Ava DuVernay @TIFF: “We are in the midst of history”

“These are strange and important times,” she said this month at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). “Because truly, you can feel in the very vibration of the day, one day after the next, that we are in the midst of history. That 2020 will be long remembered. That we will be talking about this year and this time and remembering how we felt and what we thought and where we were and who we were engaged with for the rest of our lives. Continue reading Ava DuVernay @TIFF: “We are in the midst of history”

Exclusive Interview with Eliza Schroeder, Director of Love Sarah

“Love Sarah” is the debut feature film from director Eliza Schroeder. The film is a sweet little comedy/drama about three women who are brought together by the loss of their mother/daughter and best friend, Sarah. Together they decide to open a baery to honour Sarah’s memory. Editor Bianca Garner caught up with Eliza to discuss the film in further detail, how the strong women in Eliza’s own ife inspired the three main characters and which Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet film inspired her the most. Please find the interview below! Continue reading Exclusive Interview with Eliza Schroeder, Director of Love Sarah

Exclusive Interview with Lisa Rovner, Director of “Sisters With Transistors”

“Sisters With Transistors” is the debut feature from French American director Lisa Rovner. The film was part of the official selection at this year’s Sheffield Documentary Film Festival as well as being part of the official selection at the SXSW Film Festival. The documentary tells the untold story of electronic music’s female pioneers, remarkable composers who embraced machines and their liberating technologies to utterly transform how we produce and listen to music today. Continue reading Exclusive Interview with Lisa Rovner, Director of “Sisters With Transistors”

Exclusive Interview with Gavin Rothery, Director of “Archive”

“Archive” is the feature debut from writer/director Gavin Rothery. It’s a complex, through-provoking and intelligent sci-fi film which features great performances by Theo James and Stacy Martin. Set in 2038, “Archive” tells the story of George Almore (James) who is working on a true human-equivalent AI. His latest prototype is almost ready, and his end goal is to be reunited with his dead wife (Martin).

What’s unique about the film is how it focuses on the themes of replacement and jealousy as well as proposing the question, “how would an A.I. react if it became sentient?”. ITOL editor Bianca Garner caught up with Gavin to speak about “Archive” and the role of a problematic computer played in the inception of the story. Continue reading Exclusive Interview with Gavin Rothery, Director of “Archive”

Thank You, Lynn

Lynn Shelton was an exceptional filmmaker.  Like many, I was devastated to learn about her sudden passing.  Shelton was 54.

I remember watching her work for the first time.  I saw “Your Sister’s Sister” (2011) at home, after renting it from Netflix.  I wanted to see Emily Blunt’s latest film and I didn’t know much about it.  Shelton brought to life an intimate story about three people struggling to find themselves, redefine themselves and their circumstances.  It wasn’t a flashy or showy film.  Yet, I was struck with every element of the film.

So, when her film “Touchy Feely” (2013) came out, I sought it out.  The film stars Rosemarie DeWitt as a massage therapist who suddenly has an aversion to touch.  It has to be one of the most intriguing plots I’ve ever seen on film, especially in an independent film.  It was inventive and simply human. Continue reading Thank You, Lynn

Exclusive Interview: “Astronaut” Director Shelagh McLeod

“Astronaut” (2019) is an uplifting and encouraging drama about Angus (Richard Dreyfuss), an ageing widower coming to terms with his failing physical health and life in a care home. He always wanted to be an astronaut so despite his age, physical condition, and protests of those around him, he enters a competition to go on a commercial space flight.

Caz Armstrong had the opportunity to speak with director Shelagh McLeod about her directorial debut and pursuing passions later in life. Continue reading Exclusive Interview: “Astronaut” Director Shelagh McLeod

Exclusive Interview with Gavin Michael Booth, Director of “Last Call”

Here at In Their Own League, we like to support Indie Filmmakers and we were so impressed by Gavin Michael Booth’s latest film “Last Call” (you can read Caz’s 5 Star review here), so we jumped at the chance to talk to Gavin about how he managed to pull off such a marvellous film. Bee Garner spoke to Gavin about the inception of the film, what single-take films that inspired him and which female filmmakers he admire. Please make sure to check out the links below, especially the making of feature which helps gives a unique insight into the process of the production of this wonderfully moving and impactful film which we hope more people seek out. Continue reading Exclusive Interview with Gavin Michael Booth, Director of “Last Call”

ITOL 2019 Round-up: Little Women

In the opening scene of “Little Women” (2019), when we see Saoirse Ronan’s character entering a publisher’s office to try to sell her work and get herself taken seriously as a writer, we’re not just seeing the character of Jo March. We’re also seeing Louisa May Alcott, who wrote the novel that the film is adapted from, and perhaps even the film’s writer and director Greta Gerwig herself. Continue reading ITOL 2019 Round-up: Little Women

Interview: Director Claire McCarthy on Ophelia and The Importance of Female Voices

At ITOL we love getting a chance to speak to filmmakers, and we were especially excited to speak to Claire McCarthy after recently catching her latest film, “Ophelia”. McCarthy is an Australian filmmaker, screenwriter, producer and visual artist. Throughout her career, she has brought audiences such films as “The Waiting City” (2009), “Little Hands” (2011) and “Skins” (2007) with actress Mia Wasikowska. Her feature film “The Waiting City”, which starred Joel Edgerton and Radha Mitchell, was released in North America after premiering at TIFF 2010, and has gone to be sold to over 40 territories world-wide. Continue reading Interview: Director Claire McCarthy on Ophelia and The Importance of Female Voices