Lightyear Entertainment

Before Citizen Kane and The War of the Worlds, leading Broadway actress Rose McClendon and producer John Houseman convince a gifted but untested 20-year-old Orson Welles to direct Shakespeare’s Macbeth with an all-Black cast in Harlem. Reimagined in a Haitian setting, this revolutionary 1936 production, which came to be known as “Voodoo Macbeth,” would change the world forever, but the road to opening night proves to be a difficult one. Orson and Rose – who is to play Lady Macbeth – clash over everything from scene blocking to crew hires, while Houseman contends with a congressman hell-bent on shutting down what he deems “communist propaganda.” Welles and McClendon must overcome political pressure, personal demons, and protests to realize their groundbreaking vision.

“A powerful story that needed to be told.  The luminous Inger Tudor leads a talented cast in one of the most memorable films of the year.” — WBAI Radio

“[A]n impressively cohesive motion picture…In an industry where conventional wisdom states too many cooks spoil the soup, Voodoo Macbeth is a rather hearty stew…Bridges can absolutely carry a film and is convincing as a talented blowhard with a lot of growing up to do…The cast is rife with standout performances. Inger Tudor is a captivating actor playing a captivating actor, injecting the film with much needed gravitas and dignity.”– The Wrap

“Bridges’ star performance — and let’s face it, this may be an ensemble cast, but he is every inch the star here — is a well-nigh fearless piece of work”– Variety

For more information visit the film’s website!

In 1940, the entire population of Friar, New Hampshire abandoned their homes and walked up a nearby mountain path, never to be seen alive again. Seventy years later, a team of researchers, intent on solving the mystery, find the long-forgotten trail marker and embark on ajourney along the same cursed road.

“Meticulously paced, methodical in the way it delivers its information, this film isn’t so much scary as it is deeply disconcerting, everything moving towards a somewhat inevitable conclusion that had me nonetheless squirming.” — Moviefreak.com

“A well-shot, multi-dimensional, and unexpectedly cerebral little horror story.” — TheHorrorShow

“It’s rare these days to see a refreshing approach to backwoods horror, but YellowBrickRoad once again proves that there are still original and terrifying stories lurking in nature.” — Dread Central

A fascinating look at the art of filmmaking, including stories and clips from the making of some of the greatest films of the 70’s and 80’s. Focuses on several men who made a huge impact on a craft that’s vital to the making of any film. It’s a unique, rags to riches story, primarily about Donald M. Morgan, a man who’s had a life-changing effect on the people around him, both personally and professionally. The film also focuses on several other award-winning cinematographers and their experiences in the industry, from The Exorcist to Unforgiven.

“Movie aficionados will appreciate this documentary that looks at the art of filmmaking and spotlights some legendary cinematographers who shot some of the most famous movies of the 1970s and ’80s.” — Bob Bloom, ReelBob

“Cinematographer radiates with the love and respect [Donald M.] Morgan receives from his fellow cinematographers and others in Hollywood.”– Christopher Zabel, DoBlu.com

“Definitely worth a watch for fans of movies about filmmaking.” — Mike Spring, Live for Films

When a-ha’s breakthrough hit Take On Me shot to 1 on the Billboard charts in 1985, it turned its three young band members into global superstars overnight. While the iconic song and its groundbreaking music video remain ubiquitous to this day, the story of a-ha didn’t end there. After 35 years, a deep catalog of 11 studio albums and 55 million units sold – despite controversies and disagreements – a-ha continues to record music and play to packed arenas around the world.
Following Mags, Morten and Pal over a period of four years, a-ha: The Movie provides unprecedented access to the inner workings of the band as well as a career spanning look at one of the most enduring and beloved acts in pop music history.

For more information visit the film’s website!

“a-ha: THE MOVIE Is a Delight for Casual and Diehard Fans Alike… the three men deliver extremely thoughtful meditations on celebrity, authenticity, art and life over the course of a-ha: the Movie’s engaging 109 minutes.” – Film Festival Today

′′Sensational fun and hot – a little gold barre of a movie ′′ – Dagbladet

′′A fascinating piece of storytelling about three boys with exceptional drive and talent′′ – Stavanger Aftenblad

′′Captivating, engaging, open, honest. Thomas Robsahm has made an impressive documentary′′ – NRK Movie Police

This inventive, female-driven sex comedy follows college freshman Izzy Alden (Isabelle Barbier) and her two best friends, Anuka (Deeksha Ketkar) and Fiona (Sadie Scott), as they embark on a journey to get Izzy to a “crush party” so she can lose her virginity before the end of the semester. The acclaimed feature film debut of writer/director Emily Cohn, CRSHD tells a hilarious, unique story about navigating the messy ups and downs of life and love in the age of social media.

“Irrepressibly inventive and often impulsively unrestrained, Emily Cohn’s CRSHD guilelessly celebrates digital youth culture and its sometimes messy inconsistency with abundant energy and attitude.” — Hollywood Reporter

“Makes for a breezily entertaining good time, buoyed in no small part by the wit and charm demonstrated by the three leads–Barbier has the kind of offbeat charisma of the early Winona Ryder and Ketkar and Scott score a number of laughs as well.” — eFilmCritic.com

“With an adorable and joyous bubblegum aesthetic that really pops, Emily Cohn portrays young adult life in the digital age with honesty and sharp, observant humor.” — Screen Queens

For more information visit the film’s website!

The Etruscan Smile stars acclaimed British actor Brian Cox (HBO’s Succession) as Rory MacNeil, a rugged old Scotsman who reluctantly leaves his beloved isolated Hebridean island and travels to San-Francisco to seek medical treatment.
Moving in with his estranged son, Rory’s life will be transformed, just when he expects it least, through a newly found love for his baby grandson.

“Brian Cox gives one of his finest performances in this familiar but affecting drama about a cantankerous Scotsman facing his journey’s end.” — Variety

“‘Succession’ star Brian Cox delivers a rich and winning performance in charming human dramedy.” — Deadline Hollywood Daily

“Its use of the beauty of Gaelic culture and language for flavoring adds to a story of how family has a profound effect on the person we become along the giant walls we build as an obstacle to reconnecting and growing as adults ourselves.” — Film Threat

For more information visit the film’s website!

In the spring of 2017, Atlanta-based Grammy-winner Speech, from the hip-hop crew Arrested Development, traveled to Virginia with the goal of recording an album behind bars. Speech was invited to the Richmond Jail by Sheriff C.T. Woody Jr., who was implementing a rehabilitation program that included job training, substance abuse treatment, group therapy, and a makeshift recording studio. In a small concrete room on the jail’s 6th floor, Speech met with four men in the REAL program—Teddy, Anthony, De’vonte and Garland—listened to their stories and collaborated with them on original compositions and lyrics. The process, captured by Brooklyn-based filmmakers at Resonant Pictures, became the documentary film “16 Bars.”

“There is so much talent that it’s almost dizzying.” — FilmWeek (KPCC – NPR Los Angeles)

“The sobering, candid, sadly profound documentary “16 Bars” may center on a 2017 music workshop for prisoners in a Richmond, Va., jail but emerges as an unsettling snapshot of recidivism and the flaws in America’s criminal justice system.” — Los Angeles Times

Buy music made in the film

For more information see the 16 Bars site.

OFFICIAL ENTRY – AUSTRALIA – BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM   ACADEMY AWARDS® 2019

WINNER – AACTA (Australian Oscars) BEST INDEPENDENT FILM

A modern morality tale about a former Australian soldier, Mike, who returns to Afghanistan to find the family of a civilian he accidentally killed during the war. Seeking forgiveness, he puts his life in the hands of the village justice system – the Jirga.

“A remarkable truthfulness shepherds Benjamin Gilmour’s tightly written and conscientiously produced drama “Jirga” as it renders an image of Afghanistan not as a ravaged battleground but as an arrestingly rich land.” — Los Angeles Times

“This movie is undeniably a remarkable achievement.” — New York Times

“Gilmour’s hypnotic landscape shots hammer home the vastness, beauty, and cruelty of nature.” — Film Threat

For more information visit the Jirga website.

THE TRUE STORY OF THE WORLD’S MOST ASTONISHING
MASS PRISON ESCAPE 

Maze is the incredible true story of the 1983 mass break-out of 38 IRA prisoners from the HMP Maze high security prison. Larry Marley (Tom Vaughan-Lawlor) (Avengers: Infinity War), is chief architect of the largest prison escape in Europe since World War II. While scheming his way toward pulling off this feat, Larry attempts to establish a friendship with prison warder Gordon Close, (Barry Ward, Jimmy’s Hall). Their relationship represents the first green shoots of the eventual peace process.

REVIEWS

Screen Daily
“Stephen Burke’s low-key, well-acted thriller is scrupulously even-handed while making the stakes clear…this film educates as well as entertains.”
With concentration and pure conviction, [Vaughan-Lawlor] portrays the almost-monastic single-mindedness of an IRA man who is utterly devoted to his cause.”
“Gritty (…) Maze gets the tone right.”

The Irish Times
“More like The Great Escape than we had any right to expect.”
“Exciting, well-made.”
“Vaughan-Lawlor combines raw commitment with a sneaky flexibility to give us an honest man who lies like a master.”

RTE
“Vaughan-Lawlor shines in Maze.”
“Gritty, taut, and compelling.”
“Vaughan-Lawlor is mesmerizing as the steely Larry Marley.”
“Splendid screenplay.”
“You will be riveted to your seat in what is a refreshingly authentic film, which has not one false note.”

No More Workhorse
“Vaughan-Lawlor is flawless.”

Film Ireland
“What Maze does impressively is blend historical context with genre filmmaking, managing to feel both important and exciting.”

Belfast Telegraph
“A compelling study of jailbreak, far from IRA propaganda.”

Sunday Independent
“Tom Vaughan-Lawlor is superb.”
“A finely calibrated film.”

Evening Echo
“Will a-Maze captive audience.”

“Gorgeous… a masterpiece of outback noir.”

– The Guardian

Indigenous Detective Jay Swan arrives in the frontier town of Goldstone on a missing persons inquiry. What seems like a simple investigation opens a web of crime, corruption, trampling of indigenous people’s land rights, and human trafficking. Jay must pull his life together and bury his differences with young local cop Josh, so together they can bring justice to Goldstone.

Nominated for 5 AACTA awards (Australian version of the Oscars), including Best Film, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Editing & Best Production Design, this is the latest film from acclaimed Director/Writer/Composer/Cinematographer/Editor Ivan Sen, the creator of Mystery Road.

Winner of the following awards from the 2017 Australian Film Critics Association:  Best Director (Ivan Sen), Best Actor (Aaron Pedersen), Best Supporting Actress (2 time Oscar® Nominee Jacki Weaver), Best Cinematography (Ivan Sen).

“Goldstone is our next great Western. That may sound like an oxymoron given that the film takes place in Australia, but it’s a paragon of a genre that has increasingly questioned history’s displacement of indigenous people.” — The Daily Beast

“A compelling mix of slow-burn mystery and explosive action set against the harsh beauty of the Outback landscape.” — Movie Talk

“Why isn’t Pedersen – a world-class brooder with soulful eyes and a singed masculinity – an international star?” — Los Angeles Times

For more information visit the Goldstone website.