Sundance Dispatch #6 - "A Good Day To Be Black And Sexy" Get's Distribution!
I just learned that Sundance pick, A Good Day To Be Black And Sexy, filmmaker Dennis Dortch's first feature-length film, has been picked up for theatrical distribution by Magnolia Pictures (a subsidiary of billionaire Mark Cuban's 2929 Entertainment). Just 7 years old, Magnolia specializes in both foreign and independent films, with projects from the likes of Steven Soderbergh, Brian De Palma, John Malkovich, and Hal Hartley on their distribution resume - so I'd say Mr Dortch is in very good company, and I certainly hope that Magnolia does the film and filmmaker well! I haven't seen the film, but after all I've read and heard about it, I can't help but be excited at its potential. It's certainly a good day to be Dennis Dortch! No specifics of the deal have been released to my knowledge, but the film is scheduled to be released this year - likely in limited circulation, at least initially. Next week Monday, Mr Dortch has agreed to appear on my podcast to talk about his film as well as his Sundance experiences! Looking forward to it!
I found the following review of the film from The Hollywood Reporter. It's all good!
A Good Day to Be Black & Sexy
Bottom Line: A smart comedy about bedroom mind games.
PARK CITY -- Relationship problems kill bedroom performance in this smart romance-romp. A raunchy between-the-sheets peak at modern-day black sexuality, "A Good Day to Be Black & Sexy" should woo urban audiences to the theater, and score on BET and as a DVD rental.A series of frothy vignettes, "Black & Sexy" centers on relationship dynamics, and, in these ribald cases, relationship dysfunctions. In filmmaker Dennis Dortch's perceptive comedy, miscommunication messes up sex. Usually, there's a third partner in bed in these sexual/romantic encounters: a hidden agenda.
Blending movie and musical styles to enhance the individual segments, Dortch has created an entertaining glimpse into black sexuality and romance. Audiences will identify with his realistic and identifiable characters, in large part thanks to the talented and exuberant cast.
Among the well-assembled cast, Mylika Davis stands out as a take-charge innocent who suffers through her teenage dawg days. Chonte Harris is hilarious as a put-upon "other woman" who skewers her married lover with brilliant, irrational logic. As the perplexed player, Marcuis Harris is sympathetic and lamentable.
All performances are on-target and ripe, highlighted by smart turns from Kathryn Taylor as a selfish lover, Emily Liu as an Asian-American with a forbidden yen for a black basketball star, and Brandon Valley Jones as a flustered, neglected lover.
Tech credits are a soothing and sizzling blend, clarifying the psycho-sexual dramas.
Well done Mr Dorch!!
And as he's going to be on your podcast on Monday, you almost got yourself a post sundance exclusive...!
I'll be listening in anyway... see if he's got his standad interview schpeil down pat yet - though I'm hoping for a brother's inside view.
Well, congrats to Mr. Dorch! Sounds like a fun pic.