Update 12/1: The Red Hot organization honored World AIDS Day with a 30th anniversary reissue of Red Hot + Blue, releasing a PBS NewsHour piece and a message from Dr. Anthony Fauci. “Today on World AIDS Day I want to commend the Red Hot (+Blue) Organization for 30 years of art and activism that have provided critically needed assistance in the fight against AIDS,” he said. “Thank you for raising awareness and millions of dollars, including the grant that helped establish our long time community activist partners The Treatment Action Group (Tag...
- 12/1/2020
- by Angie Martoccio
- Rollingstone.com
Alicia Keys was honored at Variety’s Power of Women New York for co-launching Keep a Child Alive, a nonprofit aimed at combating the physical, social and economic impacts of HIV. And while she spoke at length about that organization, she also spoke about the day’s theme and the people in the room.
She was introduced by “Good Morning America” anchor Robin Roberts, who said, “She not only changed the world around us, she changed the way we see ourselves. I’ll say it, but I’m not going to sing it — this girl is on fire.”
Keys took the stage, joked about trying to get Roberts to sing, and then said, “We are more on fire than we’ve ever been — and look at all the action that’s around us: women running for office in record numbers, women banding together in the entertainment industry, women demanding an...
She was introduced by “Good Morning America” anchor Robin Roberts, who said, “She not only changed the world around us, she changed the way we see ourselves. I’ll say it, but I’m not going to sing it — this girl is on fire.”
Keys took the stage, joked about trying to get Roberts to sing, and then said, “We are more on fire than we’ve ever been — and look at all the action that’s around us: women running for office in record numbers, women banding together in the entertainment industry, women demanding an...
- 4/13/2018
- by Jem Aswad and Tara Bitran
- Variety Film + TV
Alicia Keys’ first trip to South Africa 16 years ago ignited the singer-songwriter’s passion for helping people in need. There to perform at a charity concert in Cape Town as part of MTV’s HIV prevention and awareness initiative, Staying Alive, she toured the country meeting survivors of the epidemic. In Soweto, Keys came face-to-face with children orphaned by AIDS who were forced to raise their younger siblings — effectively becoming the heads of their households.
“They were so powerful and poetic,” Key says. “They wanted to change everything, like, ‘This will never be my children.’”
The performer describes how many of the girls in this position, some as young as 13, were pushed into the sex trade just to survive. Keys, 21 at the time, saw herself in them. “They were just a few years younger than me. So I was like, ‘What if this was happening to me, and nobody listened to me,...
“They were so powerful and poetic,” Key says. “They wanted to change everything, like, ‘This will never be my children.’”
The performer describes how many of the girls in this position, some as young as 13, were pushed into the sex trade just to survive. Keys, 21 at the time, saw herself in them. “They were just a few years younger than me. So I was like, ‘What if this was happening to me, and nobody listened to me,...
- 4/10/2018
- by Sonia Saraiya
- Variety Film + TV
Jehane Noujaim's "The Square" edged out Joshua Oppenheimer's "The Act of Killing" to emerge as the big winner of the 2013 Ida Documentary Awards! The documentary about the 2011 Egyptian Revolution also beat Jason Osder's "Let the Fire Burn," Gabriela Cowperthwaite's "Blackfish," and Sarah Polley's Stories We Tell" for the prize.
Here's a full list of winners of the 2013 Ida Documentary Awards:
Best Feature Award
The Square
Director: Jehane Noujaim
Producer: Karim Amer; Executive Producers: Geralyn Dreyfous, Mike Lerner, Sarah Johnson, Jodie Evans, Lekha Singh, Gavin Dougan, Dan Catullo III, Lisa Nishimura, Adam Del Deo, Khalil Noujaim, Alexandra Johnes, Jeff Skol; Noujaim Films, Netflix Originals
Best Short Award
Slomo
Director: Josh Izenberg; Producer: Amanda Micheli; Executive Producer: Neil Izenberg; Big Young Films, Runaway Films
Best Limited Series Award
Inside Man
Producers: Kristen Vaurio, Lisa Kalikow, Shannon Gibson, Suzanne Hillinger, Lara Benario; Writers: Jeremy Chilnick, Morgan Spurlock; Executive Producers: Jeremy Chilnick,...
Here's a full list of winners of the 2013 Ida Documentary Awards:
Best Feature Award
The Square
Director: Jehane Noujaim
Producer: Karim Amer; Executive Producers: Geralyn Dreyfous, Mike Lerner, Sarah Johnson, Jodie Evans, Lekha Singh, Gavin Dougan, Dan Catullo III, Lisa Nishimura, Adam Del Deo, Khalil Noujaim, Alexandra Johnes, Jeff Skol; Noujaim Films, Netflix Originals
Best Short Award
Slomo
Director: Josh Izenberg; Producer: Amanda Micheli; Executive Producer: Neil Izenberg; Big Young Films, Runaway Films
Best Limited Series Award
Inside Man
Producers: Kristen Vaurio, Lisa Kalikow, Shannon Gibson, Suzanne Hillinger, Lara Benario; Writers: Jeremy Chilnick, Morgan Spurlock; Executive Producers: Jeremy Chilnick,...
- 12/8/2013
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
This is a tough awards season! Lots of great movies to see, so little time! I'm catching up like crazy before we vote for the Critics' Choice Movie Awards for the Broadcast Film Critics Association. So I apologize if I haven't updated you with the latest on the awards season 2013-2014! And there were many award-giving bodies announcing nominations.
We already told you about the Rome Film Festival and the Film Independent Spirit Awards, now let's talk about the 2013 Gotham Awards, the Ida Documentary Awards, the Cinema Eye, and the Producers Guild announcing its best documentary choices.
First stop, we have the 2013 Gotham Awards where Steve McQueen's "12 Years a Slave" topped the nominations with three nods including best feature, best actor for Chiwetel Ejiofor and breakthrough actor for Lupita Nyong'o.
Winners will be announced on Dec. 2nd where Richard Linklater, Forest Whitaker, and Katherine Oliver (head of the NYC...
We already told you about the Rome Film Festival and the Film Independent Spirit Awards, now let's talk about the 2013 Gotham Awards, the Ida Documentary Awards, the Cinema Eye, and the Producers Guild announcing its best documentary choices.
First stop, we have the 2013 Gotham Awards where Steve McQueen's "12 Years a Slave" topped the nominations with three nods including best feature, best actor for Chiwetel Ejiofor and breakthrough actor for Lupita Nyong'o.
Winners will be announced on Dec. 2nd where Richard Linklater, Forest Whitaker, and Katherine Oliver (head of the NYC...
- 12/2/2013
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
Andrew Dosunmu will direct Focus Features’ drama Fela Kuti, the Afrobeat pioneer and human rights activist who rallied against the corrupt Nigerian regime of the 1970s.
The project is currently in development and will chart the life of the Nigerian, who fashioned a musical style that is said to continue to influence contemporary hip-hop.
Dosunmu (pictured) most recently directed the Sundance release Mother Of George.
Lydia Dean Pilcher and Leigh Blake will produce the Cine Mosaic production. Nigerian poet Chris Abani and Focus CEO James Schamus adapted the screenplay from Michael Veal’s 2000 book Fela: The Life And Times Of An African Musical Icon.
Focus evp of international production Teresa Moneo will supervise Fela Kuti for president of production Jeb Brody.
The project is currently in development and will chart the life of the Nigerian, who fashioned a musical style that is said to continue to influence contemporary hip-hop.
Dosunmu (pictured) most recently directed the Sundance release Mother Of George.
Lydia Dean Pilcher and Leigh Blake will produce the Cine Mosaic production. Nigerian poet Chris Abani and Focus CEO James Schamus adapted the screenplay from Michael Veal’s 2000 book Fela: The Life And Times Of An African Musical Icon.
Focus evp of international production Teresa Moneo will supervise Fela Kuti for president of production Jeb Brody.
- 9/16/2013
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Andrew Dosunmu ("Mother of George") is set to direct the musician biopic "Fela Kuti" for Focus Features.
Separate from the Broadway musical about Fela, the film has been developed with Chiwetel Ejiofor ("12 Years A Slave") attached to star. A deal with Ejiofor hasn't yet been locked down though.
Fela was famous for his Afrobeat musical style and political activism - namely speaking out against Nigerian government oppression. He also had 27 wives.
Focus' rights package includes Fela’s music, while Lydia Pilcher and Leigh Blake will produce.
Source: THR...
Separate from the Broadway musical about Fela, the film has been developed with Chiwetel Ejiofor ("12 Years A Slave") attached to star. A deal with Ejiofor hasn't yet been locked down though.
Fela was famous for his Afrobeat musical style and political activism - namely speaking out against Nigerian government oppression. He also had 27 wives.
Focus' rights package includes Fela’s music, while Lydia Pilcher and Leigh Blake will produce.
Source: THR...
- 9/16/2013
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Breaking: Andrew Dosunmu will direct Focus Features’ drama with music Fela Kuti, which is currently in development. Focus CEO James Schamus and co-ceo Andrew Karpen announced the hiring. This is the film that has been developed with Chiwetel Ejiofor attached to star, and while a deal hasn’t gone down and nothing is definitive, he is hot stuff coming off the lead role in 12 Years A Slave. The film is separate from the Broadway musical. Focus has its own feature rights package that include Fela’s music, rights gathered by producers Lydia Pilcher and Leigh Blake. Fela, considered Africa’s answer to Bob Marley, is as famous for his Afrobeat musical style — a fusion of jazz, funk and West African drums — as he was for speaking out against government oppression in Nigeria. He was a larger-than-life figure, had 27 wives, and his outspoken nature proved costly when his house was raided...
- 9/16/2013
- by MIKE FLEMING JR
- Deadline
Here are some of the twitter feeds for those participating in the Sundance Film Festival’s 2013 U.S. Documentary Competition including (image featured above) 99% – The Occupy Wall Street Collaborative Film. If you know of any other twitter feeds we can add for each individual film – please let us know.
99% – The Occupy Wall Street Collaborative Film – @99_film
Directors Audrey Ewell – @AudreyEwell, Aaron Aites – @aaronaites, Lucian Read – @lucianread
After Tiller – @aftertillerfilm
American Promise – @PromiseFilm
Blood Brother – @bloodbrotherdoc
Executive Producer Leigh Blake – @leighactfive
Citizen Koch – @CitizenKochFilm
Cutie and the Boxer – @CutieAndBoxer
Director Zachary Heinzerling – @zacharyzenor
Dirty Wars – @DirtyWars
Director Richard Rowley – @bignoisefilms
Producers Civic Bakery – @civicbakery
Writer and Narrator Jeremy Scahill – @jeremyscahill
Gideon’s Army – @GideonsArmyFilm
Director Dawn Porter – @dawnporterm
God Loves Uganda – @GodLovesUganda
Director Roger Ross Williams – @RogerRossWill
The Good Life
Director Sean Fine – @FineFilms
Inequality for All – @InequalityFilm
Manhunt – @Manhuntdoc
Valentine Road – @ValentineRdDoc
prev next...
99% – The Occupy Wall Street Collaborative Film – @99_film
Directors Audrey Ewell – @AudreyEwell, Aaron Aites – @aaronaites, Lucian Read – @lucianread
After Tiller – @aftertillerfilm
American Promise – @PromiseFilm
Blood Brother – @bloodbrotherdoc
Executive Producer Leigh Blake – @leighactfive
Citizen Koch – @CitizenKochFilm
Cutie and the Boxer – @CutieAndBoxer
Director Zachary Heinzerling – @zacharyzenor
Dirty Wars – @DirtyWars
Director Richard Rowley – @bignoisefilms
Producers Civic Bakery – @civicbakery
Writer and Narrator Jeremy Scahill – @jeremyscahill
Gideon’s Army – @GideonsArmyFilm
Director Dawn Porter – @dawnporterm
God Loves Uganda – @GodLovesUganda
Director Roger Ross Williams – @RogerRossWill
The Good Life
Director Sean Fine – @FineFilms
Inequality for All – @InequalityFilm
Manhunt – @Manhuntdoc
Valentine Road – @ValentineRdDoc
prev next...
- 1/17/2013
- by Jordan M. Smith
- IONCINEMA.com
Alicia Keys's charity will honor the late George Harrison with a special concert next month. Keys will be joined on stage by Usher, will.i.a.m and Mary J Blige for Keep A Child Alive's Black Ball on November 3 in New York City. This year's Black Ball will pay tribute to Harrison's "philanthropic contributions to India". Norah Jones, Jay Sean and Midival Punditz will also perform during the gala. Keep A Child Alive was founded in 2003 by philanthropist Leigh Blake in an effort to help (more)...
- 10/12/2011
- by By Justin Harp
- Digital Spy
Alicia Keys has gotten by with a little help from her dead friends. Just when the singer's Digital Death campaign appeared, well, ailing, the goal to raise $1 million for World AIDS Day has been reached. The original scheme had been for celebs to refrain from social networking until fans and Twitter followers had raised the money themselves. But it appears that one really big fan made all the difference. Keys and Keep a Child Alive cofounder Leigh Blake announced Monday that, with help from the public and the celebs who participated in the campaign, they pulled in $500,000, after which pharma billionaire Stewart Rahr agreed to match the amount. "From the bottom of my heart, thank you to all...
- 12/6/2010
- E! Online
Lady Gaga, Kim Kardashian, Justin Timberlake and more celebs have been 'resurrected' on Twitter and Facebook by fans' donations.
By Kelley L. Carter
Alicia Keys
Photo: Samir Hussein/Getty Images
It's time to welcome some of your favorite celebrity tweeters back to the land of the living.
Last week, several celebs temporarily signed off their Twitter accounts and Facebook pages to help raise $1 million for Alicia Keys' Keep a Child Alive organization. They proclaimed their own Digital Deaths last Wednesday on World AIDS Day and met their goal Monday (December 6). Some stars began tweeting immediately.
The idea was hatched by Keys, and she and other celebs urged their fans to buy back their online lives by texting the first name of the celebrity they miss on social media the most to contribute to the cause.
"From the bottom of my heart, thank you to all of the fans, friends...
By Kelley L. Carter
Alicia Keys
Photo: Samir Hussein/Getty Images
It's time to welcome some of your favorite celebrity tweeters back to the land of the living.
Last week, several celebs temporarily signed off their Twitter accounts and Facebook pages to help raise $1 million for Alicia Keys' Keep a Child Alive organization. They proclaimed their own Digital Deaths last Wednesday on World AIDS Day and met their goal Monday (December 6). Some stars began tweeting immediately.
The idea was hatched by Keys, and she and other celebs urged their fans to buy back their online lives by texting the first name of the celebrity they miss on social media the most to contribute to the cause.
"From the bottom of my heart, thank you to all of the fans, friends...
- 12/6/2010
- MTV Music News
Artists haven't reached $1 million mark to resurrect their online profiles.
By Gil Kaufman
Alicia Keys' coffin image symbolizing her digital death
Photo: Markus Klinko/ Indrani/ Gk Reid
The original plan was for artists such as Usher, Lady Gaga, Justin Timberlake, Jennifer Hudson and Ryan Seacrest to stage their "digital deaths" until $1 million was raised for Alicia Keys' BuyLife.org charity effort. The campaign kicked off in coordination with Wednesday's World AIDS Day and included the social-media-savvy stars staging a Digital Life Sacrifice by signing off their Facebook, Twitter and other online communication sites until the fund-raising goal was reached.
According to a ticker on the BuyLife.org site, as of Friday (December 3) at noon, more than $183,493 had been raised in the effort to buy back the stars' online presence.
Kardashian was among the participants who posed for posters bringing attention to the effort. In hers, she lies in...
By Gil Kaufman
Alicia Keys' coffin image symbolizing her digital death
Photo: Markus Klinko/ Indrani/ Gk Reid
The original plan was for artists such as Usher, Lady Gaga, Justin Timberlake, Jennifer Hudson and Ryan Seacrest to stage their "digital deaths" until $1 million was raised for Alicia Keys' BuyLife.org charity effort. The campaign kicked off in coordination with Wednesday's World AIDS Day and included the social-media-savvy stars staging a Digital Life Sacrifice by signing off their Facebook, Twitter and other online communication sites until the fund-raising goal was reached.
According to a ticker on the BuyLife.org site, as of Friday (December 3) at noon, more than $183,493 had been raised in the effort to buy back the stars' online presence.
Kardashian was among the participants who posed for posters bringing attention to the effort. In hers, she lies in...
- 12/3/2010
- MTV Music News
Alicia Keys recruits Justin Timberlake, Usher, Ryan Seacrest, more for Buy Life campaign.
By Gil Kaufman
Lady Gaga
Photo: Getty Images
If you see headlines this Wednesday about Lady Gaga and Kim Kardashian giving up on social media, don't be alarmed. Along with Usher, Elijah Wood, Justin Timberlake, Khloe Kardashian and Jennifer Hudson, they're participating in a stunt to promote World AIDS Day in which they will kill off their cyberselves for one day as part of a Digital Life Sacrifice.
The idea was hatched by singer Alicia Keys to raise money for her charity, Keep a Child Alive, and as part of the Buy Life promotion the celebrities will urge fans to donate to the charity in order to buy back their online presence. Fans can text the first name of the celebrity they are mourning to 90999 and $10 will instantly be donated to the cause.
Kardashian is among the...
By Gil Kaufman
Lady Gaga
Photo: Getty Images
If you see headlines this Wednesday about Lady Gaga and Kim Kardashian giving up on social media, don't be alarmed. Along with Usher, Elijah Wood, Justin Timberlake, Khloe Kardashian and Jennifer Hudson, they're participating in a stunt to promote World AIDS Day in which they will kill off their cyberselves for one day as part of a Digital Life Sacrifice.
The idea was hatched by singer Alicia Keys to raise money for her charity, Keep a Child Alive, and as part of the Buy Life promotion the celebrities will urge fans to donate to the charity in order to buy back their online presence. Fans can text the first name of the celebrity they are mourning to 90999 and $10 will instantly be donated to the cause.
Kardashian is among the...
- 11/29/2010
- MTV Music News
Don't worry, Kim Kardashian is not really dead. But starting Wednesday, she won't be quite as lively on social media. Kardashian, 30, is joining sister Khloe, Lady Gaga, Justin Timberlake, Alicia Keys and other stars in signing off Facebook and Twitter beginning Wednesday, which is World AIDS Day, to draw attention to the disease. The campaign, called Digital Life Sacrifice, includes ads that show Kardashian and others lying in coffins to symbolize their digital deaths. They will sign back on when the Keep a Child Alive charity - which Keys has been closely involved with - raises $1 million. Photos: Best of...
- 11/29/2010
- by Tim Nudd
- PEOPLE.com
Following Digital Life Sacrifice campaign which was launched earlier this week, Kim Kardashian lends her famous face for a promotional ad of Alicia Keys' initiative, Keep a Child Alive. The reality TV star is seen lying in a coffin with tagline "Kim Kardashian Is Dead".
"Kim sacrificed her digital life to give real life to millions of others affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa and India," it was further explained. "That means no more Facebook or Twitter until we buy her life back." To help raise money for this charity, fans can visit BuyLife.org or text "Kim" to 90999.
Leigh Blake, president and co-founder of Keep a Child Alive charity, said of the cause, "We're trying to sort of make the remark: Why do we care so much about the death of one celebrity as opposed to millions and millions of people dying in the place that we're all from?...
"Kim sacrificed her digital life to give real life to millions of others affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa and India," it was further explained. "That means no more Facebook or Twitter until we buy her life back." To help raise money for this charity, fans can visit BuyLife.org or text "Kim" to 90999.
Leigh Blake, president and co-founder of Keep a Child Alive charity, said of the cause, "We're trying to sort of make the remark: Why do we care so much about the death of one celebrity as opposed to millions and millions of people dying in the place that we're all from?...
- 11/29/2010
- by AceShowbiz.com
- Aceshowbiz
Lady GaGa is to give up her Twitter and Facebook for a good cause. The "Bad Romance" hitmaker is among the many celebrities who has signed up to support a new campaign called Digital Life Sacrifice which goal is to raise awareness for World AIDS Day as well as money for Alicia Keys' charity Keep a Child Alive.
The "Alejandro" singer and other celebrities taking part in the campaign expected to sign off from their micro-blogging accounts on Wednesday, December 1 which coincides with the World AIDS Day. They will sign back on once the charity reaches $1 million through text message donations to help families affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa and India.
"It's really important and super-cool to use mediums that we naturally are on," 29-year-old Alicia Keys explained to the Associated Press in a phone interview from New York. "It's so important to shock you to the point of waking up.
The "Alejandro" singer and other celebrities taking part in the campaign expected to sign off from their micro-blogging accounts on Wednesday, December 1 which coincides with the World AIDS Day. They will sign back on once the charity reaches $1 million through text message donations to help families affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa and India.
"It's really important and super-cool to use mediums that we naturally are on," 29-year-old Alicia Keys explained to the Associated Press in a phone interview from New York. "It's so important to shock you to the point of waking up.
- 11/29/2010
- by celebrity-mania.com
- Celebrity Mania
Alicia Keys has successfully urged her celebrity friends to quit Twitter and make it worthwhile at the same time. From Lady GaGa to Kim Kardashian, a number of stars have joined Keys' initiative to raise money for charity by quitting the microblogging site as well as Facebook for a period of time.
Called Digital Life Sacrifice, the campaign would see the entertainers ditching the digital world starting Wednesday, December 1 aka World AIDS day until they raise a million dollars for Keys' AIDS charity, Keep a Child Alive. In addition, they would also film "last tweet and testament" videos and appear in ads that show them lying in coffins to reflect what they mean by "digital deaths".
"It's really important and super-cool to use mediums that we naturally are on," Keys told The Associated Press. She added, "This is such a direct and instantly emotional way and a little sarcastic, you know,...
Called Digital Life Sacrifice, the campaign would see the entertainers ditching the digital world starting Wednesday, December 1 aka World AIDS day until they raise a million dollars for Keys' AIDS charity, Keep a Child Alive. In addition, they would also film "last tweet and testament" videos and appear in ads that show them lying in coffins to reflect what they mean by "digital deaths".
"It's really important and super-cool to use mediums that we naturally are on," Keys told The Associated Press. She added, "This is such a direct and instantly emotional way and a little sarcastic, you know,...
- 11/29/2010
- by AceShowbiz.com
- Aceshowbiz
By Sean O’Connell
Hollywoodnews.com: In the New York area? This sounds like a show that can’t be missed.
Keep a Child Alive co-founders Leigh Blake and Alicia Keys announced today that Sade and Jay-z will be performing at Kca’s seventh annual star-studded Black Ball NY event, taking place on Sept. 30, at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City.
This year’s Black Ball, with title sponsorship by Covergirl, follows on the heels of the successful Black Ball London that occurred on May 27, with performances by Kasabian and Bryan Ferry. The Black Ball has generated over $10 million since 2004.
“Sade? Jay-z? Both icons and both major influences of mine. I am overwhelmed by their generosity in helping us continue the tradition of making the Black Ball the best fundraiser in NYC. There are more surprises coming up! Stay tuned!” said Alicia Keys after hearing the announcement.
This year...
Hollywoodnews.com: In the New York area? This sounds like a show that can’t be missed.
Keep a Child Alive co-founders Leigh Blake and Alicia Keys announced today that Sade and Jay-z will be performing at Kca’s seventh annual star-studded Black Ball NY event, taking place on Sept. 30, at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City.
This year’s Black Ball, with title sponsorship by Covergirl, follows on the heels of the successful Black Ball London that occurred on May 27, with performances by Kasabian and Bryan Ferry. The Black Ball has generated over $10 million since 2004.
“Sade? Jay-z? Both icons and both major influences of mine. I am overwhelmed by their generosity in helping us continue the tradition of making the Black Ball the best fundraiser in NYC. There are more surprises coming up! Stay tuned!” said Alicia Keys after hearing the announcement.
This year...
- 7/14/2010
- by Sean O'Connell
- Hollywoodnews.com
Today has been a great day for the Broadway musical Fela! Fresh off the 11 Tony nominations, there’s finally been word on who will be starring in the film adaptation being made right now by Focus Features. Chiwetl Ejiofor will be stepping in the shoes of African musician and activist Fela Anikulapo Kuti. This film is the follow-up to Steve McQueen’s Hunger, a Criterion Collection release about the Irish hunger strike which starred Michael Fassbender.
The film is completely separate from the Broadway musical. Focus Features has its own feature rights, which include Fela’s music, which was obtained by producers Lydia Pilcher and Leigh Blake. Ejiofor has been known for smaller films such as Kinky Boots and the David Mamet film Redbelt and for scene stealing smaller roles in bigger films such as Serenity, Children of Men and Love Actually.
Chiwetl Ejiofor has been hard at work taking...
The film is completely separate from the Broadway musical. Focus Features has its own feature rights, which include Fela’s music, which was obtained by producers Lydia Pilcher and Leigh Blake. Ejiofor has been known for smaller films such as Kinky Boots and the David Mamet film Redbelt and for scene stealing smaller roles in bigger films such as Serenity, Children of Men and Love Actually.
Chiwetl Ejiofor has been hard at work taking...
- 5/6/2010
- by James McCormick
- CriterionCast
Chiwetel Ejiofor ("Serenity," "2012") is formally attached to play African musician and activist Fela Anikulapo Kuti in the upcoming biopic in development at Focus Features says Deadline New York.
Based on Michael Veal's book, the story follows the life of the late African musician and activist whose music fused American jazz, funk and West African drums.
His personal life was colourful, he had 27 wives, and tragic such as the personal costs for speaking out against oppression in Nigeria. Ejiofor has apparently been learning to play piano and saxophone to prepare for the role.
Though Fela is the subject of the Broadway musical "Fela!" which received 11 Tony nominations yesterday, the musical is not connected to the film project in anyway. Focus however has scored screen rights to Fela's music and his life story, plus Veal's book.
Steve McQueen ("Hunger") is directing from a script he co-wrote with Biyi Bandel. Lydia Pilcher...
Based on Michael Veal's book, the story follows the life of the late African musician and activist whose music fused American jazz, funk and West African drums.
His personal life was colourful, he had 27 wives, and tragic such as the personal costs for speaking out against oppression in Nigeria. Ejiofor has apparently been learning to play piano and saxophone to prepare for the role.
Though Fela is the subject of the Broadway musical "Fela!" which received 11 Tony nominations yesterday, the musical is not connected to the film project in anyway. Focus however has scored screen rights to Fela's music and his life story, plus Veal's book.
Steve McQueen ("Hunger") is directing from a script he co-wrote with Biyi Bandel. Lydia Pilcher...
- 5/5/2010
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
By Variety
Focus Features has tapped Steve McQueen to direct "Fela," a feature film based on the life of African musician and activist Fela Anikulapo Kuti -- the subject of the recently opened Broadway musical "Fela!"
McQueen, the British artist who made his feature directing debut last year on the Irish hunger strike drama "Hunger," will write the script with Biyi Bandele, based on the Michael Veal book "Fela: The Life and Times of an African Musical Icon." Cine Mosaic's Lydia Pilcher and Leigh Blake are producing. The musical has spurred a resurgence of...
Focus Features has tapped Steve McQueen to direct "Fela," a feature film based on the life of African musician and activist Fela Anikulapo Kuti -- the subject of the recently opened Broadway musical "Fela!"
McQueen, the British artist who made his feature directing debut last year on the Irish hunger strike drama "Hunger," will write the script with Biyi Bandele, based on the Michael Veal book "Fela: The Life and Times of an African Musical Icon." Cine Mosaic's Lydia Pilcher and Leigh Blake are producing. The musical has spurred a resurgence of...
- 12/8/2009
- by Dylan Stableford
- The Wrap
Steve McQueen ("Hunger") is set to direct the biopic "Fela" for Focus Features reports Variety.
Based on Michael Veal's book, the story follows the life of the late African musician and activist Fela Anikulapo Kuti whose music fused American jazz, funk and West African drums.
His personal life was colourful, he had 27 wives, and tragic such as the personal costs for speaking out against oppression in Nigeria.
Though Fela is the subject of the recently opened Broadway musical "Fela!", the musical is not connected to the film project in anyway. Focus however has scored screen rights to Fela's music and his life story, plus Veal's book.
McQueen will write the script with Biyi Bandel. Lydia Pilcher and Leigh Blake are producing.
Based on Michael Veal's book, the story follows the life of the late African musician and activist Fela Anikulapo Kuti whose music fused American jazz, funk and West African drums.
His personal life was colourful, he had 27 wives, and tragic such as the personal costs for speaking out against oppression in Nigeria.
Though Fela is the subject of the recently opened Broadway musical "Fela!", the musical is not connected to the film project in anyway. Focus however has scored screen rights to Fela's music and his life story, plus Veal's book.
McQueen will write the script with Biyi Bandel. Lydia Pilcher and Leigh Blake are producing.
- 12/8/2009
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Steve McQueen ("Hunger") is set to direct the biopic "Fela" for Focus Features reports Variety.
Based on Michael Veal's book, the story follows the life of the late African musician and activist Fela Anikulapo Kuti whose music fused American jazz, funk and West African drums.
His personal life was colourful, he had 27 wives, and tragic such as the personal costs for speaking out against oppression in Nigeria.
Though Fela is the subject of the recently opened Broadway musical "Fela!", the musical is not connected to the film project in anyway. Focus however has scored screen rights to Fela's music and his life story, plus Veal's book.
McQueen will write the script with Biyi Bandel. Lydia Pilcher and Leigh Blake are producing.
Based on Michael Veal's book, the story follows the life of the late African musician and activist Fela Anikulapo Kuti whose music fused American jazz, funk and West African drums.
His personal life was colourful, he had 27 wives, and tragic such as the personal costs for speaking out against oppression in Nigeria.
Though Fela is the subject of the recently opened Broadway musical "Fela!", the musical is not connected to the film project in anyway. Focus however has scored screen rights to Fela's music and his life story, plus Veal's book.
McQueen will write the script with Biyi Bandel. Lydia Pilcher and Leigh Blake are producing.
- 12/8/2009
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Brit director and artist Steve McQueen, who wowed everyone with his first feature film, Hunger, about the infamous Ira hunger strike during the early 1980’s (and which was just recently was released on Criterion DVD), will direct a film on the life of African musician and activist Fela Anikulapo Kuti for Focus Features.
McQueen will co-write the script with Biyi Bandele which will be based on Michael Veal’s biography Fela: The Life and Times of an African Musical Icon.
The film will be produced by Lydia Pilcher and Leigh Blake through their production company Cine Mosaic. Though Picher said that the recent Broadway musical hit about Fela was not a direct result of Focus Features’ interest in making a deal to make the film, since she had been developing the project for five years, no doubt it sure didn’t hurt.
McQueen will co-write the script with Biyi Bandele which will be based on Michael Veal’s biography Fela: The Life and Times of an African Musical Icon.
The film will be produced by Lydia Pilcher and Leigh Blake through their production company Cine Mosaic. Though Picher said that the recent Broadway musical hit about Fela was not a direct result of Focus Features’ interest in making a deal to make the film, since she had been developing the project for five years, no doubt it sure didn’t hurt.
- 12/8/2009
- by Sergio
- ShadowAndAct
Alicia Keys will release a new CD – The Element of Freedom – on December 15th. In the lead up to that release, Keys will play a concert at the Nokia Theater in New York on December 1st, World AIDS Day. The proceeds from the show will benefit Keep A Child Alive.
In 2003 Keys and Leigh Blake, longtime AIDS activist and film/TV producer, co-founded Keep a Child Alive. The charity provides life-saving AIDS medicine and care to children and families in Africa and India. Keep a Child Alive also provides support to AIDS orphans left behind to keep the most vulnerable children out of harm’s way.
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In 2003 Keys and Leigh Blake, longtime AIDS activist and film/TV producer, co-founded Keep a Child Alive. The charity provides life-saving AIDS medicine and care to children and families in Africa and India. Keep a Child Alive also provides support to AIDS orphans left behind to keep the most vulnerable children out of harm’s way.
Read more...
- 11/30/2009
- Look to the Stars
PARK CITY -- Palm Pictures picked up North American theatrical and home video rights Wednesday to the documentary We Are Together, the story of a South African AIDS orphanage.
Paul Taylor's film follows the orphans as they train for a London concert while struggling with their loss. The film won audience awards at this year's Tribeca Film Festival Audience Award, the Edinburgh International Film Festival and the Amsterdam International Documentary Film Festival.
Taylor and Teddy Leifer produced through RISE Films in association with HBO Documentary Films and the Channel 4 British Documentary Film Foundation. Alicia Keys and Leigh Blake's Keep A Child Alive Foundation and Bono's ONE campaign will support the release.
Palm plans a May theatrical release, followed by a DVD release shortly thereafter.
The deal was negotiated by Palm managing partner Jan Korbelin with Ro*co Films International president Annie Roney.
Paul Taylor's film follows the orphans as they train for a London concert while struggling with their loss. The film won audience awards at this year's Tribeca Film Festival Audience Award, the Edinburgh International Film Festival and the Amsterdam International Documentary Film Festival.
Taylor and Teddy Leifer produced through RISE Films in association with HBO Documentary Films and the Channel 4 British Documentary Film Foundation. Alicia Keys and Leigh Blake's Keep A Child Alive Foundation and Bono's ONE campaign will support the release.
Palm plans a May theatrical release, followed by a DVD release shortly thereafter.
The deal was negotiated by Palm managing partner Jan Korbelin with Ro*co Films International president Annie Roney.
- 1/24/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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