I have gotten a plethora of cool press releases have been flooding my inbox recently that you may find interesting. This post will include blurbs on Parasite, Viking Women: The Real Valkyries, Two-Mara, The Rescue List, Outcry, Bob Marley, Caroline Rose, MILAN RING, Kiana Ledé, Ren Harvieu, Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, The Hunna, Hayley Kiyoko, The Circus, and Big Deal.
- This year's historic Best Picture winning film Parasite, from NEON, will be available on Hulu beginning Wednesday, April 8. Parasite made waves this awards season with both critics and audiences alike. Visionary director Bong Joon Ho, took home four Oscar wins including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay and Best International Feature Film. Additional accolades include the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film, the SAG Award for Best Ensemble Cast and the Palme D’or, which is the top prize at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival.
- Smithsonian Channel is set to kick off Women’s History Month with two exciting new projects – first, the second annual WOMEN IN HISTORY social video initiative on March 1, and the following day, the premiere of Viking Women: The Real Valkyries. Each aims to shine a light on incredible, pioneering women that may not have gotten their fair due in history books. Connect with Smithsonian Channel on Twitter (@SmithsonianChan), Facebook (Smithsonian Channel) and Instagram (@Smithsonian_Channel) to catch all of the Women in History videos beginning March 1, and tune-in to Smithsonian Channel on March 2 at 8 p.m. ET/PT for the premiere of Viking Women: The Real Valkyries. Together in partnership with the Smithsonian Institution, Smithsonian Channel will rollout a new series of videos throughout the month of March, each spotlighting a different woman who has made a profound impact in the worlds of art, science, history, culture and more under the hashtag #BecauseOfHerStory. From the trailblazing leader of the Women Airforce Service Pilots, Jacqueline Cochran, to pop culture icon Dolly Parton and Hawaiian Queen Liliʻuokalani, each video will feature the story of a different extraordinary woman during Women’s History Month. Produced alongside various Smithsonian Institution museums, galleries and exhibits, this social media campaign is set to highlight the stories of women throughout American history that deserve celebration and recognition, told through personalized illustrations, historical artifacts and their own words. To learn more, click here.
- Two-Mara is a five episode comedic digital series from the mind of Sarah Skeist, starring Skeist as Kate Mara and Jewells Blackwell as Rooney Mara. Each episode of Two-Mara is a piece of video content from the (fake) Mara sisters' (fictitious) YouTube channel. Well-meaning and earnest Kate tries her best to bond with her sister while the brooding, mischievous Rooney strives to derail, sabotage, and wreak havoc on her sister's plans. Blackwell had always dreamed of being cast in the kinds of roles that Rooney Mara plays, so Skeist took it upon herself to write her a role she’d be perfect for: Rooney Mara. And naturally, Skeist would play her sister, Kate. “I gave myself permission to write as weird as what is actually in my head,” Skeist says, “And Two-Mara is it.” Based on a thorough 15 minutes of research into the actresses’ filmography and interview styles, Skeist wrote absurd, clown versions of the sisters that take on lives of their own. What began as an intentionally silly idea ended up telling a deceptively poignant story: “Two-Mara is a deranged love song to our sisters—biological or chosen— about the ways in which we both punish and seek approval from the people we love.”
- In a hidden safehouse in the Ghanaian forest, social workers help two children recover from a childhood enslaved to fishermen on Lake Volta, the largest manmade lake on Earth. But their story takes an unexpected turn when their rescuer embarks on another rescue mission and asks the children for help. Directed by Alyssa Fedele and Zachary Fink, The Rescue List has its national broadcast debut on the PBS documentary series POV and pov.org on Monday, March 23, 2020 at 10 p.m. (check local listings). The film is a co-production of Collective Hunch and American Documentary | POV. POV is American television’s longest-running independent documentary series now in its 32nd season.
- Showtime has released the official trailer and poster art for the new documentary series Outcry, which will have its world premiere at the South By Southwest® (SXSW®) Conference and Festivals in Austin on Saturday, March 14, ahead of its television premiere on Showtime on Friday, April 3 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Produced and directed by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Pat Kondelis, Outcry examines the gripping story of high school football star Greg Kelley, his controversial conviction and the quest for truth and justice as the case unfolds.
- The legendary Bob Marley’s 75th birthday celebrations continue with the announcement of Bob Marley: Legacy; a 12-part mini-documentary series, featuring a collection of intimate conversations and interviews with his family, friends and fans, woven together with his original music, remixes and covers. This unique YouTube series provides fans a refreshing and cinematic journey through the life, legacy and relevance Bob Marley still holds in this present day. The first episode, ‘75 Years A Legend’ debuts today, on Bob Marley’s official YouTube page. The Iron Lion Zion EP was also revealed today. Featuring a 7” and 12” version of the timeless classic and fan favorite, alongside two special dub mixes, a remix and ‘Smile Jamaica’ (From Songs Of Freedom). Iron Lion Zion EP is available worldwide from today. Listen HERE.
- Caroline Rose: Feel the Way I Want on Late Night with Seth Meyers:
- Sydney-based singer, songwriter, producer and multi-talented performer MILAN RING returns with a brand new single and video, "Switch Off". Watch and listen to it HERE. Produced in Los Angeles in collaboration with The Social Experiment (well known and loved for their ongoing work with Chance The Rapper), "Switch Off" features Milan Ring’s soulful guitar and signature vocals. The track was mixed by Milan in her Sydney studio and is her debut release on tastemaker label Astral People Recordings / [PIAS].
- Embodying the same undeniable attitude on the track, the “Mad At Me” music video sees Kiana Ledé surrounded by the ultimate girl gang serving the same levels of sass. Last year she turned heads with her second EP Myself. Not only did it put up millions of streams, but it also incited tastemaker buzz. Billboard named her among its coveted “Emerging Artists” spotlight and praised “her buttery vocals.” Vibe touted her as “NEXT” and she’s been featured on Refinery29, ROLLACOASTER Magazine, Complex, and more.
- With new album Revel In The Drama due for release on April 3rd via Bella Union, today Ren Harvieu has shared new track “Strange Thing". Listen to it HERE. Commenting on the track, Harvieu says “Strange Thing is a serenade to the outsiders of this world. The ignored, misunderstood, awkward self-conscious sparkling diamonds.. Don’t think you're not being seen because I see you. I am you.”
- Republic Records releases Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist: Season 1, Episode 3 (Music from the Original TV Series) in conjunction with the critically acclaimed new NBC television series Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, produced by Lionsgate and Universal Television in association with the Tannenbaum Company, Feigco Entertainment and Universal Music Group’s Polygram Entertainment. Get it via Republic Records HERE. New EPs will be released in tandem with each new episode of Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, which will air weekly on Sundays at 9pm ET/ PT on NBC.
- The Hunna unveils their new single and official visual for, "Cover You (Feat. Travis Barker)" off of their highly anticipated forthcoming album. The video, directed by Jordan Wozy [Machine Gun Kelly, Yungblud], sees love blossom in the thick of a mosh pit (filled with real fans of The Hunna) while the band plays on. Adding to the celebration, the band also announces an upcoming US and UK tour as well as the pre-order for I'd Rather Die Than Let You In , out May 15th - HERE.
- This March, in celebration of Women’s History Month, Fuse will honor Future Women’s History makers who are currently using their voice to drive positive change and whose impact on the world will be talked about in the future. The first to be honored in this extraordinary class is Singer, Hayley Kiyoko. Hayley is being honored for using her music to openly and unapologetically share her truth as a queer artist, thus paving a way for her LGBTQ peers. Hayley is the first woman to be honored in the Fuse’s Future Women in History class. Check out this clip highlighting her attributes and accomplishments:
- The Circus travels to South Carolina, where candidates are competing in the first southern primary election of the 2020 cycle. McKinnon catches up with Tom Steyer, whose campaign has the largest operation in the state, to discuss his standing in the race and what it means for Joe Biden's effort to slow Bernie Sanders' momentum. For a preview go to: youtu.be/RBsLdbO9YC0.
- Three-time Emmy nominee Molly Shannon (The Other Two) has signed on to star in the half-hour comedy pilot Big Deal, starring and executive produced by Emmy nominee Vanessa Bayer (Saturday Night Live). If the project is picked up to series, Shannon would appear as a series regular. Bayer co-created Big Deal with Emmy nominee Jeremy Beiler (Saturday Night Live, Inside Amy Schumer), who will also executive produce. Emmy winner Jessi Klein (Inside Amy Schumer, BLACK MONDAY, Big Mouth) will serve as showrunner and executive produce along with Michael Showalter (The Big Sick, Wet Hot American Summer, The Lovebirds), who will direct, as well as Annapurna’s Megan Ellison and Sue Naegle and Jordana Mollick of Semi-Formal.
