#SXSW: 2019 SXSW FESTIVAL DAY ONE RECAP

By Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Today was the official start of the 2019 SXSW Festival and it didn’t disappoint.

The day began with a bunch of conferences from those in the Tech world, like Pricilla Chan, to those in the Film industry, such as Busy Phillips. Earlier in the day Chan spoke about the work and impact the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative is doing. Later on in the afternoon, Phillips sat down and had a talk with her close friend Hillary Kerr. The two spoke about the career Phillips has had and her new late-night talk show Busy Tonight which airs on E! Network.

But the main event for the day was the World Premiere and Opening Night Film Us directed and written by Jordan Peele. For films at SXSW, people typically begin lining-up about two hours in advance, at most. However, for Us, the line began a whopping six hours in advance. By the time that two-hour mark hit, it was a guessing game of if you were going to get in or not. Thankfully, we made it in and it was worth the wait. We were also treated to many Cast and Crew being there, such as Jordan Peele, Lupita Nyong’o, Winston Duke, Elisabeth Moss and more. All stayed after the show for a Q&A. To know more about this anticipated Film, make sure to check out our Review here.

Film isn’t the only thing of focus at SXSW, they also have a wide selection of Television events. Tonight was the What We Do In The Shadows Premiere and Executive Producers Taika Waititi and Jermaine Clement were on hand to introduce the upcoming FX Series based on their cult classic Mockumentary. They were quick to put on quite the two-man show for the audience. Each made jokes about turning their Film into a TV show. Waititi also spoke of Toronto during his hilarious banter with Clement. Waititi said the show takes place in Staten Island, even if it looks like Toronto. This was in reference to the Vampires on the show living on Staten Island, but production taking place in Toronto.

At the end of the night, 6th Street was bright with the glow of lights coming from the restaurants and bars. There was a smell of street food wherever you walked with the sounds of after parties and students heading out for the weekend in the background.

Day Two has more marquee premieres with The Beach Bum and Long Shot. We received word that Matthew McConaughey and Isla Fisher will be on hand for the former and that Seth Rogen and Charlie Theron will be here for Long Shot Premiere. There are also some pop-up events and conferences featuring Amber Heard and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. So keep checking back here for more updates as we go!

 

(Photo credit: Amanda Gilmore)

#SXSW: “US” REVIEW

By Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Us follows a family on vacation who soon realize they are being hunted by a family, who look exactly like them.

Writer-Director Jordan Peele’s follow-up to the spectacular Get Out is a suspenseful, frightening and at once stylish piece. Once again Peele has crafted an entirely unique Film, for the second time in a row, that will shock and stick with viewers long after the credits roll.

His phenomenal Cast, who are playing two characters each, are a mix of seasoned Actors and those who are just getting their start. Lupita Nyong’o has reached new heights as the unrelenting Adeline and her doppelganger. Winston Duke gets to show his range with a comedic and layered performance. Elisabeth Moss is a standout as the liquor-infused family friend. And the two Actors who steal the show are Shahadi Wright Joseph and Evan Alex as the children and their twisted doppelgangers. The many twists and beautiful dual imagery that’s displayed throughout proves that Peele is an undeniable talent.

Us only has one screening at SXSW and that is on March 8 at 6:30 PM at The Paramount Theatre.

#SXSW: 2019 SXSW FESTIVAL PREVIEW

By Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

SXSW 2019 is beginning tomorrow in Austin, Texas and will run until March 17. It’s once again celebrating all things Film, Music and Comedy. The Festival runs from March 8-17.

SXSW is known to showcase some marquee titles that star heavyweight talent. It appears that this year SXSW will be putting its entire support behind the Horror film genre because both the Opening and Closing Film are sure to scare audiences. One of the highest profile Films this year is the Opening Night Film, US. This is the second Feature Film for Writer-Director Jordan Peele and stars Lupita Nyong’o, Winston Duke, Elisabeth Moss and more. We have word that all those we have named will be on hand for the World Premiere tomorrow at the Paramount Theatre. Pet Sematary has been chosen as the Closing Night Film and stars Jason Clarke, Amy Seimetz, John Lithgow and more.

Other Must-Sees which are having their World Premieres at SXSW are Long Shot starring Seth Rogen and Charlize Theron, Good Boys starring Canadian Jacob Tremblay, The Beach Bum starring Matthew McConaughey, Snoop Dogg, Isla Fisher and Zac Efron, The Highwaymen starring Woody Harrelson and Kevin Costner, Booksmart which is the directorial debut of Actress Olivia Wilde, and Stuber starring Dave Bautista and Kumail Nanjiani. All those Films are apart of the Headliners section of the Film Festival and are expecting big Red Carpet arrivals. One close-to-home Film we should have our eyes on is Run This Town, which is the Toronto-filmed movie about the late Mayor Rob Ford. It stars Ben Platt, Nina Dobrev, Scott Speedman and Damien Lewis as Rob Ford.

Something that sets the SXSW‘s Film Festival apart from others is its Keynote Speakers and Featured Sessions. These panels and talks provide insight into many different industries and social issues. This year some noteworthy mentions are Jason Blum, Ethan Hawke, Jodie Foster, Amber Heard, Busy Phillips, Elizabeth Banks, Gwyneth Paltrow, Henry Winkler, Kathy Griffin, Trevor Noah and more. There are also some political officials set to speak at sessions during the Festival such as Senator Amy Klobuchar, Senator Elizabeth Warren, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and more.

Tomorrow is when things will be kicking into full swing, check back here for all the latest from SXSW.

#FIRSTLOOK: SNEAK PEEK OF “CHEF” STARRING JON FAVREAU

This looks delicious. CHEF premieres at the SXSW Festival in Austin tonight as its Opening Night Film. The Food Truck-Comedy starring/directed/written by Jon Favreau is about  a Chef who loses his job, setting his sights on a Food Truck, at once trying to reunite with his estranged Family. How could this not be amazing?

See a Sneak Peek of CHEF below with Favreau inciting a Twitter War with the Competition:

Video available here at Buzzfeed!