Haley Lu Richardson
#FIRSTLOOK: “AFTER YANG” TRAILER
Great news! Elevation Pictures will be releasing AFTER YANG in Canada, after its raves at both Cannes and Sundance recently. See the new Trailer below.
Synopsis:
In a world where robotic children are purchased as live-in babysitters, a father and daughter attempt to save the life of their robotic family member, Yang, who has become unresponsive.
From writer/director Kogonada and starring Colin Farrell, Jodie Turner-Smith, Justin H. Min, Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja, Sarita Choudhury, Clifton Collins Jr. and Haley Lu Richardson.
AFTER YANG is coming soon.
(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures)
#SUNDANCE: “AFTER YANG”
By David Baldwin
After premiering at Cannes this past July, celebrated Writer/Director Kogonada’s second feature AFTER YANG finally makes its North American debut. It takes place in the near future, where families live with sentient AI android helpers and companions. When Yang (Justin H. Min from The Umbrella Academy), the AI helper for Jake (Colin Farrell), Kyra (Jodie Turner-Smith) and young Mika (Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja), malfunctions and breaks down, the family is distraught. Jake bought him “certified refurbished”, so he cannot just get him repaired quickly. When his attempts at fixing Yang uncover that he has been recording memories, it sets Jake off on an existential journey he did not expect.
AFTER YANG is a quiet, contemplative film that examines loss and grief, at the same time as it hones in on joy and humanity. The Science-Fiction elements are a mere conduit for Kogonada (adapting Alexander Weinstein’s short story) to be able to hop in and out of dreams and memories. There is some feeling hovering around the power of nostalgia in some instances, but it feels more like the kind of heady, introspective material that makes you rethink your own memories. The rhythmic, fever dream nature of the Film will be off-putting to some, and spiritually hypnotic to others. Fair warning to the naysayers though – you will miss out on some of the most majestic production design and incredibly expansive use of colour to hit the screen in a long time.
The entire Cast is magnificent, with Farrell adding another terrific, meditative performance to his on-going career renaissance, and Turner-Smith and Tjandrawidjaja bringing a plethora of emotion and beauty to every scene they appear in. Min is great in his small role, as is Haley Lu Richardson who plays the mysterious Ada. And while I will not give away the circumstances, AFTER YANG contains one of the greatest post-modern dance scenes of the past decade. Maybe of all time. Expect many delightful memes and gifs to appear online once this wonderfully picture sees wide release.
AFTER YANG screens at Sundance as follows:
PREMIERE Jan 21 1:45PM EST Available Until Jan 21 4:45PM EST
SECOND SCREENING Jan 23 10:00AM EST Available Until Jan 24 10:00AM EST
#EDITORSNOTE: MR. WILL STAR SIGHTINGS 2021
We’re lucky to have even have had the chance to partake in any star-spotting this year given the circumstances we’ve been in! And even though what we got was a reduced version of TIFF ’21 this year, we’re still thrilled that talent still came through, while production on various Series and Films also continued around town this year. And as always we’re happy to go as close as the talent want to get, ensuring safety first. One day we’ll look back and call this our “Masked Era”.
While this is only a fraction of the quantity of star sightings we’ve had in the past, we did our best to do what we do safely. Some exciting names still passed through Toronto in 2021 and we were there!
I’d have to say it was epic that Toronto’s Simu Liu exploded onto the international stage as a mega star for his work in Marvel Studios’ SHANG-CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS. Not only was it amazing catching-up in person – he actually remembered my name – we also got a quick interview with him! Other names like Rebecca Ferguson, whom we’ve admire for quite a while, came through for TIFF ’21 and we’re glad we finally got to meet her properly! And when do we not get excited to see Jessica Chastain in-town? One of our highlights was getting a Selfie with Mila Kunis, whom we love, together with beanie bright and early in the AM? While concerts were scaled back quite a bit this year, we’re happy to have met some emerging names on the international scene who actually happen to be Canadian, like Mustafa the Poet and BBNo$! And how cool was it that hot off his venture into space, earning him the distinction of oldest person ever to go to space, William Shatner came to Toronto for Fan Expo Limited Edition?
Let’s take a walk down memory lane!
See some of our favourite star sightings of 2021, in no particular order!
While we will wait a bit for these case counts to go down, we look forward to Toronto being the star-studded City it once was once again!
Mr. Will
#TIFF21: “MONTANA STORY” REVIEW
By Amanda Gilmore
Montana Story follows Cal Thorne (Owen Teague) who is drawn back to the family ranch to be with his ailing father, Wade. He joins nurse, Ace (Gilbert Owuor) and longtime employee Valentina (Kimberly Guerrero) as Ace cares for Wade and Valentina manages the vast property. To Cal’s surprise, he also becomes reunited with his estranged sister Erin (Haley Lu Richardson) who continues to carry her pain over past family abuse. Her decision to quickly leave is halted when she finds out what they are planning on doing to her beloved horse.
Filmmakers Scott McGehee and David Siegel have created an empathetic Film about confronting past family trauma in the face of losing the one that inflated the harm. It’s beautifully-shot and set in the vast, mountainous landscape of this Montana ranch. Anchored in its bond between brother and sister, it’s a quiet film that slowly creeps up on you. Family abuse is exposed through each sibling, showing the effects of those abused and those who keep quiet. McGehee and Siegel’s steady camerawork allows for the characters to drive the story and the actors to shine.
Richardson certifies herself as one of the strongest up-and-coming Actresses of her generation. She carries Erin’s pain and resentment for her abuse while showing compassion for the ill father who inflicted it. In one prominent scene, Erin confronts Cal for standing by as the abuse took place. Richardson exposes the anguish she feels but also the catharsis for finally letting out what she’s been swallowing her entire life.
Additionally, this scene allows Teague to show the guilt Cal has been carrying. Cal not only kept quiet but left his sister to continue receiving the abuse. Teague physically shows the guilt in this scene as we watch Cal crumble, finally being able to apologize. In turn, forgiving himself and releasing that guilt. The two of them are a perfect match in every scene.
Montana Story screens at TIFF ’21:
Sat, Sep 11 at 4:30 PM at TIFF Bell Lightbox
Sat, Sep 11 at 9 PM on Digital TIFF Bell Lightbox
Wed, Sep 15 at 5 PM on Digital TIFF Bell Lightbox
Thu, Sep 16 at 4 PM at Cinesphere IMAX Theatre
#TIFF21: DAY THREE SIGHTINGS – JESSICA CHASTAIN, BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH, DIONNE WARWICK, DENIS VILLENEUVE, REBECCA FERGUSON, HALEY LU RICHARDSON, OWEN TEAGUE + MORE
We’ve hit peak starpower at TIFF ’21 and even with Red Carpets and talent scaled back there’s still plenty enough to keep us busy!
The 2021 TIFF Tribute Gala took place earlier today at Roy Thomson Hall with this year’s Honourees taking the stage to accept their awards. Those in attendance included:
Jessica Chastain — TIFF Tribute Actor Award supported by the Tory Family
Benedict Cumberbatch — TIFF Tribute Actor Award
Denis Villeneuve — TIFF Ebert Director Award
Alanis Obomsawin — Jeff Skoll Award in Impact Media supported by Participant Media
Ari Wegner — TIFF Variety Artisan Award
Danis Goulet — TIFF Emerging Talent Award presented by L’Oréal Paris and supported by MGM
Dionne Warwick — TIFF Special Tribute Award
We caught some special moments as the stars arrived and we even saw Benedict Cumberbatch and Dionne Warwick share an embrace. R&B Legend Warwick, here for Documentary DON’T MAKE ME OVER, shared that she admittedly was a little starstruck seeing Cumberbatch, whom she admires for her work on SHERLOCK, which she was obsessed with streaming during the Pandemic! Cumberbatch is receiving tons of Oscar buzz for his work in Jane Campion‘s THE POWER OF THE DOG. Review here.
Chastain and Villeneuve, both busy with Press Days today for their respective films THE FORGIVEN and DUNE, made time to walk over to the fans, snapping Selfies and signing autographs. Chastain was stunning in a colour block Moschino outfit!
The Awards air Saturday, September 18, 2021 at 7pm ET on CTV, CTV.ca and the CTV app in Canada.
Some Snaps:
Several other Premieres took place across the City including MONTANA STORY which stars Owen Teague and Haley Lu Richardson, which many are commending for its heart and compassion. We spotted the stars and Co-Directors Scott McGehee and David Siegel, Ubering about with the Film’s stars earlier. Review to come shortly.
One of our greatest highlights finally is a moment with Rebecca Ferguson, whom we admire so deeply. This chameleon of an Actress has won acclaim for her work on the Mission: Impossible Franchise, The White Queen and more popularly, The Greatest Showman. Oh yeah, her! Ferguson stars in DUNE, which premiered at Ontario Place‘s Cinesphere and will be busy with Villeneuve with a day of press in support of the hotly-anticipated October 22, 2021 release. Review here.
One parting note, I attended a screening of Edgar Wright‘s LAST NIGHT IN SOHO and it was incredible! My thoughts below…
How amazing Wright even threw me a “like”!
We decided to take it easy tonight, wrapping early. Tomorrow will be pretty much the last day we’ll be out snapping content with more of a focus on the Films after Monday. Who knows, I might even have a little special sidekick out with me tomorrow!
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
#GIVEAWAY: ENTER TO WIN ADVANCE PASSES TO SEE “FIVE FEET APART”
eOne Films x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to see FIVE FEET APART starring Riverdale‘s Cole Sprouse and Haley Lu Richardson!
Screenings are as follows:
Toronto – Monday March 11 – 7pm at Cineplex Yonge & Dundas
Vancouver – Monday March 11 – 7pm at Scotiabank Vancouver
Calgary – Monday March 11 – 7pm at Scotiabank Chinook
Edmonton – Monday March 11 – 7pm at Scotiabank Edmonton
Winnipeg – Monday March 11 – 7pm at Scotiabank Winnipeg
Ottawa – Monday March 11 – 7pm at Scotiabank Ottawa
Halifax – Monday March 11 – 7pm at Scotiabank Halifax
St. John’s – Monday March 11 – 7pm at Scotiabank St. John’s
Hamilton – Monday March 11 – 7pm at Cineplex Hamilton
London – Monday March 11 – 7pm at SilverCity London
Waterloo – Monday March 11 – 7pm at Galaxy Waterloo
Synopsis:
Stella Grant (Haley Lu Richardson) is every bit a seventeen-year-old: she’s attached to her laptop and loves her best friends. But unlike most teenagers, she spends much of her time living in a hospital as a cystic fibrosis patient. Her life is full of routines, boundaries and self-control — all of which is put to the test when she meets an impossibly charming fellow CF patient named Will Newman (Cole Sprouse).
There’s an instant flirtation, though restrictions dictate that they must maintain a safe distance between them. As their connection intensifies, so does the temptation to throw the rules out the window and embrace that attraction. Further complicating matters is Will’s potentially dangerous rebellion against his ongoing medical treatment. Stella gradually inspires Will to live life to the fullest, but can she ultimately save the person she loves when even a single touch is off limits?
See the Trailer:
Artwork:
To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your City there. Re-Tweet this Tweet from @mrwillw for an extra chance!
eOne Films release FIVE FEET APART Friday, March 15, 2019.
(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)
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