When director Brandon Dickerson, whose commercialmaking home is kaboom productions, San Francisco and Los Angeles, first heard singer/songwriter Justin Dillon’s desire to draw attention to the truth about the human slave trade problem today, he knew he had to strongly commit to the cause in some fashion.
So what began as a grassroots effort two years ago has since grown into a full-length feature documentary CALL+RESPONSE, which launched nationally in select theaters earlier this month. Dillon is the voice and director of the project and Brandon Dickerson is the director of the music performance segments that help to move the film along.
“I am honored to support what Justin has accomplished with this film,” said Dickerson. “What began as a unique idea of artistic filmed performances has exploded into Justin dedicating years of passion to the cause of CALL+RESPONSE. He has shaped a powerful film that is certain to have a profound impact on all who view it.”
The feature documentary discloses the world’s 27 million dirtiest secrets–that’s the estimated number of slaves today, meaning that there are more slaves presently than ever before in history.
CALL+RESPONSE goes deep undercover to different part of the globe where slavery is thriving–from the child brothels of Cambodia to the slave-run brick kilns of rural India–to reveal that in 2007, slave traders made more money than Google, Nike and Starbucks combined. This is a hugely profitable industry based on human misery.
Dickerson, who directs commercials, documentaries and music-driven projects through kaboom productions and sister shop BOOM music videos, captured performances featured in CALL+RESPONSE by Grammy-winning and critically acclaimed artists including Moby, Cold War Kids, Imogen Heap, Five For Fighting, Switchfoot, members of Nickel Creek with Benmont Tench and Glen Phillips, as well as Rocco Deluca.
As filming of the bands wrapped up in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York, Dillon found interest in his project growing and soon found himself sitting down with a camera interviewing such notables as Cornel West, Madeleine Albright, Julia Ormond, Ashley Judd, Nicholas Kristof, and many other prominent political and cultural figures who offer first hand accounts of this 21st century trade.
Dillon soon realized that this was much more than just a concert to end slavery–but a compelling music-driven documentary that clearly articulates the issue of modern day slavery.
“Working with so many talented artists was inspiring,” said Dickerson. “I decided to shoot black and white grainy Super16mm and designed the artistic look of the performances to connect with the film’s prevailing message. So many people donated time and talent to support Justin as a modern day Abolitionist on a journey. And now you have a film in theaters where the profits are given to victims of slavery.”
Radium, San Francisco, Santa Monica and Dallas, handled editing and design for the film.
(For a list of theaters and to buy tickets, log on to http://callandresponse.com/tickets.)
Gene Hackman and His Wife Are Found Dead In Their Santa Fe Home; Oscar-Winning Actor Was 95
Gene Hackman, the prolific Oscar-winning actor whose studied portraits ranged from reluctant heroes to conniving villains made him one of the industry's most respected and honored performers, has been found dead along with his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, at their home in Santa Fe, N.M.
Foul play was not suspected, but authorities did not release circumstances of their deaths and said an investigation was ongoing.
Hackman, 95, Arakawa, 63, and their dog were all dead when deputies entered their home to check on their welfare around 1:45 p.m. Wednesday (2/26), Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Denise Avila said.
Hackman was a frequent and versatile presence on screen from the 1960s until his retirement. His dozens of films included the Academy Award favorites "The French Connection" and "Unforgiven," a breakout performance in "Bonnie and Clyde," a classic bit of farce in "Young Frankenstein," a turn as the comic book villain Lex Luthor in "Superman" and the title character in Wes Anderson's 2001 "The Royal Tenenbaums."
He seemed capable of any kind of role — whether an uptight buffoon in "Birdcage," a college coach finding redemption in the sentimental favorite "Hoosiers" or a secretive surveillance expert in Francis Ford Coppola's Watergate-era release "The Conversation."
"Gene Hackman a great actor, inspiring and magnificent in his work and complexity," Coppola said on Instagram. "I mourn his loss, and celebrate his existence and contribution."
Although self-effacing and unfashionable, Hackman held special status within Hollywood — heir to Spencer Tracy as an everyman, actor's actor, curmudgeon and reluctant celebrity. He embodied the ethos of doing his job, doing it very well, and letting... Read More