Taking place over five arduous years of legislative gridlock, "The Case Against 8" could have easily delivered a searing indictment of our country's lagging recognition of same-sex marriage. Yet the first directorial partnership and Sundance debut of former Hollywood executive Ben Cotner and director Ryan White (2013's "Good Ol' Freda") refuses to capitulate its compassionate treatment of all players in the five-year same-sex battle Hollingsworth v. Perry in the interest of greater purpose. Their emotionally-wrought take on the case takes it out of landmark territory and into the terrain of momentous historic significance. While two couples star in the Hollingsworth v. Perry trial that dominated the news last summer, "The Case Against 8" attributes the lawsuit that started it all to a third odd couple operating behind the scenes. The film begins with the unlikely union of former Bush v. Gore opponents Ted Olson and David Boies to lead the...
- 1/19/2014
- by Katherine Kilkenny
- Indiewire
As a 17-year-old Freda Kelly was the envy of thousands of teenage girls: she was secretary to the Fab Four and ran their fan club. Now, in a new documentary about her role, she has finally decided to open up
These days, Freda Kelly leads an uncomplicated life. Every morning, she drives from her home in the Wirral to a legal firm in Birkenhead, where she is secretary to one of the senior partners. She starts her working day at 9am, dealing with legal files, setting up appointments, liaising with mental health tribunals and typing up letters at a steady speed of 50wpm. On her desk, the stapler is labelled with her name in case anyone should be tempted to claim it as their own. She has been working here for 21 years.
Of late, Freda, 68, has found herself at the centre of some unexpected attention. She finds this baffling. "I mean,...
These days, Freda Kelly leads an uncomplicated life. Every morning, she drives from her home in the Wirral to a legal firm in Birkenhead, where she is secretary to one of the senior partners. She starts her working day at 9am, dealing with legal files, setting up appointments, liaising with mental health tribunals and typing up letters at a steady speed of 50wpm. On her desk, the stapler is labelled with her name in case anyone should be tempted to claim it as their own. She has been working here for 21 years.
Of late, Freda, 68, has found herself at the centre of some unexpected attention. She finds this baffling. "I mean,...
- 11/18/2013
- by Elizabeth Day
- The Guardian - Film News
"Good Ol' Freda" is an intimate portrait of an unassuming British secretary, Freda Kelly. By all accounts, in recent years, she has led a rather humdrum life. So how did this small documentary about a secretary go on to become a Swsw hit and get picked up by Magnolia Pictures for theatrical and digital release? That's easy to explain: Kelly wasn't just any secretary. She was The Beatles longtime secretary, telling her story in "Good Ol' Freda" for the first time in 50 years. After being released on September 6, the doc has grossed $51,442 in domestic box office – after opening in one theater, it went wide to 11 theaters around the country. It's the #22 Top Independent film in the iTunes store where, because of its built-in appeal and fan base, it should have a long shelf life. As Indiewire's Eric Kohn wrote in his review of the film, "Good Ol' Freda" moves along...
- 9/26/2013
- by Paula Bernstein
- Indiewire
Earlier this year, the documentary 20 Feet from Stardom struck a deep chord with audiences because its ostensible subject matter (the struggles and hard-won victories of the professional backup singer) was a springboard for stirring conversations on the natures of art and spirituality. Good Ol' Freda is neither as ambitious nor as accomplished as that film, but audiences may find themselves similarly moved, as much for what the film says about the best of human nature as they are for the chance to be immersed in a rich fount of rare images and sounds of the Beatles. As a teenager, Freda Kelly lucked into the job of answering the band's mail and serving as an invaluable conduit between the foursome and their fans. She was with them from their very early club gig days, righ...
- 9/11/2013
- Village Voice
Magnolia Pictures' Good Ol' Freda documentary directed and produced by Ryan White opens on September 6, 2013. Watch the trailer for the film. Freda Kelly was just a shy Liverpudlian teenager when she was asked to work for a local band hoping to make it big. Though she had no concept of how far they would go, Freda had faith in The Beatles from the beginning, and The Beatles had faith in her. History notes that The Beatles were together for 10 years, but Freda worked for them for 11. Many people came in and out of the band's circle as they grew to international stardom, but Freda remained a staple because of her unfaltering loyalty and dedication. As the Beatles' devoted secretary and friend, Freda was there as history unfolded; she was witness to the evolution – advances and setbacks, breakthroughs and challenges – of the greatest band in history.
- 8/15/2013
- Upcoming-Movies.com
HBO Documentary Films announced today that the network is currently in production on a film about the historic 2013 supreme court case -- over five years in the making -- that overturned Proposition 8, anticipating a 2014 debut. Yet to be titled, the forthcoming project chronicles the work of bipartisan legal team David Boies and Ted Olsen, who successfully defeated the ban on same-sex marriage earlier this year. Directors Ben Cotner and Ryan White had exclusive access to the case and the four plaintiffs at its center, and will compile their footage to tell the story of marriage equality in California and the Us. Cotner is currently senior vice president of acquisitions at Open Road Films. Ryan White’s films include the upcoming "Good Ol' Freda," which will be released in September. The deal was negotiated with HBO by Josh Braun of Submarine Entertainment and Victoria Cook of Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz. The...
- 7/9/2013
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Thompson on Hollywood
The Supreme Court's historic overturning of California's Proposition 8 will be the subject of an HBO Documentary Films project set to premiere next year. The documentary, from directors Ben Cotner of Open Road Films and Ryan White ("Pelada," "Good Ol' Freda"), is the result of exclusive access they gained to Ted Olson and David Boies, the legal team who argued the case before the Supreme Court. The directors also gained special access to the lives of the four plaintiffs. Also read: Supreme Court's Doma, Prop 8 Rulings Ignite the Twitterverse "The story of the battle to overturn...
- 7/9/2013
- by Tim Kenneally
- The Wrap
Magnolia Pictures has acquired North American rights to the crowd-pleasing SXSW documentary "Good Ol' Freda," directed by Ryan White ("Pelada"). The film profiles Freda Kelly, The Beatles' lifelong secretary, who tells her story for the first time in 50 years over the course of the doc.Read More: Is Beatles' Secretary Story 'Good Ol' Freda' Really a Tell-All?"The dignity and devotion with which Freda has lived her life inspired me to make this film," said White. "I am so thrilled to partner with Magnolia and the amazing team there; they are the perfect company to get Freda's long untold story out to audiences on a wider scale."Magnolia plans to release the film theatrically later this year.
- 4/22/2013
- by Nigel M Smith
- Indiewire
Directed by: Ryan White
Featuring: Freda Kelly, Tony Barrow, Ringo Starr
In the early 1960s, Freda Kelly became one of the most envied women in the world, and I bet you've never even heard of her.
The subject of Good Ol' Freda, a new documentary that premiered at SXSW 2013, Ms. Kelly shot to the top of the "right place, right time" list overnight when, almost by accident, she became a member of the Beatles' inner circle, known to the Fab Four and fans round the world as "Good Ol' Freda."
Kelly was an average Liverpool teenager who'd finished high school and gone to work as a typist when she discovered a hip new band called the Beatles playing at a local club. She quickly became a regular at their lunchtime shows and eventually got to know them a bit, never daring to imagine where this chance meeting would take her.
Featuring: Freda Kelly, Tony Barrow, Ringo Starr
In the early 1960s, Freda Kelly became one of the most envied women in the world, and I bet you've never even heard of her.
The subject of Good Ol' Freda, a new documentary that premiered at SXSW 2013, Ms. Kelly shot to the top of the "right place, right time" list overnight when, almost by accident, she became a member of the Beatles' inner circle, known to the Fab Four and fans round the world as "Good Ol' Freda."
Kelly was an average Liverpool teenager who'd finished high school and gone to work as a typist when she discovered a hip new band called the Beatles playing at a local club. She quickly became a regular at their lunchtime shows and eventually got to know them a bit, never daring to imagine where this chance meeting would take her.
- 3/25/2013
- by Theron
- Planet Fury
There are two main ingredients that make "Good Ol' Freda," a documentary about The Beatles secretary Freda Kelly, stand out from countless other takes on the rise of the world's most iconic band: First of all, having worked for the group during its initial decade of existence but remained largely in the shadows, Kelly held a unique ringside seat to their rise without directly being a part of it. Additionally, perhaps because of her ongoing fidelity to the band, Kelly has remained secretive about her experiences prior to this project, directed by Ryan White and mostly told from Kelly's point of view. It's less exposé than curiosity, adding little new information to The Beatles' expansive mythology, but rather one more perspective on their initial days of fame that does the legacy proud. Despite her newfound willingness to open up, Kelly stays mum about many of the details that might make...
- 3/10/2013
- by Eric Kohn
- Indiewire
Last May, the creators of "Mad Men" were in the news after reportedly paying $250,000 to license the Beatles song "Tomorrow Never Knows" for an episode of the show. According to the New York Times report of that deal, there are only rare cases in which Beatles recordings have been used in television and film. But one film premiering at the SXSW film festival (which starts today) managed to license four of them. Ryan White's "Good Ol' Freda" is a film about Freda Kelly, the Beatles' longtime secretary. When it premieres in Austin, it will feature the Beatles singing "I Saw Her Standing There," "I Will," "I Feel Fine" and "Love Me Do." White explained, "She was their longest serving employee. She's had countless offers to do a tell-all book or movie. She's still a working secretary today in Liverpool and makes a secretary's wage. She never sold them out.
- 3/8/2013
- by Bryce J. Renninger
- Indiewire
It’s tough to believe SXSW is almost upon us, but the festival starts March 8 and the line-up is looking good. The event has a history of premiering some great titles and this year is no different.
Fede Alvarez’s much-anticipated remake of Evil Dead will have its world premiere at the festival. Opening night features the Incredible Burt Wonderstone, starring Steve Carell and Steve Buscemi as Vegas magicians. Buscemi’s blond wig alone is reason enough to see this movie. Another highlight is the panel, Bates Motel: Story to Screen with Carlton Cuse, which will feature a first look at the pilot for Bates Motel.
Still waiting on the Midnighters line-up to see what else is in store genre-wise.
See the full list of events below and check the website for more info.
The 2013 SXSW Film Festival will feature:
Downloaded (World Premiere)
Director: Alex Winter
Downloaded is a documentary...
Fede Alvarez’s much-anticipated remake of Evil Dead will have its world premiere at the festival. Opening night features the Incredible Burt Wonderstone, starring Steve Carell and Steve Buscemi as Vegas magicians. Buscemi’s blond wig alone is reason enough to see this movie. Another highlight is the panel, Bates Motel: Story to Screen with Carlton Cuse, which will feature a first look at the pilot for Bates Motel.
Still waiting on the Midnighters line-up to see what else is in store genre-wise.
See the full list of events below and check the website for more info.
The 2013 SXSW Film Festival will feature:
Downloaded (World Premiere)
Director: Alex Winter
Downloaded is a documentary...
- 1/16/2013
- by Sara Castillo
- FEARnet
Steve Carell-starring comedy will open much-anticipated Texas event in March, kicking off nine days of screenings
The Incredible Burt Wonderstone, starring Steve Carell and Steve Buscemi as washed-up Las Vegas magicians threatened by the rise of a guerrilla street performer (played by Jim Carrey), is to open this year's SXSW film festival.
Don Scardino's film, which also stars Olivia Wilde, Alan Arkin and James Gandolfini, will have its world premiere at the Austin, Texas event on 8 March. It will then open at Us cinemas the following week, on 13 March.
This year's SXSW, which runs for nine days, will also feature the Us premiere of Harmony Korine's Toronto and Venice hit Spring Breakers. Other films include the controversial remake of Sam Raimi's classic 1981 horror Evil Dead, from Fede Alvarez; and the Ryan White documentary Good Ol' Freda, about the Beatles' secretary Freda Kelly. The festival's full lineup...
The Incredible Burt Wonderstone, starring Steve Carell and Steve Buscemi as washed-up Las Vegas magicians threatened by the rise of a guerrilla street performer (played by Jim Carrey), is to open this year's SXSW film festival.
Don Scardino's film, which also stars Olivia Wilde, Alan Arkin and James Gandolfini, will have its world premiere at the Austin, Texas event on 8 March. It will then open at Us cinemas the following week, on 13 March.
This year's SXSW, which runs for nine days, will also feature the Us premiere of Harmony Korine's Toronto and Venice hit Spring Breakers. Other films include the controversial remake of Sam Raimi's classic 1981 horror Evil Dead, from Fede Alvarez; and the Ryan White documentary Good Ol' Freda, about the Beatles' secretary Freda Kelly. The festival's full lineup...
- 1/16/2013
- by Ben Child
- The Guardian - Film News
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