Cinemafile

Producer Christopher Walter’s ARTFULLY UNITED, the first feature-length documentary from his own productions company, is a celebration of the power of positivity and a reminder that hope can sometimes grow in the most unlikely of places. ARTFULLY UNITED springs from the imagination and artistry of Mike Norice who’s simple, but brilliant idea to paint striking images and messages, designed to engage and inspire, on walls and storefronts strategically located in and around distressed Los Angeles area communities. The project brought together dozens of artists and activists with a clear mandate to heal and uplift the city they call home. As the murals are unveiled, the film explores the forces that shape the streets of L.A. and those that shape Mike as an artist, delving into his past to create a rich tapestry of family and faith, love and loss, music, hope, and life. Director David Benner follows artist Mike Norice as he creates a series of inspirational murals in underserved neighborhoods in and around Los Angeles. Join us for a conversation with the producer of Artfully United Christopher Walters.

After a series of plagues and wars leaves society in ruins, the Freemans are surviving — even thriving — on a farm in the middle of nowhere... so long as they repel the occasional raiding party. Former soldier Hailey (Danielle Deadwyler) and her partner Galen (Michael Greyeyes) fled the collapse along with their children, training them to fight (and, yes, kill). But now Hailey’s eldest Emanuel (Kataem O’Connor) is a young man, and when he meets a young woman (Milcania Diaz-Rojas) in the forest beyond the fence, his need for human contact could place the whole family in jeopardy. Director, Co-writer and Executive Producer R.T. Thorne joins us for a conversation on a working with a superb cast of actors led by Danielle Deadwyler, the responsibility that comes with wearing multiple production level “hats” and the historic context of the film’s title.

On the fringes of the Oregon wilderness, two strangers are brought together when a reclusive Woodsman (Ivan Martin) discovers a teenage runaway, Dani (Maddison Brown) hypothermic and barely conscious in the woods. After saving Dani from the elements, The Woodsman begrudgingly agrees to return the teen to her grandmother. As they make their way across the state, they forge an unexpected bond, delving into their pasts and testing their willingness to trust one another. Ultimately, with each other’s help, they find the courage to face the demons that haunt them and discover a way to start anew. Join us fora conversation with the director, producer and writer Kelsey Taylor. (ALONE IN TOMBSTONE)

Strap up for Director Rex Miller’s head first dive into the turmoil and chaos that has been the life of Harley Flanagan! WIRED FOR CHAOS looks back on the founder of the pioneering band Cro-Mags and a legend of the NYC Hardcore scene, Harley Flanagan is a punk rock icon who has battled chaos, defied the odds, and come out the other side. Friends like Flea, Henry Rollins, Roger Miret, Keith Morris, Michael Imperioli, Matt Sera, Jocko Willink, and the late Anthony Bourdain reveal the man behind the legend – confronting demons, raising a family, and sharing the knowledge of his experience to help others. Harley Flanagan didn’t just live hardcore – he is hardcore. Wired for Chaos is his story – loud, unfiltered, and real as hell. 

Anchored by two trenchant performances, this exquisitely well made film from co-directors Guy Nattiv & Zar Amir about the politics of modern day Iran, TATAMI follows Iranian female judoka Leila (Arienne Mandi) and her coach Maryam (Zar Amir), who travel to the World Judo Championships, intent on bringing home Iran’s first gold medal. Midway through the Championships, they receive a chilling ultimatum from the Islamic Republic. Co-directed by Guy Nattiv (Academy Award-Winner for Skin) and Zar Amir (Cannes Film Festival Best Actress-Winner for Holy Spider), join us to talk about their collaboration behind and in front of the camera, ratcheting up the razor-edge relationship between the Leila and Maryam and finding pulling together all the elements of a compelling sports drama with dire international consequences hanging over their families.

About the filmmaker - Co-director, Co-writer Guy Nattiv is best known for directing, co-writing and producing SKIN, where he won the 2019 Academy Award for Best Live Action Short. Guy went on to write and direct the feature version, also titled SKIN, which starred Jamie Bell and won the Fipresci Critics Prize at the Toronto Film Festival in 2019. The film was acquired by A24. Most recently he co-directed and co-wrote TATAMI, a historic collaboration between Israeli and Iranian filmmakers, which had its world premiere in competition at the Venice Film Festival in 2023 to significant acclaim. The film won two prizes at the Tokyo Film Festival, Best Film at the Munich Festival, and two prizes at Camerimage in Poland.

About the filmmaker - Co-director, and co-lead actor (Maryam Ghanbari) Zar Amir is an Iranian-French actress, producer, and director. She rose to international prominence for her performance as journalist Arezoo Rahimi in the crime thriller HOLY SPIDER (2022), for which she won the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actress and Robert Award for Best Actress, among other honors. In 2023, she starred in SHAYDA, which won the Audience Award in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition at the Sundance Film Festival and was acquired by Sony Pictures Classics. Amir also stars in READING LOLITA IN TEHRAN (2025), which won both the Audience Award and a Special Jury Prize at the Rome International Film Festival.

PRIME MINISTER begins in August 2017 with the dramatic the lead-up to national elections. Jacinda Ardern unexpectedly became New Zealand’s opposition party leader. She had just turned 37. Two frenetic months later, she becomes Prime Minister. Co-directors Michelle Walshe (CHASING GREAT) and Lindsay Utz (BILLIE EILISH: THE WORLD’S A LITTLE BLURRY) to talk to us about the treasure trove of footage shot by Jacinda’s husband Clarke Gayford, gaining access to Jacinda and the people in her life and what leadership looks like in a world where women are in charge. 

Co-director Fax Bahr and Film Archivist / Restoration Supervisor for American Zoetrope, James T. Mockoski join us for a spirited conversation on the harrowing and rewarding ride that has been the story of Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now and Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker’s Apocalypse.