Not all that souped up to see Man Of Steel and would prefer some alternate fare, you say? Here are 2 new openings that might be of interest.
RADiUS-TWC acquired North American rights to the crowd-pleasing, critically-acclaimed documentary Twenty Feet From Stardom, at the Sundance Film Festival in January, where it received an overwhelming standing ovation during its world premiere there.
Here’s the full synopsis again:
What would a pop song be without the riffs, refrains, and harmonies of its backup vocalists? Although these singers are usually relegated to the margins, and few, if any, become household names, their work has defined countless songs that remain in our hearts and collective consciousness. Twenty Feet from Stardom juxtaposes interviews with industry legends (Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, and others) and the relative unknowns who support them like Darlene Love, Merry Clayton, Lisa Fischer, and Judith Hill as they illuminate the art of melding their own distinct voices with lead vocals and reveal their desires for careers as solo artists. Twenty Feet from Stardom traces the backup singers’ history—from those Phil Spector–produced pop tunes and soul-inspired British Explosion acts of the 1960s, to their reversal of fortune when the recording industry changed in the 1990s, and into today.
The film, directed by Morgan Neville, gives audiences an unprecedented look at the personal journeys of these normally un-celebrated, although indispensable artists, and pays tribute to their unforgettable role in popular music.
RADiUS opens the film theatrically, today, June 14th, 2013, in select cities, so check your local listings.
The film was produced by Gil Friesen with director Neville’s Tremolo Productions.
The trailer and poster are both embedded below:
Second – Last fall, Cinedigm Entertainment Group acquired all U.S. distribution rights to Call Me Kuchu – the powerful and moving film that documents the daily lives of David Kato – the first openly gay Ugandan man – and three fellow “kuchus” (LGBT Ugandans), culminating in a brutal and senseless murder that sent shock waves throughout the world.
Over the course of two years, filmmakers Katherine Fairfax Wright and Malika Zouhali-Worrall documented the daily lives of the outspoken and inspiring Kato and his fellow “kuchus” as Uganda was emerging as a frontier in the battle for African LGBT rights.
Cinedigm opens the acclaimed film today, Friday, June 14, which will be followed by on-demand, premium digital, DVD, and TV releases.
An alum of Film Independent’s Artist Development Program, Call Me Kuchu earned stellar reviews on the festival circuit.
Our own Nijla Mumin who saw the film for S&A last year, called it: “A memorable, important work that will hopefully serve as required viewing for continued conversation around human rights issues.”
Call Me Kuchu is directed by Katherine Fairfax Wright and Malika Zouhali-Worrall, and produced by Zouhali-Worrall, with support from Film Independent’s inaugural Documentary Lab, as well as Chicken & Egg Pictures, Catapult Film Fund and Cinereach.
A trailer and poster for the film are embedded below:
