Contenders documentary

The award-winning documentary Navalny could be crowned with an Oscar nomination later this month, but the man whose story is told in it has never seen the film. Alexei Navalny, the Russian opposition leader, remains behind bars under a lengthy sentence after daring to criticize President Vladimir Putin. “For me, that’s a very bitter part of this,” director Daniel Roher tells Deadline. “It’s very sad that he hasn’t gotten to see the film. One thing I always think of with Navalny is how enthusiastic he was about being a film subject. He’s a very curious man and he’s very, very curious about the filmmaking process… I certainly hope I’ll get to show it to him one day.” The documentary from CNN Films unfolds like a political thriller, investigating the poisoning plot in August 2020 that nearly cost Navalny his life. The charismatic politician gained a big following in Russia by campaigning against corruption by oligarchs, government officials and Putin himself (as long … [Read more...] about Real-Life Thriller: Top Oscar Contender ‘Navalny’ Investigates Poisoning Of Russian Opposition Leader

More than 50 years have passed since Black Panthers Party co-founder Huey Newton entered an Oakland courtroom facing a murder charge, but his trial continues to influence the American legal system. The impact of the sensational case comes into focus in the short documentary American Justice on Trial : People v. Newton , directed by Andrew Abrahams and Herb Ferrette , and written by Lise Pearlman (based on her book The Sky’s the Limit ). It was produced by Abrahams and Pearlman. The film has earned a spot on the coveted Oscar shortlist despite lacking distribution. “When we think about great trials, we don’t think of this one,” Abrahams tells Deadline. “But when you start to look at it, it actually is.” The film dials back to 1967 when police in Oakland pulled over a van in which Newton was riding. A dispute ensued and gunfire erupted, leaving officer John Frey dead, as well as another officer and Newton injured. Many observers, particularly conservative whites, … [Read more...] about Oscar Contender ‘American Justice On Trial’ Reveals Remarkable Legacy Of Huey Newton Murder Case

Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry is heading to Utah, not for a game against the Jazz but an event in an entirely different arena: the Sundance Film Festival. We’re told the future hall of famer intends to make the world premiere of Stephen Curry: Underrated on Monday night, January 23, the documentary about him directed by Peter Nicks and produced by Ryan Coogler , Nicks, Jenelle Lindsay, and Erick Payton. “The plan is for him to be there… The timing just kind of worked out,” Nicks tells Deadline. “You can never know 100 percent with someone like that… He’s probably going to have to dip out. He’s got practice the next day.” The film from A24 and Apple Originals documents the two-time league MVP who wasn’t expected to survive in the NBA, let alone set the record for the most 3-point buckets in a career. “Far below NBA standard in regard to explosiveness and athleticism. At 6’2”, he’s extremely small,” said a frosty scouting report for Curry. It’s … [Read more...] about Steph Curry Expected To Attend World Premiere Of Sundance Doc ‘Stephen Curry: Underrated,’ From Peter Nicks And Ryan Coogler

The nominations for the 95th Academy Awards were unveiled this morning, and while for some including Everything Everywhere All at Once , All Quiet on the Western Front and The Banshees of Inisherin the race to Oscar glory is on, others never made it off the starting line. Announced in the pre-dawn hours in Los Angeles by self-described “over-caffeinated” past Oscar winner Riz Ahmed and M3GAN star Allison Williams, the nominations covered a lot of ground with the blockbusters, streamer offerings and traditional dramas in the mix this year. However, not every contender made it into final races. Take a look at our list of the most noteworthy performers and projects that didn’t get any appreciation from the members of the Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences on Tuesday — plus, some names that were read out that no one really expected. Also, please tell us who you think we and AMPAS overlooked. RELATED: Oscar Best Picture Winners Through The Years – Photo … [Read more...] about Oscars Snubs & Surprises: Tom Cruise, Viola Davis, Taylor Swift, David Bowie & Women Directors Spurned

The Sundance Film Festival has begun unveiling its Jury and Audience Award winners for 2023. Jurors present for the announcement, livestreamed to the festival’s social media channels from The Ray Theatre in Park City, Utah, included Jeremy O. Harris and Marlee Matlin for U.S. Dramatic Competition, Ramona Diaz and Carla Gutierrez for U.S. Documentary Competition, Funa Maduka for World Cinema Dramatic Competition, and Madeleine Olnek for NEXT. Deadline will update this story with the list of winners as they come in. The 2023 festival featured 111 features and 64 shorts, selected from 15,856 submissions, which were screened in Park City, Salt Lake City, and at the Sundance Resort. Over 75% of both short and feature-length works, along with many selected Indie Episodics, will be available for streaming via the fest’s online platform through January 29. Sundance’s first in-person festival since the Covid pandemic was marked by a number of major sales — most of which we were … [Read more...] about Sundance Film Festival Sets ‘The Persian Version’ And ‘Beyond Utopia’ For U.S. Audience Awards — Updating Live

Editors’ Note: This story was originally published Wednesday. OK, here’s the moment you have been waiting for. Or maybe not. My Oscars predictions. Although many of these categories are Sure Things (I will tell you which ones by noting them as we go along), a remarkable number of them are still up in the air, and I find myself torn between two contenders, sometimes even three. This is a remarkably fluid year for the Oscars, and it begins with a Best Picture race that is a nail-biter right down to the opening of the envelope. I have to confess I am not a big fan of the prediction game, unlike some other pundits who seem to live or die by this stuff. I am much more interested in writing about the behind-the-scenes machinations and the work itself rather than the mundane what’s up/what’s down/what’s gonna win/what should win. As this week progresses, the white noise of which names will be in those envelopes increases. That said, I know some of you will take this ballot and bet … [Read more...] about Oscars: Deadline’s Pete Hammond Predicts All The Winners