Stand-up comedy is a public performance that gives the illusion of intimate spontaneity. This is equally true of reality television, so it’s natural that a master at the former would try his hand at the latter. Such is the origin story of “Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show,” a self-reflexive — and self-explanatory — HBO project that follows Carmichael’s award-winning special “Rothaniel” with an even more extended look at the comic’s later-in-life coming out and its effect on his closest relationships. Just don’t call the series unfiltered. “This is not truth,” a friend reminds Carmichael, and by extension, us. “This is narrative.”
“Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show” is not the first time a professional jokester has blurred the line between entertainment and actual life. Carmichael himself cites “The Truman Show” as an inspiration; more recently, works like Nathan Fielder’s “The Rehearsal” and Bo Burnham’s “Inside” have called attention to their own artificial nature,...
“Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show” is not the first time a professional jokester has blurred the line between entertainment and actual life. Carmichael himself cites “The Truman Show” as an inspiration; more recently, works like Nathan Fielder’s “The Rehearsal” and Bo Burnham’s “Inside” have called attention to their own artificial nature,...
- 3/29/2024
- by Alison Herman
- Variety Film + TV
One of the most intriguing aspects of Jerrod Carmichael’s Emmy-winning Rothaniel was the way it erased the already blurry line between comedy special and therapy session.
Seated in an uncomfortable-looking chair in the glare of a harsh spotlight that left the rest of the intimate venue entirely in the dark, Carmichael explored family trauma and his sexuality in a soft-spoken, introspective way that gave the impression of spontaneous self-discovery, occasionally assisted by responses from the unseen audience. What made the special so spectacular was how it used Carmichael’s inherent likability to pull viewers into his life — or at least into the version of his life that he felt prepared to confront at that moment.
HBO’s Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show, created by Carmichael, Eli Despres and director Ari Katcher, isn’t precisely a sequel to Rothaniel, but it’s an extension of its genre-blurring tone and therapeutic approach.
Seated in an uncomfortable-looking chair in the glare of a harsh spotlight that left the rest of the intimate venue entirely in the dark, Carmichael explored family trauma and his sexuality in a soft-spoken, introspective way that gave the impression of spontaneous self-discovery, occasionally assisted by responses from the unseen audience. What made the special so spectacular was how it used Carmichael’s inherent likability to pull viewers into his life — or at least into the version of his life that he felt prepared to confront at that moment.
HBO’s Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show, created by Carmichael, Eli Despres and director Ari Katcher, isn’t precisely a sequel to Rothaniel, but it’s an extension of its genre-blurring tone and therapeutic approach.
- 3/26/2024
- by Daniel Fienberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show” can trace its origins back to at least one unlikely source: disgraced former U.S. representative Anthony Weiner.
Before the series from creators Carmichael, Ari Katcher, and Eli Despres, which premiered at the 2024 SXSW Film & TV Festival, Carmichael’s pie-in-the-sky idea was to play a version of Weiner in the project that ultimately became “Reality Show.” And that prospect was initially even more compelling to the creators than the series that resulted.
“Can we just make a movie of Jerrod trying to get ‘Weiner’ made?” Despres recalled onstage after the series’ SXSW premiere.
And while that premise isn’t without its intrigue, the “Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show” that eventually came to be is something else entirely. It is, simply, a docuseries about the comedian’s life that dwells deeply, sometimes uncomfortably, on his relationships with love, sex, and loneliness. The three episodes shown were “Emmys,” “Mike,...
Before the series from creators Carmichael, Ari Katcher, and Eli Despres, which premiered at the 2024 SXSW Film & TV Festival, Carmichael’s pie-in-the-sky idea was to play a version of Weiner in the project that ultimately became “Reality Show.” And that prospect was initially even more compelling to the creators than the series that resulted.
“Can we just make a movie of Jerrod trying to get ‘Weiner’ made?” Despres recalled onstage after the series’ SXSW premiere.
And while that premise isn’t without its intrigue, the “Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show” that eventually came to be is something else entirely. It is, simply, a docuseries about the comedian’s life that dwells deeply, sometimes uncomfortably, on his relationships with love, sex, and loneliness. The three episodes shown were “Emmys,” “Mike,...
- 3/11/2024
- by Proma Khosla
- Indiewire
The 2024 SXSW Film & TV Festival — which runs March 8–16 in Austin, Texas — has cooked up an eclectic spread of studio crowd-pleasers, enterprising TV premieres, and indie gems aiming to break through. Here is some of the most promising fare.
Babes
The canon of Ilana Glazer-led indies about childbearing expands. Following 2021’s “False Positive,” Glazer plays pregnant once again in “Babes,” this time from a film script she wrote with Josh Rabinowitz in Pamela Adlon’s feature directorial debut. The Neon comedy follows Eden (Glazer), who gets pregnant from a one-night stand and seeks help from Dawn (Michelle Buteau), a married mother of two. In other words, “Babes” lets the “Broad City” star do what she does best: lean heavily on the support of a best buddy.
Black Twitter: A People’s History
Come to “Black Twitter: A People’s History” for a who’s who of the funniest moments Black...
Babes
The canon of Ilana Glazer-led indies about childbearing expands. Following 2021’s “False Positive,” Glazer plays pregnant once again in “Babes,” this time from a film script she wrote with Josh Rabinowitz in Pamela Adlon’s feature directorial debut. The Neon comedy follows Eden (Glazer), who gets pregnant from a one-night stand and seeks help from Dawn (Michelle Buteau), a married mother of two. In other words, “Babes” lets the “Broad City” star do what she does best: lean heavily on the support of a best buddy.
Black Twitter: A People’s History
Come to “Black Twitter: A People’s History” for a who’s who of the funniest moments Black...
- 3/7/2024
- by Adam B. Vary, Selome Hailu and Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
The HBO Original comedy docuseries Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show debuts Friday, March 29 (11:00 –11:30p.m. Et/Pt) on HBO and will be available to stream on Max. New episodes of the eight-episode season will debut weekly. Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show is a darkly funny documentary series about Jerrod’s tumultuous quest for love, sex, and truth. Jerrod Carmichael is an Emmy®-winning comedian from Winston-Salem, Nc. His most recent special “Rothaniel” can be streamed on Max. Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show, starring Carmichael is created by and executive produced by Carmichael, Ari Katcher (who also directs), and Eli Despres. Executive produced by Susie Fox; executive produced by Josh ... Read more...
- 3/6/2024
- by Thomas Miller
- Seat42F
HBO is billing its unscripted series starring Jerrod Carmichael as following the comedian on a “tumultuous quest for love, sex, and truth.” The trailer suggests that quest won’t be a smooth one.
The two-minute trailer for Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show, which will have a premiere at SXSW Sunday before its on-air debut March 29, showcases a host of squirmy moments featuring Carmichael and his parents — including a gas station mishap with an Rv — and a conversation with someone who apparently didn’t want his face on camera and thus appears wearing a ski mask and goggles and with his voice altered.
The masked man also takes issue with Carmichael’s assertion that he wants to “maintain being truthful on camera.” “This is not truth,” the mystery man replies. “This is narrative that will be edited … that’s not true.”
Carmichael also says in the trailer that he’s “trying to self-Truman Show myself,...
The two-minute trailer for Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show, which will have a premiere at SXSW Sunday before its on-air debut March 29, showcases a host of squirmy moments featuring Carmichael and his parents — including a gas station mishap with an Rv — and a conversation with someone who apparently didn’t want his face on camera and thus appears wearing a ski mask and goggles and with his voice altered.
The masked man also takes issue with Carmichael’s assertion that he wants to “maintain being truthful on camera.” “This is not truth,” the mystery man replies. “This is narrative that will be edited … that’s not true.”
Carmichael also says in the trailer that he’s “trying to self-Truman Show myself,...
- 3/6/2024
- by Rick Porter
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Updated, 10 Am: HBO has released the official trailer for Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show ahead of its debut later this month. Revolving around Carmichael’s personal life, the show is described as a darkly funny documentary series about Jerrod’s tumultuous quest for love, sex, and truth. New episodes of the eight-episode series will debut weekly beginning Friday, March 29 (11 Pm). Check out the trailer above.
Previous, Feb. 1, 2023: HBO has handed a series order to a comedy documentary series about Jerrod Carmichael’s life. Carmichael will executive produce as part of his overall deal with HBO.
Per the network, the series will center on Carmichael’s personal life, following him through encounters with friends, family, and strangers, all in his quest for love, sex, and connection.
Ari Katcher and Eli Despres will also executive produce. Katcher is set to direct the series.
Carmichael inked a two-year overall deal with HBO last...
Previous, Feb. 1, 2023: HBO has handed a series order to a comedy documentary series about Jerrod Carmichael’s life. Carmichael will executive produce as part of his overall deal with HBO.
Per the network, the series will center on Carmichael’s personal life, following him through encounters with friends, family, and strangers, all in his quest for love, sex, and connection.
Ari Katcher and Eli Despres will also executive produce. Katcher is set to direct the series.
Carmichael inked a two-year overall deal with HBO last...
- 3/6/2024
- by Katie Campione
- Deadline Film + TV
HBO has given a series order to a comedy documentary series starring Jerrod Carmichael and is executive produced by Carmichael, Ari Katcher (who also directs), and Eli Despres.
Logline: The series centers on Jerrod Carmichael’s personal life, following him through encounters with friends, family, and strangers, all in his quest for love, sex, and connection.
Nina Rosenstein, Executive Vice President, Programming for HBO quote: “We’ve loved working with Jerrod over the past 10 years, and to watch him discover new layers of both himself and his comedy. ‘Rothanial’ resonated with audiences in such a profound way, and his honesty and vulnerability are a perfect fit for this original format.”
About Jerrod Carmichael: Jerrod Carmichael currently has an overall deal with HBO. He made his debut on the network in 2014 with the stand-up special “Jerrod Carmichael: Love at the Store,” which was followed by “Jerrod Carmichael: 8” in 2017. Carmichael’s...
Logline: The series centers on Jerrod Carmichael’s personal life, following him through encounters with friends, family, and strangers, all in his quest for love, sex, and connection.
Nina Rosenstein, Executive Vice President, Programming for HBO quote: “We’ve loved working with Jerrod over the past 10 years, and to watch him discover new layers of both himself and his comedy. ‘Rothanial’ resonated with audiences in such a profound way, and his honesty and vulnerability are a perfect fit for this original format.”
About Jerrod Carmichael: Jerrod Carmichael currently has an overall deal with HBO. He made his debut on the network in 2014 with the stand-up special “Jerrod Carmichael: Love at the Store,” which was followed by “Jerrod Carmichael: 8” in 2017. Carmichael’s...
- 2/1/2023
- by TV Shows Martin Cid Magazine
- Martin Cid - TV
Comedian Jerrod Carmichael is set to star in an upcoming comedy documentary series on HBO, the network announced Wednesday. It’s been given a straight-to-series order by the premium cable giant.
The show has not been titled, but according to HBO, it will “center on Jerrod Carmichael’s personal life, following him through encounters with friends, family, and strangers, all in his quest for love, sex, and connection.”
Also Read:
Jerrod Carmichael Stuns Golden Globes With Shelly Miscavige Joke (Video)
Carmichael will also be one of the series’s executive producers, along with Ari Katcher (who also directs) and Eli Despres.
Nina Rosenstein, the Executive Vice President, Programming for HBO, said in a statement Carmichael is the ideal person for the series.
“We’ve loved working with Jerrod over the past 10 years and to watch him discover new layers of both himself and his comedy,” Rosenstein said. “‘Rothanial’ resonated with...
The show has not been titled, but according to HBO, it will “center on Jerrod Carmichael’s personal life, following him through encounters with friends, family, and strangers, all in his quest for love, sex, and connection.”
Also Read:
Jerrod Carmichael Stuns Golden Globes With Shelly Miscavige Joke (Video)
Carmichael will also be one of the series’s executive producers, along with Ari Katcher (who also directs) and Eli Despres.
Nina Rosenstein, the Executive Vice President, Programming for HBO, said in a statement Carmichael is the ideal person for the series.
“We’ve loved working with Jerrod over the past 10 years and to watch him discover new layers of both himself and his comedy,” Rosenstein said. “‘Rothanial’ resonated with...
- 2/1/2023
- by Joshua Vinson
- The Wrap
Jerrod Carmichael will shift gears a little with his next HBO project.
The comedian and Golden Globes host will star in and executive produce a “comedy documentary series” following his personal life. The show’s description brings to mind the low-key vibe of HBO’s How To With John Wilson: It will follow Carmichael “through encounters with friends, family, and strangers, all in his quest for love, sex, and connection.”
“We’ve loved working with Jerrod over the past 10 years, and to watch him discover new layers of both himself and his comedy,” said Nina Rosenstein, executive vp programming at HBO . Rothaniel resonated with audiences in such a profound way, and his honesty and vulnerability are a perfect fit for this original format.”
The currently untitled series will be directed by Ari Katcher, who has worked with Carmichael on Hulu’s Ramy, NBC’s The Carmichael Show and the feature...
The comedian and Golden Globes host will star in and executive produce a “comedy documentary series” following his personal life. The show’s description brings to mind the low-key vibe of HBO’s How To With John Wilson: It will follow Carmichael “through encounters with friends, family, and strangers, all in his quest for love, sex, and connection.”
“We’ve loved working with Jerrod over the past 10 years, and to watch him discover new layers of both himself and his comedy,” said Nina Rosenstein, executive vp programming at HBO . Rothaniel resonated with audiences in such a profound way, and his honesty and vulnerability are a perfect fit for this original format.”
The currently untitled series will be directed by Ari Katcher, who has worked with Carmichael on Hulu’s Ramy, NBC’s The Carmichael Show and the feature...
- 2/1/2023
- by Rick Porter
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
HBO has given a series order to a documentary program starring and executive produced by comedian Jerrod Carmichael.
The project, which is currently untitled, follows Carmichael’s day-to-day life, exploring the comic’s relationships with his family, friends and strangers, all in “his quest for love, sex and connection,” as the logline describes.
Ari Katcher and Eli Despres executive produce alongside Carmichael, while Katcher will serve as director. Susie Fox also serves as executive producer for Range Media Partners, as will Josh Kriegman and Elyse Steinberg for Edgeline Films.
Carmichael currently has an overall deal with HBO. His most recent stand-up special, titled “Jerrod Carmichael: Rothaniel,” debuted on the network in 2022. In the televised set, the comedian officially came out as gay. “Rothaniel” won the Emmy for outstanding writing for a variety special.
“We’ve loved working with Jerrod over the past 10 years and to watch him discover new layers...
The project, which is currently untitled, follows Carmichael’s day-to-day life, exploring the comic’s relationships with his family, friends and strangers, all in “his quest for love, sex and connection,” as the logline describes.
Ari Katcher and Eli Despres executive produce alongside Carmichael, while Katcher will serve as director. Susie Fox also serves as executive producer for Range Media Partners, as will Josh Kriegman and Elyse Steinberg for Edgeline Films.
Carmichael currently has an overall deal with HBO. His most recent stand-up special, titled “Jerrod Carmichael: Rothaniel,” debuted on the network in 2022. In the televised set, the comedian officially came out as gay. “Rothaniel” won the Emmy for outstanding writing for a variety special.
“We’ve loved working with Jerrod over the past 10 years and to watch him discover new layers...
- 2/1/2023
- by J. Kim Murphy
- Variety Film + TV
Following The Film Stage’s collective top 50 films of 2022, as part of our year-end coverage, our contributors are sharing their personal top 10 lists.
Despite being a staunch believer in the idea that every year is a “great” year for [enter your art form of choice], I was getting a bit worried about this Top Ten Films of 2022 list in November. At that point the only film I was sure would end up staying was my current #1 because it was the only film I had thus far given a 10/10 or 9/10 to all year. So, was it finally coming to fruition that I would be the buzzkill declaring it a “bad” year for movies? Had I been sleepwalking through 2022 to the point of being numb to everything I consumed? Or had I just not seen the “great” ones quite yet?
I had confidence that the third possibility would prove true, but there had to be a little of...
Despite being a staunch believer in the idea that every year is a “great” year for [enter your art form of choice], I was getting a bit worried about this Top Ten Films of 2022 list in November. At that point the only film I was sure would end up staying was my current #1 because it was the only film I had thus far given a 10/10 or 9/10 to all year. So, was it finally coming to fruition that I would be the buzzkill declaring it a “bad” year for movies? Had I been sleepwalking through 2022 to the point of being numb to everything I consumed? Or had I just not seen the “great” ones quite yet?
I had confidence that the third possibility would prove true, but there had to be a little of...
- 1/6/2023
- by Jared Mobarak
- The Film Stage
BAFTA has unveiled the 33 creatives across two continents who have been selected for the organization’s talent initiative BAFTA Breakthrough 2022.
Selected from the worlds of film, games and TV by an experienced jury, participants are set to receive professional development support including coaching, mentoring and networking opportunities with BAFTA’s vast range of members from the creative industries.
The 2022 UK jury was chaired by Ade Rawcliffe (group director of diversity and inclusion at ITV), and included Fiona Lamptey (director of features at Netflix), performer Marianne Jean-Baptiste, BBC Comedy commissioning editor Emma Lawson, casting director Lauren Evans, and Breakthrough alumnae Ruth Madeley and Charu Desodt. The U.S. jury was chaired by actor Nyasha Hatendi, and included the actors Jodi Balfour and Bianca Lawson, cinematographer Ava Berkofsky, TV executive producer and showrunner Ari Katcher, director, writer and producer Stephanie Laing and Netflix Studio exec Racheline Benveniste.
The Breakthroughs include creatives from...
Selected from the worlds of film, games and TV by an experienced jury, participants are set to receive professional development support including coaching, mentoring and networking opportunities with BAFTA’s vast range of members from the creative industries.
The 2022 UK jury was chaired by Ade Rawcliffe (group director of diversity and inclusion at ITV), and included Fiona Lamptey (director of features at Netflix), performer Marianne Jean-Baptiste, BBC Comedy commissioning editor Emma Lawson, casting director Lauren Evans, and Breakthrough alumnae Ruth Madeley and Charu Desodt. The U.S. jury was chaired by actor Nyasha Hatendi, and included the actors Jodi Balfour and Bianca Lawson, cinematographer Ava Berkofsky, TV executive producer and showrunner Ari Katcher, director, writer and producer Stephanie Laing and Netflix Studio exec Racheline Benveniste.
The Breakthroughs include creatives from...
- 11/10/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
The British Academy has unveiled the latest crop of participants the U.S. and U.K. that will take part in its annual Breakthrough program, aimed at supporting emerging talent across film, TV and video games.
The 32-strong list of names — 20 from the U.K. and 12 from the U.S. — includes an impressive ensemble of creatives, such as Nope breakout Brandon Perea and Sex Education director Runyararo Mapfumo, who were selected by an international jury that included Oscar-winning actress Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Ramy co-creator Ari Katcher and Swan Song and Alex Rider actor Nyasha Hatendi.
Backed by Netflix for the last two years (the streamer’s head of U.K. features Fiona Lamptey is also on the jury), the BAFTA Breakthrough program first launched in the U.K. in 2013 before expanding to China in 2019 and the U.S. and India in 2020. It sees each...
The British Academy has unveiled the latest crop of participants the U.S. and U.K. that will take part in its annual Breakthrough program, aimed at supporting emerging talent across film, TV and video games.
The 32-strong list of names — 20 from the U.K. and 12 from the U.S. — includes an impressive ensemble of creatives, such as Nope breakout Brandon Perea and Sex Education director Runyararo Mapfumo, who were selected by an international jury that included Oscar-winning actress Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Ramy co-creator Ari Katcher and Swan Song and Alex Rider actor Nyasha Hatendi.
Backed by Netflix for the last two years (the streamer’s head of U.K. features Fiona Lamptey is also on the jury), the BAFTA Breakthrough program first launched in the U.K. in 2013 before expanding to China in 2019 and the U.S. and India in 2020. It sees each...
- 11/10/2022
- by Alex Ritman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Each week we highlight the noteworthy titles that have recently hit streaming platforms in the United States. Check out this week’s selections below and past round-ups here.
Costa Brava, Lebanon (Mounia Akl)
What can you do when your homeland’s falling apart? The easy answer is stay or leave, but both options carry too much complexity to simply choose and be done. For starters, not everyone has that choice—whether due to finances, family, or myriad other reasons. And those who are able must dig deep within themselves to rationalize why. Do you leave because of greater opportunity? Do you stay because you want to be part of the solution? Or do you find yourself in a sort of purgatory—one foot planted on each side, only to discover your fear of losing out on the benefits of one for the potential of the other has you locked in stasis?...
Costa Brava, Lebanon (Mounia Akl)
What can you do when your homeland’s falling apart? The easy answer is stay or leave, but both options carry too much complexity to simply choose and be done. For starters, not everyone has that choice—whether due to finances, family, or myriad other reasons. And those who are able must dig deep within themselves to rationalize why. Do you leave because of greater opportunity? Do you stay because you want to be part of the solution? Or do you find yourself in a sort of purgatory—one foot planted on each side, only to discover your fear of losing out on the benefits of one for the potential of the other has you locked in stasis?...
- 8/19/2022
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
The long-awaited Season 3 premiere of Hulu‘s Ramy has been set for September 30.
Ramy Youssef returns for 10 episodes of the acclaimed series which follows first-generation, Egyptian-American Ramy Hassan (Youssef) and his family as they navigate spirituality in their politically-divided New Jersey neighborhood.
Ramy continues to bring a new perspective to the screen as it explores the challenges of what it’s like to be caught between a religious community who believes life is a moral test, and a millennial generation that doubts an afterlife even exists.
In Season 3, his family is forced to confront having lived a life dedicated to worldly concerns — and in some cases, lies — while Ramy all but abandons his spiritual journey, instead dedicating himself to him and his uncle’s diamond business.
The series also stars Laith Nakli, Hiam Abbass, Amr Waked, May Calamawy, Dave Merheje, Mohammed Amer, and Steve Way.
Ramy is written, directed, executive-produced,...
Ramy Youssef returns for 10 episodes of the acclaimed series which follows first-generation, Egyptian-American Ramy Hassan (Youssef) and his family as they navigate spirituality in their politically-divided New Jersey neighborhood.
Ramy continues to bring a new perspective to the screen as it explores the challenges of what it’s like to be caught between a religious community who believes life is a moral test, and a millennial generation that doubts an afterlife even exists.
In Season 3, his family is forced to confront having lived a life dedicated to worldly concerns — and in some cases, lies — while Ramy all but abandons his spiritual journey, instead dedicating himself to him and his uncle’s diamond business.
The series also stars Laith Nakli, Hiam Abbass, Amr Waked, May Calamawy, Dave Merheje, Mohammed Amer, and Steve Way.
Ramy is written, directed, executive-produced,...
- 8/17/2022
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
Jerrod Carmichael was sitting on Bo Burnham’s couch and realized it might be time to come out. “It just kind of hit me,” Carmichael said over the phone last week. “I felt like I had so much to say and standup just felt so immediate.”
The outcome was a routine that eventually evolved into “Rothaniel,” the 35-year-old Carmichael’s mesmerizing and candid HBO special in which he announces he’s gay to an unsuspecting audience. The show, which Burnham directed, transcends the boundaries of the traditional comedy special many times over: It’s a shadowy, almost noir-like one-man show in which Carmichael invites the audience into his psyche, as he wrestles with his mother’s resistance to his sexuality and the broader sense of repression he’s felt in real time. Even the funny bits are tinged with melancholy and soul-searching wonder while Carmichael proves such a personal centerpiece...
The outcome was a routine that eventually evolved into “Rothaniel,” the 35-year-old Carmichael’s mesmerizing and candid HBO special in which he announces he’s gay to an unsuspecting audience. The show, which Burnham directed, transcends the boundaries of the traditional comedy special many times over: It’s a shadowy, almost noir-like one-man show in which Carmichael invites the audience into his psyche, as he wrestles with his mother’s resistance to his sexuality and the broader sense of repression he’s felt in real time. Even the funny bits are tinged with melancholy and soul-searching wonder while Carmichael proves such a personal centerpiece...
- 6/16/2022
- by Eric Kohn
- Indiewire
On the Count of Three is an American black comedy thriller film, directed by Jerrod Carmichael (in his feature directorial debut), from a screenplay by Ari Katcher and Ryan Welch. It stars Carmichael, Christopher Abbott, Tiffany Haddish, J. B. Smoove, Lavell Crawford, and Henry Winkler. The film follows best friends Val and Kevin who make a suicide pact and agree to enjoy one last day before they kill each other. In an article by Variety, they described the film saying, “On the Count of Three” is a trifle, but an original one: an existential buddy comedy of despair.” The New
Five Movies To Watch When You’re Done With “On The Count Of Three”...
Five Movies To Watch When You’re Done With “On The Count Of Three”...
- 5/19/2022
- by A.E. Oats
- TVovermind.com
Moving through the lobby of a posh Santa Monica hotel one May afternoon, Jerrod Carmichael is not so much walking as strutting. Tall and slender, he’s wearing a black cashmere sweater, matching pants, loafers, an Afro pick, and an outsize smile. And then there’s the brooch: Stunning gold. Cursive font. The letter R. “I love it so much,” Carmichael says, gazing down to admire the pin. It was a gift from a friend a few weeks ago, for Carmichael’s 35th birthday. Ever since, he’s been “building outfits around it.
- 5/17/2022
- by Dan Hyman
- Rollingstone.com
Chicago – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on Wbgr-fm on May 12th, reviewing “On the Count of Three,” the directorial debut of comedian Jerrod Carmichael, in select theaters and through Video On Demand beginning May 13th.
Rating: 4.5/5.0
Jerrod Carmichael also is featured as Val, a dead-ender in a dead end town in which he sees no way out. After hearing that his institutionalized best friend Kevin (Christopher Abbott) has attempted suicide, Val decides to raid the mental clinic and bust his friend out. He then convinces his depressed friend to participate in a double suicide … they will shoot each other “on the count of three.” But before they do, they take one last day to have adventures.
“On the Count of Three” is in select theaters now (see local listings) and through Video On Demand. Featuring Dan Baker, Jerrod Carmichael, Christopher Abbott, Tiffany Haddish and J.B. Smoove.
Rating: 4.5/5.0
Jerrod Carmichael also is featured as Val, a dead-ender in a dead end town in which he sees no way out. After hearing that his institutionalized best friend Kevin (Christopher Abbott) has attempted suicide, Val decides to raid the mental clinic and bust his friend out. He then convinces his depressed friend to participate in a double suicide … they will shoot each other “on the count of three.” But before they do, they take one last day to have adventures.
“On the Count of Three” is in select theaters now (see local listings) and through Video On Demand. Featuring Dan Baker, Jerrod Carmichael, Christopher Abbott, Tiffany Haddish and J.B. Smoove.
- 5/16/2022
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
This review of “On the Count of Three” was first published on Jan. 29, 2021, after its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.
“On the Count of Three” opens with two friends nervously trying to commit a joint murder-suicide, and it’s the feature directorial debut of comedian Jerrod Carmichael. Thankfully Carmichael, who also stars, never loses sight of the real pain at the story’s center, even as he’s also managing to find the laughs.
Working from a screenplay by TV writers Ari Katcher (“The Carmichael Show”) and Ryan Welch (who co-created “Ramy” with Katcher and Ramy Youssef), Carmichael already feels comfortable behind the camera, which should come as no surprise to anyone who’s seen his HBO documentary shorts about his family and childhood neighborhood. With “On the Count of Three,” he takes on a challenging mix of tones, and mostly succeeds as the story segues from the tragic...
“On the Count of Three” opens with two friends nervously trying to commit a joint murder-suicide, and it’s the feature directorial debut of comedian Jerrod Carmichael. Thankfully Carmichael, who also stars, never loses sight of the real pain at the story’s center, even as he’s also managing to find the laughs.
Working from a screenplay by TV writers Ari Katcher (“The Carmichael Show”) and Ryan Welch (who co-created “Ramy” with Katcher and Ramy Youssef), Carmichael already feels comfortable behind the camera, which should come as no surprise to anyone who’s seen his HBO documentary shorts about his family and childhood neighborhood. With “On the Count of Three,” he takes on a challenging mix of tones, and mostly succeeds as the story segues from the tragic...
- 5/14/2022
- by Alonso Duralde
- The Wrap
Independent Entertainment will launch international sales at the Cannes Film Market on Jerrod Carmichael’s Sundance winner “On the Count of Three.”
The film is the directorial debut of comedian, actor and filmmaker Carmichael and he also stars alongside Christopher Abbott (“Possessor”), Tiffany Haddish (“The Card Counter”), Jb Smoove (“Spider-Man: No Way Home”) and Henry Winkler (“Barry”). It follows two best friends Val (Carmichael) and Kevin (Abbott), on the last day of their lives. The film is written by Ari Katcher and Ryan Welch and producers are David Carrico, Adam Paulsen, Tom Werner, Jake Densen, Jerrod Carmichael, Ari Katcher and Jimmy Price.
It premiered at Sundance and won the U.S. Dramatic Screenwriting Award. The film is released in U.S. cinemas on Friday by Annapurna Pictures and MGM’s Orion Pictures via United Artists Releasing.
Carmichael has released three stand-up comedy specials on HBO: “Love at the Store,” directed by Spike Lee,...
The film is the directorial debut of comedian, actor and filmmaker Carmichael and he also stars alongside Christopher Abbott (“Possessor”), Tiffany Haddish (“The Card Counter”), Jb Smoove (“Spider-Man: No Way Home”) and Henry Winkler (“Barry”). It follows two best friends Val (Carmichael) and Kevin (Abbott), on the last day of their lives. The film is written by Ari Katcher and Ryan Welch and producers are David Carrico, Adam Paulsen, Tom Werner, Jake Densen, Jerrod Carmichael, Ari Katcher and Jimmy Price.
It premiered at Sundance and won the U.S. Dramatic Screenwriting Award. The film is released in U.S. cinemas on Friday by Annapurna Pictures and MGM’s Orion Pictures via United Artists Releasing.
Carmichael has released three stand-up comedy specials on HBO: “Love at the Store,” directed by Spike Lee,...
- 5/13/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
It’s been a long wait for the release of Jerrod Carmichael’s sharp, darkly funny debut On the Count of Three. After premiering at Sundance Film Festival last year, Annapurna Pictures and Orion Pictures have now finally set a May 13 release in theaters and on digital, well-timed after Carmichael’s new stand-up special. Ahead of the release, the first trailer has now arrived for the film which follows Carmichael and Christopher Abbott’s characters as they live out their final day before a suicide pact.
I said in my review, “Considering the raw, uncomfortable truths found in Jerrod Carmichael’s comedy, the logline of his directorial debut shouldn’t come as a surprise: two friends make a pact to end their lives and experience one final day together before plans to carry through with the dual deeds. Though not scripted by Carmichael himself, The Carmichael Show writer-producer Ari Katcher...
I said in my review, “Considering the raw, uncomfortable truths found in Jerrod Carmichael’s comedy, the logline of his directorial debut shouldn’t come as a surprise: two friends make a pact to end their lives and experience one final day together before plans to carry through with the dual deeds. Though not scripted by Carmichael himself, The Carmichael Show writer-producer Ari Katcher...
- 4/27/2022
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
How far would you go for a friend? “On the Count of Three” explores the supposed final day of two friends intent on ending their lives. The film marks a major milestone for its star Jerrod Carmichael; the comedian and actor helms the project from co-writers Ari Katcher and Ryan Welch. For Carmichael, ‘Three’ builds on what has already been a fantastic year.
Continue reading ‘On The Count Of Three’ Trailer: It’s a Great Day To Be Alive For Christopher Abbott & Jerrod Carmichael at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘On The Count Of Three’ Trailer: It’s a Great Day To Be Alive For Christopher Abbott & Jerrod Carmichael at The Playlist.
- 4/27/2022
- by Valerie Thompson
- The Playlist
Jerrod Carmichael has never been one to shy away from difficult subjects in his standup act, and it seems like he is taking the same approach to directing movies. The comic, who recently came out as gay, made his directorial debut last year with the indie film “On the Count of Three,” a buddy comedy in which he costars with Christopher Abbott as two friends who make a suicide pact. The unapologetically dark film screened at Sundance in 2021, where Carmichael’s directing was praised, and after some long delays, the film will finally be released in theaters next month.
“On the Count of Three” tells the story of Val (Carmichael) and Kevin (Abbott), two lifelong friends who are now determined to kill themselves. The film explores the friendship between them over the course of what they hope will be the final day of their lives. Like much of Carmichael’s comedic work,...
“On the Count of Three” tells the story of Val (Carmichael) and Kevin (Abbott), two lifelong friends who are now determined to kill themselves. The film explores the friendship between them over the course of what they hope will be the final day of their lives. Like much of Carmichael’s comedic work,...
- 4/27/2022
- by Christian Zilko
- Indiewire
In her television series acting debut, supermodel Bella Hadid has joined the upcoming third season of Hulu comedy Ramy in a recurring role. Details of her character and storyline are being kept under wraps for now. Stay tuned.
The Peabody Award-winning Ramy, starring Ramy Youssef, hails from The Carmichael Show creators Jerrod Carmichael and Ari Katcher, Ryan Welch and studio A24.
It follows first-generation, Egyptian-American Ramy Hassan (Youssef) and his family as they navigate spirituality in their politically-divided New Jersey neighborhood. Ramy brings a new perspective to the screen as it explores the challenges of what it’s like to be caught between a religious community who believes life is a moral test, and a millennial generation that doubts an afterlife even exists. In the third season, his family is forced to confront having lived a life dedicated to worldly concerns — and in some cases, lies — while Ramy all but abandons his spiritual journey,...
The Peabody Award-winning Ramy, starring Ramy Youssef, hails from The Carmichael Show creators Jerrod Carmichael and Ari Katcher, Ryan Welch and studio A24.
It follows first-generation, Egyptian-American Ramy Hassan (Youssef) and his family as they navigate spirituality in their politically-divided New Jersey neighborhood. Ramy brings a new perspective to the screen as it explores the challenges of what it’s like to be caught between a religious community who believes life is a moral test, and a millennial generation that doubts an afterlife even exists. In the third season, his family is forced to confront having lived a life dedicated to worldly concerns — and in some cases, lies — while Ramy all but abandons his spiritual journey,...
- 3/31/2022
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Supermodel Bella Hadid has joined the cast of Hulu’s “Ramy” as a recurring guest star in Season 3. Details have not yet been revealed on Hadid’s character or her relationship to the show’s other characters just yet.
“Ramy” reps the first credited scripted role for Hadid. The news comes as production gets underway on the third season of “Ramy,” the Emmy-nominated Hulu comedy that has also earned a Golden Globe for star Ramy Youssef.
“Ramy” also stars Laith Nakli, Hiam Abbass, Amr Waked, May Calamawy, Dave Merheje, Mohammed Amer and Steve Way. As “Ramy” returns, it continues the story of first-generation Egyptian American Ramy Hassan (Youssef) and his family.
Per its logline, “Ramy” continues to “bring a new perspective to the screen as it explores the challenges of what it’s like to be caught between a religious community who believes life is a moral test, and a...
“Ramy” reps the first credited scripted role for Hadid. The news comes as production gets underway on the third season of “Ramy,” the Emmy-nominated Hulu comedy that has also earned a Golden Globe for star Ramy Youssef.
“Ramy” also stars Laith Nakli, Hiam Abbass, Amr Waked, May Calamawy, Dave Merheje, Mohammed Amer and Steve Way. As “Ramy” returns, it continues the story of first-generation Egyptian American Ramy Hassan (Youssef) and his family.
Per its logline, “Ramy” continues to “bring a new perspective to the screen as it explores the challenges of what it’s like to be caught between a religious community who believes life is a moral test, and a...
- 3/31/2022
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
Bella Hadid is joining the cast of “Ramy.” The model is expected to be a recurring guest star throughout Season 3 of the Hulu series.
Details around her role are currently being kept under wraps.
“Ramy” follows first-generation, Egyptian-American Ramy Hassan (Youssef) and his family as they navigate spirituality in their politically-divided New Jersey neighborhood. “Ramy” continues to bring a new perspective to the screen as it explores the challenges of what it’s like to be caught between a religious community who believes life is a moral test, and a millennial generation that doubts an afterlife even exists.
In the third season, his family is forced to confront having lived a life dedicated to worldly concerns — and in some cases, lies — while Ramy all but abandons his spiritual journey, instead dedicating himself to him and his uncle’s diamond business.
In addition to Youssef, the series stars Laith Nakli, Hiam Abbass,...
Details around her role are currently being kept under wraps.
“Ramy” follows first-generation, Egyptian-American Ramy Hassan (Youssef) and his family as they navigate spirituality in their politically-divided New Jersey neighborhood. “Ramy” continues to bring a new perspective to the screen as it explores the challenges of what it’s like to be caught between a religious community who believes life is a moral test, and a millennial generation that doubts an afterlife even exists.
In the third season, his family is forced to confront having lived a life dedicated to worldly concerns — and in some cases, lies — while Ramy all but abandons his spiritual journey, instead dedicating himself to him and his uncle’s diamond business.
In addition to Youssef, the series stars Laith Nakli, Hiam Abbass,...
- 3/31/2022
- by Katie Campione
- The Wrap
Exclusive: WME has signed creator, stand-up comedian, director, producer and actor Jerrod Carmichael, and creators and producers Ari Katcher and Ryan Welch. Carmichael most recently directed and starred in On the Count of Three, which Katcher and Welch wrote. The film premiered to rave reviews at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival and will be released this spring through Uar/MGM. He is next set to star in the upcoming Yorgos Lanthimos film Poor Things and will also be filming his third HBO special, a collaboration with Bo Burnham.
Best known for starring in and producing the NBC series The Carmichael Show, the multi-talented comedian starred in the 2017 stand up special 8 on HBO, directed by Burnham. He made his debut on HBO in 2014 with his acclaimed one-hour special Love at the Store, directed by Spike Lee. Some of his other credits included his two-part HBO special Home Videos as well exec producing the award-winning Hulu series Ramy.
Best known for starring in and producing the NBC series The Carmichael Show, the multi-talented comedian starred in the 2017 stand up special 8 on HBO, directed by Burnham. He made his debut on HBO in 2014 with his acclaimed one-hour special Love at the Store, directed by Spike Lee. Some of his other credits included his two-part HBO special Home Videos as well exec producing the award-winning Hulu series Ramy.
- 1/6/2022
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Annapurna has hired Valparaiso Pictures’ Adam Paulsen as EVP, Head of Film and Jack Parker as Creative Executive, reporting to Cco Sue Naegle and COO Chris Corabi.
The film team also includes Director of Development Jess Biddle. Annapurna will absorb most of Valparaiso Pictures’ slate, with Valparaiso’s founder, tech entrepreneur-turned-producer David Carrico, attached to the projects in an executive producer capacity. Valparaiso Pictures was founded in 2017 by Carrico as a production and finance company.
Most recently, Paulsen served as Managing Partner of Valparaiso. Before joining, he was VP Film at 30West, where he also oversaw their financier advisory business. Before 30West, he served for five years at CAA as an agent in the Media Finance Group.
Parker worked as a film and television executive at Valparaiso Pictures. He was a co-producer on the Sundance 2021 award-winning feature On the Count of Three, directed by Jerrod Carmichael, which Annapurna picked...
The film team also includes Director of Development Jess Biddle. Annapurna will absorb most of Valparaiso Pictures’ slate, with Valparaiso’s founder, tech entrepreneur-turned-producer David Carrico, attached to the projects in an executive producer capacity. Valparaiso Pictures was founded in 2017 by Carrico as a production and finance company.
Most recently, Paulsen served as Managing Partner of Valparaiso. Before joining, he was VP Film at 30West, where he also oversaw their financier advisory business. Before 30West, he served for five years at CAA as an agent in the Media Finance Group.
Parker worked as a film and television executive at Valparaiso Pictures. He was a co-producer on the Sundance 2021 award-winning feature On the Count of Three, directed by Jerrod Carmichael, which Annapurna picked...
- 6/28/2021
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
With a slimmer lineup and much of the action taking place online rather than in Park City, the 2021 Sundance Film Festival will be anything but normal. But if early sales activity is any indication, the hybrid virtual/in-person festival will still serve as a key acquisitions market for distributors.
News of the first deals broke on December 16, the day after Sundance revealed its full slate of 72 features. That’s when Bleecker Street announced it has acquired North American rights to Nikole Beckwith’s “Together Together” and Magnolia Pictures revealed it has nabbed Rodney Ascher’s Midnight section pick “A Glitch in the Matrix.”
While those two movies come from established filmmakers, over half of the festival lineup comes from first-time feature directors. Over 90 percent of the slate are world premieres.
That suggests there is plenty of opportunity for the discovery of hidden gems. But with streaming — coupled with satellite screenings...
News of the first deals broke on December 16, the day after Sundance revealed its full slate of 72 features. That’s when Bleecker Street announced it has acquired North American rights to Nikole Beckwith’s “Together Together” and Magnolia Pictures revealed it has nabbed Rodney Ascher’s Midnight section pick “A Glitch in the Matrix.”
While those two movies come from established filmmakers, over half of the festival lineup comes from first-time feature directors. Over 90 percent of the slate are world premieres.
That suggests there is plenty of opportunity for the discovery of hidden gems. But with streaming — coupled with satellite screenings...
- 6/8/2021
- by Chris Lindahl
- Indiewire
On the Count of Three, the feature directorial debut of stand-up comedian Jerrod Carmichael, could count on being picked up for distribution soon after its buzzy premiere at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. A potent drama that premiered to raves in the Dramatic Competition section and won the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award for its writers, Ari Katcher and Ryan […]
The post Jerrod Carmichael’s Sundance Prize Winner ‘On the Count of Three’ Gets Picked Up By Annapurna Pictures appeared first on /Film.
The post Jerrod Carmichael’s Sundance Prize Winner ‘On the Count of Three’ Gets Picked Up By Annapurna Pictures appeared first on /Film.
- 2/15/2021
- by Hoai-Tran Bui
- Slash Film
Writers Ari Katcher and Ryan Welch won Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award.
Annapurna Pictures is understood to have paid $2m for all North American rights to Jerrod Carmichael’s directorial debut Sundance drama On The Count Of Three and will market and distribute with a partner to be announced shortly, likely to be MGM’s Orion Pictures.
Writers Ari Katcher and Ryan Welch won the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award for their story about two best friends who make a pact to end their lives.
Carmichael and Christopher Abbot star in the Valparaiso Pictures and Werner Entertainment production, with supporting performances by Tiffany Haddish,...
Annapurna Pictures is understood to have paid $2m for all North American rights to Jerrod Carmichael’s directorial debut Sundance drama On The Count Of Three and will market and distribute with a partner to be announced shortly, likely to be MGM’s Orion Pictures.
Writers Ari Katcher and Ryan Welch won the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award for their story about two best friends who make a pact to end their lives.
Carmichael and Christopher Abbot star in the Valparaiso Pictures and Werner Entertainment production, with supporting performances by Tiffany Haddish,...
- 2/12/2021
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Annapurna Pictures has acquired the North American rights to “On the Count of Three,” the film starring and directed by comedian Jerrod Carmichael that premiered at this year’s Sundance.
The distributor acquired the film in a near $2 million deal, two individuals with knowledge told TheWrap. Annapurna will market and distribute the film with a partner to be announced shortly.
Carmichael and Christopher Abbott star in “On the Count of Three,” which is about two armed best friends who plan to take each others’ lives by the end of the day. The film also stars Tiffany Haddish, J.B. Smoove, Lavell Crawford and Henry Winkler in supporting roles. Ari Katcher and Ryan Welch wrote the screenplay, and the film is Carmichael’s feature directorial debut.
The film earned some strong reviews out of Sundance as a dark comedy that doesn’t forget its grimly serious subject matter. TheWrap’s Alonso Duralde...
The distributor acquired the film in a near $2 million deal, two individuals with knowledge told TheWrap. Annapurna will market and distribute the film with a partner to be announced shortly.
Carmichael and Christopher Abbott star in “On the Count of Three,” which is about two armed best friends who plan to take each others’ lives by the end of the day. The film also stars Tiffany Haddish, J.B. Smoove, Lavell Crawford and Henry Winkler in supporting roles. Ari Katcher and Ryan Welch wrote the screenplay, and the film is Carmichael’s feature directorial debut.
The film earned some strong reviews out of Sundance as a dark comedy that doesn’t forget its grimly serious subject matter. TheWrap’s Alonso Duralde...
- 2/12/2021
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Exclusive: In a deal around $2 million, Annapurna Pictures has acquired North American rights to On the Count of Three, the 2021 Sundance buzz title that marks the directorial debut of stand-up comedian Jerrod Carmichael. The pic is expected to be released through Annapurna’s distribution pact with MGM’s Orion Pictures through United Artists Releasing.
On the Count of Three was chased by several distributors after premiering to raves in the Dramatic Competition section. It won the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award for its writers Ari Katcher and Ryan Welch.
Carmichael and Christopher Abbott star as two best friends who make a pact to end their lives at the end of a day, and the film covers the events of that day. Tiffany Haddish, Jb Smoove, Lavell Crawford and Henry Winkler also star.
“Megan [Ellison’s] commercial vision for daring independent films is unparalleled, and we couldn’t feel luckier to find a home with her,...
On the Count of Three was chased by several distributors after premiering to raves in the Dramatic Competition section. It won the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award for its writers Ari Katcher and Ryan Welch.
Carmichael and Christopher Abbott star as two best friends who make a pact to end their lives at the end of a day, and the film covers the events of that day. Tiffany Haddish, Jb Smoove, Lavell Crawford and Henry Winkler also star.
“Megan [Ellison’s] commercial vision for daring independent films is unparalleled, and we couldn’t feel luckier to find a home with her,...
- 2/12/2021
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Jerrod Carmichael’s directorial debut On the Count of Three has gone to Megan Ellison’s Annapurna Pictures for North America.
Carmichael and Christopher Abbott star as two best friends as they try to carry out a pact to end their lives before the day ends.
Tiffany Haddish, J.B. Smoove, Lavell Crawford and Henry Winkler also star in the movie that was written by Ramy writers Ari Katcher and Ryan Welch.
David Carrico, Adam Paulsen, Tom Werner, Jake Densen, Ari Katcher, and Jimmy Price produced the U.S. dramatic competition title.
This marks the first major festival acquisition for Ellison’s Annapurna ...
Carmichael and Christopher Abbott star as two best friends as they try to carry out a pact to end their lives before the day ends.
Tiffany Haddish, J.B. Smoove, Lavell Crawford and Henry Winkler also star in the movie that was written by Ramy writers Ari Katcher and Ryan Welch.
David Carrico, Adam Paulsen, Tom Werner, Jake Densen, Ari Katcher, and Jimmy Price produced the U.S. dramatic competition title.
This marks the first major festival acquisition for Ellison’s Annapurna ...
- 2/12/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Jerrod Carmichael’s directorial debut On the Count of Three has gone to Megan Ellison’s Annapurna Pictures for North America.
Carmichael and Christopher Abbott star as two best friends as they try to carry out a pact to end their lives before the day ends.
Tiffany Haddish, J.B. Smoove, Lavell Crawford and Henry Winkler also star in the movie that was written by Ramy writers Ari Katcher and Ryan Welch.
David Carrico, Adam Paulsen, Tom Werner, Jake Densen, Ari Katcher, and Jimmy Price produced the U.S. dramatic competition title.
This marks the first major festival acquisition for Ellison’s Annapurna ...
Carmichael and Christopher Abbott star as two best friends as they try to carry out a pact to end their lives before the day ends.
Tiffany Haddish, J.B. Smoove, Lavell Crawford and Henry Winkler also star in the movie that was written by Ramy writers Ari Katcher and Ryan Welch.
David Carrico, Adam Paulsen, Tom Werner, Jake Densen, Ari Katcher, and Jimmy Price produced the U.S. dramatic competition title.
This marks the first major festival acquisition for Ellison’s Annapurna ...
- 2/12/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
A suicide pact buddy comedy is going to be a hard sell at the best of times, least of all during a global pandemic, but here we are, watching Val and Kevin (Christopher Abbott) reach the end of their tethers together, each pointing a gun at the other, until one of them suggests they make a day of it first.
Val had to spring Kevin from a mental health facility in the first place, but his own consideration of suicide comes as a shock to his friend - it's a reminder that a one-size fits all policy is as ill-suited to mental health as it is to so many other things, in a script by Ari Katcher and Ryan Welch that often seems uncertain what to do with its weighter themes beyond play them for nihilism.
Their simple, if edgy, premise will see both men confronting...
Val had to spring Kevin from a mental health facility in the first place, but his own consideration of suicide comes as a shock to his friend - it's a reminder that a one-size fits all policy is as ill-suited to mental health as it is to so many other things, in a script by Ari Katcher and Ryan Welch that often seems uncertain what to do with its weighter themes beyond play them for nihilism.
Their simple, if edgy, premise will see both men confronting...
- 2/5/2021
- by Amber Wilkinson
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Chicago – The 2021 Sundance Film Festival will be long remembered as the “virtual” version due to the pandemic, but there are always the real films, and the festival announced their competition honorees on February 2nd, in a virtual ceremony hosted by comedian Patton Oswalt.
After six days, 73 feature films and 50 Short Films, the Grand Jury Prizes were awarded to “Coda” (U.S. Dramatic) … Coda is an acronym for Child of Deaf Adults, and highlights the character of Ruby. “Summer of Soul” (U.S. Documentary) … the “Black Woodstock” of Harlem in the same Summer of 1969. “Flee” (World Cinema Documentary) … a child immigrant grows up to be a respected academic, but still harbors a secret. And “Hive” (World Cinema Dramatic) … a woman has a husband missing in action during the Kosovo war – should she continue to support herself or wait?
The list of all award winners are below.
Grand Jury Prize
Coda
Photo credit: Sundance Film Festival
U.
After six days, 73 feature films and 50 Short Films, the Grand Jury Prizes were awarded to “Coda” (U.S. Dramatic) … Coda is an acronym for Child of Deaf Adults, and highlights the character of Ruby. “Summer of Soul” (U.S. Documentary) … the “Black Woodstock” of Harlem in the same Summer of 1969. “Flee” (World Cinema Documentary) … a child immigrant grows up to be a respected academic, but still harbors a secret. And “Hive” (World Cinema Dramatic) … a woman has a husband missing in action during the Kosovo war – should she continue to support herself or wait?
The list of all award winners are below.
Grand Jury Prize
Coda
Photo credit: Sundance Film Festival
U.
- 2/3/2021
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Siân Heder’s US feel-good family tale Coda won the U.S. Grand Jury Prize.
Coda and Hive were the big winners at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival virtual awards ceremony on Tuesday night (February 2), taking home four and three prizes, respectively.
Siân Heder’s US feel-good family tale Coda – set up after producer Patrick Wachsberger took remake rights to French film La Famille Bélier with him when he left Lionsgate – won the U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic, Audience Award: U.S. Dramatic, U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Ensemble Cast, and Directing Award: U.S. Dramatic prizes.
The...
Coda and Hive were the big winners at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival virtual awards ceremony on Tuesday night (February 2), taking home four and three prizes, respectively.
Siân Heder’s US feel-good family tale Coda – set up after producer Patrick Wachsberger took remake rights to French film La Famille Bélier with him when he left Lionsgate – won the U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic, Audience Award: U.S. Dramatic, U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Ensemble Cast, and Directing Award: U.S. Dramatic prizes.
The...
- 2/3/2021
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
The mostly virtual 2021 Sundance Film Festival is coming to a close. The festival announced awards winners Tuesday night, trading an in-person ceremony for one broadcast live and hosted by Patton Oswalt. The biggest winner was Sian Heder’s coming of age drama “Coda,” which earned four U.S. Dramatic Competition awards, including the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award. Other Big winners were “Summer of Soul,” which took home the two top U.S. Documentary awards.
Blerta Basholli’s “Hive” won three awards in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition: the Directing and Audience awards and the Grand Jury Prize. Rintu Thomas and Sushmit Ghosh’s “Writing with Fire” earned two World Cinema Documentary awards.
A total of 72 features screened over the last week, along with 50 shorts, four Indie Series, and 14 New Frontier VR/new media projects. Those projects were judged by a jury made up of Zeynep Atakan, Raúl Castillo,...
Blerta Basholli’s “Hive” won three awards in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition: the Directing and Audience awards and the Grand Jury Prize. Rintu Thomas and Sushmit Ghosh’s “Writing with Fire” earned two World Cinema Documentary awards.
A total of 72 features screened over the last week, along with 50 shorts, four Indie Series, and 14 New Frontier VR/new media projects. Those projects were judged by a jury made up of Zeynep Atakan, Raúl Castillo,...
- 2/3/2021
- by Chris Lindahl
- Indiewire
The narrative feature “Coda” and the documentary “Summer of Soul” swept the top categories at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival, winning the Grand Jury Prizes and also taking the audience awards in the U.S. dramatic and documentary competitions.
“Coda,” director Sian Heder’s coming-of-age story in which Emilia Jones plays the only hearing member of a deaf family, also won an award for its ensemble, many of them deaf actors who performed in ASL. Its wins come three days after the film set a record for the largest sale in Sundance history, a $25 million deal with Apple.
“Summer of Soul,” which like “Coda” screened on the festival’s opening night, is a documentary by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson built around long-unseen concert footage from the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, a six-weekend event that first-time director Questlove uses as a launching pad to explore race relations and Black culture in that tumultuous time.
“Coda,” director Sian Heder’s coming-of-age story in which Emilia Jones plays the only hearing member of a deaf family, also won an award for its ensemble, many of them deaf actors who performed in ASL. Its wins come three days after the film set a record for the largest sale in Sundance history, a $25 million deal with Apple.
“Summer of Soul,” which like “Coda” screened on the festival’s opening night, is a documentary by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson built around long-unseen concert footage from the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, a six-weekend event that first-time director Questlove uses as a launching pad to explore race relations and Black culture in that tumultuous time.
- 2/3/2021
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
The 2021 Sundance Film Festival awards went off at a very fast clip tonight, in an hour’s time. Host Patton Oswalt — or as he billed himself, “Discount Giamatti” — kept the jokes flowing.
Siân Heder’s Coda, which we first told you was swooped up by Apple with a rich $25 million bid, came up big. It won both the U.S. Grand Jury Prize, U.S. Dramatic Audience Award and a Special Jury Ensemble Cast award too. Heder also won Best Director in the U.S. Dramatic section. The movie follows a girl named Ruby. As the only hearing person in an otherwise deaf family, she is divided about staying with them as their fishing business is threatened.
Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson’s Summer of Soul took the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award for Documentary.
Blerta Basholli’s Hive, about a woman in Kosovo who fights against a patriarchal society and whose husband is missing,...
Siân Heder’s Coda, which we first told you was swooped up by Apple with a rich $25 million bid, came up big. It won both the U.S. Grand Jury Prize, U.S. Dramatic Audience Award and a Special Jury Ensemble Cast award too. Heder also won Best Director in the U.S. Dramatic section. The movie follows a girl named Ruby. As the only hearing person in an otherwise deaf family, she is divided about staying with them as their fishing business is threatened.
Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson’s Summer of Soul took the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award for Documentary.
Blerta Basholli’s Hive, about a woman in Kosovo who fights against a patriarchal society and whose husband is missing,...
- 2/3/2021
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
The 2021 Sundance Film Festival concluded Tuesday night with a virtual awards ceremony, honoring “Coda” — a family drama centered on a high school student who is the child of deaf adults (hence the title) — with four prizes in the U.S. Dramatic Competition category: the grand jury prize, the directing prize, the audience award and a special jury prize for best ensemble.
It is the first film in Sundance history to win all three top prizes in the U.S. Dramatic category.
“I hope that this opens the door to people getting that audiences want to see these kinds of stories,” director Siân Heder said while accepting the audience award. “And I hope that this means that more stories that center deaf characters and characters with disabilities get put front and center because clearly people want to respond to that.”
“Coda” already broke records at Sundance when Apple Studios picked it...
It is the first film in Sundance history to win all three top prizes in the U.S. Dramatic category.
“I hope that this opens the door to people getting that audiences want to see these kinds of stories,” director Siân Heder said while accepting the audience award. “And I hope that this means that more stories that center deaf characters and characters with disabilities get put front and center because clearly people want to respond to that.”
“Coda” already broke records at Sundance when Apple Studios picked it...
- 2/3/2021
- by Adam B. Vary
- Variety Film + TV
Officially a production of the Covid era—the end credits include such novel crew positions as “Covid compliance officer” and “Covid p.a.”—On the Count of Three plays like a despairing, vaguely comedic twist on more than half-century-old race relations films such as The Defiant Ones and In the Heat of the Night, in which circumstances forced white and black characters to collaborate against their wills. In the directorial debut of Jerrod Carmichael, whose stand-up work and TV specials have reliably provided blunt and comic diagnoses of race and class issues, there is a sense of the more things change, the more things remain the same, as this scrappy, hectic, unfunny farce provides the backdrop for a quick, down-and-dirty look at desperation in the under-class.
The opening scene grabs you by the lapels. Black Val (Carmichael) and white Kevin (Christopher Abbott) point guns at each other, profess their mutual love,...
The opening scene grabs you by the lapels. Black Val (Carmichael) and white Kevin (Christopher Abbott) point guns at each other, profess their mutual love,...
- 1/30/2021
- by Todd McCarthy
- Deadline Film + TV
Considering the raw, uncomfortable truths found in Jerrod Carmichael’s comedy, the logline of his directorial debut shouldn’t come as a surprise: two friends make a pact to end their lives and experience one final day together before plans to carry through with the dual deeds. Though not scripted by Carmichael himself, The Carmichael Show writer-producer Ari Katcher and his Ramy co-writer Ryan Welch have crafted a character-focused story with layers of necessary darkness and pathos while still injecting humor that mostly feels like a natural fit considering the subject matter. As to be expected, Taste of Cherry this is not, but with its layers of despair and dark comedy mixed with genuine friendship, Carmichael owes a bit to Mikey and Nicky in this ride-or-die, last-day-in-a-life outing. Even if the last act doesn’t succeed as intended, On the Count of Three threads the difficult task of finding the...
- 1/30/2021
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Jerrod Carmichael’s “On the Count of Three” isn’t super heavy on the kind of koan-like quips that have always lent his confrontational standup comedy its velvet punch, but this one — delivered in the opening minutes of his directorial debut — resonates loud enough to echo throughout the rest of the film: “When you’re a kid they tell you the worst thing in life is to be a quitter. Why? Quitting’s amazing. It just means you get to stop doing something you hate.”
Lifelong best friends Val (Carmichael) and Kevin (Christopher Abbott) are both ready to give up. The first time we see them they’re standing in the parking lot outside an upstate New York strip club at 10:30 a.m. with handguns pointed at each other’s heads as part of a double-suicide pact. Nobody’s laughing, but you can already feel the love between them...
Lifelong best friends Val (Carmichael) and Kevin (Christopher Abbott) are both ready to give up. The first time we see them they’re standing in the parking lot outside an upstate New York strip club at 10:30 a.m. with handguns pointed at each other’s heads as part of a double-suicide pact. Nobody’s laughing, but you can already feel the love between them...
- 1/30/2021
- by David Ehrlich
- Indiewire
It opens with Val (Jerrod Carmichael) and Kevin (Christopher Abbott) standing outside a strip club in the middle of the day, pointing handguns at each other in what looks like a tense Mexican standoff. But the two aren’t enemies; they’re on each other’s side. They’re trying to do each other a favor by killing each other.
The movie then flashes back to earlier that day, when it will explain why these two lifelong bros, now in their early 30s, have colluded in a plan to do themselves in. We see Val smoking in a darkened room, ignoring calls from his girlfriend, then taking guff from a co-worker when he’s on break from his shift working at a mulch plant. His botched suicide attempt in the company men’s room is the one over-the-top scene in the movie; it’s like something out of a “Harold...
The movie then flashes back to earlier that day, when it will explain why these two lifelong bros, now in their early 30s, have colluded in a plan to do themselves in. We see Val smoking in a darkened room, ignoring calls from his girlfriend, then taking guff from a co-worker when he’s on break from his shift working at a mulch plant. His botched suicide attempt in the company men’s room is the one over-the-top scene in the movie; it’s like something out of a “Harold...
- 1/30/2021
- by Owen Gleiberman
- Variety Film + TV
In his stand-up sets, Jerrod Carmichael often takes a position he knows won’t be popular with listeners and seems to dare them to doubt his sincerity. Low-key, matter-of-fact, he shows impressive comfort with the prospect of disapproval; maybe knowing you have more charisma than you need makes it easier to be unsympathetic.
He certainly doesn’t work for our approval in On the Count of Three, his directing debut. The story of a suicide pact that hits some speed bumps, scripted by Ramy co-creators Ari Katcher and Ryan Welch, it’s hardly a black comedy — more an appropriately sour (last) day-in-the-life ...
He certainly doesn’t work for our approval in On the Count of Three, his directing debut. The story of a suicide pact that hits some speed bumps, scripted by Ramy co-creators Ari Katcher and Ryan Welch, it’s hardly a black comedy — more an appropriately sour (last) day-in-the-life ...
- 1/30/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
In his stand-up sets, Jerrod Carmichael often takes a position he knows won’t be popular with listeners and seems to dare them to doubt his sincerity. Low-key, matter-of-fact, he shows impressive comfort with the prospect of disapproval; maybe knowing you have more charisma than you need makes it easier to be unsympathetic.
He certainly doesn’t work for our approval in On the Count of Three, his directing debut. The story of a suicide pact that hits some speed bumps, scripted by Ramy co-creators Ari Katcher and Ryan Welch, it’s hardly a black comedy — more an appropriately sour (last) day-in-the-life ...
He certainly doesn’t work for our approval in On the Count of Three, his directing debut. The story of a suicide pact that hits some speed bumps, scripted by Ramy co-creators Ari Katcher and Ryan Welch, it’s hardly a black comedy — more an appropriately sour (last) day-in-the-life ...
- 1/30/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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