hollywood the way on diversity
Last Updated : GMT 09:03:51
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today
Last Updated : GMT 09:03:51
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today

Independent filmmakers show

Hollywood the way on diversity

Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today

Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Hollywood the way on diversity

'Destined' stars veteran actor Cory Hardrict (R)
Los Angeles - Arab Today

From rom-coms to urban thrillers and political documentaries, American independent filmmakers are representing the diversity of human experience with a commitment that shines a light on Hollywood's narrow outlook.

Dozens of world premieres are being shown at the Los Angeles Film Festival (LAFF) opening Wednesday, with women accounting for almost half of the directors of features in the competition, and 38 percent ethnic minorities.

The numbers still fall short of representing the true makeup of US society, but they are a marked improvement on the output of Tinseltown, which this year sparked outrage with white-only nominations in the acting categories at the Oscars.
The nine-day LAFF, hosted by Film Independent, the producer of the pre-Oscar Spirit Awards, features five categories for feature films -- US fiction, documentary, world fiction, "Nightfall" and "LA Muse".

"The competition lineup of 42 world premieres echoes Film Independent's mission to celebrate diversity and showcases a multitude of innovative, fresh voices," said festival director Stephanie Allain.

Among the most hotly anticipated films in the documentary section is "The House on Coco Road", an intimate family portrait set against the racial violence that accompanied President Ronald Reagan's war on drugs in the 1980s.

- Civil rights -

Written and directed by Damani Baker, it tells the story of his mother Fannie Haughton, an activist and teacher who moved the family from Oakland in California to take part in an Afro-centric socialist revolution in the island nation of Grenada.
The programmers have obviously been thoughtful and sensitive to finding and supporting talented storytellers with something new to say," 42-year-old Baker, a Brooklynite who attended film school in Los Angeles, told AFP.

"If studios, networks and funders don't support the voices of women, people of color, queer and gender non-conforming artists, then what stories are we actually being told?"

On the LGBT side, "Political Animals" celebrates the civil rights victories of the first four openly gay elected California state politicians -- all of whom were women.

"Though it seems as if we've transitioned into a post-gay culture, we're just starting the fight for concretely securing civil rights for all LGBT Americans," said director Jonah Markowitz.
As the federal government steps up to ensure that students aren't discriminated against in the most basic of human functions like using a restroom, comparisons to the desegregation of schools in the 1960s comes to mind." 

In the feature section, "Sensitivity Training," is a coming-of-age rom-com about LGBT and straight relationships, anger management and tolerance that attempts to subvert well-worn movie tropes about female friendship and love. 

It won the Samuel Goldwyn writing award for its writer and director, Los Angeles-based feature debutant Melissa Finell.

- Discovering storytellers -

Meanwhile "Destined", written and directed by Qasim Basir, stars veteran actor Cory Hardrict in the dual roles of Sheed and Rasheed, a la "Sliding Doors", and attempts to show how one incident can change a life for better or worse.

Ricardo de Montreuil's "Lowriders" has been selected to open the 22nd edition of the annual festival, which runs until June 9 at the Arclight Cinemas in Hollywood and Culver City.
Set against the backdrop of east LA's car culture, "Lowriders" features "Desperate Housewife" Eva Longoria and Melissa Benoist, best known for her portrayal of the title character in hit TV show "Supergirl."

Film Independent has also announced that Ryan Coogler, who most recently directed Rocky spin-off "Creed," will serve as the event's 2016 guest director.

The indie showcase has developed considerably since its original incarnation as the Los Angeles Independent Festival in 1995, with attendance growing from around 19,000 in its early years to a routine 75,000 to 90,000 since Film Independent took over in 2001.

A selection of 58 short films will also be shown as part of the festival, representing 15 countries and with 64 percent directed by women.

"Discovering storytellers is our raison d'etre," said programming director Roya Rastegar.

"We invest a great deal to learn about filmmaking communities across the globe. We look for films with conviction in perspective, style and voice."

Source: AFP

almaghribtoday
almaghribtoday

GMT 08:29 2018 Saturday ,20 January

#MeToo is 'tipping point' for Hollywood

GMT 10:02 2018 Thursday ,18 January

Lebanon reverses ban on Spielberg film

GMT 09:13 2018 Wednesday ,17 January

Actress Kruger says Hollywood changing

GMT 08:33 2018 Tuesday ,16 January

Lebanon bans Spielberg film and adventurer biopic

GMT 09:53 2018 Monday ,15 January

Famed photographer Mario Testino accused

GMT 11:10 2018 Sunday ,14 January

Liam Neeson says 'witch hunt' in Hollywood

GMT 11:46 2018 Saturday ,13 January

Most Americans 'don't want' Oprah to run

GMT 08:52 2018 Friday ,12 January

Film legend Delon says he's ready to die
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

hollywood the way on diversity hollywood the way on diversity

 



Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

hollywood the way on diversity hollywood the way on diversity

 



Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Skincare PR Performance Full Year 2017

GMT 09:22 2018 Monday ,22 January

Skincare PR Performance Full Year 2017
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today New hunt for flight MH370 gets under way

GMT 11:03 2018 Wednesday ,24 January

New hunt for flight MH370 gets under way
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Modern colorful bedroom renovation

GMT 10:57 2017 Thursday ,21 December

Modern colorful bedroom renovation
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Puigdemont candidate for Catalan president

GMT 13:56 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

Puigdemont candidate for Catalan president
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Turkey detains dozens more

GMT 10:47 2018 Wednesday ,24 January

Turkey detains dozens more

GMT 21:00 2011 Thursday ,29 September

Al Jaber to agree debt deal by year-end

GMT 05:50 2012 Saturday ,05 May

French patisserie with delightful structure

GMT 01:56 2012 Friday ,06 April

Sheraton Hotels to boost spa offering

GMT 08:51 2012 Thursday ,26 April

Arab women still unrecognised

GMT 07:08 2011 Thursday ,22 September

Hotel Shilla sets up first free shop in Macau

GMT 08:52 2018 Friday ,12 January

Film legend Delon says he's ready to die

GMT 14:48 2017 Sunday ,31 December

UAE cancels Tunisia handball games amid row

GMT 18:49 2017 Tuesday ,31 October

Celtics snap NBA losing streak to injury-hit Spurs

GMT 12:54 2011 Monday ,26 December

Anti-bullying program launched by Tulsa schools

GMT 15:07 2012 Wednesday ,07 November

Oriflame to launch Sparkle in Paris collection

GMT 07:31 2017 Friday ,20 October

Tillerson heads to Gulf, downbeat

GMT 18:23 2017 Wednesday ,19 July

Chile moves to ease strict abortion laws
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today
 
 Almaghrib Today Facebook,almaghrib today facebook  Almaghrib Today Twitter,almaghrib today twitter Almaghrib Today Rss,almaghrib today rss  Almaghrib Today Youtube,almaghrib today youtube  Almaghrib Today Youtube,almaghrib today youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

.almaghribtoday .almaghribtoday .almaghribtoday .almaghribtoday
almaghribtoday almaghribtoday almaghribtoday
almaghribtoday
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
almaghribtoday, Almaghribtoday, Almaghribtoday