Black Art/Independent Films Part 2

[loyola llothta]

2 - Writer/director/producer Jono Oliver's drama, "Home," which stars Gbenga Akinnagbe, Tawny Cypress, Danny Hoch, James McDaniel, Joe Morton, and Isiah Whitlock.

The film tells the story of a man (33 year old Jack Hall, played by multi-hyphenate Akinnagbe) suffering from mental illness, who is trying to rebuild his life, make peace with the wife he was once married to, and be a father to the child they had together, before his mental collapse.

A heartwarming and inspiring drama about hope and determination that I think will resonate universally. Akinnagbe carries it with a strong performance as a man who simply wants nothing more than to live as any other man would - with dignity.

ON Netflix NOW

Check out the first trailer below:

 

[loyola llothta]

AWARD-WINNING CRITICAL AND FAN FAVORITE DOCUMENTARY ‘T-REX’ NOW AVAILABLE TO RENT OR BUY ON VIMEO ON DEMAND. Also on Netflix

ZCDC and The Film Collaborative have announce the long-awaited theatrical release of the award-winning documentary “T-Rex.” The inspirational true story of American Olympian Claressa “T-Rex” Shields, “T-Rex” has begun a theatrical release and is now available to rent or own on Vimeo on Demand. Also announced, the film will make its cable debut August 2 on PBS as part of the INDEPENDENT LENS screening series.

Most boxing narratives follow a comfortable, predictable formula. There’s an underdog (maybe his name is Rocky or Mike Tyson or Jimmy Braddock), and over the course of the story we watch him battle against all odds in order to ultimately become the champion they were destined to be. And when the story is over, we’re meant feel inspired, determined, perhaps even in awe of the simplistic in the beauty of the “American Dream.”

It’s a formula in the genre that may be familiar but that’s worked well, both in narrative features and documentaries – most recently in the documentary “Champs,” which chronicled the careers of Evander Holyfield, Mike Tyson, and Bernard Hopkins. The story there was indeed an inspirational one, but the running, striking theme that linked the stories of all three men was the effects that poverty and above all else race had in their journeys toward greatness.

The same theme is at the heart of “T-Rex”, first time filmmakers Drea Cooper and Zackary Canepari’s new boxing doc which profiles a refreshingly new kind of protagonist for the boxing champion narrative. The film follows 17-year-old Claressa Shields, the youngest female boxer ever to compete in the Olympics. Cooper and Canepari initially had ambitions to film a documentary on teenage athletes but, upon meeting the enigmatic Shields in 2012, shifted the focus entirely on her, launching a successful Kickstarter campaign in order to get the film made.

From the very first moments of the doc, it’s almost instantly clear why Shields was chosen as a subject. Just turned 17 at the time the documentary began filming, she’s very much just a regular teenage girl in many ways, but with an added intensity that makes her endlessly fascinating to watch on screen as the film chronicles her preparation for the first ever boxing competition for women held at the 2012 summer Olympics.


Much of the storytelling here relies on the old sports movie tropes of using physical achievements as a metaphor for overcoming societal odds. We’re introduced to the dilapidated, economically crippled town that Claressa calls home – Flint, Michigan, recognizable to those who’ve seen Michael Moore’s bleak images of it in “Bowling for Columbine.”

The harsh realities of Claressa’s life in Flint are explored, including a complicated home life and her formerly incarcerated father who, despite introducing her to boxing in the first place, disapproves of her lofty aspirations because she is a girl. But juxtaposed against the harshness (brilliantly illustrated in a sleek and stark visual style) is the warmth of Claressa as a subject.

Nicknamed “T-Rex” because of her ferocity, her staggering work ethic, her passion, her desire, and her sheer physical power are not only impressive but, yes, inspiring. But this thankfully isn’t is a documentary designed only to pull at heartstrings – it ticks several boxes but it also transcends them, never condescending in its approach to its subject or her surroundings.

Indeed, more interesting and enlightening than watching Claressa’s struggle to succeed is the eventual fall out of that success, and the repercussions of making history. The physical hurdles are great, but it’s the emotional hurdles we see Claressa grapple with in real time as she navigates the world of fame, endorsements, commercial deals, and family obligations. And while the filmmakers never delve quite too deep, ultimately relying on a more cautiously optimistic tone, it’s refreshing nonetheless to see these ideas, especially around black femininity and girlhood, explored on screen.

If other boxing narratives have focused on the simplistic beauty of the American Dream, this documentary strives to explore the far messier complexities of it, the myth of it. This, after all, is what makes stories of overcoming adversity ultimately more human – the understanding that oftentimes becoming a champion is only the beginning of an even bigger survival story.

ZCDC and The Film Collaborative have announce the long-awaited theatrical release of the award-winning documentary “T-Rex,” with a nationwide rollout beginning on June 24 in New York City for a week run at the Made in NY Media Center by IFP.

Watch the trailer and then rent or purchase “T-Rex” on Vimeo below:

 

[loyola llothta]

Yohance: The Ekangeni Crystal BY Paul Louise-Julie Bestseller On Amazon Now

A Space Opera inspired by African Aesthetics. Yohance tells the story of a Master Thief on the hunt of a mysterious artifact. Little does he know that he's stumbled into an ancient intergalactic conflict.

Link:

 

[loyola llothta]

TRAILER + POSTER: ‘THE SKYJACKER’S TALE’ GIVES UNPRECEDENTED ACCESS TO A MOST WANTED US FUGITIVE IN CUBA

From award-winning Canadian filmmaker Jamie Kastner comes the feature-length documentary, “The Skyjacker’s Tale,” which gives audiences unprecedented access to one of the USA’s top five most wanted fugitives, who lives in Cuba: Ishmael Muslim Ali (formerly LaBeet).

Called The Fountain Valley massacre, Ali was one of 5 Afro-Caribbean men convicted of murdering 8 (white) people on a Rockefeller-owned golf course in the US Virgin Islands. After years of trying to get his conviction overturned, he took matters into his own hands and hijacked an American Airlines flight that was full of passengers, en route to Cuba, on New Years Eve in 1984; and he got away with it, remaining, living at large in Cuba. That is, until now, with recent efforts to normalize Cuban–American relations.


LaBeet and the other 4 perpetrators were five Virgin Islanders whom authorities initially believed to have committed the execution-style shooting in the course of a robbery gone bad. However, in court, the defense, led by civil rights activist William Kunstler, argued in part that the accused were politically motivated victims of systematic race-based civil rights deprivation.

Thirty years on the FBI’s most wanted list and against the backdrop of his looming extradition to serve 8 consecutive life sentences in the US, the film recounts the hijacking that got him to Cuba, and re-examines his original trial, revealing a gross miscarriage of justice. In a story more relevant than ever with racially charged police brutality and racial injustice constantly in the headlines, “The Skyjacker’s Tale” captures LaBeet / Ali’s first interview since the hijacking, and includes never before seen footage. What emerges is a picture of American government and law enforcement attitudes and actions toward their own population that are shockingly similar to the headlines of today.

The film will attempt to answer the question: Is he a heartless criminal or a victim?

“The Skyjacker’s Tale” is set to make its World Premiere at the upcoming Toronto International Film Festival, which kicks off next week.

Check out a first poster (above) and trailer (below) for the documentary.

 

[loyola llothta]

TRAILER: ACTOR HOSEA CHANCHEZ MAKES DIRECTORIAL WITH ‘RUTH’ (NATURI NAUGHTON CO-STARS)

Actor Hosea Chanchez makes his directorial debut with “Ruth,” a film scripted by Cru Ennis.

A project that Chanchez says he’s been developing for the past nine years, and which he also stars in, “Ruth” follows single father James Jones, who is struggling to raise his teenage daughter Ruth, an aspiring ballerina, in economically depressed Detroit. Ruth’s mother, Paula, was killed in front of her when she was younger, forcing James to become her primary caregiver, eventually making an unthinkable choice in an effort to right his wrongs and provide a better life for his daughter – a single choice that changes the path of his life forever.

Chanchez says he’s “poetically passionate about” the film’s core subject matter: the relationship between a father and his daughter, stating: “‘Ruth’ is the story of a single father struggling to survive in the worst living conditions in America. ‘Ruth’ is set in the heart of Detroit which, in some ways, resembles a third world country. We focus on the love that’s buried under the gunshots, poverty, homelessness and lack of resources in what was once the heart beat of America… Detroit. We uncover a fourteen year old girl in the ghetto, with dreams of being a dancer. And due to the poverty, murders and hopelessness that has become a way of life in Detroit, we discover a single father who has lost his will to dream, lost his hope in the system and lost his way as a father. These complexe and compelling characters are the reason I chose ‘Ruth’ as my first feature.”

Zada Luby plays Ruth; and Naturi Naughton also co-stars in the film.

No ETA at this time, but Chanchez has released an almost 6-minute early promo for the upcoming film, which is embedded below:

 

[loyola llothta]

LANDMARK ORIGINAL SERIES ROOTED IN ABORIGINAL MYTHOLOGY COMING TO AMERICAN TV SCREENS (TRAILER)


Its on Netflix Now

SundanceTV and Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC TV) together announced that the drama series “Cleverman” will launch in the USA on SundanceTV on Wed., June 1 at 10/9c, and in Australia on ABC and ABC iview on Thu., June 2 at 9.30pm.

Set in the near future, “Cleverman” is a startlingly original drama rooted in Aboriginal mythology. The series depicts a deeply conflicted and anxious society, fearful of a minority group living among them, endowed with extraordinary physical traits. One young man — The Cleverman — struggles with his own power and the responsibility to unite this divided world, but he must first overcome a deep estrangement from his older brother.

The six-part series, which reflects on issues of racism, asylum seekers and border protection, is based on an original concept by Ryan Griffen.

“’Cleverman’ is that rare feat of a well-crafted genre series that reimagines what a superhero is, and a compelling character drama that also has something important to say about the world we live in today. Ryan Griffen’s use of Aboriginal mythology as a way into the larger issue of how we treat indigenous and immigrant populations makes for a very potent piece of storytelling from a very authentic voice that is both entertaining and relevant,” said Joel Stillerman, president of original programming and development for AMC and SundanceTV. “We are proud to share this with audiences in the U.S. at the same time as our partners in Australia.”

“’Cleverman’ marks a new era for Australia’s production sector, inviting audiences to experience a bold new story-world where Aboriginal storytelling meets high concept genre drama. With an 80% Indigenous cast, ‘Cleverman’ sets the benchmark for diversity on Australian television, and its contemporary themes set in the near future will resonate widely amongst diverse audiences. We are delighted that our co-partners SundanceTV will screen the show to its US audiences in line with when our Australian audiences will experience it. A global television event for an Indigenous authored show…we’re excited!” said Sally Riley, Head of Indigenous, ABC TV.

“I have a huge love of superheroes and comics. It got me thinking about creating something cultural that my young son could connect to on a superhero basis,” said Ryan Griffen, Concept Originator. “I wanted to bring something Aboriginal, Indigenous, to that world. As the son of a light-skinned Aboriginal man and a light-skinned Aboriginal woman, it was important for me that my son had a cultural superhero that he could look up to as a young Aboriginal person…something he could connect to that was also entertaining.”

“Cleverman” features an ensemble cast led by Iain Glen, Frances O’Connor, Deborah Mailman, Hunter Page-Lochard, Rob Collins and Stef Dawson.

Wayne Blair, director of the Australian box office hit “The Sapphires” (which was covered on this blog last year), and upcoming film “Septembers of Shiraz,” is lead director, with acclaimed director, writer, actress and performer Leah Purcell also directing.

The series is produced by Goalpost Pictures Australia and New Zealand’s Pukeko Pictures for ABC TV Australia in co-production with SundanceTV and Red Arrow International, with the assistance of Screen Australia, Screen NSW and the New Zealand Screen Production Grant.

 

[loyola llothta]

EXCLUSIVE: TRAILER + FALL RELEASE DATES SET FOR ARRAY’S ACCLAIMED ROMANTIC-THRILLER, ‘HONEYTRAP’

Rebecca Johnson’s 2015 SXSW and Urbanworld Film Festival Official Selection “Honeytrap,” is a well told story of Layla, a beautiful 15 year old girl who, after living most of her life with her grandparents in Trinidad, arrives in Brixton, London, to live with her estranged mother. Based on the case of a real-life murder which made UK news headlines in 2008, in which a young girl is used to lure her naïve ex-boyfriend into the trap of her older ex-boyfriend and his posse, “Honeytrap” eschews the headlines and plays out the classic fish out of water trope to a devastatingly tragic conclusion. With Layla initially sticking out like a sore thumb and keen to fit in with her peers, she is led down paths that seem unlikely she’d have gone down if the spectre of teenage peer pressure and a desperate need for acceptance, weren’t so strongly at play.

A Netflix debut will follow in the US and Canada on October 3rd. See the below schedule for exact playdates.

We also have your first look at the film’s release poster and trailer, both follow.

National Tour Engagements:

09/23-09/25 New York Imagenation Cinema Foundation

09/23 New York Urbanworld Film Festival: Special Presentation

09/24 Washington, DC Anacostia Arts Center

09/28-10/01 Memphis Belcourt Theater

09/29 Seattle, WA Ark Lodge Cinema

10/01 Boston, MA Reel Life Experience at Paramount Theater

10/01 Montgomery, AL Pure Artistry Literary Cafe

10/02 Chicago, IL Black Cinema House at Stony Island Arts Bank

10/06 Houston, TX Houston Museum of African American Culture

10/14 Philadelphia, PA African American Museum presented by Reelblack

Watch the release trailer for the film below:

 

[loyola llothta]

TRAILER: ‘THE ALCHEMIST COOKBOOK’ STARRING TY HICKSON

"Just walking around in my mansion, in the woods, in my robe…" Oscilloscope Labs has released the full trailer for indie film The Alchemist Cookbook, from director Joel Potrykus who last made the cult hitBuzzard. This film is about a young outcast named Sean, played by Ty Hickson, who is holed up in a trailer in the woods with "The Alchemist Cookbook" and his cat trying to devise twisted schemes for vanquishing his enemies. After going too far with a recipe, he "awakens something far more sinister and dangerous". There's some funky footage in this trailer, but the best part is the quote from Variety about "if you only see two American indie features co-starring Satan this year…" You have to appreciate a unique trailer like this.

Here's the full trailer (+ poster) for Joel Potrykus' The Alchemist Cookbook,

 

[loyola llothta]

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE YOUNG ‘CITY OF GOD’ STARS? FIND OUT IN DOCUMENTARY NOW STREAMING ON NETFLIX

If you’ve ever wondered what happened to the young actors in Fernando Meirelles’ and Kátia Lund’s 2002 Brazilian crime drama “Cidade de Deus” (or “City Of God”), here’s a film that should satisfy your curiosity.

Titled “Cidade De Deus – 10 Anos Depois” (“City Of God – 10 Years Later”), the documentary shows what exactly has changed in the lives of the actors from the 2002 feature film which told a story of the evolution of organized crime over 2 decades, and became an instant classic in the USA. It was adapted from a 1997 novel of the same name written by Paulo Lins, with the plot based loosely on real-life events.


Most of the actors were recruited directly from the favelas in which the film’s story unfolds.

In the end, it received 4 Oscar nominations in 2004: Best Cinematography, Best Directing, Best Editing and Best Adapted Screenplay.

And it gave birth to a TV series titled “City of Men,” which was followed by a feature film version of that, also called “City of Men.”

In the feature documentary, “City Of God – 10 Years Later,” we revisit the film’s stars a decade after their Rio de Janeiro slum burst into the world’s consciousness with the hit film of the same name; and as you will see in the documentary, not a lot has changed for the residents of the favela, and the actors themselves have enjoyed mixed fortunes; like Leandro Firmino who played Li’l Ze, and who still lives in the favela, 35 years old, and father to a 21-month-old boy, and shows few remnants of the fame he achieved in the earlier years of this century, when the film thrilled audiences everywhere.

On the other hand, co-star Alice Braga did make the crossover to Hollywood movie-making, co-starring in blockbusters like “I Am Legend” opposite Will Smith, “Redbelt” opposite Chiwetel Ejiofor, “Elysium” opposite Matt Damon, the “Predators,” “Repo Men” and more.

The cast also included Alexandre Rodrigues, Jonathan Haagensen, Douglas Silva, each with their own stories, and Seu Jorge (Knockout Ned in the original film), who went on to become a successful singer/songwriter.

“City Of God – 10 Years Later” has now been added to Netflix’s streaming service, so you can watch it right now, assuming you’re a Netflix customer.

Check out a extended promo for the documentary, below:

 

[Cladyclad]

EXCLUSIVE: TRAILER + FALL RELEASE DATES SET FOR ARRAY’S ACCLAIMED ROMANTIC-THRILLER, ‘HONEYTRAP’

I never hated a fine azz bytch as much as the lead

It's on Netflix now btw

 

[loyola llothta]

TRAILER PREMIERE: NETFLIX’S FIRST BRAZILIAN ORIGINAL SERIES, THE SCI-FI THRILLER ‘3%’

Netflix has premiered a trailer for its first Brazilian original production, an 8-part sci-fi thriller series titled “3%”. It is Netflix’s first original series filmed, produced and starring entirely Brazilians.

The company has set a November 25 global premiere date for “3%,” which is set in a dystopic future Brazil that exists between progress and devastation. Brazil’s surviving population live in a zone called Inland, which lacks energy, food or water. At the age of 20, everyone is given one chance, and one chance only, to apply for something called The Process, whose approved candidates get to live in Mar Alto, a utopian world. But only 3% of applicants actually are selected from all of those who go through The Process — hence the show’s title.




Promising a diverse cast of characters, “3%” poses social justice questions, like the gap between the established elite (as well as the power the wield) and the poor, spotlighting on of the most unequal societies in the world in Brazil. The 3% who are selected after going through The Process are defined in part by their attitude towards hierarchy and working together. Rafael is a pure egotist; Marco is a natural-born leader who doesn’t like his leadership questioned; Joana grew up on the streets and believes in the survival of the fittest; and wheelchair-bound Fernando believes blindly in the system.

“Ultimately, the series questions the dynamics of society that imposes constant selection processes we all have to go through, whether we like it or not,” the Netflix press release states.

Created by Pedro Aguilera, “3%” is set up at Sao Paolo’s Boutique Filmes.

The cast includes Joao Miguel, Bianca Comparator and Zeze Motta.

Asking the question, “if given the chance to live a better life, how far would you go for it?”, “3%” premieres November 25th, only on Netflix.

Watch the first trailer for the series below:

 

[loyola llothta]

TRAILER PREMIERE: AN UNDERCOVER DOCUMENTARY INVESTIGATION INTO IVORY TRAFFICKING IN NETFLIX’S ‘THE IVORY GAME’

Continuing to build on its award-winning slate of documentary programming, Netflix, the world’s leading Internet TV network, unveiled four new non-fiction titles at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) last month. Included was “The Ivory Game,” from directors Richard Ladkani and Kief Davidson, described as an epic documentary feature and international thriller that takes audiences to the frontlines of the fight to end elephant extinction across Africa, in an undercover investigation into the sinister underbelly of ivory trafficking.


Award-winning director Richard Ladkani and Academy Award–nominated director Kief Davidson filmed undercover for 16 months with a crack team of intelligence operatives, undercover activists, passionate frontline rangers and tough-as-nails conservationists, to infiltrate the corrupt global network of ivory trafficking. A production from Terra Mater Film Studios and Vulcan Productions, the film follows poachers in pursuit of the ‘white gold’ of ivory. Time is running out for these African elephants, dangerously nearing closer and closer to extinction.

Leonardo DiCaprio is an executive producer of the documentary.

Lisa Nishimura, Netflix VP of Original Documentary Programming said, “The breadth of our slate… speaks to Netflix’s continued celebration of diverse voices and styles in the world of nonfiction. We are committed to pushing the boundaries of the documentary form, and our films… represent both emerging talent and iconic filmmakers during a thrilling time for documentaries.”

Netflix also recently released Ava DuVernay’s “13th,” a searing look at the history of racial injustice in the U.S., which was the first ever nonfiction film to premiere opening night of the New York Film Festival.

Last year, Netflix saw two of its documentary titles, “What Happened, Miss Simone?” and “Winter on Fire,” compete in the Oscar race following successful festival runs. Netflix’s first original documentary acquisition, “The Square,” received a Documentary Feature Academy Award nomination in 2013.

“The Ivory Game” will launch on Netflix on November 4. A first trailer for the critically-acclaimed documentary has premiered, and is embedded below:

 

[loyola llothta]

SHORT FILM WATCH: A YOUNG WOMAN DISCOVERS WHAT LOVE TRULY MEANS IN ‘SIDE EFFECTS’

Chicago based filmmaker Sandrel “Sanicole” Young, who created the web series “The City Hates Us”, has released her latest short film, “Side Effects”, which takes a contemporary look at the complex nature of love and relationships.

In “Side Effects” Zuri is a confident yet uncompromising woman whose perception of love is irreversibly changed. She seeks solace in the arms of another man, Sean, to cushion the distress caused by her current relationship. Confused about what her involvement with Sean is, Zuri wakes up after a night with Sean to a surprise gift she expressed a desire for the previous evening.

Ms. Young says that her aim in making the film – which just recently completed a film festival circuit run – was to: “explore ‘unforgiveness’ and the negative effect it has on our lives, particularly in relationships.”

The filmmaker adds: “In our quest for love, we experience hardships and/or wrongdoings by the very people we hold dear which can be extremely difficult to overlook. In my experience, the inability to forgive and move forward can cause for a stagnate relationship, unnecessary suspicion, uncertainty and heartbreak”.

She hopes that “Side Effects” provides the audience with a look into a woman’s discovery of what love truly represents, and how those we care about can be recipients of collateral damage born out of our selfishly unwilling to forgive.

Watch “Side Effects” in full below:

 

[loyola llothta]

CRIME-DRAMA ‘GANG OF THE FRENCH CARIBBEAN’ WILL MAKE USA PREMIERE AS ADIFF CENTERPIECE SCREENING

“Le Gang des Antillais” is set to make its USA premiere as the Centerpiece Screening selection of the upcoming African Diaspora International Film Festival, which takes places in New York from November 25 to December 11. The film will screen on December 3rd. For more information, including how to preorder tickets, visit http://bit.ly/2dkHGkS.

Filmed in Guadeloupe and France, the crime drama is directed by a filmmaker originally from Guadeloupe and Trinidad & Tobago, but who resides in France: Jean-Claude Barny. Described as “a highly original project” the film tells the story of “four West Indians who arrive in mainland France in the 1970s and soon fall into a life of crime… an uncompromising nose-dive into the disillusioned France of the 1970s.”


A loose adaptation of the novel of the same name by Loïc Léry, an official synopsis reads: Jimmy Larivière is struggling to make ends meet, support his daughter and find his place in society. A meeting and eventual involvement with the Gang des Antillais – a group of idealist crooks – triggers Jimmy’s rebellion, as he gets tangled up in violence, friendship, rivalry and betrayal. A gun in hand, with few options, how can he not become a slave to easy money?

The film’s solid cast includes Djedje Apali, Eriq Ebouaney, Adama Niane, Vincent Vermignon, Djibril Pavade, Zita Hanrot, Jocelyne Béroard, Lucien Jean Baptiste, Romane Bohringer, Mathieu Kassovitz, Julien Courbey, and Karim Belkhadra.

Eric Ebouaney may be the most familiar to readers in the west, given his strong performance in Raoul Peck’s “Lumumba” many years ago. Lucien Jean Baptiste should also be a familiar name (we’ve covered 2 of his films on this blog; both were French comedy-dramas). And many of you many also know writer/actor/director Mathieu Kassovitz (“La Haine,” “Amelie” and more).

Director Jean-Claude Barny directed from a script he adapted along with Philippe Bernard, Thomas Cheysson and Yves Nilly.

The project is produced by Les Films d’Ici, in collaboration with Special Touch Studio, Anaphi Studios and Lizland Films.

The film will be distributed in French theaters by Happiness Distribution.

This is Jean-Claude Barny’s second feature film.

A first full trailer for the film is embedded below. Although the trailer is in French without English subtitles, the screening of the film at the ADIFF will of course come with English subtitles.

 

[loyola llothta]

LESEAN THOMAS (‘BOONDOCKS,’ ‘BLACK DYNAMITE: THE ANIMATED SERIES’) TEAMS W/ STREAMER CRUNCHYROLL ON NEW SERIES, ‘CHILDREN OF ETHER

We’ve previously featured the work of TV animation producer and director LeSean Thomas, best known for his work on “The Boondocks,” “Black Dynamite: The Animated Series,” “The Legend of Korra,” and, most recently, “Cannon Busters: The Animated Series,” whose crowdfunding campaign was highlighted on this blog in late 2014.

For his next project, Thomas has teamed up with Crunchyroll – an international online community focused on video streaming of various media including anime and music, with over 20 million members worldwide.


Crunchyroll is co-owned by Otter Media (a joint venture between AT&T and The Chernin Group) and TV Tokyo, offering over 200 anime shows, more than 200 Asian drama series to users, as well as 50 manga titles. In the United States, Crunchyroll also releases select anime shows on home video through a partnership with Funimation.

The online distribution company is partnering up with LeSean Thomas on a new series titled “Children of Ether,” which will stream on Crunchyroll’s digital platform once complete.

Crunchyroll describes “Children of Ether” as follows: “Children of Ether” follows Rhonda, a woman with a dark past and a mysterious power, as she is pursued by an unknown assailant after the death of her father. Aided only by her wits and a pair of orphans, Rhonda journeys through a decaying, dystopian metropolis populated by raiders, gangs, and the supernatural. As she struggles to survive in this harsh urban tangle, she meets both friends and enemies, and searches for answers about this power, “The Ether,” awakening within her.

Thomas is helming the project at Yapiko Animation, with Hiroshi Shimizu providing character designs. Other staff members include:

— Storyboard Director: Shingo Natsume
— Animation Director: Yûichi Takahashi
— Animator: Mitsuo Iso
— Concept Designs: Ronald Wimberly
— Music: Mr Hudson

No ETA on “Children of Ether” at this time.

The project was officially unveiled at Crunchyroll’s New York Comic Con panel earlier this month, accompanied by a teaser on what to expect, which you can watch below.