Elevation Pictures have announced their upcoming 2024 release slate with multiple titles which recently have done the Festival Circuit.
ORIGIN
Opens in theatres on January 19
Directed by: Ava DuVernay
Starring: Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Jon Bernthal, Vera Farmiga, Audra McDonald,
Niecy Nash-Betts, Nick Offerman, Blair Underwood.
I.S.S.
Opens in theatres on January 19
Directed by: Gabriela Cowperthwaite
Starring: Ariana DeBose, Chris Messina, Pilou Asbaek,
John Gallagher Jr., Costa Ronin, Masha Mashkova
Tensions flare in the near future aboard the International Space Station as a worldwide conflict breaks out on Earth. Reeling from this, the astronauts receive orders from the ground: take control of the station by any means necessary. Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite, working with Nick Shafir’s Blacklist script, brings together a stellar cast that includes Academy Award winner Ariana DeBose, Chris Messina, Pilou Asbaek, John Gallagher Jr., Costa Ronin, and Masha Mashkova, in a high-stakes thriller set entirely in the confines of the I.S.S. as astronauts are called to duty in fateful and terrifying ways.
FITTING IN
Opens in theatres on February 2
Directed by: Molly McGlynn
Starring: Maddie Ziegler, Emily Hampshire, Djouliet Amara,
D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Ki Griffin
A joyful, comedic drama, from writer/director Molly McGlynn, Fitting In is a coming-of-age story that follows 16-year-old Lindy (Maddie Ziegler) who is unexpectedly diagnosed with a reproductive condition, MRKH syndrome. The diagnosis upends her plans to have sex, her presumptions about womanhood and sexuality, her relationship with her mother, and most importantly, herself.
FLOAT
Opens in theatres on February 9
Directed by: Sherren Lee
Starring: Robbie Amell, Sarah Desjardins, Andrea Bang
A city girl rejected by her parents makes an impulsive decision to spend the summer at a small beach town with her estranged aunt. She nearly drowns and is rescued by the lifeguard next door, who offers to teach her how to swim.
PERFECT DAYS
In theatres on February 16
Directed by: Wim Wenders
Starring: Kôji Yakusho, Tokio Emoto, Arisa Nakano, Aoi Yamada,
Yumi Aso, Sayuri Ishikawa, Tomokazu Miura, Min Tanaka
Hirayama (Kôji Yakusho) is a cleaner of public toilets in Tokyo. He lives alone in a small house full of plants, his days going by according to quiet rhythms that never seem to change. His is a neighborhood of tiny cafés frequented by the same people, of bookshops that sell works by Patricia Highsmith or young, contemporary Japanese writers.
Hirayama speaks very little, but he has a great passion for music, books, and the trees he loves to photograph. As he drives to work in his minivan, fully equipped with his cleaning gear, The Rolling Stones, Patti Smith, or Lou Reed ring in ageless, husky hums from a tape player.
FRENCH GIRL
Opens in theatres on February 23
Directed by: James A. Woods & Nicolas Wright
Starring: Zach Braff, Vanessa Hudgens, William Fichtner
Follows Gordon Kinski, a high school teacher from Brooklyn, who goes with his girlfriend and chef Sophie Tremblay to her hometown of Quebec City where she is testing for the Michelin 3-star restaurant of super-chef Ruby Collins.
500 DAYS IN THE WILD
Opens in theatres on March 1
Directed by: Dianne Whelan
Starring: Dianne Whelan
Follows Dianne Whelan that after disappointed with the state of the world did a solo self-recorded journey travelling across Canada.
IRENA’S VOW
Opens in theatres on March 15
Directed by: Louise Archambault
Starring: Sophie Nélisse, Dougray Scott, Andrzej Seweryn, and Maciek Nawrocki
Through the eyes of a strong-willed woman comes the remarkable true story of Irena Gut Opdyke and the triumphs of the human spirit over devastating tragedy. 19-year old Irena Gut is promoted to housekeeper in the home of a highly respected Nazi officer when she finds out that the Jewish ghetto is about to be liquidated. Determined to help twelve Jewish workers, she decides to shelter them in the safest place she can think of: the basement of the German commandant’s house. Over the next two years, Irena uses her wit, humor, and courage to hide her friends until the end of the German occupation, concealing them in the midst of countless Nazi parties, a blackmail scheme, and even the birth of a child. Her story is one of the most inspiring of our time.
(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures)
After premiering to raves at TIFF ’23, we get a new release date for Elevation Pictures’ FITTING IN: February 2, 2024.
Synopsis:
A joyful, comedic drama, from writer/director Molly McGlynn, Fitting In is a coming-of-age story that follows 16-year-old Lindy (Maddie Ziegler) who is unexpectedly diagnosed with a reproductive condition, MRKH syndrome. The diagnosis upends her plans to have sex, her presumptions about womanhood and sexuality, her relationship with her mother, and most importantly, herself.
A semi-autobiographical feature written and directed by Molly McGlynn (Mary Goes Round), Fitting In stars Maddie Ziegler, Emily Hampshire, Djouliet Amara, D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, and Ki Griffin. The feature film is produced by Jennifer Weiss and Liane Cunje, and executive produced by Janelle Monae, Mikael Moore, Molly McGlynn, Brenden Brady, Adrian Love, Laurie May, James Huntsman, and Lisa Gutberlet.
Directed by Molly McGlynn
Screenplay by Molly McGlynn
Starring: Maddie Ziegler, Emily Hampshire, Djouliet Amara, D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Ki Griffin
By Amanda Gilmore
Writer-Director Molly McGlynn delivers an honest, touching and hopeful film about gender, sexuality and what makes a woman a woman.
High schooler Lindy (Maddie Ziegler) is planning on losing her virginity to her boyfriend Adam (D’Pharoah Woon-A-Tai). During a doctor’s visit to get birth control, she learns she has a rare reproductive condition called Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome. This means she doesn’t have a uterus or cervix and has a shortened vaginal canal. As she navigates her diagnosis, her relationships become challenged with everyone, but especially herself.
Fitting In is a raw coming-of-age story. Lindy is full of angst and anxiety all while being genuinely funny. It’s clear from the jump that Lindy wants to have children. This diagnosis is life-altering for her, sending her into crisis. As she navigates what this diagnosis might mean for her future, McGlynn questions sexuality and what makes a woman a woman while never becoming preachy. Ziegler solidifies her talent and range in this nuanced performance.
One of the highlights is the bond explored between mother and daughter. Lindy’s single mother Rita (a fantastic Emily Hampshire) has recently undergone a mastectomy and is still reconciling with this change to her body. Possibly the most beautiful narrative in Fitting In is having two women make steps to accept and embrace the uncontrollable within their bodies. It’s a joy watching Ziegler and Hampshire ebb and flow in an authentic mother-daughter relationship.
Fitting In screens at TIFF ’23:
Saturday, September 9 at 8 PM at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto
Tuesday, September 12 at 11:30 AM at TIFF Bell Lightbox
As the inaugural Sloan Science on Film Showcase selection, Fitting In tells a coming-of-age story shaped by medical science. Following the September 12 screening, the Sloan Science on Film Showcase will feature a Q&A with writer-director Molly McGlynn and an expert in reproductive health.
You might know her from Dance Moms where she first got recognition, but Dancer/Actress Maddie Ziegler (and best-selling Author!) genuinely is a star on the rise! After starring alongside Singer/Songwriter Sia on a string Music VIdeos for her biggest hits, she has landed roles in Steven Spielberg‘s WEST SIDE STORY and Award-winning THE FALLOUT.
Ziegler stars next in Molly McGlynn‘s BLOODY HELL, which centers on a 16-year-old girl on the brink of womanhood, who discovers she has a reproductive condition unexpectedly. Ziegler was in-town recently doing some post-production on the Film which wrapped late June in Sudbury. The Film also stars Toronto’s own Emily Hampshire and will be distributed by Elevation Pictures in Canada.
So amazing finally meeting Ziegler! She was so sweet and kind after a long day, and we actually can’t wait to see BLOODY HELL!
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
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