Renegade Dreamers, a new feature documentary by Karen Kramer release at Cinema Village on May 31

Matt Pless, a young folk singer at a peace rally in lower Manhattan. Photo credit: Karen Kramer

  • Renegade Dreamers, a timely new documentary by Karen Kramer, chronicles the artists of today carrying on the tradition of the Beat poets and radical folk singers of New York City’s legendary Greenwich Village who challenged the status quo.

  • Week-long theatrical release starts May 31 at Cinema Village

Renegade Dreamers, a new feature documentary by acclaimed filmmaker Karen Kramer (The Jolo Serpent Handlers, The Ballad of Greenwich Village), is a window into the New York spoken word poets and folk singers of today who use their art for social change, interwoven with the Beat poets and radical protest singers of the legendary Greenwich Village coffee house scene of the ‘60s that started it all. This timely film will enjoy a week-long theatrical release starting May 31 at Cinema Village, in the heart of the Village’s vibrant creative community.

Throughout New York City the air is filled with the sounds of subversive poetry, radical songwriting and calls for social change. From poetry slams and open mics to subway platforms, basements, cafes, street demonstrations and political rallies, young poets and protest singers are fighting to combat police brutality, corporate greed, racism, conformity and other issues of their times.

Where folk singer Woody Guthrie once sang out for union organizing, contemporary songwriter Gio Andollo from Washington Heights takes his mandolin to shopping centers where he confronts consumers with songs against clothing made in sweatshops. Where poet Allen Ginsberg once wrote poems that cried out for free speech, Bronx-born spoken word artist Saroya Marsh uses her words to fight for Black Lives Matter and social justice.

With appearances by Bob Dylan, Allen Ginsberg, Wavy Gravy, Joan Baez, Woody Guthrie, Maria Muldaur, Tom Paxton, the Weavers—and some of the best young artists you haven’t yet heard of—the film, both entertaining and informative, is loaded with protest, history and music. It couldn’t come at a more timely moment as the people are letting their voices be heard once again, emphasizing what it means to be a renegade and dreamer in America today.

“I’ve always been interested in those who step off the path prescribed for them, those who question authority and challenge the status quo,” said Karen Kramer, director of Renegade Dreamers. “I wanted to make a film that would honor the Beat generation of the past who started it all, as well as provide a window into the artists of today who are carrying on that tradition. They made me realize that in light of what’s going on in the country today—if not the world—it’s more important than ever to question authority.”

About Director Karen Kramer:

Karen Kramer has been a documentary filmmaker since 1978 when her groundbreaking film The Jolo Serpent Handlers, about a small snake handling church in Appalachia, was released to widespread acclaim. Since then she has independently produced a dozen other documentaries about rituals traditions, human rights and communities. These include award-winning films such as To Serve The Gods, Legacy of the Spirits, Haitian Song, Celebration, The Last of the New York Cigar Rollers, Days of Awe, Children of Shadows, The Ballad of Greenwich Village and several others.

Kramer's films have received wide distribution both domestically and internationally. They have been televised on NBC, Fox 5, WNET, The Oprah Show, CNN, WLIW and dozens of venues overseas. In addition to winning awards at festivals worldwide, they have been screened at such prestigious showcases as the Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum, the Smithsonian Institution, the Field Museum and hundreds of others. More than 150 universities show her films on a continual basis. She has lectured and toured extensively with her work—from Europe to Africa to South America—and has appeared on dozens of radio programs.

The filmmaker has four times received grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as awards from the New York State Council on the Arts, the New York Council for the Humanities, the George Soros Foundation, UNICEF and many others. She lives in Greenwich Village, New York City.

Credits

  • Directed and Produced by Karen Kramer

  • Cinematography by Dan Drasin, Stephen Gladstone

  • Edited by David Petersen

  • Second Editors: Denise Dragiewicz, Kala Mandrake

  • Principal Archivist: Alexandra Singer

  • USA - 2019 - 71 mins - Color - DCP

The Sun Is Also a Star | NEW TRAILER

“What if I told you I could get you to fall in love with me…?”

All we have is a single day. Don't miss Yara Shahidi and Charles Melton in #TheSunIsAlsoAStar, only in theaters May 17. http://www.facebook.com/TheSunIsAlsoAStarMovie http://twitter.com/SunIsAlsoAStar http://www.instagram.com/TheSunIsAlsoAStar "What if I told you I could get you to fall in love with me...?"

“College-bound romantic Daniel Bae and Jamaica-born pragmatist Natasha Kingsley meet—and fall for each other—over one magical day amidst the fervor and flurry of New York City.  Sparks immediately fly between these two strangers, who might never have met had fate not given them a little push.  But will fate be enough to take these teens from star-crossed to lucky in love?  With just hours left on the clock in what looks to be her last day in the U.S., Natasha is fighting against her family’s deportation as fiercely as she’s fighting her budding feelings for Daniel, who is working just as hard to convince her they are destined to be together.”

A modern-day story about finding love against all odds, “The Sun Is Also a Star” explores whether our lives are determined by fate or the random events of the universe.

The film stars Yara Shahidi (“Grown-ish”) as Natasha and Charles Melton (“Riverdale”) as Daniel, along with John Leguizamo (“John Wick: Chapter 2”).

Directed by Ry Russo-Young (“Before I Fall”), the film is based on the acclaimed bestseller by Everything, Everything author Nicola Yoon.  The Sun Is Also a Star was #1 on the New York Times bestseller list and has received multiple accolades, including: 2016 National Book Award Finalist; Amazon’s Best Book of 2016 in YA; Amazon’s Top 20 Children’s Books of 2016 in YA; the New York Times Notable Children’s Books of 2016; and Entertainment Weekly’s 10 Best Books of 2016.

Russo-Young directed from a screenplay by Tracy Oliver (“Girls Trip”).   The film’s producers are Leslie Morgenstein and Elysa Koplovitz Dutton, who served as producers on “Everything, Everything.”  Pamela Hirsch served as executive producer.

The behind-the-scenes creative team includes director of photography Autumn Durald Arkapaw (“Teen Spirit”), production designer Wynn Thomas (“Hidden Figures”), editor Joe Landauer (“Before I Fall”), and costume designer Deirdra Elizabeth Govan (“Sorry to Bother You”).  The music is by Herdís Stefánsdóttir (“The Hate U Give”).

Warner Bros. Pictures and Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures present An Alloy Entertainment production, “The Sun Is Also a Star,” due in theaters nationwide May 17, 2019.  

This film has been rated PG-13 for some suggestive content and language.

#TheSunIsAlsoAStar

EMMY AWARD-WINNING “SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE” RETURNS FOR 16TH SEASON ON FOX

Photo Credit: @DANCEonFOX (FOXFLASH)

New Season to Feature Nation’s Best Dancers Between Ages of 18 and 30 : Auditions to be Held in New York City, Los Angeles and Dallas

FOX has renewed the Emmy Award-winning dance competition series SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE for a 16th season. From Industrial Media’s 19 Entertainment and dick clark productions, SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE will return this summer on FOX. 

“Each season, the talent on SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE reaches new levels and continues to create the most incredible routines,” said Rob Wade, President, Alternative Entertainment and Specials, Fox Broadcasting Company. “The hard work and passion that goes into each performance is awe-inspiring. We can’t wait to see what Season 16 has in store and look forward to bringing you a new crop of incredible, inspired and inspiring dancers.”

“I am thrilled that we have been picked up by FOX for Season 16 of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE,” said executive producer Nigel Lythgoe. “This allows us to shine the spotlight once again on the incredible choreographic and dance talent across the United States as we search for America’s favorite dancer.”

Auditions for the 16th season of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE kick off next month. Dancers can audition online by registering and uploading a video, or providing a link to a video of their performance, at https://soyouthinkyoucandance2019season16.castingcrane.com/. Selected dancers will be invited to attend auditions in New York (Feb. 9), Dallas (Feb. 12) and Los Angeles (Feb. 23). From those auditions, the dancers selected will be invited to Los Angeles to perform for the judges.

Dancers either must be U.S. citizens, legal permanent residents of the U.S. or possess current legal Employment Authorization Cards enabling them to seek employment freely in the U.S. (i.e., without restrictions as to employer) by the date specified in the eligibility rules. Dancers must be no younger than 18 or older than 30 years of age on the day of their in-person auditions. Dancers must provide legal, valid proof of age when they register for auditions.

The deadline to register online for a chance to audition in New York and Dallas is Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019 at midnight PT. The deadline to register online for a chance to audition in Los Angeles is Sunday, Feb. 10, 2019 at midnight PT.

Keep checking https://soyouthinkyoucandance2019season16.castingcrane.com/ or www.fox.com/dance  for full eligibility rules, official rules and additional details.

Saturday, Feb. 9

New York Auditions

Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet

29 Jay St

Brooklyn, NY11201

**Dancers should arrive at 7:00 AM**

Tuesday, Feb. 12

Dallas Auditions

Duncanville Fieldhouse

1700 S Main St

Duncanville, TX 75137

**Dancers should arrive at 7:00 AM**

Saturday, Feb. 23

Los Angeles Auditions

BBC Highland Studios

953 N Highland

Los Angeles, CA 90036

**Dancers should arrive at 7:00 AM**

Last September, Hannahlei Cabanilla was named the winner of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE during the live two-hour season finale on FOX. Cabanilla, 18, danced off with the cash prize of $250,000, the cover of Dance Spirit magazine, a role in the live musical production of the award-winning musical RENT on FOX and the title of America’s Favorite Dancer. Season 15’s Top 10 contestants also hit the road in October for SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE LIVE! 2018, a 38-city tour across America.

Over the course of its 15 seasons, SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE has received 64 Emmy Award nominations and garnered 16 Emmy Award wins, including Outstanding Choreography for Mandy Moore (2018); Travis Wall (2017, 2015); Mia Michaels (2011, 2010 and 2007); Napoleon and Tabitha Dumo (2014 and 2011); Tyce Diorio (2009); and Wade Robson (2008 and 2007). The hit series also received awards in the category of Outstanding Costumes in 2014, 2010 and 2009, as well as awards in Outstanding Lighting Design in 2012 and 2011.

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE is from Industrial Media’s 19 Entertainment and dick clark productions. The series is executive-produced by series co-creator Nigel Lythgoe, Allen Shapiro, Barry Adelman, Mike Yurchuk, Jeff Thacker, Eli Holzman and Aaron Saidman.

Visit the official SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE site at fox.com/dance to view exclusive videos and photos. “Like” SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE on Facebook at SoYouThinkYouCanDance. Follow the series on Twitter @DANCEonFOX and join the discussion using #SYTYCD.