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#SPOTTED: HUMBERLY GONZALEZ, KACEY ROHL & OLATUNDE OSUNSANMI IN TORONTO FOR “STAR TREK: SECTION 31”

So awesome celebrating STAR TREK: SECTION 31 in the very City it was made, TORONTO! This latest entry into the beloved STAR TREK universe gives us a feature film, which arrives next week on Paramount+!

A big bash was held in support of the film starring Michelle Yeoh, who reprises her role as Philippa Georgiou. Here, she confronts her past actions and love as she teams with Section 31 to protect the United Federation of Planets.


Director Olatunde Osunsanmi along with stars Kacey Rohl and Humberly Gonzalez, came out and graced us with their presence at a special screening, hosted by Hotel X. They spoke at a Q&A following the film, before staying behind to meet attendees including fans, influencers and media at a reception.


STAR TREK: SECTION 31 arrives January 24, 2025 on Paramount+.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Paramount+)

#FIRSTLOOK: “STAR TREK: SECTION 31” STARRING MICHELLE YEOH ARRIVES JANUARY 24, 2025 – NEW TRAILER

Paramount+ announced that its original movie STAR TREK: SECTION 31 will premiere on Friday, January 24, exclusively on Paramount+ in Canada, the U.S. and international markets where the service is available. A new Trailer has been revealed.

In the movie, Yeoh reprises her fan-favorite role as Emperor Philippa Georgiou – a character she played in STAR TREK: DISCOVERY’s first season – who joins a secret division of Starfleet. Tasked with protecting the United Federation of Planets, she also must face the sins of her past.

STAR TREK: SECTION 31 also stars Omari Hardwick (Power), Kacey Rohl (Hannibal), Emmy® winner Sam Richardson (Ted Lasso), Sven Ruygrok (One Piece), Robert Kazinsky (Pacific Rim), Canadian Humberly Gonzalez (Ginny & Georgia) and James Hiroyuki Liao (Barry). Miku Martineau (Kate) portrays a young Philippa Georgiou.

Written by Craig Sweeny and directed by Olatunde Osunsanmi, STAR TREK: SECTION 31 is executive produced by Alex Kurtzman, Craig Sweeny, Aaron Baiers, Olatunde Osunsanmi, Frank Siracusa, John Weber, Rod Roddenberry, Trevor Roth and Michelle Yeoh and is produced by CBS Studios in association with Secret Hideout and Roddenberry Entertainment. SECTION 31 was filmed in Toronto earlier this year.

STAR TREK: SECTION 31 will be available to stream exclusively on Paramount+ in Canada, the U.S. and in all international markets where the service is available. The movie is distributed by Paramount Global Content Distribution.

The STAR TREK franchise on Paramount+ also includes STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS, the animated series STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS and the new original series STAR TREK: STARFLEET ACADEMY, which is currently in production in Toronto. All seasons of the award-winning original series STAR TREK: DISCOVERY, starring Sonequa Martin-Green, and the critically acclaimed original series STAR TREK: PICARD, starring Patrick Stewart reprising the iconic role of Jean-Luc Picard, are also available to stream.

About Paramount+

Paramount+ is a global digital subscription video streaming service from Paramount that features a mountain of premium entertainment for audiences of all ages. Internationally, the streaming service features an expansive library of original series, hit shows and popular movies across every genre from world-renowned brands and production studios, including SHOWTIME®, BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures and the Smithsonian Channel™, in addition to a robust offering of premier local content. The service is currently live in Australia, Austria, Canada, the Caribbean, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latin America, Switzerland, the U.K. and the U.S.

For more information about Paramount+, please visit www.paramountplus.com, and follow @ParamountPlusCA on social media.

About CBS Studios

CBS Studios is one of the world’s leading producers of entertainment programming, with dozens of globally popular series for broadcast and streaming. The Studio’s expansive portfolio includes a diverse slate of commercially successful and critically acclaimed programming which includes genre-defining franchises such as NCIS and the STAR TREK universe, fan-favorite comedies such as FRASIER and GHOSTS, the newly reimagined MATLOCK, and buzzy international and local productions such as COLIN FROM ACCOUNTS and upcoming KING & CONQUEROR.

#FIRSTLOOK: “STAR TREK: SECTION 31” TEASER TRAILER ST SDCC 2024

Paramount+ today debuted a teaser trailer for its original movie STAR TREK: SECTION 31 during the STAR TREK universe panel at San Diego Comic-Con. The movie made its Hall H debut with cast members Omari Hardwick, Sam Richardson and Canadian Kacey Rohl, along with executive producer Alex Kurtzman and director Olatunde Osunsanmi. The panel featured a surprise video “interruption” from the film’s star, Oscar® winner Michelle Yeoh, who introduced the teaser.

The new teaser also revealed a first look at a young Philippa Georgiou, played by Toronto-born Miku Martineau (Kate).

In the movie, slated to premiere in early 2025, Yeoh reprises her fan-favorite role as Emperor Philippa Georgiou – a character she played in STAR TREK: DISCOVERY’s first season – who joins a secret division of Starfleet. Tasked with protecting the United Federation of Planets, she also must face the sins of her past.

STAR TREK: SECTION 31 also stars Omari Hardwick (Power), Kacey Rohl (Hannibal), Emmy® winner Sam Richardson (Ted Lasso), Sven Ruygrok (One Piece), Robert Kazinsky (Pacific Rim), Canadian Humberly Gonzalez (Ginny & Georgia) and James Hiroyuki Liao (Barry).

Written by Craig Sweeny and directed by Olatunde Osunsanmi, STAR TREK: SECTION 31 is executive produced by Alex Kurtzman, Craig Sweeny, Aaron Baiers, Olatunde Osunsanmi, Frank Siracusa, John Weber, Rod Roddenberry, Trevor Roth and Michelle Yeoh and is produced by CBS Studios in association with Secret Hideout and Roddenberry Entertainment.

STAR TREK: SECTION 31 will be available to stream exclusively on Paramount+ in Canada, the U.S. and in all international markets where the service is available. The movie is distributed by Paramount Global Content Distribution.

The STAR TREK franchise on Paramount+ also includes the fifth and final season of STAR TREK: DISCOVERY, STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS, the animated series STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS, and the new original series STAR TREK: STARFLEET ACADEMY, slated to begin production later this year. All seasons of the critically-acclaimed original series STAR TREK: PICARD, starring Patrick Stewart reprising the iconic role of Jean-Luc Picard, are also available to stream.

About Paramount+

Paramount+, part of Paramount’s (Nasdaq: PARA, PARAA) global portfolio of multimedia entertainment and news brands, is a direct-to-consumer digital subscription video on-demand and live streaming service, combining live sports, breaking news and A Mountain of Entertainment™. The streaming service features an expansive library of original series, hit shows and popular movies across every genre from world-renowned brands and production studios, including BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures and the Smithsonian Channel. Paramount+ with SHOWTIME®, the service’s cornerstone plan, is also home to SHOWTIME® content, including scripted hits and critically acclaimed nonfiction projects and films. This premium plan includes unmatched events and sports programming through the local live CBS stream, including golf, basketball and more. All Paramount+ subscribers have streaming access to CBS News Network for 24/7 news and CBS Sports HQ for sports news and analysis.

For more information about Paramount+, please visit www.paramountplus.com, and follow @ParamountPlusCA on social media.

About CBS Studios

CBS Studios is one of the world’s leading suppliers of entertainment programming with development and production for broadcast, cable networks, streaming services, and other emerging platforms. The Studio’s expansive portfolio spans a diverse slate of commercially successful and critically acclaimed scripted programming, which includes genre-defining franchises such as NCIS and the ever-growing Star Trek universe, award-winning late night and daytime talk shows, as well as an extensive library of iconic intellectual property. The Studio also develops and produces local language and international content originating outside of the US for viewers around the world.

#SPOTTED: MICHELLE YEOH, JON BATISTE, COLMAN DOMINGO AND SARAH SHERMAN IN TORONTO

Finally, we’re seeing things pick-up again in Toronto! Exciting times! With the conclusion of Awards Season, we were so lucky to ran into legendary Academy Award-winning Actress Michelle Yeoh out and about. She just presented at the Oscars and throughout her stay in Toronto filming upcoming feature STAR TREK: SECTION 31, where she is reprising the role of Emperor Philippa Georgiou. Among the hotspots Yeoh‘s been seen at are Lao Lao Bar, Kiss My Pans and more, paying tribute to the flavours of her native Southeast Asia. We were wondering if we were ever going to be graced by her presence, and so glad we did. She is just absolutely gracious and stunning, a perfect human being!


Academy Award and five-time GRAMMY-winning Singer-Songwriter JON BATISTE resumed his UNEASY TOUR in Toronto at Massey Hall, to a sold-out crowd, fresh off his performance of “It Never Went Away” at the Oscars this past weekend. The song had garnered a nomination, heard in the Netflix Documentary AMERICAN SYMPHONY. Playing a sold-out show, Batiste wowed the audience, even doing an impromptu performance up in the balcony! He is so amazing and kind!


You all know how much I love Colman Domingo. The Academy Award-nominated Actor had a phenomenal 2024 starring in THE COLOR PURPLE and RUSTIN, which garnered him the nod. But perhaps his crowning achievement is SING SING which premiered at TIFF ’23 and will be released this year via A24 and Elevation Pictures. He also can be seen currently in DRIVE-AWAY DOLLS. He is absolutely lovely and always giving to fans. He’s working on TV Series THE MADNESS, filming locally which has him starring as a powerful media figure who is accused of murder. Another meaty role!


I adore SNL and one of the recent additions to the Cast is Sarah Sherman aka Sarah Squirm, who is absolutely quirkly and brilliant. She’s here for an undisclosed project, which we have an inkling what it might be. She joined the Cast in SNL and is getting lots of screen time, which we are here for! She filmed Adam Sandler‘s You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah in the City a couple years back!

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

#FIRSTLOOK: “STAR TREK: SECTION 31” OFFICIALLY IN PRODUCTION

Paramount+ today announced that production has begun in Toronto on STAR TREK: SECTION 31, an original movie event starring Academy Award® winner Michelle Yeoh. In STAR TREK: SECTION 31, Yeoh will reprise her fan-favorite role as Emperor Philippa Georgiou – a character she played in STAR TREK: DISCOVERY’s first season – who joins a secret division of Starfleet. Tasked with protecting the United Federation of Planets, she also must face the sins of her past.

In addition, it was announced that Omari Hardwick (Power), Vancouver born Kacey Rohl (Hannibal), Emmy® winner Sam Richardson (Ted Lasso), Sven Ruygrok (One Piece), Robert Kazinsky (Pacific Rim), Canadian Humberly Gonzalez (Ginny & Georgia) and James Hiroyuki Liao (Barry) have joined the cast of the original movie event.

Hardwick is best known for his lead role of James ‘Ghost’ St. Patrick in the hit series Power, which earned him critical acclaim and back-to-back Image Awards (NAACP) for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series. Following his success in Power, Hardwick starred opposite Jennifer Lopez in the thriller The Mother. Hardwick also starred in the limited series Pieces of Her and Zack Snyder’s Army of the Dead. Next, Hardwick will star in Xeno, from Kevin Hart’s Heartbeat production company. In addition to acting, Hardwick founded the film and production company Bravelife in 2010. A talented actor, Hardwick also is a poet and musical artist; his debut album “Concrete & Whiskey” is on the horizon.

Rohl’s first on-screen appearance was in 2010 in the reboot of the series V. She’s best known for her role of Abigail Hobbs in Hannibal and as Sterling Fitch in The Killing. She played Prudence in the 2011 Warner Bros feature Red Riding Hood, opposite Amanda Seyfried, and portrayed Kerry Campbell in Wayward Pines, Alena in Arrow and Marina in The Magicians. After starring in the series Fortunate Son, she led the cast of the Toronto Film Festival’s buzzy White Lie, which garnered her a spot among TIFF’s Rising Stars platform in 2019.

Richardson is best known for his standout role as Richard Splett on Veep. He most recently earned two Emmy nominations for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series, winning his first Emmy for his role in Ted Lasso. His diverse career includes starring in The Afterparty, Hocus Pocus 2 and Velma and voicing Uncle Brill in DreamWorks’ Ruby Gillman: Teenage Kraken. His notable filmography includes Good Boys, Game Over Man, Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates, Neighbors 2, Senior Year, The Tomorrow War, Werewolves Within, Superintelligence, Detroiters, and Office Christmas Party. On television, he’s been seen in The Office, New Girl, Arrested Development and I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson. Richardson is an alumnus of Second City Chicago MainStage.

Ruygrok is a dynamic South African actor who is well-known for his role as Rambo in the Spud film franchise alongside John Cleese, Troye Sivan and Caspar Lee. His other films include City of Violence, The Empty Man, Bring It On and Inside Man: Most Wanted. His most recent works include lead roles in The Good Life and Breathing In (in post-production), and he can be seen as Cabaji in the hit TV series One Piece.

Kazinsky can be seen in the Russo Brothers-directed film The Gray Man, starring Ryan Gosling, Chris Evans and Ana de Armas, and in the drama Second Chance. He starred opposite Brie Larson and Samuel L. Jackson in Captain Marvel; opposite Reese Witherspoon and Sofia Vergara in Hot Pursuit, directed by Anne Fletcher; and opposite Alexander Skarsgård and Paul Rudd in Mute for director Duncan Jones and Liberty Films. Kazinsky also appeared in the feature Warcraft for Jones. Previously, Kazinsky starred in Guillermo del Toro’s film Pacific Rim, opposite Charlie Hunnam and Idris Elba, and was the mysterious love interest to Anna Paquin in True Blood.

Gonzalez next will play a lead in the feature Horrorscope. She stars in the new Star Wars video game Star Wars: Outlaws, stars in the hit series Ginny & Georgia and was recently seen in Jupiter’s Legacy. She starred in Nobody, opposite Bob Odenkirk and Connie Nielson; Slumberland, opposite Jason Momoa; and the indie A Hundred Lies. She played the lead role in the mini-series Utopia Falls and recurred on the series Nurses. Last year, Humberly played the fan-favorite role of Vanessa on the series In the Dark. Her previous credits include Orphan Black, Saving Hope, Workin’ Moms and The Detail. Humberly is a graduate of the prestigious CFC Conservatory program in Toronto and the National Theatre School in Montreal.

Liao, a Juilliard-trained character actor, is known for his roles as Edmond Ku in the award-winning series The Dropout and Albert Nguyen in the Emmy-winning series Barry. He is set to appear in the upcoming limited series Presumed Innocent and the first season of Orphan Black: Echoes and continues his recurring role of Lt. Fleming in the new season of Blue Bloods. Liao’s recent credits include Cowboy Bebop, opposite John Cho, and Paramount Pictures’ Snake Eyes with Henry Golding. Other notable roles include Michael Pak in the film Lost Girls and voicing Toshiaki in Tim Burton’s animated film Frankenweenie. Liao has a diverse range; he’s tackled everything from battling aliens in Battle Los Angeles to displaying his comedic skills in Management with Jennifer Aniston, Woody Harrelson and Steve Zahn. His television presence includes recurring roles in Paramount+’s SEAL TEAM, Prison Break, CSI and 24, along with guest appearances on shows like Manifest, Iron Fist and Law & Order.

Written by Craig Sweeny and directed by Olatunde Osunsanmi, STAR TREK: SECTION 31 is executive produced by Alex Kurtzman, Craig Sweeny, Aaron Baiers, Olatunde Osunsanmi, Frank Siracusa, John Weber, Rod Roddenberry, Trevor Roth and Michelle Yeoh and is produced by CBS Studios in association with Secret Hideout and Roddenberry Entertainment.

STAR TREK: SECTION 31 will be available to stream exclusively on Paramount+ in the U.S. and in all international markets where the service is available. The movie is distributed by Paramount Global Content Distribution.

#OSCARS: “EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE” DOMINATES 2023 OSCARS

EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE dominated the 95th Academy Awards tonight with seven wins, including Best Picture, Actress in a Leading Role (Michelle Yeoh), Directing (The Daniels), Supporting Actor (Ke Huy Quan), Supporting Actress (Jamie Lee Curtis), Original Screenplay (The Daniels) and Editing. Going into the night, the Film has the distinction of being the most awarded Film in history and further added to the tally. Yeoh made history as the first ever Asian woman to win Actress in a Leading Role.

It was a banner year for Canada also with Toronto’s Sarah Polley taking home Adapted Screenplay for WOMEN TALKING. Many were expecting her to be nominated also for Directing also, but this continued the trend of industry veterans dominating the Academy Awards this year and Polley began her career acting at the age of four.

Toronto’s Daniel Roher took Documentary for his film NAVALNY, which premiered at Sundance and Hot Docs last year to much acclaim, as a springboard to its Oscars success.

Brendan Fraser who is of French-Canadian heritage, as expected would take Actor in a Leading Role for his compelling transformation in Darren Aronofsky‘s THE WHALE, joking on-stage “This is what it’s like in the Multiverse!” a nod to EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE.

Complete list of winners:

BEST PICTURE

“All Quiet on the Western Front”

“Avatar: The Way of Water”

“The Banshees of Inisherin”

“Elvis”

“Everything Everywhere All at Once” *WINNER

“The Fabelmans”

“Tár”

“Top Gun: Maverick”

“Triangle of Sadness”

“Women Talking”

ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Angela Bassett, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”

Hong Chau, “The Whale”

Kerry Condon, “The Banshees of Inisherin”

Jamie Lee Curtis, “Everything Everywhere All at Once” *WINNER

Stephanie Hsu, “Everything Everywhere All at Once”

ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Brendan Gleeson, “The Banshees of Inisherin”

Brian Tyree Henry, “Causeway”

Judd Hirsch, “The Fabelmans”

Barry Keoghan, “The Banshees of Inisherin”

Ke Huy Quan, “Everything Everywhere All at Once” *WINNER

INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILM

“All Quiet on the Western Front,” Germany *WINNER

“Argentina, 1985,” Argentina

“Close,” Belgium

“EO,” Poland

“The Quiet Girl,” Ireland

DOCUMENTARY (SHORT)

“The Elephant Whisperers” *WINNER

“Haulout”

“How Do You Measure a Year?”

“The Martha Mitchell Effect”

“Stranger at the Gate”

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

“All That Breathes”

“All the Beauty and the Bloodshed”

“Fire of Love”

“A House Made of Splinters”

“Navalny” *WINNER

ORIGINAL SONG

“Applause” from “Tell It like a Woman”

“Hold My Hand” from “Top Gun: Maverick”

“Lift Me Up” from “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”

“Naatu Naatu” from “RRR” *WINNER

“This Is A Life” from “Everything Everywhere All at Once”

ANIMATED FEATURE FILM

“Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio” *WINNER

“Marcel the Shell With Shoes On”

“Puss in Boots: The Last Wish”

“The Sea Beast”

“Turning Red”

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

“All Quiet on the Western Front”

“Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery”

“Living”

“Top Gun: Maverick”

“Women Talking” *WINNER

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

“The Banshees of Inisherin”

“Everything Everywhere All at Once” *WINNER

“The Fabelmans”

“Tár”

“Triangle of Sadness”

ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE

Austin Butler, “Elvis”

Colin Farrell, “The Banshees of Inisherin”

Brendan Fraser, “The Whale” *WINNER

Paul Mescal, “Aftersun”

Bill Nighy, “Living”

ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE

Cate Blanchett, “Tár”

Ana de Armas, “Blonde”

Andrea Riseborough, “To Leslie”

Michelle Williams, “The Fabelmans”

Michelle Yeoh, “Everything Everywhere All at Once” *WINNER

DIRECTOR

Martin McDonagh, “The Banshees of Inisherin”

Daniel Scheinert and Daniel Kwan, “Everything Everywhere All at Once” *WINNER

Steven Spielberg, “The Fabelmans”

Todd Field, “Tár”

Ruben Ostlund, “Triangle of Sadness”

PRODUCTION DESIGN

“All Quiet on the Western Front” *WINNER

“Avatar: The Way of Water”

“Babylon”

“Elvis”

“The Fabelmans”

CINEMATOGRAPHY

“All Quiet on the Western Front” *WINNER

“Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths”

“Elvis”

“Empire of Light”

“Tár”

COSTUME DESIGN

“Babylon”

“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” *WINNER

“Elvis”

“Everything Everywhere All at Once”

“Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris”

ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND

“All Quiet on the Western Front”

“Avatar: The Way of Water”

“The Batman”

“Elvis”

“Top Gun: Maverick” *WINNER

ANIMATED SHORT FILM

“The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse” *WINNER

“The Flying Sailor”

“Ice Merchants”

“My Year of Dicks”

“An Ostrich Told Me the World Is Fake and I Think I Believe It”

LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM

“An Irish Goodbye” *WINNER

“Ivalu”

“Le Pupille”

“Night Ride”

“The Red Suitcase”

ORIGINAL SCORE

“All Quiet on the Western Front” *WINNER

“Babylon”

“The Banshees of Inisherin”

“Everything Everywhere All at Once”

“The Fabelmans”

VISUAL EFFECTS

“All Quiet on the Western Front”

“Avatar: The Way of Water” *WINNER

“The Batman”

“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”

“Top Gun: Maverick”

FILM EDITING

“The Banshees of Inisherin”

“Elvis”

“Everything Everywhere All at Once” *WINNER

“Tár”

“Top Gun: Maverick”

MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING

“All Quiet on the Western Front”

“The Batman”

“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”

“Elvis”

“The Whale” *WINNER

Some amazing fashion moments tonight from the Red Carpet:







(Photo credit: Getty Images)

#SXSW: “AMERICAN BORN CHINESE” TO PREMIERE AT SXSW 2023 AND ARRIVES MAY ON DISNEY+

Today, Disney+ revealed the May 24, 2023 premiere date for the Disney+ Original series “American Born Chinese.” This :30 first look at the genre-hopping action-comedy from Disney Branded Television series produced by 20th Television, celebrates the show’s three Oscar nominees: Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan and guest star Stephanie Hsu. The Series gets a premiere at SXSW this week!

Based on the graphic novel of the same name by Gene Luen Yang, “American Born Chinese” tells the story of Jin Wang, an average teenager juggling his high school social life with his home life. When he meets a new foreign student on the first day of the school year, even more worlds collide as Jin is unwittingly entangled in a battle of Chinese mythological gods.

The coming-of-age adventure features an all-star international cast, including Academy® Award-Nominees and Golden Globe winners Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan (“Everything Everywhere All at Once”), Ben Wang (“Chang Can Dunk”), two-time International Emmy Award nominee Yeo Yann Yann (“Wet Season”), Chin Han (“Mortal Kombat”), Daniel Wu (“Reminiscence”), former Taekwondo champion Jimmy Liu and Sydney Taylor (“Just Add Magic”). Academy® Award nominee Stephanie Hsu (“Everything Everywhere All at Once”) guest stars.

Emmy® Award-winning writer/producer Kelvin Yu (“Bob’s Burgers,” “Central Park”) serves as executive producer and showrunner. Destin Daniel Cretton (Marvel’s “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,” “Short Term 12”) is set to direct and serves as executive producer, alongside Melvin Mar and Jake Kasdan (both of “Doogie Kamealoha, M.D.,” “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” and “Jumanji: The Next Level”), Erin O’Malley (“Doogie Kamealoha, M.D.”), Asher Goldstein (“Short Term 12,” “Just Mercy”) and Gene Luen Yang.

(Photo/video credit: Disney+)

#INTERVIEW: “EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE”

By Mr. Will Wong

The Daniels’ EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE is hot off its victories at the 32nd annual Gotham Awards last night, winning Best Feature and Supporting Performance (Ke Huy Quan). The genre-bending Action-Dramedy is perhaps 2022’s biggest surprise theatrical hit and heads into Awards Season with great momentum. For one, it leads all nominations at the upcoming Film Independent Spirit Awards.

We had the pleasure of joining a post-celebratory chat with the stars and Filmmakers behind EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE, including:

Daniel Kwan
Daniel Scheinert
Jamie Lee Curtis
Ke Huy Quan

Filmmaking Duo The Daniels reflect on what their win last night means to them.

Kwan: “We’re feeling a little shock right now. When we premiered this Film in March at SXSW, we thought we’d be lucky if people even went to the theatre to go see it. This was just as theatres were starting to open back up during the Pandemic. The fact that people are still discovering the Film and talking about the Film already feels like such a win. But last night we were not expecting this to happen. We have so much respect for the Gotham Awards and any institution that tries to uplift independent films and voices. Those are the films that honestly changed our lives and hold high regard for. So to be amongst them last night already was so incredible. To win, I think we’re still processing because everything feels really real. Before yesterday we thought this was just a fun game.”.

Scheinert: “Oh, I processed it. It was quite easy. (kidding). It’s very nice to celebrate with a bunch of folks who worked on the Movie and calling it a Best Feature is absurd, but the thing I like about it is, it’s vague enough I get to tell everybody who worked on it that this award’s for them, that this includes them.”.

Jamie Lee Curtis adds that the celebrations behind EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE started much before Awards Season.

Curtis: “What most people don’t know is that the party began in January 2020 in Simi Valley when we had an opening ceremony for the Movie when we were just about to start, with a Suckling Pig. It was a traditional blessing for the Movie and it was a party to begin with. Also, every week The Daniels give out Crew Awards to really unsuspecting members of the Team who put forth supreme effort in this incredibly intense creative experience. Awards are very much a part of what The Daniels do because they understand how important the group is. The experience doesn’t exist without the group.”.

She also comments on Co-Star Ke Huy Quan‘s incredible and inspiring journey back as an Actor, her voice trembling with tears.

Curtis: “It is as strong an example of perseverance of belief in oneself, of understanding the realities of the industry and at one point, Ke stepped away as the industry rejected him as an Actor. It didn’t offer him any work and he created other work for himself. And then his making his way back in as a performer, seeing movies like Crazy Rich Asians and saying to his wife, ‘I think I can do this again’. And then to be able to have this opportunity – this beautiful, multi-layered, incredible role written and then he won that role through an audition process with The Daniels. Last night’s win is an example for every single person who’s ever dreamed, who’s lost the dream and found it again.”.

Ke Huy Quan recalls what it was like the moment he won Best Supporting Performance for his performance as Waymond, at the Gotham Awards.

Quan: “Ever since our Movie came out, I have not done one single interview where I don’t get choked-up. Watching Jamie talk about me so emotionally, just now it gets me very emotional. But my wife after all these months said, ‘Ke, I think you cry way too much. Don’t cry anymore in interviews, okay?’. Last night when Emilia Jones was announcing the nominees, and I thought there’s no way I was gonna win, sitting at the next table was Gabrielle Union, whom I loved in The Inspection, and all these wonderful Actors. And when she called out my name and I looked over to my wife, she was crying uncontrollably and I started to cry. Even before I went up to the podium, I was a mess. It was incredible. I can’t thank our family enough. I’m just so, so grateful”.


The ultimate message behind EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE is about living to your ultimate potential.

Kwan: “My narrative for myself was that I did not believe I was going to amount to anything and when I did discover Film, I discovered this world in which I could actually thrive, it totally changed my perspective on human potential and what we’re capable of. This Film in many ways is me trying to open-up this internal conversation many people are having about their worth. I think the current system and way that our lives collectively have evolved. We’re living in a system that really doesn’t allow us to harness our potential. In fact, it’s actively distracting us from reaching our potential and dismantling our potential. This Film is way for people to forgive themselves from that, and also for them to see new paths forward, rewriting their own narratives.”.

Quan recalls the fun he had playing multiple versions of his same character and which version surprised him the most.

Quan: “I felt like the Acting Gods were looking out for me, saying ‘Since you haven’t had any acting roles in 20 years, I’m going to give you three wonderful roles.’. When I got the Script, I was nervous because I felt the role written for me and I really wanted to do it justice. I spent a lot of time with myself. I grew-up in a traditional Chinese family where my parents taught me to internalize a lot of emotion, which contradicts what an Actor does, so I buried my emotions for many years. It wasn’t until I had this opportunity, that I told myself to release some of those emotions and put them into these three characters. It was the ‘Tax Waymond‘ though, as we call him. He is such a beautiful character, who is someone I strive to be. That’s what my wife is and what Jamie lee Curtis embody – the same qualities Waymond embodies. He’s kind, treats people with respect, is generous and humble. I’ve always wanted to be that person. I don’t think I could have played him ten years ago or had I not met my wife, Echo. She changed me and I’m so much better because of her. I get so emotional every time I talk about her. I’ve had the most amazing time to this day and I cannot believe I get to be in this Movie.”. 

Jamie Lee Curtis also is asked about her experience with Deirdre and making this Film not knowing much about it or that it would ever catch fire.

Curtis: “Well I like Ke, was born in a very traditional Chinese family (kidding). It’s weird because also I was born into a family of Actors but had the same emotional life, which was to hide what I felt. I was raised in a very consersative family. Feelings were not particularly well-discussed, and so when you meet someone like Deirdre Beaubeirdra, I knew her. I knew how sad she was. I knew much longing she had. I have known in my life people like Deirdre. And I also know what power can wield and what it does to a person, and how it can create a facade of strength and impenetrability, which is what those jobs often do. For me, the joy was the exploration of all of it. Being able to show all those aspects of her which The Daniels wrote so beautifully.  Every time The Daniels talk, the Movie peels the layers of the onion of the complexity of the story. I want to let everyone know, they never said a word when we were shooting.  We never had a meeting what the Movie was really about. We just shot in this very fast, frenetic way. There was very little conversation – at least with me – about bigger themes of human existence. What’s so interesting is that you can still have a movie with this level of complexity. But the truth is that that we made a movie in 38 days. There wasn’t a big esoteric brain meld.  It was individual work on each character and then ultimately at the end, they have assembled something with Paul Rogers, their Editor, that is extraordinary.”.

Curtis is asked whom she found tougher to fight with on-screen. Michael Meyers in the Halloween Franchise, or Michelle Yeoh. She also praises Yeoh, asking The Daniels to show us just how intricate and demanding her role was with over 25 coloured tabs in her Script.

Curtis: “Fighting with Michelle Yeoh with her vast experience was way more intimadating than Michael Meyers.”.

On a parting note, the Creators and Cast are asked about what they hope the legacy of EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE will be.

Curtis: “The legacy is love, reconciliaton, family, honesty, failure, triumph and every day parts of life we are all struggling with. There isn’t a person alive who is not dealing with this.”.

Quan: “People tell me how our Movie changed their lives. It made them want to be a better person because what the Movie’s about. The Movie’s about kindness and increased respect to one another. I hope our Movie can help us be a little more kind to each other.

Scheinert: “Now that I’ve made a movie about kindness, I have to be nice to people or disappoint all these fans, which is a good thing to do to yourself. It will make me a nicer person.”.

Kwan: “This Film was made to be a quick burst of energy for this very moment, a reflection what’s happening right now. I hope the world is changed in 50-100 years, where the Film no longer feels relevant. The Film is a reaction to the tumultuous rite of passage we’re all experiencing. If they’re still responding in 50 years, then we haven’t actually grown as a society.”.

EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE is available now on DVD/Blu-ray, digitally and on-demand.

#GIVEAWAY: ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN ADVANCE PASSES TO SEE “THE SCHOOL FOR GOOD AND EVIL” IN TORONTO

We’re thrilled to give Toronto Readers a chance to attend an Advance Screening of THE SCHOOL FOR GOOD AND EVIL, starring Charlize Theron, Kerry Washington and Michelle Yeoh!

The Screening will take place on Tuesday October 18th, 2022 at 7PM at the Paradise Theatre in Toronto. 

Synopsis:

Based on the epic international best-selling series THE SCHOOL FOR GOOD AND EVIL by Soman Chainani.

Best friends Sophie and Agatha find themselves on opposing sides of an epic battle when they’re swept away into an enchanted school where aspiring heroes and villains are trained to protect the balance between Good and Evil. 

To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. Re-Tweet the Contest Tweet below for an extra chance!


Rules and regulations here.

Netflix Canada release THE SCHOOL FOR GOOD AND EVIL October 21, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

#TIFF22: 2022 TIFF TRIBUTE GALA AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Taking place last night at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel, the TIFF Tribute Gala honored those who made a significant impact through their work in the Festival this year. Honorees range in tenure and stature and it was a star-studded affair!

2022 TIFF Tribute Award recipients:

Ensemble My Policeman
TIFF Tribute Award for Performance presented by Polestar


Sam Mendes
TIFF Ebert Director Award


Brendan Fraser
TIFF Tribute Award for Performance presented by IMDbPro



Hildur Guðnadóttir
TIFF Variety Artisan Award


Sally El Hosaini
TIFF Emerging Talent Award presented by MGM


Michelle Yeoh
TIFF Share Her Journey Groundbreaker Award presented by BVLGARI



Buffy Sainte-Marie

Jeff Skoll Award in Impact Media presented by Participant

(Photo/video credit: TIFF)

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