Graham McLarenOn 07 February 2013, Charles Dickens’ birthday, his most popular novel, Great Expectations, finally had its West End Première as the culmination of the bicentenary celebrations. Jo Clifford’s stunning adaptation was universally acclaimed as a triumph on its UK tour prior to the West End début – ‘its two one hour acts honour both playful demands of living theatre and the themes of the book.’ Graham McLaren’s outstanding, haunting, utterly brilliant, Gothic wonder brings some of the most memorable characters ever created to life. The beautiful yet chilling Estella, the terrifying convict Magwitch, the manipulative Jaggers, the tragic and mysterious Miss Havisham and Pip looking back on his young self - a boy with ‘Great Expectations’.
Alex Ross Perry"Becky Something (Elisabeth Moss) is a '90s punk rock superstar who once filled arenas with her grungy all-female trio Something She. Now she plays smaller venues while grappling with motherhood, exhausted band mates, nervous record company executives, and a new generation of rising talent eager to usurp her stardom. When Becky's chaos and excesses derail a recording session and national tour, she finds herself shunned, isolated and alone. Forced to get sober, temper her demons, and reckon with the past, she retreats from the spotlight and tries to recapture the creative inspiration that led her band to success. Anchored by a towering, unflinching performance from Golden Globe and Emmy winner Moss, and supported by a stellar ensemble cast, HER SMELL examines the grit, grace and gravitas of an unforgettable fictional rock star crashing down to earth into the harsh realities of mid-life. With his incendiary and deeply humane sixth feature, writer-director Alex Ross Perry (Listen Up Phili
Kerstin KarlhuberA young man returns to his family farm, after a long stay in ex-gay conversion therapy, and is torn between the expectations of his emotionally distant father, and the memories of a past, loving relationship he has tried to bury.
John CarneySING STREET takes us back to 1980s Dublin seen through the eyes of a 14-year-old boy named Conor (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo) who is looking for a break from a home strained by his parents’ relationship and money troubles, while trying to adjust to his new inner-city public school where the kids are rough and the teachers are rougher. He finds a glimmer of hope in the mysterious, über-cool and beautiful Raphina (Lucy Boynton), and with the aim of winning her heart he invites her to star in his band’s music videos. There’s only one problem: he’s not part of a band…yet. She agrees, and now Conor must deliver what he’s promised - calling himself “Cosmo” and immersing himself in the vibrant rock music trends of the decade, he forms a band with a few lads, and the group pours their heart into writing lyrics and shooting videos. Inspired by writer/director John Carney’s (ONCE, BEGIN AGAIN) life and love for music, SING STREET shows us a world where music has the power to take us a
Jim JarmuschWith Dead Man, his first period piece, Jim Jarmusch imagined the nineteenth-century American West as an existential wasteland, delivering a surreal reckoning with the ravages of industrialization, the country’s legacy of violence and prejudice, and the natural cycle of life and death. Accountant William Blake (Johnny Depp) has hardly arrived in the godforsaken outpost of Machine before he’s caught in the middle of a fatal lovers’ quarrel. Wounded and on the lam, Blake falls under the watch of the outcast Nobody (Gary Farmer), who guides his companion on a spiritual journey, teaching him to dispense poetic justice along the way. Featuring austerely beautiful black-and-white photography by Robby Müller and a live-wire score by Neil Young, Dead Man is a profound and unique revision of the western genre.
Paul WeitzBased on the best-selling novel. A famous opera singer is held hostage in South America by a guerrilla rebel group after performing at a Japanese businessman’s lavish birthday party. Unexpected bonds are forged in the standoff that ensues.
Neil ArmfieldBased on the international best-seller, HOLDING THE MAN is the sweeping love story of two high school boys, one the hunky captain of the football team and the other a sensitive drama student. After a sweet courtship, the two fall madly in love and traverse an enduring relationship over 15 years. Featuring Guy Pearce, Geoffrey Rush and Anthony LaPaglia, this inspirational true story captures the beauty and heartbreak of the best romances of our time.
Josh AronsonA film by Academy Award nominated director Josh Aronson. The thrilling story of how one man helped save Europe’s premiere Jewish musicians from obliteration by the Nazis. In the early 1930’s Hitler began firing Jewish musicians across Europe. Overcoming extraordinary obstacles, violinist Bronislaw Huberman moved these great musicians to Palestine and formed a symphony that would become the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. With courage, resourcefulness and an entourage of allies including Arturo Toscanini and Albert Einstein, Huberman saved nearly 1000 Jews and guaranteed the survival of Europe’s musical heritage. Featuring commentary by musical greats including Itzhak Perlman, Zubin Mehta and Joshua Bell, Orchestra of Exiles is a timeless tale of a brilliant young man coming of age, and the suspenseful chronicle of how his efforts impacted cultural history.
James OakleyKathryn Vale (Lena Olin) is a reclusive ex-movie star with a dark secret and a daughter (Rosamund Pike) hoping to follow in her mother's movie-star footsteps. When Kathryn attempts to make a career comeback, she is threatened by an anonymous blackmailer. The resulting events force Kathryn to confront the truth about herself and those around her.
UnknownFrom directing duo Hélène Cattet & Bruno Forzani (AMER), comes this homage to the masters of classic Italian Giallo horror. Dan returns home to find his wife is missing. With no signs of struggle or break-in and with no help from the police, Dan’s search for answers leads him down a psychosexual rabbit hole. THE STRANGE COLOR OF YOUR BODY’S TEARS is a bloody and taut fantasia of suspense that leaves the viewer entranced in this highly original erotic thriller.
Henry Alberto“Hara-Kiri” is the love story of two skaters, August and Beto, and their last day on earth. The two soul mates make a suicide pact, but not without one last day of chaos and goodbyes. A Los Angeles story reminiscent of Larry Clark ideology.
Shea SizemoreAlden Rockwell is on the verge of settling into retirement after losing his re-election bid for sheriff until his old war buddy and neighboring sheriff is mysteriously injured. But when overlooked evidence points to attempted murder, Alden must take the investigation into his own hands or else standby while a greater evil takes over the town.
Ingmar BergmanAfter fifteen films that received mostly local acclaim, the comedy Smiles of a Summer Night at last ushered in an international audience for Ingmar Bergman. In turn-of-the-century Sweden, four men and four women attempt to navigate the laws of attraction. During a weekend in the country, the women collude to force the men’s hands in matters of the heart, exposing their pretensions and insecurities along the way. Chock-full of flirtatious propositions and sharp witticisms delivered by such Swedish screen legends as Gunnar Björnstrand and Harriet Andersson, Smiles of a Summer Night is one of cinema’s great erotic comedies.
Terence DaviesCynthia Nixon delivers a triumphant performance as Emily Dickinson, personifying the wit, pathos and spiritual independence of the great American poet whose genius would not be recognized until after her death. Revered British director Terence Davies (HOUSE OF MIRTH) exquisitely evokes Dickinson’s close-knit Amherst family, including her nurturing sister Vinnie (Jennifer Ehle) and proud patriarch father (Keith Carradine), along with the manners, mores and religious convictions of the time with which she struggled before finding transcendence in her poetry.
Gino PayneWe Was Homeboyz is the story of 3 friends; Ice, Nature, and Drew. They were always the best of partners, starting off selling drugs together in the streets of Atlanta, Ga. They came up and got money, but jealousy and envy makes things fall apart and you receive a first hand look at how wicked and cut-throat the dope game can be. With a Soundtrack that is sure to have you dancing in your seat and action that will leave you waiting to see what's going to happen next, We Was Homeboyz is sure to be an instant Hood Classic. Names have been changed to Protect the Guilty.
Yasujiro OzuA lighthearted take on director Yasujiro Ozu’s perennial theme of the challenges of intergenerational relationships, Good Morning tells the story of two young boys who stop speaking in protest after their parents refuse to buy a television set. Ozu weaves a wealth of subtle gags through a family portrait as rich as those of his dramatic films, mocking the foibles of the adult world through the eyes of his child protagonists. Shot in stunning Technicolor and set in a suburb of Tokyo where housewives gossip about the neighbors’ new washing machine and unemployed husbands look for work as door-to-door salesmen, this charming comedy refashions Ozu’s own silent classic I Was Born, But . . . to gently satirize consumerism in postwar Japan.
Damien ChazelleThe acclaimed debut film from the director of LA LA LAND and WHIPLASH -- a full-fledged song-and-dance, tap-and-jazz musical, Damien Chazelle’s GUY AND MADELINE ON A PARK BENCH boldly recasts the 1940’s MGM musical tradition in a gritty, verite style, resulting in an exuberant celebration of romance and music. Guy and Madeline have been dating for three months, but the excitement of first love has faded. When another woman catches Guy’s eye, sparks fly—spelling the end of Guy and Madeline’s romance. But when things don’t work out quite as planned, Guy must decide whether to try to win Madeline back—even if it may be too late. Their story unfolds in a world of jazz and tap, featuring original music composed by Justin Hurwitz and recorded by the Bratislava Symphony Orchestra.
John Michael McDonaghBrendan Gleeson delivers “a truly sensational performance” (Total Film) in this “wickedly funny black comedy” (Time Out) from acclaimed writer-director John Michael McDonagh (The Guard). When a good priest (Gleeson) is threatened by a mysterious member of his parish, he feels sinister forces closing in and begins to wonder if he will have the courage to face his own personal Calvary.
Richard LaxtonGiving possibly the best performance of his distinguished career, two-time Academy Award nominee John Hurt (Midnight Express, The Elephant Man) gives a bravura portrayal of British gay icon Quentin Crisp in An Englishman in New York, an exhilarating, funny and inspiring story focusing on Crisp's emigration to the United States in the final years of his life.
Shira Potash & Yoav PotashFood Stamped follows nutritionist Shira Potash and her documentary filmmaker husband Yoav as they attempt to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet on a food stamp budget. Through their adventures they consult with Members of Congress, food justice advocates, nutrition experts, and people living on food stamps to take a deep look at America's broken food system. A FilmBuff Presentation.
Donna DeitchDonna Deitch’s swooning and sensual first narrative feature, Desert Hearts, was groundbreaking upon its release in 1985: a love story about two women, made entirely independently, on a shoestring budget, by a woman. In this 1959-set film, adapted from a beloved novel by Jane Rule, straitlaced East Coast professor Vivian Bell (Helen Shaver) arrives in Reno to file for divorce but winds up catching the eye of someone new, the free-spirited young Cay (Patricia Charbonneau), touching off a slow seduction that unfolds against a breathtaking desert landscape. With undeniable chemistry between its two leads, an evocative jukebox soundtrack, and vivid cinematography by Robert Elswit, Desert Hearts beautifully exudes a sense of tender yearning and emotional candor.
Sophie BrooksDiana (Zosia Mamet, “Girls”) moves back to New York City after a few years in London for a fresh start — only to discover her ex-boyfriend lives in the apartment below. It’s not long before old wounds reopen, and she is forced to confront the true nature of her feelings, in this touching dramedy about the fine line between friendship and love.
Iara LeeK2 is widely seen as the world's harshest mountain. Yet many indigenous porters make a living in its extreme conditions, carrying provisions for foreign climbing expeditions. Often risking their lives with only rudimentary equipment, they receive minimal pay for their efforts. Against a backdrop of breathtaking natural beauty, this cinematic doc explores the everyday courage and sacrifice of the men who call the 'Savage Mountain' their home.
Vikram GandhiIn 2010, Indian-American filmmaker Vikram Gandhi went to Phoenix and posed as Kumare, a spiritual guru. With a Bollywood accent, far-out proclamations, and a tiny legion of followers at his side, yogis and novices alike embrace him with open arms. As the line between what’s fake and what’s real blurs and Kumare gets more deeply involved with his disciples’ enlightenment, it gets harder and harder to give up the adoration of the masses. A FilmBuff Presentation.
Tom KalinThe true story of gay lovers, Richard Loeb and Nathan Leopold Jr. who kidnapped and murdered a child in the early 1920s for kicks. The plot covers the months before the crime, the investigation, trial and final fate of the two men.
Paige WilliamsDespite being let down and left behind by America’s foster care system, a pair of plucky underdogs from Montana set out to change the system that raised them. A FilmBuff Presentation.
Andrei TarkovskyTracing the life of a renowned icon painter, the second feature by Andrei Tarkovsky vividly conjures the murky world of medieval Russia. This dreamlike and remarkably tactile film follows Andrei Rublev as he passes through a series of poetically linked scenes—snow falls inside an unfinished church, naked pagans stream through a thicket during a torchlit ritual, a boy oversees the clearing away of muddy earth for the forging of a gigantic bell—gradually emerging as a man struggling mightily to preserve his creative and religious integrity. Appearing here in the director’s preferred 183-minute cut as well as the version that was originally suppressed by Soviet authorities, the masterwork Andrei Rublev is one of Tarkovsky’s most revered films, an arresting meditation on art, faith, and endurance.
Daniel RibeiroSet against the music of Belle and Sebastian, Daniel Ribeiro's coming of age tale, THE WAY HE LOOKS is a fun and tender story about friendship and the complications of young love. Leo is a blind teenager who’s fed up with his overprotective mother and the bullies at school. Looking to assert his independence, he decides to study abroad to the dismay of his best friend, Giovana. When Gabriel, the new kid in town, teams with Leo on a school project, new feelings blossom in him that make him reconsider his plans. Meanwhile, Giovana, grows jealous of this new found companionship as tensions mount between her and Leo.
John MayburyLOVE IS THE DEVIL is John Maybury’s unflinching portrait of painter Francis Bacon (Derek Jacobi, The King’s Speech, Henry V, Gosford Park) and his tumultuous love affair with small-time crook George Dyer (Daniel Craig, James Bond of Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, Skyfall). Bacon is at the height of his fame in the 1960’s when the would-be thief breaks into his studio. Thus, begins a cruel romance in the greatest artist-as-monster film ever made.
Alfonso Gomez-RejonWinner of the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival, Me and Earl and the Dying Girl is a uniquely funny, wonderfully charming tale of true friendship about a high school senior named Greg, his best friend and fellow student filmmaker Earl, and Rachel — a terminally ill classmate whom Greg is forced to spend time with at the request of his meddling mother.
Sydney FreelandOn a beautifully desolate Navajo reservation in New Mexico, three young people – a college-bound, devout Christian; a rebellious and angry father-to-be; and a promiscuous but gorgeous transsexual - search for love and acceptance. As the three find their lives becoming more complicated and their troubles growing, their paths begin to intersect. With little in common other than a shared heritage, they soon learn that the key to overcoming their respective obstacles may come from the most unlikely of sources, each other. Inspired by a 20/20 story that called her hometown of Gallup, NM “Drunktown USA,” writer/director Sydney Freeland has constructed a moving and ultimately uplifting story about coming of age in the most challenging of circumstances while still finding hope, healing, and the chance for a better life.
Jon ShenkThe Island President tells the story of President Mohamed Nasheed of the Maldives, a man confronting a problem greater than any other world leader has ever faced - the literal survival of his country and everyone in it. Nasheed brought democracy to the Maldives after thirty years of despotic rule but he is now faced with an even greater challenge: as one of the most low-lying countries in the world, a rise of three feet in sea level would submerge the 1200 islands of the Maldives and make them uninhabitable. A classic David and Goliath tale, The Island President captures Nasheed's battle to stop and reverse global warming, culminating in his trip to the Copenhagen Climate Sumitt in 2009 where the film provides a rare and unprecedented glimpse at Nasheed's electrifying and passionate behind the scenes exchanges with the heads of state attending this top-level global assembly. A film about one man's mission to save his nation and perhaps the planet, The Island President is a riveting, up
Fernando León de AranoaThe true story of the notorious drug kingpin Pablo Escobar (Javier Bardem), who killed thousands, made billions and struck up an unlikely love affair with his polar opposite, a glamorous television host named Virginia Vallejo (Penélope Cruz).
UnknownThis is a revolutionary new 60 minute program filmed especially for the modern cat in order to keep him amused and occupied in the comfort of his own living room while his owners are away. Owners need never feel guilty about leaving their cuddly kitty home alone ever again…kitty will have a purr-fectly great time with his/her very own video program – the ultimate in Cat TV! There are some excellent, positive benefits for your cat as he watches, especially if your cat is exclusively a house cat. “Happy Cat: The Movie” is vital therapy for indoor cats or those left at home who miss their owners. Cats need and enjoy mental exercise and tend to focus on these types of activities with their owners. When left at home alone regularly, they can become bored, lonely and frustrated. Even the best owners can forget about their cat's mental well-being. “Happy Cat: The Movie” can make all the difference to any cat’s quality of life in the modern world. Your cat will enjoy: Exciting vi
Sam Taylor-JohnsonAn alcoholic and a drug addict, 23-year-old James has two options: treatment or death. After waking up on a plane with a smashed up face and no memory of the past few weeks, he heads to rehab where he discovers much more than detox and therapy. As James endures the white-knuckle journey of mending his broken body, he heals his broken soul by connecting with other kindred spirits who also yearn and fight for a better life. A MILLION LITTLE PIECES is the latest film from acclaimed director Sam Taylor-Johnson and stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson in a tour de force performance. Based on the best-selling book by James Frey with a screenplay by Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Sam Taylor-Johnson, the film also stars Billy Bob Thornton, Juliette Lewis, Giovanni Ribisi, and Odessa Young.
Stephen LanceCharlie just found out his mother is having an affair, but is distracted from his problems by the mysterious woman down the street who has visitors day and night. After a sudden family tragedy, Charlie soon finds solace in Maggie, the beautiful French stranger, and a dominatrix. What starts as a perverse game quickly turns into a taboo love affair.
Jordana SpiroAngel LaMere is released from juvenile detention on the eve of her 18th birthday. Haunted by her past, Angel embarks on a journey with her 10 year-old sister to avenge her mother’s death.
Annabelle AttanasioIt’s April in Montana, and headstrong teenager Mickey Peck (Camila Morrone) is doing what she can to keep her veteran father (James Badge Dale) afloat, navigating his moods and opioid addiction. Mickey fantasizes of going to college on the west coast, but when Hank’s controlling, jealous behavior turns destructive, she must put everything on the line to claim her own independence.
Joanna HoggUnrelated is a compelling portrait of mid-life malaise. A group of upper-middle class Britons take a holiday in Tuscany, bringing together the families of Anna (Kathryn Worth) and her old school friend Verena (Mary Roscoe). Anna’s marriage is crumbling, and she is eager to escape the troubles of home. She finds a distraction in Oakley (Tom Hiddleston, The Avengers), a flirtatious teen who takes Anna on hedonistic evenings of dope smoking and reckless joyrides. Verena is shocked by her friend’s adolescent actions, and soon Anna is rejected by the teens as well. Forced to be alone for the first time, Anna has to confront the shambles that her life is threatening to become.
Ryusuke HamaguchiA mysterious and intoxicating pop romance, Ryûsuke Hamaguchi’s follow-up to the acclaimed HAPPY HOUR begins with Asako, a young woman who meets and falls madly in love with a drifter, Baku, who one day drifts right out of her life. Two years later, working in Tokyo, Asako sees Baku again — or, rather, a young, solid businessman named Ryohei who bears a striking resemblance to her old flame. They begin building a happy life together until traces of Asako’s past start to resurface.
Noah BaumbachFrom writer-director Noah Baumbach comes this witty comedy starring Greta Gerwig and Lola Kirke. Tracy (Kirke) is a lonely college freshman who longs for confidence, a guy and membership in a snobby writers’ group. But when she meets her free-spirited future stepsister Brooke (Gerwig), the two have a wild New York adventure that gives Tracy a new outlook on dreams, friendship and cat ownership.
Wim WendersTraveling from the streets of Havana to the stage of Carnegie Hall, this revelatory documentary captures a forgotten generation of Cuba’s brightest musical talents as they enjoy an unexpected brush with world fame. The veteran vocalists and instrumentalists collaborated with American guitarist and roots-music champion Ry Cooder to form the Buena Vista Social Club, playing a jazz-inflected mix of cha-cha, mambo, bolero, and other traditional Latin American styles, and recording an album that won a Grammy and made them an international phenomenon. In the wake of this success, director Wim Wenders filmed the ensemble’s members—including golden-voiced Ibrahim Ferrer and piano virtuoso Rubén González—in a series of illuminating interviews and live performances. The result is one of the most beloved music documentaries of the 1990s, and an infectious ode to a neglected corner of Cuba’s prerevolutionary heritage.
David LynchIn the town of Twin Peaks, everyone has their secrets—but especially Laura Palmer (Sheryl Lee). In this prequel to his groundbreaking 1990s television series, David Lynch resurrects the teenager found wrapped in plastic at the beginning of the show, following her through the last week of her life and teasing out the enigmas that surround her murder. Homecoming queen by day and drug-addicted thrill seeker by night, Laura leads a double life that pulls her deeper and deeper into horror as she pieces together the identity of the assailant who has been terrorizing her for years. Nightmarish in its vision of an innocent torn apart by unfathomable forces, TWIN PEAKS: FIRE WALK WITH ME is nevertheless one of Lynch’s most humane films, aching with compassion for its tortured heroine—a character as enthralling in life as she was in death.
David PomesThis gritty debut feature from David Pomes stars Hell on Wheels’ Anson Mount and Nikita bad guy you love to hate, Xander Berkeley in an unflinching look at the complete breakdown of a family due to meth addiction. After a stint in prison, Sonny (Berkeley) returns to his home in East Texas, determined to repair his relationship with his teenage son. Standing in his way is his brother (Mount) who has turned their family home into a meth lab. As Sonny attempts to make things right with his son and help his niece get beyond her life in a crumbling meth lab, desperation leads to tragedy, heartbreak and madness. A FilmBuff presentation.
Céline SciammaFrom the director of WATER LILIES and TOMBOY, comes GIRLHOOD, the critically-acclaimed hit from Sundance and the Director’s Fortnight in Cannes. Fed up with her abusive family situation, lack of school prospects and the “boys’ law” in the neighborhood, Marieme, a teenage girl in Paris, starts a new life after meeting a group of three free-spirited girls. She changes her name, her style, drops out of school and starts stealing to be accepted into the group. When her home situation becomes unbearable, Marieme seeks solace in an older man who promises her money and protection. Realizing this sort of lifestyle will never result in the freedom and independence she truly desires, she finally decides to take matters into her own hands. With dazzling visuals and music, GIRLHOOD is a powerful and inspiring coming of age story for this generation.
Jon GarciaFor Sydney and Darrel, their romance never quite had the chance to blossom. After two years apart, that all changes when they reconnect at the world premiere of an independent film. After a night of drinks, they finally manage to rekindle their lost passion...but things are different now.
Tyler HubbyFrom performing in Jack Smith’s legendary Flaming Creatures to creating a series of groundbreaking experimental films to playing a pivotal role in the formation of The Velvet Underground, Tony Conrad: Completely in the Present, twenty-two years in the making, examines the pioneering life and work of artist, musician, and educator, Tony Conrad.
Mike CahillDr. Ian Gray (Michael Pitt) is a molecular biologist studying the evolution of the eye, along with his lab partner, Karen (Brit Marling). After a tragic romance with an exotic young woman (Astrid Bergès-Frisbey), Ian’s analytical nature is put to the ultimate test, triggering a chain of events that leads to a stunning discovery years later...one that may unlock the greatest mysteries.
Garth JenningsMere seconds before the earth is to be demolished by an alien construction crew, journeyman Arthur Dent is swept off the planet by his friend Ford Prefect, a researcher penning a new edition of "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy."
Harald ZwartThis breathtaking action adventure tells an incredible true-life story of heroism and a man's unbreakable will to live. Norway, 1943: after a failed anti-Nazi sabotage mission leaves his eleven comrades dead, Norwegian resistance fighter Jan Baalsrud (Thomas Gullestad) finds himself on the run from the Gestapo through the snowbound Arctic reaches of Scandinavia. It's a harrowing journey across unforgiving, frozen wilderness that will stretch on for months—and force Jan to take extreme action in order to survive. With gut-punching realism and vivid psychological immediacy, director Harold Zwart pays tribute to one man's extraordinary courage—and to the everyday heroes who helped him along the way. Jonathan Rhys-Meyers costars.
Stephen DunnA fresh take on the coming-of-age story, this surreal tale follows the artistically driven Oscar (AMERICAN CRIME’s Connor Jessup) hovering on the brink of adulthood. Struggling to find his place in the world after a rough childhood and haunted by images of a tragic incident, Oscar dreams of escaping his small town. After he meets a mysterious and attractive new co-worker, Oscar follows the guidance of his pet hamster Buffy (voiced by Isabella Rossellini) and faces his demons to find the life he wants.
Léa PoolThe ubiquitous pink ribbons of breast cancer philanthropy - and the hand-in-hand marketing of brands and products associated with that philanthropy — permeates our culture, providing assurance that we are engaged in a successful battle against this insidious disease. But the campaign obscures the reality and facts of breast cancer – more and more women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year, and face the same treatment options they did 40 years ago. Yet women are also the most influential market group, buying 80 percent of consumer products and making most major household purchasing decisions. So then who really benefits from the pink ribbon campaigns — the cause or the company? And what if the very companies and products that profit from their association have actually contributed to the problem? In showing the real story of breast cancer and the lives of those who fight it, Pink Ribbons, Inc. reveals the co-opting of what marketing experts have labeled a "dream cause."
Kirill MikhanovskyMedical transport driver Vic is late, but it’s not his fault. Roads are closed for a protest, and no one else can shuttle his Russian grandfather and émigré friends to a funeral. The new route uproots his scheduled clients, particularly Tracy (Lauren “Lolo” Spencer in a breakout performance), a vibrant young woman with ALS. As the day goes from hectic to off-the-rails, their collective ride becomes a hilarious, compassionate, and intersectional portrait of American dreams.
