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Women Heroes in Film

By Ashley Callahan

For over four decades, Women’s Equality Day has been celebrated every year on August 26th. It was originally celebrated in 1973 to commemorate the adoption of the Nineteenth Amendment into the US Constitution in 1920. It was this Amendment that granted women the right to vote. Women continue to make significant strides socially and politically. Today, a profound movement of women in the entertainment industry has been catching Hollywood and the rest of the world by storm. In addition, the trademark of a strong, female hero archetype has become a staple in a number of blockbuster films. From Gal Gadot’s character in Wonder Woman (2017) to Julie Andrew’s Maria The Sound of Music (1965), the narrative of a female hero has shown over and over again how courageous and strong women are.

            Within the past few years alone, we have seen the first female Jedi in The Force Awakens (2015), the resilient hero Katniss in The Hunger Games (2012), and the wit and clarity of Hermoine in the Harry Potter films (2001-2011). To go back even further, we must also recognize the impact female heroes have had throughout cinematic history. In Gone with the Wind (1939), Scarlett O’Hara faces an unrequited love and difficulties brought on by the Civil War. Audrey Hepburn showed us the feisty, independent spirit of Holly Golightly in the classic, Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961). Jodie Foster portrayed the incredibly brave detective, Clarice Starling in The Silence of the Lambs (1991) and the strong-willed Elizabeth Bennett has been exhibited in several adaptations of Pride and Prejudice over the years. This Women’s Equality Day, we recognize and celebrate the impact women continue to have socially as well as in entertainment!  

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Happy Book Lovers Day: Books That Became Major Motion Pictures

By Mia Miller

From paper, to hardcover, to script to film celebrating books on National Book Lovers Day - we recognize the international best-selling books that made it to the big screen by being international best-sellers. One international best-seller dating back to the 1800s was Jane Austen’s, Pride and Prejudice, which most recently was adapted to film in 2005, starring Keira Knightly. This internationally-acclaimed book is widely-known and recognizable with over 20 million copies sold, and is favored among scholars and general audiences as a classic. The romantic novel as been adapted into movies, televeision shows, and sequels, and it itself has been transformed in the past 200 years into one of the most popular novels in English literature.

In modern times, a more recent international best-selling book was a novel by author Stieg Larsson, who wrote the Swedish crime novel, The Girl with Dragon Tattoo in 2005. After being translated to English, the Swedish book was internationally sold and became a popular topic throughout the reading community. The Swedish book then became a Hollywood movie in 2009 and opened at United States box office at number three, grossing $102,514,793 domestically.

On the other hand, the Swedish crime novel Män som hatar kvinnor (English title: Men Who Hate Women), had many mixed reviews. The psychological thriller addressed political issues, the darkness in human nature, and sexual politics that provoked and angered many audiences in the way Swedish men treat women. Despite it’s themes, the crime novel captured audiences with characterization, plot, and despicable human nature.

One of our own past releases, Ways to Live Forever (2010), was turned into a movie from a book, written by award-winning author Sally Nicholls. Written and produced in the United Kingdom, Ways to Live Forever is about a young pre-teen living with the final stages of cancer and figure out life before it ends. We here at World Wide fell in love with the film and the book.

Celebrating Book Lovers Day, we have to recognize the most popular and most well-known international book sold to date, and that would be J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series. This international best-seller turned into a huge franchise and a world-wide film series that influenced the 21st century and mainstreamed pop culture. The first book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, was first released in 1997 and was almost immediately picked up to be produced into a film. The Harry Potter book and movie series earned over $25 billion dollars and over the course of twenty years it is known as a classic and a must read for younger generations to come. Even as the books have ended and the movies concluded, Harry Potter fans are still strong and are still Potterheads*. Spin offs have been created with films like Fantastic Beasts and Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018), and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park opened at Universal Studios Hollywood in 2016. To those who have not read these inspiring books or have not seen the movies, these are classics that we recommend and hope you enjoy.

From all of us at World Wide Motion Pictures happy reading and happy Book Lovers Day!

 

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Susan Lynch and National Sisters’ Day

By Ashley Callahan

On August 7th, 2011, National Sisters’ day became an unofficial holiday and was celebrated for the first time. It has been recognized annually ever since. The day acknowledges the strong bond people share with their sisters and encourages them to celebrate the special relationship. Studies from Brigham Young University actually show that sisters give siblings better mental health. In the film, Red Roses and Petrol, younger sister Medbh (Heather Juergensen) can be seen as a caretaker for her mother as well as an anchor that keeps her siblings together. Her brother, Johnny is an out of control playboy who spends his time drinking and doing as he pleases. However, with Medbh, Johnny is a loving, wise individual who cares deeply for his family. When older sister, Catherine (Susan Lynch), returns home with her new fiancé Tom, Medbh is reminded of her position and that she has not yet experienced the world in the same way. This shows the sacrifice she makes for her family. It also proves her ability to bring independent Catherine back home after years of being away. A day like Sisters’ day encourages us to show appreciation for the strength and compassion our own sisters give us. It is a “thank you” for those like the character Medbh who strive to show their families why they need to depend on each other. It is a celebration of a very integral part of family.

Although there are deeply rooted issues in the Doyle family, the importance of a sister like Medbh is easy to recognize. There may be some jealousy with her sister, Catherine, but she loves her regardless and would clearly do anything for her. It is often those who are closest to us and challenge us the most will become a source of tension at times. Still, there is nothing like a bond between siblings. Many of us have sisters who know us better than anyone. This year, National Sisters’ Day will be held on August 5th, as it is celebrated the first Sunday of every August. Don’t forget to express your appreciation for your sister this Sister’s Day!

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World Wide Motion Pictures Corporation Acquires Kazakhstan’s Academy Award/Golden Globes Submission, The Road to Mother

Los Angeles, CA, July 10, 2018 -- World Wide Motion Pictures Corporation (formerly OTCBB:WWMO) announced today that it has acquired North American distribution rights to THE ROAD TO MOTHER (theroadtomother.com), Kazakhstan’s official submission for the 2017 Academy Awards in the category of Best Foreign Language Film and the previous 74th Golden Globe Awards in the same category.

Executive Produced by Aliya Nazarbayeva, directed by Akan Sateyev (also known for Strayed, Zhauzhurek Myng Bala ), and starring internationally acclaimed Central Asia actors Bolat Abdilmanov, Aruzhan Jazilbekova, and Berik Aitzhanov, THE ROAD TO MOTHER was produced by KazakhFilm JSC. Inspired by true events and spanning nearly a century, the epic drama follows the journey of a young Kazakh family from the 1930s to present day and explores the history of Kazakhstan through war, famine, collectivization, and the determination of the clan to remain united.

“The film’s producers and I are honored to finally have THE ROAD TO MOTHER opening theatrically in the United States. I’m very happy that the World Wide Motion Pictures Corporation’s marketing and distribution team could see that the film’s heartwarming story was truly universal and could be enjoyed by audiences anywhere in the world,” states the film’s director, Akan Satayev.

THE ROAD TO MOTHER premiered at the 38th Moscow International Film Festival to critical acclaim and has been showcased at numerous other festivals, including: the New York Eurasian Film Festival (USA) – Winner: Best Foreign Film; the Marco Polo Film Festival (Croatia) – Winner: Best Film; WeLink International Film Festival (USA) – Winner: Best Feature Film; the Eurasian Bridge International Film Festival (Yalta) – Winner: Grand Prix and Best Actress for Altynai Nogherbek; and the Almaty Independent Film Festival (Kazakhstan) – Winner: Tulpar Prize. Additionally, THE ROAD TO MOTHER was recognized by the Ak Ilbirs National Film Awards (Kyrgyzstan) in the category of Best Central Asia Film.

“World Wide is very proud to be releasing a meaningful multigenerational drama that also carries with it the high prestige of being Kazakhstan’s official foreign language entry for the Oscars,” states CEO Paul D. Hancock. “Families throughout the United States, especially mothers, will surely embrace this heartwarming story.”

THE ROAD TO MOTHER will be released in select theaters throughout the US in fall 2018, including major metropolitan areas, with many Kazakhstani and Asian American organizations offering their support.

Founded in 1977, World Wide Motion Pictures Corporation (www.wwmpc.com) is a diversified company with shareholders throughout the world, primarily involved in the development, financing, production, and distribution of feature films, documentaries, short subjects, industrials and television productions. World Wide’s industry executives and board members have produced, distributed, and consulted on a wide variety of film and television products, earning Academy awards, Emmy awards, and prizes from international film festivals.

Media Contacts:
Farid Hameditoloui
World Wide Motion Pictures Corporation
wwmpc@wwmpc.com
(714) 960-7264

Joshua Jason, Founder/President
JJPR
joshua@joshuajasonpr.com
(323) 933-5716

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“Incredible” Movies to watch on Father’s Day!

What better way to celebrate Father’s Day than to watch a film honoring and celebrating your dad. If you’re looking for a last-minute movie inspiration, here are some movies we recommend you watch with your old man.

The Incredibles 2

Pixar’s latest film The Incredibles 2 opened in theaters this week nearly 14 years after Director Brad Bird’s original The Incredibles film. The long-awaited sequel is a superhero movie like no other, and its plot revolves around stay-at-home father Bob (Craig T. Nelson), aka Mr. Incredible, taking care of their three children, while his wife Helen (Holly Hunter), goes out and fights crime. Samuel L. Jackson reprises his role as Frozone in the film, and we will see new characters voiced by Bob Odenkirk and Catherine Keener. The result is an inspiring summer film which offers an opportunity for stay-at-home fatherhood to be portrayed in a positive, stereotype-breaking, and super-heroic light.

Ways to Live Forever

Robbie Kay and Ella Purnell star in the heartwarming film about a 12-year-old boy dying of leukemia. Sam (Robbie Kay) has a list of things he wants to do before he dies and is writing his memories in a book entitled “Ways to Live Forever.” His father Daniel (Ben Chaplin) is a quiet man who refuses to accept his son’s illness. The movie is based on the award-winning novel of the same name and also includes cast members Emilia Fox and Greta Scacchi.

Star Wars

“I am your father,” a line uttered by Darth Vader to his son Luke Skywalker in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, is one of the most iconic film quotes in all of history and there's a good chance your father will want to take a trip down memory lane and re-watch this epic series. It’s worth noting that Solo: A Star Wars Story is still playing in theaters and is the latest installment in the series, starring Alden Ehrenreich, Donald Glover, and Emilia Clarke. The film follows young Han Solo and Chewbacca as they join a gang of galactic smugglers. 

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Actor Malcolm McDowell Through the Years

 

At 75 years old, actor Malcolm McDowell has had an intensely unique and successful career. His boisterous, sometimes controversial roles have led to vast experience in various genres. McDowell has been best described as a character actor and first gained recognition 50 years ago in the film titled, If. Directed by Lindsay Anderson, this feature became a landmark of British counter culture cinema and became the 12th greatest British film of the 20th century. Just three years later, he played the sinister Alex DeLarge in the classic A Clockwork Orange (1971). He is perhaps best known for that role to this day.

Actor McDowell’s following feature works included Tinto Brass’s Caligula (1979), Time After Time (1979), Star Trek Generations (1994), remakes of the Halloween films, Easy A (2010), and The Artist (2011). In 2003, he starred in the Irish feature, Red Roses and Petrol which was distributed by World Wide Motion Pictures Corporation. McDowell has also had a string of television roles in shows such as Entourage (2009-2011) and Heroes (2007-2008). He has also become a prolific voice actor for video games and other animations like Fallout 3 (2008), God of War III (2010), Call of Duty: Black Ops III (2015), and the Walt Disney Studios film Bolt (2008). The British actor began his training at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame back in 2012. His profound ability to succeed in a variety of roles and film genres is what makes his career truly impressive. Happy birthday, Malcolm! We wish you many more successes and triumphs throughout the years and projects to come!