Still in lockdown and still in need of cinematic diversion.
It seems to be that at those times when you can’t go out and see the world – I am trapped inside an apartment in a locked down city in a state shut off all the others in a country shut off from everyone else – that seeing things through films really, REALLY matters.
Especially when they are as good as these three films, all of which have incredible heart and humanity at their core and which reassure you of the immense power of storytelling at every turn …
SNAPSHOT
Wayland (Pablo Schreiber) has been in prison for 15 years for armed robbery. Upon his release, he returns to his blue-collar hometown and inadvertently reconnects with his high school girlfriend Dolores (Jena Malone), now a single mother struggling to support her three kids, who are named after different shades of blue. Soon after their reunion, Wayland moves in with the chaotic family and becomes a reluctant yet much-needed father figure. Struggling to pay the bills, Wayland finds himself drawn back to his old ways as Dolores yearns for her pre-motherhood dream of living in Los Angeles. Lorelei is written and directed by up-and-coming filmmaker Sabrina Doyle, making her feature directorial debut after a number of short films previously. Produced by Kevin Chinoy, Jennifer Radzikowski, Francesca Silvestri. This first premiered at the Deauville American Film Festival, and also played at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival. (synopsis courtesy First Showing)
Lorelei on 30 July in USA; no international dates available yet.
SNAPSHOT
Based on a true story: Little Q, a yellow lab with a curious birthmark, is training to become a guide dog for the blind. When his training is complete, Little Q is sent to help Lee Bo Ting, a famous, recently blinded chef. Irritable and bitter, Bo Ting is at first reluctant to rely on Little Q and even tries to drive him away several times. But through his loyalty, Little Q eventually teaches Bo Ting how to trust again, opening him up to a new life of wonderful possibilities. Little Q, originally known as Xiao Q, is directed by Hong Kong editor / filmmaker Law Wing-Cheong, an experienced film editor in HK, and also the director of the films Running Out of Time 2, Hooked on You, Tactical Unit – Comrades in Arms, Punished, The Wrath of Vajra, and Iceman previously. The screenplay is written by Susan Chan. This initially opened in theaters in China and Hong Kong back in 2019. (synopsis via First Showing)
Little Q opens in the USA on 17 August via cinema and VOD.
SNAPSHOT
The autumnal mountains of southern Appalachia hold a haunting power within which Cole Freeman (Philip Ettinger), maintains an uneasy equilibrium, looking after the old and infirm in the community while selling their excess painkillers to local addicts to help make ends meet. But when an old friend, Terry Rose (Cosmo Jarvis), returns with dangerous new plans that threaten the fragile balance Cole has crafted amidst the addiction, economic stress and environmental devastation that have his declining mining town in a stranglehold, his world and identity are thrown into deep disarray. The Evening Hour is directed by American filmmaker / artist Braden King, his second feature after directing Here previously, plus a few docs including The Film That Buys the Cinema. The screenplay is written by Elizabeth Palmore, adapted from the novel by Carter Sickels. (synopsis via First Showing)
The Evening Hour opens in USA on 30 July 2021.
SNAPSHOT
Disney’s Encanto tells the tale of an extraordinary family, the Madrigals, who live hidden in the mountains of Colombia in a magical house, in a vibrant town, in a wondrous, charmed place called an Encanto. In the film, the magic of the Encanto has blessed every child in the family with a unique gift from super strength to the power to heal—every child except one, Mirabel. But when she discovers that the magic surrounding the Encanto is in danger, Mirabel decides that she, the only ordinary Madrigal, might just be her exceptional family’s last hope.The animated film will feature a voice cast led by Stephanie Beatriz (Brooklyn Nine-Nine, In the Heights) as Mirabel, an ordinary 15-year-old who’s struggling to find her place in her family. Joining her are María Cecilia Botero, Wilmer Valderrama, Adassa, Diane Guerrero, Mauro Castillo, Angie Cepeda, Jessica Darrow, Rhenzy Feliz and Carolina Gaitan. Encanto is directed by Zootopia helmers Byron Howard and Jared Bush from a screenplay co-written by Bush with co-director Charise Castro Smith. (synopsis via Coming Soon)
Encanto opens in USA on 24 November, Australia on 25 November and UK on 26 November.
SNAPSHOT
Everyone’s favorite spooky family is back in the new animated comedy sequel The Addams Family 2. In this all new movie, The Addams get tangled up in wacky adventures and find themselves involved in hilarious run-ins with all sorts of unsuspecting characters. Always staying true to themselves, the Addams Family brings their iconic spookiness and kookiness wherever they go. The Addams Family 2 is once again co-directed by veteran animators / filmmakers Greg Tiernan (of Happily N’Ever After and the Thomas & Friends franchise) & Conrad Vernon (of Shrek 2, Monsters vs Aliens, Madagascar 3 previously) – both of Sausage Party and the first Addams Family movie previously. The screenplay is written by Benji Samit and Dan Hernandez; based on the characters created by Charles Addams, originally as one-panel cartoons for New Yorker. (synopsis courtesy First Showing)
The Addams Family 2 opens 1 October 2021 in USA, 8 October in UK and 2 December in Australia.