Celebrate 'Black History Month' with "CHAPTER & VERSE", Feb 3-9 at MIST HARLEM

We hear a lot in entertainment world, that when you go specific with a story, you go global. "Chapter & Verse) is a clear example of that. This wonderful film a specific story about the "3rd man" in Harlem. But a story that' truly global and touching. Beautifully written and shot, this film is filled with an amazing cast and amazing performances. The gritty story is the first film to come from Harlem Film Company a new film and media company based in Harlem co-founded by Hollywood legend Cheryl Hill. “Chapter and Verse” is directed by Jamal Joseph who shares a co-written by credit with Daniel Beaty and executive produced by Antoine Fuqua, and Sid, John and Bill Sheinberg. The film stars Daniel Beaty, Omari Hardwick (POWER), Selenis Leyva (Orange Is the New Black), and Loretta Devine (Boston Public, Grey's Anatomy). 

Harlem turned up and let loose at the red carpet premiere of “Chapter and Verse” at Mist Harlem. Here's the post-screening discussion with the movie panel:

Harlem Film Company presents CHAPTER & VERSE at Harlem Mist. Post-screening panel with Omari Hardwick, Daniel Beauty, Cheryl Hill, Jamal Joseph and others.

MOVIE SYNOPSIS: After serving eight years in prison, reformed gang leader S. Lance Ingram (DANIEL BEATY) re-enters society and struggles to adapt to a changed Harlem. Living under the tough supervision of a parole officer in a halfway house, he is unable to find a job that will let him use the technological skills he gained in prison. Lance is forced to take a job delivering for a food pantry where he befriends Ms. Maddy (LORETTA DEVINE), a strong and spirited grandmother, and assumes responsibility for her 15-year- old grandson Ty, a promising student who is pulled into a dangerous street gang. When gang members decide to punish Ty for disobeying the “law of the streets,” Lance risks sacrificing his “second chance” at freedom so that Ty can have a “first chance” at a better life.

Director Jamal Joseph, is a filmmaker, acclaimed author, film professor, community leader, activist and a Black Panther who spent time in prison as a result of his involvement in the organization.  One of the key factors to basing the Harlem Film Company (HFC) in Harlem itself was to be a part of the vitality and history of a people who understand the importance of creative resilience and how to make the sweetest lemonade from the rankest lemons. 

“Chapter and Verse” opens Feb. 3rd at MIST HARLEM (located 46 W. 116th Street) for a one-week run and then goes to Midtown AMC. 

http://chapterandversethefilm.com/

*Official Selection of the 2015 Urbanworld Film Festival*
*Official Selection of the 2016 Human Rights Watch Film Festival*
*Official Selection of the 2016 Pan African Film Festival*

Allen Maldonado, is launching digital app for short films, EVERYBODY DIGITAL. #Sundance

Allen Maldonado is one of young Hollywood’s busiest stars on the rise. The multi-talented actor, writer and entrepreneur, not only co-stars on the award-winning sitcom, BLACK-ISH  (ABC), he is also in his third season as a full time writer on the hit Starz series, SURVIVOR'S REMORSE, has recurred for three seasons on YOU’RE THE WORST (FXX), is booked for a major film shooting over the next two months in Detroit, and has developed the industry's first digital app for short films, Everybody Digital, launching early spring. We had a chance to talk to him at Sundance 2017. Here it is:

Allen Maldonado actor-writer-entrepreneur (Black-ish & Survivor's Remorse), at Sundance 2017, talks w/ Art Shrian. He is launching short film platform 'Everybody Digital'. And talk about Diversity & Inclusion in Hollywood.

In the past couple of years, Allen has appeared in several blockbuster films including the Sony Pictures action thriller, THE EQUALIZER. Directed by Antoine Fuqua (TRAINING DAY, OLYMPUS HAS FALLEN), Maldonado stars as ‘Marcus’ opposite Academy Award winner Denzel Washington. The film is adapted from the television series of the same name and follows ‘Robert McCall’ (Washington), a solitary, monastic figure with a mysterious past who despises injustice and devotes himself to helping victims. The film was released and opened at #1 in the box office.

Maldonado was also seen in the feature CAKE alongside Jennifer Aniston, Sam Worthington, Anna Kendrick and William H. Macy. CAKE won a Golden Globe and several other awards. After CAKE, Allen joined the cast of Universal’s NWA biopic STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON, produced by Ice Cube and helmed by F. Gary Gray, which opened at #1 in the box office and stayed there for four weeks straight.

Last September, TV One aired the TV movie, RINGSIDE, in which Maldonado starred as Spencer Collier, the egotistical welterweight boxing champion of the world. In addition, he has 4 films in post-production slated to be released in 2017; FIRST MATCH, SMARTASS, QUEST, and WHERE’S THE MONEY?

His dexterity in sitcom is demonstrated by his character in BLACK-ISH, in which Allen co-stars as ‘Curtis’ the super cool millennial assistant to Anthony Anderson in the offices of Stevens & Lido.  On YOU’RE THE WORST, which centers on two toxic, self-destructive people who fall in love and attempt a relationship; he portrays ‘Honey Nutz’ in this sitcom which puts a dark twist on the romantic comedy genre. In addition,Maldonado has impressed with memorable appearances on MAJOR CRIMES and ROSEWOOD. 

Lastly, SURVIVOR’S REMORSE is a hit comedy on Starz that follows Cam Calloway and his family as they deal with his recent rise in fame and money as a professional basketball player.Maldonado stars as ‘DeShauwn May,’ a wild and spontaneous ex-drug dealer turned sports manager. For season 3 of SURVIVOR’S REMORSE he was brought on as a writer and quickly earned a "story by" credit, showing he's just as talented behind the camera as he is in front of it. He is currently still writing for season 4. 

Of African American and Puerto Rican descent, Maldonado is a native of Rialto, CA, a city just outside of Los Angeles. Allen was raised by his single mother, having lost his father to cancer at a very young age. Growing up in a tough neighborhood, he was inspired by his mother’s passion and determination. This platform of support has proven invaluable for him to achieve his goals. At the age of 21, Maldonado landed a year-long role in the daytime series THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS until his career was briefly interrupted when he was involved in a near-fatal car accident with a drunk driver. After a brief, yet arduous recovery, Maldonado began to build his resume landing roles in the Emmy® nominated CBS drama JUDGING AMY and FX's THE SHIELD," DETROIT 187, CHASE and RIZZOLI & ISLES to name a few. Additionally, his film credits include LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD, THE UGLY TRUTH, THE NEXT THREE DAYS, and the Marvel Studios short film ALL HAIL THE KING.

Outside of his acting career, Maldonado is a successful entrepreneur. He runs a record company- Get It Done Records; a production company- Only Son Productions; and a T-shirt line- Vineyards Phinest, where a portion of the proceeds go to his foundation. As a staunch advocate for higher education, community service, and encouraging youth to pursue the arts,Maldonado is the founder of Demo Nerds, a foundation that provides free acting classes, tools, and services for at-risk youth and foster children in the inner cities of Los Angeles. Additionally, the organization frequently collaborates with other city programs such as “The Boys & Girls Club,” “The Dream Center," and the “New Village Girls Academy”. 

During his rare free time, Maldonado enjoys working out, boxing, playing basketball, and spending time with his family.

Renee Willett is a rising star from NYC! #Sundance

Renee Willett is a very talented actress on the rise. This NYC based actress, who's bi-coastal now with her second home in LA, is really to look out for. She was seen in The Yellow Birds, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2017. The film stars Jennifer Aniston, Toni Collette, Alden Ehrenreich and Jack Huston. She will also be seen alongside Robert De Niro and Danny DeVito in The Comedian, releasing February 3, 2017.

We had a chance to talk to her, and she was just wonderful. Here it is:

Renee Willett talks to Art Shrian, about her projects at Sundance 2017, her other films and NYC

Jason Isaacs returns to #SUNDANCE with 'RED DOG: True Blue'

An iconic Australian story of family, friendship and adventure, between a young boy and a scrappy one-of-a-kind dog that would grow up to become an Australian legend.

When eleven year old Mick (LEVI MILLER) is shipped off to his grandfather's (BRYAN BROWN) cattle station in the remote Pilbara region of Western Australia, he prepares himself for a life of dull hardship, but instead finds myth, adventure and a friendship with a scrappy, one-of-a-kind dog that will change his life forever.

Jason Isaacs plays the older version of Levi Miller’s character, Mick Carter. We had a chance to talk to him LIVE. Here it is:

Jason Isaacs talks to Art Shrian, about his film RED DOG: TRUE BLUE, acting, Lucius Malfoy and more at Sundance 2017

In the film, he recalls the story of how he crossed paths with Red Dog to his son played by ZEN MCGRATH.

“I play a man that I think a lot of people can identify with who is just caught up in business, making a living and just trying to provide for his family,” says Isaacs. “He’s slightly lost himself, lost a connection with his kids and in the telling of this story about his relationship with Red Dog when he was a kid he rediscovers who he is and who he is meant to be.”

On working with the cast, Isaacs says: “Acting is easy when the other people are good. Justine Clarke, who most people know from Play School, is fabulous as my wife. I thought she was phenomenal.”

Isaacs says, “The film is incredibly life-affirming. It is about communicating with the people you love, being in the moment and not losing yourself. And it’s about dogs! You can’t get away from it! Everybody loves dogs; it is just ridiculous how they cut through the rest of that human nonsense.”

Explores the early events leading up to Red Dog's discovery on the road to Dampier, and his ultimate rise from ordinary dog to Australian legend.