The New 411

By Raymond Ward

Spearheading a new generation of forward-thinking sales companies primedto reimagine the industry even before COVID-19, Utopia takes POVs first ever mini-series And She Could Be Next to the virtual March Du Film.

The multi-part documentary series directed by Grace Lee and Marjan Safinia follows women of coloras candidates and organizerswho are transforming U.S. politics from the ground up, including history-makers Stacey Abrams (Georgia) and Rashida Tlaib (Detroit).

If ever there was a moment where we need to be reminded of the leadership of women of color, that time is now, said executive producerAva DuVernay. If youre an immigrant, a young person, a person of faith, or simply someone who has felt unseen for too long, you will find yourself reflected in this story.

After being selected for its world premiere this year by the Tribeca Film Festival, PBSs documentary showcase POV aired And She Could Be Next earlier this week in the United States, with Utopia taking it to the virtual Croisette for international sales. Co-founded in 2019by director Robert Schwartzman, Los Angeles-based Utopia offers an array of flexible and filmmaker friendly sales and distribution services.

The world has its eyes on the U.S., comments Utopias Head of Sales, DavidBetesh. We believe there is strongbuyerappetite for socially-driven work of the highest quality, and thats just whatour Emmy and Academy Award-winning partner POV is known for. Its especially a thrill to launch this series internationally during what is unquestionably an epochal and borderless moment of reckoning around issues of race, gender, and representation. The seriesis a natural addition to our slate of high-quality features and documentaries,includingthe Steve Bannon portrait American Dharma from Academy Award-winner Errol Morris.

Other films onUtopiasCannes market slate include the upcoming ensemble comedy,The Argument, starringDan FoglerandMaggie Q;the basketball documentary Jump Shot, produced by and featuringtwo-time NBA champion and MVP Stephen Curry; and the comedy feature Mister America fromAdult Swims Tim Heidecker.

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'And She Could Be Next' highlights women of color transforming US politics | The Crusader Newspaper Group - The Chicago Cusader