Director and photographer Jason van Bruggen has joined Community Films for spots and branded content in the U.S. This marks his first representation in the American ad market. He continues to be handled in Canada by production house Suneeva.
Earlier in his tenure at Suneeva, van Bruggen earned a slot in SHOOT’s 2016 New Directors Showcase.
Van Bruggen is known for his visually arresting landscapes and the ability to elicit emotion from his subjects. Full of natural beauty, found light and an appreciation of the natural world, his work includes commercial narratives and environmental and social campaigns in collaboration with actors and artists around the world, including Jane Fonda, Rachel McAdams, Feist, professional athletes from every major league sport and many other influencers.
The director’s work has been profiled in such publications as National Geographic, Outside Magazine, PDN and Communication Arts, and by brands including Patagonia, Arc’teryx and BestMade Co. Earlier this month, van Bruggen’s PSA for the Government of British Columbia showed the human impact of wildfires and gained inclusion into SHOOT’s The Best Work You May Never See gallery. It was produced by Suneeva for Vancouver, B.C.-based ad agency Camp Pacific.
“Jason’s work is complex and intimate all in one viewing. We can’t wait for his work to be seen and appreciated by a wider audience,” said Lizzie Schwartz, partner and executive producer, Community Films.
Van Bruggen’s immersive storytelling expresses his interest in humanity and an ambition to share authentic and truthful stories. His most recent short film about an Inuit hunter, Derrick Pottle, Keeper of the Flame was filmed in the remote wilderness of Labrador, Nunavut and Greenland. It will premiere at the Banff Mountain Film Festival and air at festivals throughout North America in fall of 2018. His fine art photographic practice has turned out the featured exhibit at Contact Photography Festival 2017, and upcoming solo exhibits in Europe (2019) and the U.S. (2020).
“Heretic” and “Maria” Set As Red Carpet Premieres At AFI Fest
The American Film Institute (AFI) has announced that Heretic, the psychological thriller starring Hugh Grant, and Maria, based on the life of opera singer Maria Callas starring Angelina Jolie, will round out the Red Carpet Premieres section at this year’s AFI Fest. The Heretic Gala Screening will take place on Thursday, October 24, and the Maria Gala Screening will be held on Saturday, October 26. The complete Red Carpet Premieres section includes the world premieres of Music By John Williams, Robert Zemeckis’ Here, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl and Clint Eastwood’s Juror #2. All Red Carpet Premieres will take place at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre. The full lineup for AFI Fest 2024 will be unveiled on October 1.
“At the heart of AFI Fest is an unwavering dedication to celebrating the best in global cinema--together,” said Bob Gazzale, AFI president and CEO. “We look forward to uniting artists and audiences once again to be inspired by the art form in a powerful sense of community.”
Heretic follows two young missionaries (Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East) who are forced to prove their faith when they knock on the wrong door and are greeted by a diabolical Mr. Reed (portrayed by Grant), becoming ensnared in his deadly game of cat-and-mouse. The film is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods and produced by Stacey Sher, Beck, Woods, Julia Glausi and Jeanette Volturno. The film will be released nationwide by A24 on November 8.
Directed by Pablo Larraín, Maria presents a tumultuous and beautiful depiction of one of the world’s most renowned artists and reimagines the legendary soprano in her final days in Paris, as Callas (Jolie)... Read More