Special Screening of “The Haunted Spirit” at the Big Apple Film Festival
Hello darlings, Welcome back to Cognac’s Corner Magazine.
Cognac and the production team of “The Haunted Spirit” pose for a photo-op before the film’s screening at the Big Apple Film Festival – Photo by Carlo Mallol
Actor Bill-Lee Lanndis, Talent Agent/Film Producer Archer King, TV Host Cognac Wellerlane and Filmmaker/Director/Actress Sophia Robbins pose for a photo-op at the Screening of “The Haunted” at the Big Apple Film Festival – Photo by Carlo Mallol
Cognac chats with Talent Agent/Film Producer Archer King and Director/Writer Sophia Robbins at the Screening of “The Haunted Spirit” at the Big Apple Film Festival Cinematography by Bill-Lee Lanndis
On Friday November 6th I attended the Big Apple Film Festival with Actor Bill-Lee Lanndis for a special screening of “The Haunted Spirit,” produced by Film Producer Archer King and directed by Sophia Robbins.
The film’s synopsis is centered around a young woman’s relationship with her friends, family and lover.
What is a girl to do when her friends and neighbors
say her boyfriend is no good, but she continues to believe in him and tries to make her relationship work. Julia with the help of a statue of the Egyptian God Anubis, finds a solution for Jordan.
Director : Sophia Robbins
Written by Anna Orkoulas & Sophia Robbins
Produced by Archer King Ltd
After the screening I had a chance to interview the producer Archer King and the writer/director Sophia Robbins.
Celebrating over 50 years as a Corporation, and an agent (one of the longest held franchises in New York), Archer King is as energetic and active as any agent could be, with a history as an actor, producer, distributor, film packager and entertainment consultant.
Archer was an actor for a short time, with work including the Broadway Production “Of Summer Night” in 1939. This was followed by a world -wide tour courtesy Uncle Sam and World War II. Again a civilian, Archer returned to the theatre to produce on Broadway a number of plays including “Two Blind Mice” By Sam Spewack and finally, in 1952, he settled down as an agent with the Louis Shurr Agency.
Never one to stay still very long, Archer forged out on his own and incorporated his own agency in 1957. He is credited with discovering such talents as James Dean, Jason Robards, Jack Warden, Martin Sheen, Paul Mazursky, Elizabeth Montgomery Tommy Tune and Ron Howard. He also represented such clients as John Cassavettes, Broderick Crawford, Bette Midler, Dorothy Malone, Alexis Smith and Tommy Tune.
During our interview I inquired how she met Archer King. “I was looking for a theatrical Agent, and I was recommended to contact Archer,” she enthusiastically responded.
The Big Apple Film Festival, presented by the Big Apple Film Society, takes place annually at the world famous Tribeca Cinemas in the heart of the greatest city in the world. The BAFF, named one of MovieMaker Magazine’s top “25 Film Festivals Worth The Entry Fee”, is dedicated to showcasing and promoting the highest quality films from the New York City independent film community, as well as additional specially selected films from across the country and around the world. Additionally, the festival is proud to honor a variety of New York City based filmmakers, writers, actors and artists who have played an influential role in the growth of independent filmmaking in the Big Apple. Each year BAFF presents its Golden Apple Award to one individual for exceptional artistic achievement in the New York City independent film community. Previous Golden Apple Award recipients include Alan Cumming and Ernie Hudson. In addition, in 2008 the festival presented its first NY Emerging Talent Award to Independent Spirit Award Nominee Jesse Eisenberg (Zombieland, The Squid and the Whale, Rodger Dodger, Adventureland). Our goal is to celebrate the great city of New York through the exhibition of innovative filmmaking, which reflects the unique qualities of the city and its people. In addition, our mission is to bridge the gap between dedicated independent film audiences and filmmakers, as well as to connect emerging filmmakers with established industry professionals. The festival offers a variety of film screenings and special New York City premieres. Alumni films include “Suffering Man’s Charity” directed by Alan Cumming, “Love, Ludlow” (Warner Home Video), “Owl and the Sparrow” (2007 Independent Spirit Award nominee), Chubb Chubb Saves X-mas (2007 Sony Pictures Release), “The Project” (2008 Slamdance Film Festival Audience Award Winner), “The Living Wake” (audience award winner, Woodstock Film Festival, Heineken Red Star Award, Cinevegas Film Festival), “Picture Day” (2008 Student Academy Award nominee), “Megatron” (winner Palm D’or, Short Film Category, Cannes Film Festival), “Beyond Wiseguys: Italian Americans and the Movies” (featuring Chazz Palminteri, Stanley Tucci, Susan Sarandon, Jack Valenti, David Chase, Ben Gazzara, Isabella Rossellini and others), iMurders (starring William Forsythe, Terri Colombino, Frank Grillo, Charles Durning). In addition, BAFF offers a series of interactive panel discussions with representatives from the New York City film community, special guests, networking parties and events, as well as a closing night awards ceremony, in which awards are presented to celebrate achievements in filmmaking. Previous panelists, guests and keynote speakers include representatives from Samuel Goldwyn Films, Magnolia Pictures, HBO, Current TV, Wellspring Media, Cinematical.com, Zeitgeist Films, Wild Bunch Films, First Run Features and Gen Art . In order to bring the most elite talent to the silver screen, BAFF is proud to partner with a variety of New York City independent film organizations and media outlets including IFP, The Village Voice, Indiewire.com, Cinematical.com, The L Magazine and MovieMaker Magazine.
For more info about this Suspense Thriller please visit http://www.remaincalmpictures.com/
and for more info about the Big Apple Film Festival please visit http://bigapplefilmfestival.com/
Until my next celebrity event darlings,
Pink Champagne Kisses
Cognac Wellerlane