It really seems as though life is quickly returning to normal in Hollywood. For people are heading back to work, new shows and movies are beginning to populate our world again and of course… celebrating art through premieres and red carpets are quickly becoming as commonplace as they were not that long ago. For we continue to see premieres taking place on social media or through articles such as this, where stars and creatives are reveling in the joy of sharing their incredible art with one another and in turn, audiences.
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In fact, a premiere of note took place in Los Angeles last night. For the London West Hollywood of Beverly Hills was host to the premiere of the upcoming AMC Networks series, Parish. Which debuts on AMC and AMC+ on March 31st, and there were some notable folks walking that red carpet, such as series star and executive producer Giacarlo Esposito, who was joined by stars Skeet Ulrich, Zackary Momoh, Ivan Mbakop, Bonnie Mbuli, Amanda Brugel, Arica Himmel, Dax Rey, Caleb Baumann and more, along with showrunners and executive producers Eduardo Javier Canto and Ryan Maldonado, plus AMC Networks executives including Dan McDermott, President of Entertainment and AMC Studios.
 
But what mattered most, was the joy that everyone exhibited regarding this event. For it was clear they were genuinely happy to see the finished product and share it with others in attendance and well, to properly encapsulate the wonder and the joy of this evening and this time-honored tradition, here are some select photos from the event. To help immerse you in another joyous red-carpet premiere and to help you count down the days to one highly anticipated series.

Sometimes you run into motion pictures and television shows that are so moving, and so poignant, that you more or less champion them. All by telling every single person you know about that story to get them to see it, experience it, feel everything it sends the viewer’s way because it is that special, and it is that powerful and well… we here at NTG just so happened to run into a film late last year that caught our attention in that manner. For this reporter had the opportunity to see Re: Uniting at the Austin Film Festival last November and this movie meets that criterion.
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Simply because it speaks to aspects of life that few other films will, and it explores the very real impact of very real moments. In a manner that is moving, powerful and downright compelling, and what it has to say about life, the moment and the journey is so incredible that well… we are happy to spread the word to motivate others to see it and that’s precisely why we wanted to take a moment today to share some lovely news about this feature. In that, it is about to hit Canadian theaters, giving folks in Canada a chance to experience this moving feature, and with that in mind, here are all the details on the upcoming Canadian release of this poignant and important film.

To learn more about ‘Re: Uniting’ check out our review of the film and our interview with the cast and the film’s writer/director. For tickets, visit the Cineplex site, here.

‘Vortex Media and Flat Head Films announced today that BC-based writer/director Laura Adkin’s feature film debut Re: Uniting will have its theatrical premiere at Cineplex theatres across Canada starting Friday, March 15th, 2024. The film world premiered at the Austin Film Festival, was a special presentation at the Whistler Film Festival and Adkin was recently nominated by the Vancouver Film Critics Circle for Best BC Director.

Re: Uniting will screen for audiences for the first time to audiences in Toronto, Vancouver and Victoria with more locations to be announced. The film will play in Toronto at Cineplex Cinemas Yonge-Dundas with a Q&A with Adkin on March 15th, in Vancouver at Cineplex Odeon International Village with a Q&A with Adkin and select cast on March 16th and at The Vic Theatre in Victoria with a Q&A on March 17th. 

Re: Uniting stars Jesse L Martin (Law & Order, The Irrational), Michelle Harrison (The Flash), Roger Cross (War For the Planet of the Apes), David James Lewis (Child’s Play), Carmen Moore (Nancy Drew) and Bronwen Smith (Firefly Lane) as six best friends from college who reconnect for their 25 year reunion. 

When Rachel, played by Michelle Harrison, receives life-changing news, she secretly grapples with her mortality while playing host to her friends who have grown up and gone their separate ways since college. Carrie, a mother of 3, Natalie, a workaholic neurosurgeon, former football star turned sportscaster Collin, and playboy man-child Danny join Rachel and her husband at their picturesque home on the beautiful and secluded Bowen Island. As soon as they are all together it’s like no time has passed; they laugh, drink and dance the night away. Rachel’s nostalgia is echoed by the group as they realize how much time has gone by, and how much they have all changed. As secrets are revealed, they are forced to change the way they look at their futures.

The film features a hit-filled soundtrack, opening with "This Is How We Do It" by Montell Jordan and closing with an original song from the films lead actor Jesse L Martin. The soundtrack for the ensemble drama features more than nineteen songs from indie artists.

Laura Adkin, born and raised in Vancouver, BC, began her career in the film and television industry almost 20 years ago. She started as an actor then moved behind the camera as a producer, writer and director. As a filmmaker, Laura has produced numerous films that have played in film festivals around the world. Diversity and inclusivity on set and behind the camera is one of Laura’s most important mandates as a filmmaker. She was handpicked for a female directors initiative through Disney and was selected for the Women In the Directors Chair Career Advancement Module. Laura served on the board of Women in Film Vancouver and currently teaches at Vancouver Acting School.

Re: Uniting is written and directed by Laura Adkin, produced by Krista Rand (Grand Unified Theory) and Stirling Bancroft (Sniper: Assassin’s End) serves as director of photography. Re: Uniting is the first feature film in the world to be coloured with the Barco HDR Lightsteering projector; a state-of-the-art technology sweeping the cinematic world from international tech company Barco. 

The film was made possible with Telefilm "partner's in production", William F. White International and UBCP/ACTRA. 

About Vortex Media:
Vortex Media is a boutique studio bringing together global distribution and film and television production across all genres. It comprises three divisions: Vortex Canada, specializing in the theatrical release of feature films and monetization across all platforms; Vortex International, a worldwide sales and distribution company; and Vortex Productions, an in-house production company with the resources to self-finance and produce feature films and made-for-television movies including THE END OF SEX starring Schitt’s Creek’s Emily Hampshire and ANYTHING FOR JACKSON, a Shudder Original Film. Recent Vortex Canada releases include THE RETIREMENT PLAN, starring Nicolas Cage, and Rachel Lambert’s genre-defying SOMETIMES I THINK ABOUT DYING with Daisy Ridley. Highlights of Vortex’s upcoming slate include the critically acclaimed I DON’T KNOW WHO YOU ARE and the Australian Indigenous crime drama LIMBO, starring Simon Baker, both of which had their world premieres at the Toronto International Film Festival last fall.’

There is a lot for the cast and crew of the hit STARZ series, BMF, to celebrate right now. After all, the third season of the show is now on the airwaves and the show has been granted a fourth season to continue the tale of the rise and fall of the Flenory family, and well… those are amazing accomplishments for certain. Because it is no easy task to be granted two seasons, much less one in this industry and well… the joy that comes from such wins, absolutely translated into the perfect celebration of all this good news.
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For last night the Hollywood Athletic Club was host to the third season premiere of this magnificent series, and well… you can simply see the joy on the faces of the attendees from the photographs taken at this event. The kind that speaks to a job well done, of gratitude and outright pride for assembling such an amazing series that captivates so many, and well… to properly pay the cast and crew respect for all their hard work, here are a selection of photos, and a summary from that big night, as we plunge back into the world of BMF.

‘Last night, STARZ transformed Sunset Boulevard in celebration of the highly anticipated new season of gritty, family drama “BMF,” premiering today, March 1, at midnight on the STARZ app. On linear, it will debut on STARZ at 8:00 PM ET/PT in the U.S. and 9:00 ET/PT in Canada.

Held at the Hollywood Athletic Club, which was decorated to appear as the Platinum Palace as featured in the hit series, partygoers were treated to VIP bottle service, BMF costumes on display and quotes and real-life photos of the Flenory Brothers from during their time in Detroit and Atlanta lining the walls. There was no shortage of star power in attendance, including Creator Randy Huggins, Executive Producer and season three showrunner Heather Zuhlke, Executive Producers Anthony Wilson and Anne Clements alongside “BMF” cast members Demetrius “Lil Meech” Flenory Jr., Da’Vinchi, Michole Briana White, La La Anthony, Kelly Hu, 2 Chainz, Cynthia Bailey, Sydney Mitchell, Laila D. Pruitt, Ren King, Christopher B. Duncan, Morgan Alexandria, Kadianne Whyte, Jerel Xavier Alston, Bechir Sylvian, Roberto Sanchez, Jason C. Louder and Jourdan Sweeney.

Celebrity attendees also came to celebrate the impact of “BMF,” including DDG, KaMillion, Funny Marco, Jeremy Piven, DeShaun Watson, Jilky Anais, William Stanford Davis, Lil Rel Howery, Demetrius Shipp Jr., DJ Hed, Dreka Gates, Jonica Booth, and Tae Heckard among others.

Inspired by true legends, “BMF” continues the story of brothers Demetrius “Big Meech” Flenory and Terry “Southwest T” Flenory, who rose through the illegal drug trade from the depths of poverty in Detroit to the heights of fame and fortune across America. In season three, Meech moves to Atlanta to expand their empire, facing rival crews and crossing paths with burgeoning hip-hop legends, while Terry holds down the fort in Detroit, facing formidable rivals, old and new.

“BMF” season three stars returning actors Demetrius “Lil Meech” Flenory Jr. (“Euphoria”) as “Demetrius Flenory,” Da’Vinchi (“All American,” “Grown-ish”) as “Terry Flenory,” Russell Hornsby (Fences, The Hate U Give) as “Charles Flenory,” Michole Briana White (“Dead to Me,” She Hate Me) as “Lucille Flenory,” Steve Harris (“The Practice,” Diary of a Mad Black Woman) as “Detective Bryant,” Kelly Hu (The Scorpion King, “The Orville”) as “Detective Jin,” La La Anthony (“The Chi,” Think Like a Man) as “Markisha,” Sydney Mitchell (“First Wives Club”) as “LaWanda” and Laila D. Pruitt (Secret Headquarters) as “Nicole Flenory.”  Previously announced special guest stars include Grammy Award winners Dominique “Lil Baby” Jones (It's Only Me, 2022) making his acting debut as “Payne,” NE-YO (“Dance Monsters,” Hip-Hop Family Christmas Wedding) as “Rodney ‘Greeny’ Green,” 2 Chainz (“The Enforcer”) as “Stacks,” Grammy-nominated artist and actress Saweetie (“Bel-Air,” “Grown-ish”) as “Keeya,” and Cynthia Bailey (“Real Housewives of Atlanta”) as “Gloria.”

“BMF” is executive produced by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson through his G-Unit Film and Television production company (Executive Producer of the “Power” Universe, “For Life,” and Hip Hop Homicides), alongside creator, executive producer, and Detroit native Randy Huggins (“Star,” “Rebel,” “Power”) with showrunner and executive producer Heather Zuhlke ("Power,"  "Southland.") Anthony Wilson and Anne Clements also serve as executive producers on the series. “BMF” is produced through Jackson’s G-Unit Film and Television production company in association with Lionsgate Television for STARZ. 

About “BMF” Season Three
“BMF” continues the story of the inspiring true legends, brothers Demetrius “Big Meech” Flenory (Demetrius Flenory, Jr.) and Terry “Southwest T” Flenory (Da’Vinchi), who founded one of the most influential crime families in the country, the Black Mafia Family. We parachute into the early '90s in season three, with Meech moving to Atlanta, hoping to grow the BMF empire in the south and rise to the top of the Atlanta drug scene. At the same time, Terry remains in the “D,” handling business there, not yet aware of all the dangers lurking around the corner. Charles Flenory (Russell Hornsby) and Lucille Flenory’s (Michole Briana White) marriage remains on the rocks, and Detective Bryant (Steve Harris), on probation from work, and Detective Jin (Kelly Hu) find themselves on opposite sides of the law, but might find common ground in their determination to take down BMF. Additionally, season three includes special guest stars recurring throughout the season, who cross paths with Meech and Terry in this next phase of their unbelievable journey.

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About STARZ 
STARZ (www.starz.com), a Lionsgate company, is a leading media streaming platform committed to delivering premium content that amplifies narratives by, about and for women and underrepresented audiences. STARZ is home to the highly rated and first-of-its-kind STARZ app that offers the ability to stream or download STARZ premium content, as well as the flagship domestic STARZ® service, including STARZ ENCORE, 17 premium pay TV channels, and the associated on-demand and online services. STARZ is available across digital OTT platforms and multichannel video distributors, including cable operators, satellite television providers, and telecommunications companies. In February 2021, STARZ launched #TakeTheLead, a multi-faceted and innovative inclusion initiative expanding its existing efforts to improve representation on screen, behind the camera and throughout the company. 

About Lionsgate
Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B) encompasses world-class motion picture and television studio operations aligned with the STARZ premium subscription platform to bring a unique and varied portfolio of entertainment to consumers around the world. The Company’s film, television, subscription and location-based entertainment businesses are backed by a 20,000+ title library and a valuable collection of iconic film and television franchises. A digital age company driven by its entrepreneurial culture and commitment to innovation, the Lionsgate brand is synonymous with bold, original, relatable entertainment for audiences worldwide.’