I Carry You With Me is a deeply important film for a myriad of reasons, at its core being representation and relatability to all whom may come into contact with it. It reflects upon love – romantic, platonic, and familial – and aspirations, and the ways in which these passions interact. The film focuses on the life and experiences of Ivan Garcia (portrayed by Armando Espitia), a gay man who dreamt of moving from Mexico to New York to become a chef, and the emotional toll it took to decide whether he should stay with boyfriend Gerardo Zabaleta in Mexico or follow his dreams to New York. The cast themselves – including star Armando Espitia – described the importance of the representation of a queer love story not entirely focused on the experience of coming out, nor a story full of pain and torment around being gay, as so many queer films do. On top of this, I Carry You With Me is a positive portrayal of the humanity and willpower of immigrants, and the strength it takes to immigrate to another country, sometimes leaving the ones you love behind to create a better life for yourself and your loved ones. This film has the power and emotional charge to truly change the world for the better.

               Director Heidi Ewing is often known for her documentary work, not her fiction work, like this film. In her work with cinematographer Juan Pablo Ramirez, producers Gabriela Marie and Mynette Louie, and editor Enat Sidi (not present in the Q&A), Ewing was able to transfer her concept of a documentary into a part-documentary, part-fictional feature film. Quoted as realizing that she “was shooting the third act of a movie” within her documentary, Ewing created a fascinating experience into the human brain with this blend of reality and fiction. The team attempted to create a cinematic experience that mimics the way the human brain works, with single moments in modernity triggering the a flashback to a memory, as if we are viewing the story not through a film, but through Garcia’s eyes in real time. This took a lot of time, patience, and practice from the crew,, but the end product was worth every second.

               If you would like to support Ivan, you can visit his restaurants Sona Rosa and Mesa Coyoacan in Williamsburg, Brooklyn!

About the film: An epic love story spanning decades is sparked by a chance encounter between two men in provincial Mexico. This Sundance Film Festival Audience Award and NEXT Innovator Award winner is based on a true story, in which ambition and societal pressure propel an aspiring chef to leave his soulmate and make the treacherous journey to New York, where life will never be the same.

How It Ends was created in the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic- often playing a part as the first moments of socialization after lockdown for many of the cast and crew. Creative projects can serve as a way for an artist to maintain some form of control over an aspect of their lives in a time of severe chaos, but also serve as an outlet to generate positive energy. Lister-Jones cites the project – which she saw from beginning to end – as a source of joy and play in a time of high stress and anxiety. The timing of the film is deeply evident in its content and themes, taking place in the moments before the apocalypse, but also handling topics such as coping with grief and the ability to let go. Lister-Jones reflects upon the absurd dichotomy between such catastrophic events happening outside, but inside, especially during the lockdown for many people, we were “wearing sweatpants and watching Netflix”. The absurdity of a calm view over the chaos – the pandemic leading to rest and relaxation within our homes, but fear, paranoia, and anxiety outside.

               Lister-Jones describes how the film came from work with her therapist, specifically that of attempting to speak to your inner child and help yourself grow. Her character exists alongside a younger version of herself, interacting on a deeply meta level, each essentially as the voice in the other’s head. The growth and interaction summons a form of radical self-acceptance that can only come from true internal work – shown externally, in the film. This face-to-face experience with yourself has become a large theme within the pandemic- as Zoe Lister-Jones says, it’s a question of “how we face ourselves when there’s no one else to face.” What can you say when you are alone with your thoughts, alone without the influence of the outside world, alone with your reflection?

               How It Ends is a deeply cathartic experience in personal growth in a time of tragedy, a deeply touching comedy, and a brilliant piece of cinema that will warm your heart and leave you moved.

About the film: In this feel good apocalyptic comedy, freewheeling Liza (Zoe Lister-Jones) scores an invite to one last wild party before the world ends. But making it there won’t be easy, after her car is stolen, and the clock is ticking on her plan to tie up loose ends with friends and family. Accompanied by her younger self (Cailee Spaeny), Liza embarks on a hilarious journey across Los Angeles, running into an eclectic cast of characters.

Golden Globe winning Director Sam Mendes on the one-take technique of the film, casting & the entire landscape that had to be created in order to make it all work: 

And what is it like to be an actor on a one-take piece? Find out that & more in this exclusive interview with actors Dean-Charles Chapman & George MacKay:

Screenwriter Krysty Wilson-Cairns on how she got involved with the film, and the intense research it took to make the film feel like real life:

About the film:

At the height of the First World War, two young British soldiers, Schofield (CAPTAIN FANTASTIC’s George MacKay) and Blake (Game of Thrones’ Dean-Charles Chapman) are given a seemingly impossible mission. In a race against time, they must cross enemy territory and deliver a message that will stop a deadly attack on hundreds of soldiers—Blake’s own brother among them.

View the trailer:

Where to see it:

1917 opens Friday 1/10 at Ward, Mililani, Pearlridge, Kapolei, Olino, Koko Marina, Ko’olau and Kaahumanu theaters.

DARK WATERS star Mark Ruffalo describes wanting to dig deeper and know more when he was first approached with the role of real-life environmental attorney Robert Bilott. From there, Ruffalo and Director Todd Haynes (CAROL, FAR FROM HEAVEN) developed a quick rapport with the attorney and his family. In this clip, Ruffalo describes that meeting:

As they began shooting the film, its staggering importance became more and more evident with the cast and crew. Its unadulterated truth rang clear with critics alike, who call the film “a story of staggering deception and willful contamination,” “riveting, powerful and important,” and, “A must-see movie. Mark Ruffalo is superb.”

View the full Q&A below, and SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel for more exclusive content!

About the film:

Inspired by a shocking true story, a tenacious attorney (Mark Ruffalo) uncovers a dark secret that connects a growing number of unexplained deaths due to one of the world’s largest corporations. In the process, he risks everything – his future, his family, and his own life – to expose the truth. From Oscar nominated director Todd Haynes (CAROL, FAR FROM HEAVEN), DARK WATERS also stars Victor Garber, Anne Hathaway, Bill Pullman and Tim Robbins.

View the trailer:

Where to see it:

DARK WATERS is now playing at Ward, Mililani, Koko Marina and Ko’olau Theatres.

Director Alejandro Landes and two of the film’s stars, Julianne Nicholson and Moisés Arias, stopped by Angelika New York to discuss making a war movie that no one had seen before.

With MONOS, Landes wanted to push the boundaries of naturalism to create a mysterious and “ghostly” film that could take place in an apocalyptic future or the past. Landes notes that war “provides a window into who we are as a species” and he hopes he can take something recognizable, like a war film, and turn it into something new. Using guerilla warfare in Colombia as his lens, Landes explored the dual nature of the teenagers’ “lust for power” and longing for love, which are universal themes.

Both Nicholson and Arias described their willingness to join the project, even though they knew the shoot would be emotionally and physically demanding. Arias said yes immediately after reading the script. Nicholson took a “leap of faith” because the film was “exciting and unknown.”

MONOS is visceral and strikingly beautiful, and is described by RogerEbert.com as “A monumentally cinematic experience of lush wilderness and raw emotions.”

Opening Friday 10/11 at Kahala Theatres.

View the full Q&A here: 

Buckley and Mary Steenburgen, the co-writer of the film’s original song Glasgow (No Place Like Home), stopped by Angelika New York to discuss WILD ROSE. Buckley described her approach to the brash yet deeply sensitive Rose-Lynn. Through her performance, Buckley hoped to express “all of the different possible colors” of the character. Buckley had “lost [her] nerve with singing” until she was offered the role of Rose-Lynn. This performance reflects her regained confidence. Buckley commands every scene she’s in and owns every stage she’s on with the presence and vocals of a country legend. Buckley’s star power is especially evident in the film’s climactic scene aided by Steenburgen’s powerful and personal songwriting.

Steenburgen’s acting background gave her the ability to embody and empathize with a character. Steenburgen emphasized how impactful it was to hear Buckley’s “moving” and “beautiful” voice singing her words.

After the Q&A, audience members heard just how beautiful Buckley’s voice is first-hand when she sang Glasgow in a performance fit for the Ryman Auditorium.

Visit our YouTube channel for more exclusive content! 

Don’t miss this film at Kahala Theatres – opening 7/12.

Slater and executive producer/star Jakob Dylan (yes, that Dylan!) stopped by the Angelika New York to discuss how their lifelong passion for folk music brought them together and inspired them to make ECHO IN THE CANYON. While interviewing musicians, Slater discovered how the bands influenced one another in a “communal and organic” way. He found this collaboration and community much more compelling than his original plans to make a documentary about “the electrification of folk music,” and ECHO IN THE CANYON was born.

The documentary highlights the transition from the bright optimism of The Beatles to the psychedelic introspection of the singer-songwriter era in the 1970s. ECHO IN THE CANYON features extensive interviews with folk music icons like Roger McGuinn and David Crosby (The Byrds), along with Tom Petty’s last recorded interview and a particularly revealing talk with Michelle Phillips (The Mamas and the Papas). ECHO IN THE CANYON is a loving tribute to the musicians who transformed the industry with their timeless harmonies and 12-string guitars.

Click here to visit our YouTube channel and see the full Q&A with Andrew Slater & Jakob Dylan! 

ECHO IN THE CANYON opens Friday 6/28 at Kahala Theatres.

Critics are raving about their stunning documentary, stating, “Mother Nature has never been more inspiring.” After its initial film festival screenings at Toronto, Telluride, Sundance and more, it became clear that this little farm would provide huge inspiration to all its viewers.

The Chesters’ farm was created to let nature be itself – the ultimate eco-conscious paradise. Here, Chester discusses his take on conscious farming:

“Its definitely aged me, the whole process,” Chester states, but its “made me appreciate life so much more… I wouldn’t trade the sleepless feelings I have right now for anything.” Chester approaches farming the same way he does filmmaking – let it develop as it goes along – and keep it as ‘organic’ a process as possible – truly allowing the farm (or the film) to be a journey.

Click here to visit our YouTube channel and see the full Q&A!

About the film:

A testament to the immense complexity of nature, THE BIGGEST LITTLE FARM follows two dreamers and a dog on an odyssey to bring harmony to both their lives and the land. John and Molly Chester make a choice that takes them out of the city and onto 200 acres in the foothills of Ventura County, naively endeavoring to build one of the most diverse farms of its kind in complete coexistence with nature. The land they’ve chosen, however, is utterly depleted of nutrients and suffering from a brutal drought. The film chronicles eight years of daunting work and outsize idealism as they attempt to create the utopia they seek, planting 10,000 orchard trees and over 200 different crops, and bringing in animals of every kind. When the farm’s ecosystem finally begins to reawaken, so does the Chesters’ hope – but as their plan to create perfect harmony takes a series of wild turns, they realize that to survive they will have to reach a far greater understanding of the intricacies and wisdom of nature, and of life itself.

View the trailer:

Where to see it:

THE BIGGEST LITTLE FARM is now playing at Kahala Theatres.

Director Ritesh Batra (THE LUNCHBOX, OUR SOULS AT NIGHT) stopped by our sister theater, the Angelika New York, to discuss his newest work, PHOTOGRAPH, which the LA Times calls “a lovely, charming and gently transporting journey.”

The film walks a delicate balance, wherein its central two characters remain the viewer’s sole focus. Batra discusses that despite there being 52 speaking roles in the film, he wanted to keep as many of them off camera as possible, so as not to draw attention away from the leads. In alignment with that, there was a huge focus on sound design – the filmmakers actually spend more time on sound design than on editing – to maintain that delicacy that the film holds, and “get into the characters’ heads” through the music and sound within the film.

Batra actually wrote the film’s final scene first, in which he established the film’s premise, and then let the characters lead him, so to speak, towards writing the rest. “You start feeling [the characters],” Batra states, as his process is to let each step in the filmmaking process deepen and develop the script-writing, allowing the characters to grow and change.

View the full Q&A here:

About the film:

From director Ritesh Batra (LUNCHBOX), Sundance Film Festival Official Selection PHOTOGRAPH is being praised by critics as “a film that will warm your heart.” It centers on a struggling street photographer in Mumbai, pressured to marry by his grandmother, who convinces a shy stranger to pose as his fiancée. The pair develops a connection that transforms them in ways they could not expect.

View the trailer:

Where to see it:

PHOTOGRAPH opens tomorrow, 5/24, at Kahala Theatres.

Pattinson was originally drawn to the film due to Denis herself as the director, and when he heard the film described, he was hooked. Denis describes film in itself as “like songs.. made to describe feelings, moments..” and that is how she comes to her work.

Though Denis doesn’t like to refer to HIGH LIFE as “science fiction,” she did meet an astro-physicist to help consult on the project and help explain the scientific concepts within it. Another concept that required some consultation was the design of the spaceship. Here, Denis describes that design process:

Pattinson describes, “one of the high points of [his] career,” as working with Andre 3000. In this clip, he describes his starstruck encounter:

Click here to visit our YouTube channel and see the full Q&A!

About the film:

Beyond the solar system in a future that seems like the present, a group of criminals accept a mission in space to become the subjects of a human reproduction experiment. They find themselves in the most unimaginable situation after a storm of cosmic rays hit the ship.

View the trailer:

Where to see it: 

HIGH LIFE opens Friday 4/19 at Kahala Theatres.