The American Film Institute (AFI) announced that the world premiere of Robert Zemeckis’ Here has been selected as the Centerpiece Screening at this year’s AFI Fest. Here will be celebrated at the TCL Chinese Theatre on Friday, October 25.
Reuniting the director, writer and stars of Forrest Gump–a modern classic that celebrates its 30th anniversary this year–Here is an original film about multiple families and a special place they inhabit. The story travels through generations, capturing the most relatable of human experiences. Zemeckis (Forrest Gump, Castaway, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Contact, Back To The Future) directs from a screenplay by Eric Roth (Forrest Gump, Killers of the Flower Moon, Dune, A Star is Born) and him. Told much in the style of the acclaimed graphic novel by Richard McGuire on which it is based, Tom Hanks and Robin Wright star in a tale of love, loss, laughter and life, all of which happen right Here. The film also stars Paul Bettany, Kelly Reilly and Michelle Dockery, and is produced by Zemeckis, Jack Rapke, Derek Hogue and Bill Block.
“Robert Zemeckis is, first and foremost, a master storyteller–and, uniquely, one who has spent a lifetime utilizing the latest technologies to tell the human story,” said Bob Gazzale, AFI president and CEO. “Here presents a profoundly powerful emotional experience while also bringing the art of film into the future.”
Ahead of the Centerpiece Screening, AFI will honor Zemeckis with a Directors Spotlight on Thursday, October 24. The evening will feature clips from his work and an in-depth conversation with Zemeckis about his illustrious career that includes several groundbreaking, emotional and innovative films from Forrest Gump to Here. The event is free to the public.
Said Zemeckis, “AFI serves as a valued institution in the important preservation and celebration of motion pictures, and it is an honor to premiere Here at AFI Fest. I hope audiences will enjoy the film as much as Tom, Robin, Eric and I loved reuniting to bring this story to the screen.”
Cast of “The Piano Lesson” To Receive The Gotham Awards Ensemble Tribute
The Piano Lesson, directed by Malcolm Washington and co-written by Washington and Virgil Williams, will receive the 2024 Gotham Awards Ensemble Tribute at the 34th Annual Gotham Awards ceremony on Monday, December 2, 2024 at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City.
The Gotham Awards Ensemble Tribute was created in 2005 to recognize the talented casts whose artistry and chemistry captivate audiences on the big screen. With this tribute, The Gotham will honor The Piano Lesson’s cast which includes Samuel L. Jackson, John David Washington, Ray Fisher, Danielle Deadwyler, Michael Potts, Corey Hawkins, and Erykah Badu.
“The Piano Lesson is a stunning adaptation, bringing August Wilson’s play to life with captivating cinematic artistry,” said Jeffrey Sharp, executive director of The Gotham Film & Media Institute. “The remarkable talent, effort, and chemistry of this brilliant ensemble cast forms the heart of the film, elevating its touching story of family legacy. It’s precisely this kind of collaborative excellence that our Ensemble Tribute Award aims to recognize.”
Constanze Romero-Wilson, executive producer of The Piano Lesson, said, “What Malcolm Washington, his brilliant filmmaking team and ensemble cast of John David Washington, Samuel L. Jackson, Danielle Deadwyler, Ray Fisher, Corey Hawkins, Michael Potts, Erykah Badu and Skylar Smith have achieved is an August Wilson story in cinematic form. His words still resonate...are still singing but so are the images, the performances, and the intimate window into each character’s inner world. I am honored and grateful to be part of this project which brings August Wilson’s meaningful stories to a new generation of audiences.”
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