#FIRSTLOOK: PAUL SUN HYUNG-LEE, JEAN-MARC VALLEE AND PRIYANKA HONOURED WITH MURALS

In a tribute to Canadian excellence, three striking portrait-style murals will celebrate drag superstar Priyanka, award-winning Canadian actor Paul Sun Hyung-Lee, and one of Canada’s most celebrated filmmakers, the late Jean-Marc Vallée, whose visionary work left an indelible mark on cinema.

Starting today, the murals will appear in each of these culture figures’ hometowns: Priyanka’s vibrant tribute now brightens the heart of Toronto’s Gay Village at the corner of Church and Wellesley, and Paul Sun-Hyung Lee’s mural brings fresh energy to Calgary’s Inglewood neighborhood at The Blue Store (1344 9 Ave SE). To be unveiled later this week, Jean-Marc Vallée is immortalized with a stunning tribute on the Real by Fake building (1455 Rue Saint-Timothée) in Montreal, home to the special effects company that worked on many of his projects.

The mural series, part of the MADE | NOUS Hometown Hero campaign, celebrates the profound influence and achievements of these individuals who have shaped Canadian culture and inspire future generations of creative talent. Through their artistic contributions, Priyanka, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, and Jean-Marc Vallée have left their distinct mark on their hometown cities while making a lasting impact on the national and international stage. The presence of the murals aims to uplift the communities they have touched, fostering creativity and inspiration across the country.

“I remember thinking as a kid, I cannot WAIT to move to Toronto to be a big star! My life changed when I moved to the Gay Village,” said Priyanka. “As someone who found their voice and passion in the heart of Toronto, seeing myself on a mural in the Gay Village feels surreal! It’s a celebration of not just my journey, but of the entire LGBTQ+ community that has supported me every step of the way. I hope this mural inspires others to embrace their uniqueness, live their passion, and remember that anything is possible when you are your true self.”

“Growing up in Calgary, I never imagined I’d be part of something like this,” said Paul Sun Hyung-Lee. “It’s incredibly humbling to see my story reflected in the streets of my hometown. I hope this mural serves as a reminder to everyone that no goal is too big, and no journey is too small to make a lasting impact. Canada’s strength is in our diversity and our stories, and I’m proud to be part of that narrative.”

A statement from Alex & Émile Vallée, the sons of Jean-Marc Vallée: “Our father always believed that storytelling had the power to transcend boundaries and connect people on a deeply emotional level. This mural honors his spirit and his unwavering commitment to his craft. It’s a beautiful tribute to his roots here in Montreal, a city that shaped his vision and where his journey as a filmmaker began. We know he would be deeply moved by this gesture, and we hope it inspires future generations of artists to follow their passion.”

“As Canadians, we’re united by a shared pride of where we come from and the stories only we can tell. By recognizing these hometown heroes in the cities where their journeys began, we can inspire others to pursue their dreams and tell their stories, no matter where they start or where they land,” said Mathieu Chantelois, Executive Vice President, Marketing & Public Affairs, Canada Media Fund. “These murals stand as powerful reminders that greatness can come from anywhere, and that the next wave of Canadian talent is already rising in communities across our country.”

In addition to the murals, MADE | NOUS will donate $5,000 to local charities chosen by each Hometown Hero. Priyanka has selected ASAAP (Alliance for South Asian AIDS Prevention) and 2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations, with the donation being split between the two organizations. Paul Sun-Hyung Lee has chosen the Brain Tumor Foundation of Canada, and a donation in Jean-Marc Vallées honour will be made to the Jean-Marc Vallée Memorial Fund.

The murals were designed by Étienne Dicaire (Priyanka), Charmaine Wong (Paul Sun Hyung-Lee) and Zek (Jean-Marc Vallée).

#FIRSTLOOK: JEAN-MARC VALLÉE DOCUMENTARY IN DEVELOPMENT

We miss Jean-Marc Vallée so much and it helps that a Documentary is in development by Marie-Julie Dallaire, to help us remember his incredible talent and body of work.

Saddened to hear of Jean-Marc Vallée's passing. Such a brilliant Filmmaker. pic.twitter.com/q1Gau9tBjR

— MR. WILL WONG 📸 (@mrwillw) December 27, 2021

Details:

ITEM 7 is pleased to announce that a feature-length documentary on the life and career of Jean-Marc Vallée is in the works. Produced by Pierre Even and directed by Marie-Julie Dallaire, the film will benefit from the support and participation of the family of the late Canadian filmmaker, his sons Alex and Émile Vallée and their mother Chantal Cadieux. Made up of archives and original footage, this film will allow the audience to spend time with Jean-Marc Vallée, this sensitive filmmaker whose intensity left no one indifferent.  

“Jean-Marc and I became friends at the release of C.R.A.Z.Y.. His sudden departure leaves me without words. Yet I feel the need to express my love and gratitude to him loud and clear. CUT PRINT THANK YOU BYE will be my way of paying tribute to Jean-Marc, of keeping him alive, of mourning him, using our common language: cinema,” said director Marie-Julie Dallaire.

Pierre Even said, “Jean-Marc’s departure left a gaping hole in our lives. This great emptiness has brought together all those who knew him. CUT PRINT THANK YOU BYE is a work of sharing and memory, so that everyone has access to this great man of cinema, our friend Jean-Marc Vallée.”

“Cinema is a ribbon of dreams, inspired by the desire to share the human experience of loving and being loved. Jean-Marc understood this… Why make a film about JMV? Because we must not forget that we must dream, that we must love, that we must share. For those who follow us.” added Yves Bélanger, director of photography and initiator of this project.

For this film, an intimate portrait as well as a last opportunity to spend time with the extraordinary artist that was Jean-Marc Vallée, Pierre Even (producer of C.R.A.Z.Y. and Café de Flore) and Marie-Julie Dallaire (director of Comme une vague, Iris 2022 for Best Documentary with Jean-Marc Vallée as executive producer), long-time collaborators of the filmmaker, join forces with cinematographer Yves Bélanger (Dallas Buyers Club, Wild, Demolition, Sharp Objects, Big Little Lies), another frequent collaborator of the director.

(Photo credit: Searchlight Pictures)

#FIRSTLOOK: “BIG LITTLE LIES” PREMIERES SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2017 ON HBO CANADA

We admit a month ago having known v. little about HBO‘s new series BIG LITTLE LIES, based on the novel by Liane Moriarty. Since discovering it though, we’re helplessly hooked. We have previewed the first six of seven episodes and cruelly were left hanging at the end of it.  It consumed us fully this weekend and it’s been on our mind all day.

The seven-part series follows the lives of three mothers in Monterey, California as they cope with family-life balance, each facing their own unique demons. We have Madeline (Reese Witherspoon), a well-to-do stay at home mom of two, invested in a local theatre production of Avenue Q much to the disapproval of the local mayor and conservative locals. Celeste (Nicole Kidman), a lawyer-on-hiatus, has a seemingly-perfect life too with twin boys, a gorgeous house and a handsome husband in Perry (Alex Skarsgård).  Enter to the picture, mysterious single mother Jane (Shailene Woodley) and her son who are new to the area, drawn to its affordable private school education at a public school cost.  Things begin to unravel one day at school when Jane’s son Ziggy (Iain Armitage) is accused of hurting Renata’s (Laura Dern) daughter Anabella (Ivy George). This ignites what becomes a rampant fire as we see these mothers go to all costs to protect their children. Passions flare as Celeste and Madeline rally to support their new friend Jane and the consequences are well, fatal.  As the story unfolds we get eyewitness accounts, some less reliable than others, and we learn the deep, dark secrets each of our three leading women are harbouring, leading them together to where they are today. Who dies?  Why? Who did it?  How?  We have so many questions.

Canada’s very own Jean-Marc Vallée does a phenomenal job at the reins here and while BIG LITTLE LIES at times is a bit of a meditative slow-burn, we nonetheless are invested every step of the way.  Our characters are richly-developed, complex, aware, intelligent and multi-dimensional. Nothing is ever just black or white with them, there is a rather large, beautifully-messy gray area. Domestic violence, consent, sexuality, infidelity are just some of the meaty matters the series examines with great depth and it leaves us with plenty to think about.

Although Witherspoon’s brand has become synonymous with being Elle Woods and Rom-Coms like Sweet Home Alabama, we really love her pairing with Vallée which as we saw in Oscar-nominated WILD, has given her a real opportunity to shine as a dramatic force. Kidman seldom disappoints and she has shown that when she is in full-control of her output (remember the outstanding Rabbit Hole?), as she is here serving with Witherspoon as Executive Producers, she is devastatingly good. We also really enjoy Woodley’s work as Jane, careful never to give too much away about her character as one of the story’s most fascinating aspects. And we love Laura Dern in a performance that is worthy of top-billing, as a woman on fire in the deeply-angry Renata.

See a Tease:

HBO Canada airs BIG LITTLE LIES Sunday, February 19, 2017 at 9 PM EST.

More here.

(Photo/video credit: HBO)

#GIVEAWAY: ENTER TO WIN ADVANCE PASSES TO SEE “DEMOLITION”

VVS Films + Mr. Will want to take you to an Advance Screening of TIFF ’15 and SXSW selection, DEMOLITION! Screenings take place April 6, 2016 in Vancouver and both Toronto and Montreal April 7, 2016. You must be 19+ for the Vancouver screening.

Synopsis:

A successful investment banker, Davis (Jake Gyllenhaal), begins to unravel after his wife is killed in a tragic car crash. What starts as a complaint letter to a vending machine company turns into a series of letters revealing startling personal admissions.

Davis‘ letters catch the attention of customer service rep Karen (Naomi Watts) and, amidst emotional and financial burdens of her own, the two strangers form an unlikely connection. With the help of Karen and her son, Davis starts to rebuild, beginning with the demolition of the life he once knew. Jean-Marc Vallee (Wild, Dallas Buyers Club) directs.

 

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

Enter to win by clicking “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your city. Click “share” from there for an extra chance!

G’luck, Willionaire$!

VVS Films release DEMOLITION Friday, April 8, 2016.

(Photo/video credit: VVS Films)

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW KENNEDY MEADOWS CLIP FROM “WILD” STARRING REESE WITHERSPOON

A new one-minute Clip for Jean-Marc Vallée‘s WILD has just been released. The Film which is garnering a ton of Oscar buzz for Reese Witherspoon on the Festival Circuit soon will see a release. Here, Cheryl (Witherspoon) looks exhausted, coming across a General Store on her on-foot journey, arriving at Kennedy Meadows, a Resort high in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. She’s been dreaming of Snapple and a bag of chips and gets it! Just as the Clip is about the end we’re about to hear Cheryl open-up and this is where we’re left hanging! How dare they!

Watch and see the Clip here:

Fox Searchlight release WILD on Friday, December 5, 2014.

(Photo/video credit: Fox Searchlight)

#GIVEAWAY: ENTER TO WIN DOUBLE PASSES TO SEE “DALLAS BUYERS CLUB” IN CALGARY, EDMONTON, WINNIPEG, OTTAWA & HALIFAX

Remstar Films, Touchwood PR and Mr. Will Wong are thrilled to give Readers a chance to see the Film walking into Awards Season with an insane amount of Oscar Buzz! After premiering at TIFF ’13, several walked away deeply affected by the scintillating performances seen in Jean-Marc Vallée‘s Dallas Buyers Club. Now you too can witness the magic, Canada! This is indeed a special Film and my favourite Film of 2013 thus far!  You will be blown away by performances from Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto.

Official Synopsis:
When Texan Cowboy Ron Woodroof is diagnosed with HIV, he is prescribed a highly toxic drug and given thirty days to live. Refusing to accept this death sentence, Woodroof taps into the world of underground pharmaceuticals and becomes a kingpin of an unapproved alternative treatment that is both restorative and life extending. Woodroof struggles with the FDA as he helps spread awareness of the government’s misinformation, taking a stand against the politically corrupt who prefer to profit from the sick instead of aiding them in their recovery.

 

We have Double Passes available in the following Cities for an Advance Screening on Monday, November 18, 2013:
Calgary – Eau Claire Theatre
Edmonton – Windermere Cinemas
Winnipeg – Macgillivray Cinemas
Ottawa – Empire 7 Theatres
Halifax – Parklane Cinema

Watch the Trailer below:

 

To enter to win a Double Pass to see DALLAS BUYERS CLUB in Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Halifax and Winnipeg, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook and state your City. Double your chances by Re-Tweeting the below:

http://mrwillwong.com/dallasbuyersclub @MRWILLW wants us to #win Passes to see #DALLASBUYERSCLUB!

Good luck.

Official Artwork:

Read my Review of Dallas Buyers Club here.

Dallas Buyers Club already has opened in Toronto and Montreal and will open in Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Halifax and Ottawa on Friday, November 22, 2013.

(Photo/video credit: Remstar Films)