Filmmaker Jason Pollock, director of the Stranger Fruit and Finding Kendrick Johnson documentaries, has announced the next case his team’s lens will be focused on: The Case of Korryn Gaines. Korryn’s family has given Pollock exclusive rights to develop both a feature documentary and narrative film about Korryn’s life and death.
Korryn Gaines was the victim of a 6-hour standoff in Baltimore which ended in her death in August of 2016. Her case immediately became worldwide news, and she became the face of the ‘Say Her Name’ movement at the time. Prior to Breonna Taylor’s death in 2020, Korryn Gaines had been the female face of the Black Lives Matter movement.
“Our family is so grateful to Jason and his team for choosing my daughter’s case as his next movie project,” said Rhanda Dormeus, the mother of Korryn Gaines. “I absolutely loved Jason’s investigative work on...
Korryn Gaines was the victim of a 6-hour standoff in Baltimore which ended in her death in August of 2016. Her case immediately became worldwide news, and she became the face of the ‘Say Her Name’ movement at the time. Prior to Breonna Taylor’s death in 2020, Korryn Gaines had been the female face of the Black Lives Matter movement.
“Our family is so grateful to Jason and his team for choosing my daughter’s case as his next movie project,” said Rhanda Dormeus, the mother of Korryn Gaines. “I absolutely loved Jason’s investigative work on...
- 4/26/2022
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Gravitas Ventures has acquired North American rights to the public health documentary The End of Medicine, executive produced by two-time Oscar nominee Rooney Mara and Oscar winner Joaquin Phoenix, with plans to release it in theaters and on digital and VOD platforms this summer.
The film from BAFTA-winning director Alex Lockwood and writer-producer Keegan Kuhn explores the link between our treatment of animals and emerging health threats such as pandemics and antibiotic resistance. It specifically looks at zoonotic diseases—germs and viruses that spread between human and non-human animals—which threaten the health and lives of the entire human population.
The End of Medicine entered production in October 2019, shortly before Covid-19 began headlines around the world. It features interviews with some of the world’s leading scientists whose research and testimonies conclude that the public health emergency we are presently facing was inevitable and is far from over.
“We...
The film from BAFTA-winning director Alex Lockwood and writer-producer Keegan Kuhn explores the link between our treatment of animals and emerging health threats such as pandemics and antibiotic resistance. It specifically looks at zoonotic diseases—germs and viruses that spread between human and non-human animals—which threaten the health and lives of the entire human population.
The End of Medicine entered production in October 2019, shortly before Covid-19 began headlines around the world. It features interviews with some of the world’s leading scientists whose research and testimonies conclude that the public health emergency we are presently facing was inevitable and is far from over.
“We...
- 1/31/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Gravitas Ventures has acquired North American rights to the WWII-era romantic drama I’ll Find You from director Martha Coolidge. The Anthem Sports & Entertainment company plans to release the title starring Adelaide Clemens (To the Stars), Leo Suter, Stephen Dorff, Connie Nielsen and Stellan Skarsgård in theaters and on demand on February 25.
Inspired by true stories of Polish musicians from the 1930s and 1940s, I’ll Find You centers on the tender, music-infused relationship between Robert (Suter) and Rachel (Clemens) that is forged when the pair meet as music school students—he, a promising singer and she, a violin prodigy. While Robert is torn away from Rachel following the German invasion of Poland, he vows to find her, no matter the cost.
David S. Ward and Bozenna Intrator penned the script for the film, which was shot on location in Poland and New York. Intrator also produced it alongside Lukasz Raczynski, Zbigniew John Raczynski and Fred Roos, with Alexander Roos exec producing.
“I’LL Find You is a beautiful romance film set against the harsh background of World War II,” said Gravitas Ventures’ Manager of Acquisitions, Brett Rogalsky. “What director Martha Coolidge was able to do with these elements is truly impressive, and we’re excited to be able to bring this film to the public.”
“From the beginning I loved the theme in this film that music has an almost magical power to heal,” added Coolidge, “and that it can inspire and move all people even those at opposite ends of the ideological spectrum.”
Coolidge is an Emmy nominee and DGA Award winner who has previously directed films including Material Girls, The Prince and Me, Angie, Lost in Yonkers, Rambling Rose, Plain Clothes, Real Genius and Valley Girl, along with episodes of such series as Siren, Angie Tribeca, Madam Secretary, The Night Shift, Psych and Weeds.
Gravitas Ventures was founded in 2006 and sold to multi-platform media company Anthem Sports & Entertainment in November. Recent releases from the company include Michael Lembeck’s Queen Bees; Gabriela Cowperthwaite’s Our Friend, starring Casey Affleck, Dakota Johnson, and Jason Segel; Vanguard, directed by Stanley Tong and starring Jackie Chan; and Andy Tennant’s The Secret: Dare to Dream, starring Katie Holmes. Gravitas has also recently acquired titles including Adrian Martinez’s feature directorial debut iGilbert; the Kathy Bates drama Home, from writer-director Franka Potente; family adventure film The King’s Daughter, starring Pierce Brosnan; Jason Pollock’s doc Finding Kendrick Johnson; and The Accursed, a horror film marking the feature directorial debut of writer-directors Elizabeta Vidovic and Kathryn Michell.
Inspired by true stories of Polish musicians from the 1930s and 1940s, I’ll Find You centers on the tender, music-infused relationship between Robert (Suter) and Rachel (Clemens) that is forged when the pair meet as music school students—he, a promising singer and she, a violin prodigy. While Robert is torn away from Rachel following the German invasion of Poland, he vows to find her, no matter the cost.
David S. Ward and Bozenna Intrator penned the script for the film, which was shot on location in Poland and New York. Intrator also produced it alongside Lukasz Raczynski, Zbigniew John Raczynski and Fred Roos, with Alexander Roos exec producing.
“I’LL Find You is a beautiful romance film set against the harsh background of World War II,” said Gravitas Ventures’ Manager of Acquisitions, Brett Rogalsky. “What director Martha Coolidge was able to do with these elements is truly impressive, and we’re excited to be able to bring this film to the public.”
“From the beginning I loved the theme in this film that music has an almost magical power to heal,” added Coolidge, “and that it can inspire and move all people even those at opposite ends of the ideological spectrum.”
Coolidge is an Emmy nominee and DGA Award winner who has previously directed films including Material Girls, The Prince and Me, Angie, Lost in Yonkers, Rambling Rose, Plain Clothes, Real Genius and Valley Girl, along with episodes of such series as Siren, Angie Tribeca, Madam Secretary, The Night Shift, Psych and Weeds.
Gravitas Ventures was founded in 2006 and sold to multi-platform media company Anthem Sports & Entertainment in November. Recent releases from the company include Michael Lembeck’s Queen Bees; Gabriela Cowperthwaite’s Our Friend, starring Casey Affleck, Dakota Johnson, and Jason Segel; Vanguard, directed by Stanley Tong and starring Jackie Chan; and Andy Tennant’s The Secret: Dare to Dream, starring Katie Holmes. Gravitas has also recently acquired titles including Adrian Martinez’s feature directorial debut iGilbert; the Kathy Bates drama Home, from writer-director Franka Potente; family adventure film The King’s Daughter, starring Pierce Brosnan; Jason Pollock’s doc Finding Kendrick Johnson; and The Accursed, a horror film marking the feature directorial debut of writer-directors Elizabeta Vidovic and Kathryn Michell.
- 1/11/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Starz has acquired “Finding Kendrick Johnson,” setting a December 2021 release date for writer-director Jason Pollock’s new documentary as part of the network’s holiday slate.
Narrated by Jenifer Lewis (“Black-ish”) and produced by Malcolm D. Lee alongside Pollock, “Finding Kendrick Johnson” is the product of an undercover, four-year investigation into the case of Kendrick Johnson, who was 17 years old when he was found dead in a rolled-up gym mat at Lowndes High School in 2013.
The documentary follows the course of events after an initial — and widely considered to be botched — investigation when the state of Georgia ruled Kj’s death accidental from positional asphyxiation. As shown in the documentary, the Johnson family hired their own forensic pathologist, who not only concluded Johnson’s death to be from non-accidental blunt force trauma, but openly spoke about the fact that any medical examiner should not rule a death due to positional...
Narrated by Jenifer Lewis (“Black-ish”) and produced by Malcolm D. Lee alongside Pollock, “Finding Kendrick Johnson” is the product of an undercover, four-year investigation into the case of Kendrick Johnson, who was 17 years old when he was found dead in a rolled-up gym mat at Lowndes High School in 2013.
The documentary follows the course of events after an initial — and widely considered to be botched — investigation when the state of Georgia ruled Kj’s death accidental from positional asphyxiation. As shown in the documentary, the Johnson family hired their own forensic pathologist, who not only concluded Johnson’s death to be from non-accidental blunt force trauma, but openly spoke about the fact that any medical examiner should not rule a death due to positional...
- 11/3/2021
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
I want to preface this review by saying I am embarrassed. I was embarrassed for not knowing more about this documentary sooner and embarrassed by the film’s lack of attention from the media. Finding Kendrick Johnson sits at 100 percent on Rotten Tomatoes with five critics’ reviews and no reviews from trades. Was the film not appropriately promoted? Was it ignored on purpose? What happened here?
This lack of attention is par for the course for Kendrick and his family. They’ve been dismissed and ignored, much like the documentary of Kendrick’s life and death. Directed by Jason Pollock, Finding Kendrick Johnson is less about visual style and more about providing insight into a case that is often forgotten.
Kendrick was an 18-year old student at Lowndes High School in Valdosta, Ga. He was beloved by his family, well-liked at school, and participated in all sorts of sports. One...
This lack of attention is par for the course for Kendrick and his family. They’ve been dismissed and ignored, much like the documentary of Kendrick’s life and death. Directed by Jason Pollock, Finding Kendrick Johnson is less about visual style and more about providing insight into a case that is often forgotten.
Kendrick was an 18-year old student at Lowndes High School in Valdosta, Ga. He was beloved by his family, well-liked at school, and participated in all sorts of sports. One...
- 10/31/2021
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
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It’s easy to fall down the rabbit hole when scrolling through a pileup of shows, and not really knowing what you’re in the mood for. If you’re like a lot of people who have been spending more time at home than usual, there’s a chance that your TV watching habits have changed in the last year.
Whatever your ritual – whether it’s settling in for a weekend binge session, or catching up on shows during the weekday, true-crime documentaries are an easy way to feed your obsession.
After more than a year in lockdown, and adjusting to social distancing, working from home, and distanced-learning, watching a good series feels like a form of self-care.
It’s easy to fall down the rabbit hole when scrolling through a pileup of shows, and not really knowing what you’re in the mood for. If you’re like a lot of people who have been spending more time at home than usual, there’s a chance that your TV watching habits have changed in the last year.
Whatever your ritual – whether it’s settling in for a weekend binge session, or catching up on shows during the weekday, true-crime documentaries are an easy way to feed your obsession.
After more than a year in lockdown, and adjusting to social distancing, working from home, and distanced-learning, watching a good series feels like a form of self-care.
- 8/9/2021
- by Latifah Muhammad
- Indiewire
"If Kj would've been white, we wouldn't have had to make this film." Gravitas Ventures just released this documentary film Finding Kendrick Johnson available to watch on VOD, with plans to play in theaters this summer. We're just catching up with it now, and considering it's an important film about America, it's worth featuring now anyway. "The case of Kendrick Johnson is one the most important cases in US history. Kj deserves justice, and hopefully our film will help his family get one step closer to that outcome." Finding Kendrick Johnson is the feature documentary product of a 4-year undercover investigation into the facts of this case. Told through the eyes of Kj's family and his close friends, narrated by Hollywood legend, Jenifer Lewis, and directed by Stranger Fruit creator, Jason Pollock, with an amazing team of producers, the film shares this "truly historic, heartbreaking, and unbelievable story" with the world for the first time.
- 8/4/2021
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Gravitas Ventures has acquired the U.S. and Canadian distribution rights for “Finding Kendrick Johnson,” the new documentary about the complex case behind the death of a Georgia high school student, set to premiere on July 30.
Director Jason Pollock, known for his previous documentary “Stranger Fruit” about the 2014 police killing of Michael Brown, promises that the film will present new evidence in the case of Kendrick Johnson, who was found dead and rolled up in a gym mat at his Georgia high school in 2013. Though Johnson’s death was ruled an accident by the state, separate autopsies concluded otherwise, pointing to non-accidental blunt force trauma. “The case of Kendrick Johnson is one of the most important in U.S. history. Kj deserves justice, and hopefully our film will help his family get one step closer to that outcome,” Pollock said.
“Finding Kendrick Johnson” is narrated and executive produced by “Black-ish” actor Jenifer Lewis.
Director Jason Pollock, known for his previous documentary “Stranger Fruit” about the 2014 police killing of Michael Brown, promises that the film will present new evidence in the case of Kendrick Johnson, who was found dead and rolled up in a gym mat at his Georgia high school in 2013. Though Johnson’s death was ruled an accident by the state, separate autopsies concluded otherwise, pointing to non-accidental blunt force trauma. “The case of Kendrick Johnson is one of the most important in U.S. history. Kj deserves justice, and hopefully our film will help his family get one step closer to that outcome,” Pollock said.
“Finding Kendrick Johnson” is narrated and executive produced by “Black-ish” actor Jenifer Lewis.
- 7/29/2021
- by Selome Hailu
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Here is the first trailer for Stranger Fruit, the documentary written and directed by Jason Pollock that raised eyebrows at last year’s SXSW film festival and was re-edited to include information about the backlash of the doc itself and also to insert what they say is new evidence. The film put the St. Louis County prosecutor’s office under a microscope and also interviews Brown’s family members. Gravitas Ventures acquired the controversial pic and will…...
- 3/27/2018
- Deadline
As the nation reacts to the violence in Charlottesville, many are stunned by the hateful views that lurk beneath the country’s surface. One group that is unsurprised? Black people. African Americans have never forgotten America’s racist foundations, and never had the chance to turn a blind eye; they experience racism every day. Which why is a film like “Whose Streets?” — a documentary about the Ferguson protests, made by black filmmakers for black audiences — must be seen, celebrated, and heeded.
The film documents the genesis of the Black Lives Matter movement during 2013 demonstrations in Ferguson, Mo., following the murder of unarmed teenager Michael Brown by police officer Darren Wilson. Piecing together shaky footage with more intimate interviews with movement leaders, director Sabaah Folayan and producer Damon Davis weave a tale of unrelenting power that feels like today’s news. The film’s authenticity is largely derived from the filmmakers,...
The film documents the genesis of the Black Lives Matter movement during 2013 demonstrations in Ferguson, Mo., following the murder of unarmed teenager Michael Brown by police officer Darren Wilson. Piecing together shaky footage with more intimate interviews with movement leaders, director Sabaah Folayan and producer Damon Davis weave a tale of unrelenting power that feels like today’s news. The film’s authenticity is largely derived from the filmmakers,...
- 8/17/2017
- by Jude Dry
- Indiewire
A break-out success at the SXSW Film Festival, Jason Pollock’s new documentary Stranger Fruit revisits the fatal shooting of Michael Brown, an 18-year-old black man in Ferguson, Mo., by Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson on the afternoon of Aug. 9, 2014. Pollock’s film re-examines the 95-second encounter between Brown and Wilson, and Pollock concludes flatly that, even though neither a grand jury nor the Department of Justice brought charges against Wilson, the shooting “was a murder" and Wilson “should be in jail.” But even before the film’s March 11 premiere, Pollock ignited fresh headlines about the case when he released...
- 3/16/2017
- by Gregg Kilday
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Usher has joined on as an executive producer for Undroppable, the documentary exploring the dropout epidemic in the U.S. educational system. Directed and written by Jason Pollock, the film will be completed this year and released in 2014. Usher was introduced to the film by Justin Bieber's manager Scooter Braun, who is also a producer on the project, along with Adam McKay, Sharon Chang, Alex Soros and John Powers Middleton. Usher and Braun worked together while launching the career of Bieber, who went on to become a pop superstar. Photos: The Music Industry's Greatest Givers "I knew Usher was
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- 10/17/2013
- by Rebecca Ford
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
As far as comedy directors go, Adam McKay has a tremendous track record; Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgandy is one of the funniest movies of all-time and his other works (Step Brothers, last year’s The Other Guys) aren’t too shabby either. Hell, he’s even made a significant impact on the internet, helping to launch Funny or Die a few years ago with Will Ferrell. Those of you like me who have repeatedly watched the Captain Planet video starring Don Cheadle are thankful for that site’s existence.
And now McKay is getting a little more serious…in a producing capacity at least. Deadline reports that he’s signed on to produce a documentary from Jason Pollock who was behind 2008′s The Youngest Candidate, which chronicled younger members of society (age 18-20) who were running for public office. This time around Pollock will be focusing on...
And now McKay is getting a little more serious…in a producing capacity at least. Deadline reports that he’s signed on to produce a documentary from Jason Pollock who was behind 2008′s The Youngest Candidate, which chronicled younger members of society (age 18-20) who were running for public office. This time around Pollock will be focusing on...
- 10/12/2011
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
After making us laugh in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy and Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, Adam McKay took on current events and directed the Ponzi schemed The Other Guys, which shed a new light on the issues that are affecting audiences. Now Adam McKay is ready to do it all over again, but this time its for the kids.
Deadline reports that McKay will produce a new feature documentary from Jason Pollock about the dropout epidemic in American public schools. Pollack directed the 2009 Los Angeles Film Festival doc, The Youngest Candidate, which was released under David Letterman’s Worldwide Pants banner. The documentary is expected to be shot throughout the current school year and is scheduled for a release next fall.
This documentary part of the screening tour that would lead up to election day.
“I want to help put the education system front and center in this upcoming presidential election,...
Deadline reports that McKay will produce a new feature documentary from Jason Pollock about the dropout epidemic in American public schools. Pollack directed the 2009 Los Angeles Film Festival doc, The Youngest Candidate, which was released under David Letterman’s Worldwide Pants banner. The documentary is expected to be shot throughout the current school year and is scheduled for a release next fall.
This documentary part of the screening tour that would lead up to election day.
“I want to help put the education system front and center in this upcoming presidential election,...
- 10/11/2011
- by Mike Lee
- FusedFilm
The director has comedies like Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy and Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby under his belt, but his lesson on Ponzi schemes during the credits for The Other Guys shows that Adam McKay has real concern for the major issues plaguing our country and its government. Now he's acting on thems as Deadline reports McKay will produce a new documentary from Jason Pollock (The Youngest Candidate) about the school dropout epidemic in American public schools. McKay says, “I want to help put the education system front and center in this upcoming presidential election." Read on! The documentary will soot through the current school year and is looking to get a release in the fall of 2012. In addition, the film will use the power of social media to get the word out about the film, not to mention a screening tour to various ...
- 10/11/2011
- by Ethan Anderton
- firstshowing.net
So this morning Warner Bros. confirmed that it was buying the social-media site Flixster, which also happens to be the parent company of Rotten Tomatoes, the most widely known aggregator of movie reviews on the web. And despite WB's assurances that both sites would remain independently run, it didn't take long for alarm bells to sound in some quarters over the idea of a major studio owning a site where people go to see what the critics think about movies. Also read: Warner Bros. to Acquire Flixster, Rotten Tomatoes Tweeted filmmaker Jason Pollock,...
- 5/4/2011
- The Wrap
MSN is jumping on board the latest trend in original web series—reality TV-style shows—with its new hosted competition series The Tastemaker which launched today. The series features six social media influencers battling it out for a $10,000 prize as “The Tastemaker.” In the running for the top spot are web series host Jesse Draper (The Valley Girl), along with Christine Esther, Jonathan Nafarrete, Brett Gursky, Raymond Roker and Morgan KcKean. The show makes no excuses for the fact that this is essentially an online popularity contest, even titling its first fan voting as “The Official Tastemaker Popularity Contest!” on Sodahead. Judging the competition are some recognizable faces in the web video world all with their own social media followings including Shira Lazar, Kelly Perdew (Season 2 winner of ‘The Apprentice’) and “adventuregirl” Stefanie Michaels Each episode is laid out as a “challenge” where, in typical reality show fashion, contestants face elimination.
- 9/13/2010
- by Marc Hustvedt
- Tubefilter.com
In late September, Tonight Show host Conan O'Brien quipped that a program to improve the health of Newark residents would involve a "bus ticket out of Newark." The joke, referring to Newark's historically high crime rate aroused the ire of mayor Cory Booker, who immediately put Conan on Newark airports No Fly List. "Try JFK, buddy," Booker said. Not one to back down from a potential feud, Conan has invited Mayor Booker to join him on The Tonight Show tonight. Before appearing with Conan, however, Booker hosted a live broadcast on Ashton Kutcher's Ustream account alongside Jason Pollock to discuss how Newark's communities are growing and how public service is helping to strengthen the city. Watch: ...
- 10/16/2009
- by Huffington Post
- Huffington Post
There is nothing more inspiring than speaking to a young person who is determined to change the world and make it a better place. So when Jason Pollock pitched me his film The Youngest Candidate, a documentary about teenagers running for public office, I couldn't resist. I thought about my own youth, going with my parents to the big marches in DC against the Vietnam war. Being just a small grain of sand on that beach of change that ended that war was an incredible experience, and left an indelible impression. So documenting 18 and 19 year olds who decided to run for public office because they felt like they could make a change was something I thought could help and inspire other young people. The film will have its world premiere during the Los Angeles Film...
- 6/25/2009
- by Lawrence Bender
- Huffington Post
NEW YORK -- David Letterman's Worldwide Pants is finally getting serious, partnering with Lawrence Bender and Balance Vector Prods. to produce a documentary on college-age candidates running for office.
Former Michael Moore assistant and first-time director Jason Pollock has been filming five young candidates running in this fall's elections for the past few months. The untitled film is first docu and noncomedic project from Worldwide Pants.
"I'm very impressed with Jason Pollock and all the young people in this film," said Letterman, who runs Worldwide Pants with president and CEO Rob Burnett. "When I was their age I was still delivering papers on a paper route, and I wasn't even very good at that."
The film follows two mayoral candidates (Raul De Jesus, 20, of Hartford, Conn., and Eric Smith, 18, of Hobart, Ind.), two city council candidates (18-year-olds Ytit Chauhan of Atlantic City and George Monger of Memphis) and one school board candidate (Tiffany Tupper of Hampton Township, Pa.).
Former Michael Moore assistant and first-time director Jason Pollock has been filming five young candidates running in this fall's elections for the past few months. The untitled film is first docu and noncomedic project from Worldwide Pants.
"I'm very impressed with Jason Pollock and all the young people in this film," said Letterman, who runs Worldwide Pants with president and CEO Rob Burnett. "When I was their age I was still delivering papers on a paper route, and I wasn't even very good at that."
The film follows two mayoral candidates (Raul De Jesus, 20, of Hartford, Conn., and Eric Smith, 18, of Hobart, Ind.), two city council candidates (18-year-olds Ytit Chauhan of Atlantic City and George Monger of Memphis) and one school board candidate (Tiffany Tupper of Hampton Township, Pa.).
- 10/30/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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