, the streamer announced on Wednesday.
“Pray Away,” which examines the harm of conversion therapy and the “pray the gay away” movement, will have its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 16. It will then debut on Netflix in August.
Kristine Stolakis directed the documentary and also produced alongside Jessica Devaney and Anya Rous. Murphy and Blum executive produced alongside Jeremy Gold, Marci Wiseman, Mary Lisio, Amanda Spain, Daniel J. Chalfen, Jim Butterworth, Katy Drake Bettner, Johnny Symons, Julie Parker Benello, Patty Quillin, Nion McEvoy, Leslie Berriman, Regina K. Scully and Alexis Martin Woodall.
The official logline reads: “Former leaders of the ‘pray the gay away’ movement contend with the aftermath unleashed by their actions, while a survivor seeks healing and acceptance from...
- 5/12/2021
- by Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Wrap
Feature had been invited to Tribeca, Telluride in 2020.
Netflix has acquired global rights to upcoming Tribeca Festival world premiere and gay conversion documentary Pray Away.
Ryan Murphy and Jason Blum are among executive producers on the title, which was invited to screen at Tribeca and Telluride last year before the pandemic scuppered plans.
It will premiere at Tribeca on June 16 prior to debuting on the platform in August.
Kristine Stolakis made her feature directorial debut on Pray Away, which follows former leaders of the “pray the gay away” movement as they contend with the aftermath of their actions.
Meanwhile a...
Netflix has acquired global rights to upcoming Tribeca Festival world premiere and gay conversion documentary Pray Away.
Ryan Murphy and Jason Blum are among executive producers on the title, which was invited to screen at Tribeca and Telluride last year before the pandemic scuppered plans.
It will premiere at Tribeca on June 16 prior to debuting on the platform in August.
Kristine Stolakis made her feature directorial debut on Pray Away, which follows former leaders of the “pray the gay away” movement as they contend with the aftermath of their actions.
Meanwhile a...
- 5/12/2021
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
The Oscilloscope Laboratories docu-thriller The Infiltrators is hitting virtual cinemas today before making its way to on-demand and digital June 2. The virtual release is becoming a staple for many film titles as it allows audiences to purchase film tickets through a theater’s website and, in turn, helps continue support of theaters that have been closed due to Covid-19.
Directed by Alex Rivera and Cristina Ibarra, the film made its world premiere last year at the Sundance Film Festival where it the won the Next Section Audience Award. The hybrid pic blends feature filmmaking, re-enactments of real-life events and documentary footage to tell the true story of young undocumented immigrants who are intentionally detained by Border Patrol and thrown into a for-profit detention center.
More from DeadlineWestern Thriller 'True History Of Kelly Gang' And '60s Coming-Of-Age Drama 'To The Stars' Make Debuts - Specialty Streaming PreviewComing-Of-Age Foodie Comedy 'Abe' Fires Up,...
Directed by Alex Rivera and Cristina Ibarra, the film made its world premiere last year at the Sundance Film Festival where it the won the Next Section Audience Award. The hybrid pic blends feature filmmaking, re-enactments of real-life events and documentary footage to tell the true story of young undocumented immigrants who are intentionally detained by Border Patrol and thrown into a for-profit detention center.
More from DeadlineWestern Thriller 'True History Of Kelly Gang' And '60s Coming-Of-Age Drama 'To The Stars' Make Debuts - Specialty Streaming PreviewComing-Of-Age Foodie Comedy 'Abe' Fires Up,...
- 5/1/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Oscilloscope Laboratories has acquired U.S. rights to the critically acclaimed immigration feature The Infiltrators. Directed by Alex Rivera and Cristina Ibarra, the film made its world premiere earlier this year at the Sundance Film Festival where it went on to won the Audience Award: Next and the Next Innovator Prize. Oscilloscope is set to release the feature in theaters before streaming on digital platforms.
The Infiltrators is a very timely docu-thriller that tells the true story of young immigrants who get detained by Border Patrol, and put in a shadowy for-profit detention center — on purpose. Marco (Maynor Alvarado) and Viri (Vida‘s Chelsea Rendon) are members of the National Immigrant Youth Alliance, a group of radical Dreamers who are on a mission to stop deportations. And the best place to stop deportations, they believe, is in detention. However, when they try to pull off a prison break in reverse,...
The Infiltrators is a very timely docu-thriller that tells the true story of young immigrants who get detained by Border Patrol, and put in a shadowy for-profit detention center — on purpose. Marco (Maynor Alvarado) and Viri (Vida‘s Chelsea Rendon) are members of the National Immigrant Youth Alliance, a group of radical Dreamers who are on a mission to stop deportations. And the best place to stop deportations, they believe, is in detention. However, when they try to pull off a prison break in reverse,...
- 9/5/2019
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Blumhouse Television has optioned the Sundance award-winning documentary-narrative film, The Infiltrators from Alex Rivera and Cristina Ibarra to adapt as a scripted series. Jenniffer Gomez will write and produce the adaptation. The critically praised film premiered at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival and was honored with The Audience Award: Next and The Next Innovator Prize.
The Infiltrators, a hybrid of real-time documentary footage and dramatic reconstructions, tells the real – and surreal – story of three young undocumented immigrants, Marco Saavedra, Viridiana Martinez and Mohammad Abdollahi, who in 2012 dared to defy the system by embarking on a high-risk mission to infiltrate a secretive for-profit detention center. By intentionally getting detained by the Border Patrol and voluntarily surrendering their freedom, these “Infiltrators” went into detention to uncover cases of abuse, organize behind bars, and help other detainees (and themselves) eventually get free. The story is a jail-break — in reverse.
The Infiltrators, a hybrid of real-time documentary footage and dramatic reconstructions, tells the real – and surreal – story of three young undocumented immigrants, Marco Saavedra, Viridiana Martinez and Mohammad Abdollahi, who in 2012 dared to defy the system by embarking on a high-risk mission to infiltrate a secretive for-profit detention center. By intentionally getting detained by the Border Patrol and voluntarily surrendering their freedom, these “Infiltrators” went into detention to uncover cases of abuse, organize behind bars, and help other detainees (and themselves) eventually get free. The story is a jail-break — in reverse.
- 5/2/2019
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
In today’s film news roundup, Tom Arnold and Paige Howard star in an indie comedy, “Call Her Ganda” is getting an Oscar campaign, and Epic Level has hired a “Charlie Says” executive producer.
Castings
Tom Arnold, Paige Howard, Devin Ratray, Brian Krause, and Cody Kasch are starring in the just-completed independent comedy “Hollywood.con.”
The film is a father-daughter collaboration with Benjamin Boorem producing and Mika Boorem starring and directing. Mika Boorem, whose credits include “Blue Crush” as Kate Bosworth’s sister, “Good Day for It,” and “Hearts in Atlantis,” makes her feature directing debut. The cast members have all acted with her in prior projects.
The script is written by the Boorems, Cshediiz Coleman, Benjamin Lockman, and Michael Lindley. Mika Boorem portrays a struggling actress who accidentally steals the identity of a big-time producer, portrayed by Howard, and gets thrown into a Mayan movie in Guatemala. She’s...
Castings
Tom Arnold, Paige Howard, Devin Ratray, Brian Krause, and Cody Kasch are starring in the just-completed independent comedy “Hollywood.con.”
The film is a father-daughter collaboration with Benjamin Boorem producing and Mika Boorem starring and directing. Mika Boorem, whose credits include “Blue Crush” as Kate Bosworth’s sister, “Good Day for It,” and “Hearts in Atlantis,” makes her feature directing debut. The cast members have all acted with her in prior projects.
The script is written by the Boorems, Cshediiz Coleman, Benjamin Lockman, and Michael Lindley. Mika Boorem portrays a struggling actress who accidentally steals the identity of a big-time producer, portrayed by Howard, and gets thrown into a Mayan movie in Guatemala. She’s...
- 9/1/2018
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
In today’s film news roundup, immigration drama “The Infiltrators” gets financing, Jake Busey is starring in a high-school comedy, and Stuart Ford’s Agc Studios hires two former Im Global executives.
Project Financing
Chicago Media Project Invest/Impact’s Paula Froehle and Steve Cohen have joined the immigration drama “The Infiltrators” as executive producers and financiers, Variety has learned exclusively.
Cmp I/I has invested previously in the Academy Award-winning documentary “Icarus,” “Won’t You Be My Neighbor,” and Showtime’s series “The Fourth Estate.”
Directed and produced by Alex Rivera and Cristina Ibarra, “The Infiltrators” centers on a small group of young undocumented immigrants who embark on a high-risk mission inside America’s for-profit detention system in order to set people free. The film, which mixes documentary with narrative dramatization, stars Chelsea Rendon, Vik Sahay, Maynor Alvarado, and Manuel Uriza.
Production is currently underway in Southern California. The...
Project Financing
Chicago Media Project Invest/Impact’s Paula Froehle and Steve Cohen have joined the immigration drama “The Infiltrators” as executive producers and financiers, Variety has learned exclusively.
Cmp I/I has invested previously in the Academy Award-winning documentary “Icarus,” “Won’t You Be My Neighbor,” and Showtime’s series “The Fourth Estate.”
Directed and produced by Alex Rivera and Cristina Ibarra, “The Infiltrators” centers on a small group of young undocumented immigrants who embark on a high-risk mission inside America’s for-profit detention system in order to set people free. The film, which mixes documentary with narrative dramatization, stars Chelsea Rendon, Vik Sahay, Maynor Alvarado, and Manuel Uriza.
Production is currently underway in Southern California. The...
- 8/31/2018
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Emmy-nominated and Peabody-winning director and screenwriter Deborah S. Esquenazi is set to demystify stories and myths about women of color and Lgbtq individuals with her newly launched production company Myth of Monsters.
Under the new production banner, Esquenazi will team with former Mad Men writer Jason Grote to adapt her Peabody-winning, Emmy-nominated true crime documentary, Southwest of Salem: The Story of the San Antonio Four. Daniel Chalfen and Jim Butterworth of Naked Edge Films are co-producing. The 2016 documentary helped exonerate its four subjects from their wrongful convictions of the ritual rape of two little girls during the “Satanic Panic” era.
Also in development is Queen of Wands, a bilingual coming-of-age Lgbtq drama with Academy Award-nominated producer Cathleen Sutherland (Boyhood) and Susan Kirr. Set in 1989 during a fictionalized hurricane at the height of the AIDS crisis in Texas, Queen of Wands is a semi-autobiographical...
Under the new production banner, Esquenazi will team with former Mad Men writer Jason Grote to adapt her Peabody-winning, Emmy-nominated true crime documentary, Southwest of Salem: The Story of the San Antonio Four. Daniel Chalfen and Jim Butterworth of Naked Edge Films are co-producing. The 2016 documentary helped exonerate its four subjects from their wrongful convictions of the ritual rape of two little girls during the “Satanic Panic” era.
Also in development is Queen of Wands, a bilingual coming-of-age Lgbtq drama with Academy Award-nominated producer Cathleen Sutherland (Boyhood) and Susan Kirr. Set in 1989 during a fictionalized hurricane at the height of the AIDS crisis in Texas, Queen of Wands is a semi-autobiographical...
- 6/13/2018
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: We’re getting an exclusive first look at United Skates, a documentary produced and directed by first-time feature filmmakers Dyana Winkler and Tina Brown, ahead of its world premiere at the upcoming Tribeca Film Festival.
United Skates centers on the battle in a racially charged environment to save African-American roller rinks, an underground subculture that has thrived for decades in the U.S., fostering community and incubating hip-hop by featuring acts from Dr. Dre and Ice Cube in Los Angeles to Queen Latifah, Salt-n-Pepa and Naughty by Nature on the East Coast. Their ranks have been dwindling, and the feature-length pic becomes part history lesson and part investigation into racial politics as the filmmakers visit black rink owners in L.A., Chicago, North Carolina and elsewhere.
“Five years ago, we were invited to a roller rink in the middle of the night, and honestly, we didn’t know what hit us,...
United Skates centers on the battle in a racially charged environment to save African-American roller rinks, an underground subculture that has thrived for decades in the U.S., fostering community and incubating hip-hop by featuring acts from Dr. Dre and Ice Cube in Los Angeles to Queen Latifah, Salt-n-Pepa and Naughty by Nature on the East Coast. Their ranks have been dwindling, and the feature-length pic becomes part history lesson and part investigation into racial politics as the filmmakers visit black rink owners in L.A., Chicago, North Carolina and elsewhere.
“Five years ago, we were invited to a roller rink in the middle of the night, and honestly, we didn’t know what hit us,...
- 4/13/2018
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Get Lifted Film Co. partners John Legend, Mike Jackson and Ty Stiklorius have come aboard as executive producers of United Skates, a documentary produced and directed by first-time feature filmmakers Dyana Winkler and Tina Brown. The feature-length pic is having its world premiere later this month at the Tribeca Film Festival in the Documentary Competition section.
It’s the latest move from busy Get Lifted, which is coming off its executive producer role on Easter Sunday’s Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert special on NBC, which drew 9.6 million total viewers and earned a 1.7 rating in adults 18-49 in Live+Same Day. Legend played Jesus Christ. The also recently produced the Sundance pic Monster and produced Wgn America’s hit Underground.
United Skates centers on the battle in a racially charged environment to save African-American roller rinks, an underground subculture that has thrived for decades in the U.S.
It’s the latest move from busy Get Lifted, which is coming off its executive producer role on Easter Sunday’s Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert special on NBC, which drew 9.6 million total viewers and earned a 1.7 rating in adults 18-49 in Live+Same Day. Legend played Jesus Christ. The also recently produced the Sundance pic Monster and produced Wgn America’s hit Underground.
United Skates centers on the battle in a racially charged environment to save African-American roller rinks, an underground subculture that has thrived for decades in the U.S.
- 4/5/2018
- by Dominic Patten and Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Reuters
The hacker collective known as Anonymous is claiming to have unearthed evidence that the Islamic State terrorist group are planning an assault on WWE’s Survivor Series at the Philips Arena this Sunday night.
The alleged plot on the WWE PPV venue in Atlanta, Georgia would have been one of several terrorist attacks on Sunday with locations in Italy, Indonesia, Lebanon and another attack on Paris, France also named as potential targets.
A breaking news report from the International Business Times on Saturday read;
“Anonymous also said the Islamic State group is planning an assault at the WWE Survivor Series event scheduled to take place in the Philips Arena in Atlanta Sunday at 7.30 p.m. Est, as well as attacks at multiple events in Paris.”
The FBI’s Special Agent in Charge of the Atlanta office also issued a statement regarding the matter:
“The FBI is aware of reports...
The hacker collective known as Anonymous is claiming to have unearthed evidence that the Islamic State terrorist group are planning an assault on WWE’s Survivor Series at the Philips Arena this Sunday night.
The alleged plot on the WWE PPV venue in Atlanta, Georgia would have been one of several terrorist attacks on Sunday with locations in Italy, Indonesia, Lebanon and another attack on Paris, France also named as potential targets.
A breaking news report from the International Business Times on Saturday read;
“Anonymous also said the Islamic State group is planning an assault at the WWE Survivor Series event scheduled to take place in the Philips Arena in Atlanta Sunday at 7.30 p.m. Est, as well as attacks at multiple events in Paris.”
The FBI’s Special Agent in Charge of the Atlanta office also issued a statement regarding the matter:
“The FBI is aware of reports...
- 11/21/2015
- by Brad Hamilton
- Obsessed with Film
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