#FIRSTLOOK: “THE PINK PILL: SEX, DRUGS & WHO HAS CONTROL” NEW TRAILER

Paramount+ announced today that breakout documentary THE PINK PILL: SEX, DRUGS & WHO HAS CONTROL will premiere in Canada and the U.S. on March 6, ahead of International Women’s Day (March 8). Celebrating powerful storytelling about women by women, the bold and boundary-pushing film examines the cultural, scientific, and political battle behind the first United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Health Canada-approved treatment for women’s sexual desire.

At its center is Cindy Eckert, entrepreneur and women’s health advocate, whose trademark pink and fearless determination made her a lightning rod in the battle to bring Addyi— which the media dubbed “female Viagra”—to market. Eckert confronted gender bias head-on, ultimately winning approval for the treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in premenopausal women in 2015. This past December, the FDA expanded its approval to include postmenopausal women under 65.

The Paramount+ Original THE PINK PILL is directed by award-winning Canadian filmmaker Aisling Chin-Yee (No Ordinary Man, The Rest of Us, Plan B) and produced by Catalyst and Everywoman Studios. Executive Producers are Julie Bristow (Catalyst), Abby Greensfelder (Everywoman Studios), Vibika Bianchi, Aisling Chin-Yee and Joanna Griffiths (Knix). Writers are Chin-Yee and Steve Taylor, who also serves as editor. Director of Photography is Nina Djacic. The film marks the first project from Docs for Change, a collaboration between Catalyst, the Toronto-based studio for woman-identifying creators, and Knix Fund, a philanthropic arm of the game-changing intimates brand Knix.

“Medical sexism knows no borders,” said Chin-Yee. “As a Canadian filmmaker, I had the opportunity to shine a rare spotlight on desire, the reclamation of pleasure, and bodily autonomy. This film confronts both cultural and institutional gender bias. My hope is that it sparks meaningful conversations and momentum around how our health is valued and prioritized.”

“THE PINK PILL: SEX, DRUGS & WHO HAS CONTROL” has already drawn widespread critical praise. DOC NYC, where the film premiered last fall, hailed it as “witty, urgent, and illuminating” and awarded the film the Audience Award, underscoring how deeply this subject matter resonates with audiences. The Alliance of Women Film Journalists called it “an engaging, educational documentary with a lot of interesting layers,” while ArtsFuse noted that “the film’s brazen, Barbie-ized motif sets it apart in the grey solemnity of documentaries.” To date, the documentary has received coverage in The New York Times, People, ELLE, Fast Company, and more.

“Being a part of this film is exactly why I founded Knix 13 years ago – to connect with women from all different walks of life and start conversations that make an impact,” said Griffiths. “We want our customers to know we are advocating for them, and we are thrilled to bring this project to the masses.”

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About Paramount, a Skydance Corporation

Paramount, a Skydance Corporation (Nasdaq: PSKY) is a leading, next‑generation global media and entertainment company, comprised of three business segments: Studios, Direct-to-Consumer, and TV Media. The Company’s portfolio unites legendary brands, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Television, CBS – America’s most-watched broadcast network, CBS News, CBS Sports, Nickelodeon, MTV, BET, Comedy Central, SHOWTIME®, Paramount+, Pluto TV, and Skydance’s Animation, Film, Television, Interactive/Games, and Sports divisions. For more information, please visit www.paramount.com.

Follow @thepinkpillfilm on Instagram and visit www.thepinkpillfilm.com for the latest news, exclusive content and more. For more information about Paramount+, please visit www.paramountplus.com and follow @ParamountPlusCA on social media.

#TIFF19: “THE REST OF US”

Review by David Baldwin for Mr. Will Wong

Cami (Heather Graham) and her teenage daughter Aster (Sophie Nélisse) live in the country and have a contentious relationship. When Aster’s estranged father dies, the pair drive to the funeral and encounter his new wife Rachel (Jodi Balfour) and their daughter Tallulah (Abigail Pniowsky). When Cami discovers that they are about to be evicted from their home, she invites them to stay with her and Aster.

That may sound like the set-up to the worst Sitcom ever made, but Director Aisling Chin-Yee and Writer Alanna Francis’ debut Feature is anything but hilarious. It does have some funny moments, but the majority of the Film feels instead like an intimate character study about grief, loss, acceptance and above all, family. It makes for very strong, very tight filmmaking that does not overstay its welcome, yet somehow remains substantially-awkward for the entire Film. The core cast is excellent in their roles, bringing a real lived-in quality to all four generations of women. While some of the conflicts the group go through seem overly manufactured (including a twist that feels tacked on for the sake of escalating tension), others feel very real with how emotionally eviscerating and heartbreaking they quickly become.

THE REST OF US screens during TIFF at the following times:

Friday September 6, 6:30pm @ Winter Garden Theatre [World Premiere]
Monday September 9, 7:30pm @ Scotiabank Theatre