Nonfiction Unlimited, a commercial production company that represents select documentary filmmakers, has signed John S. Park, a director who's made his mark in Korea with documentary-style ad fare.
Originally raised in Los Angeles, Park moved to Seoul to pursue a commercial directing career after attending Art Center, Pasadena. He recently returned, setting up shop to work on commercials for the U.S. market. His portfolio includes international spots and more than 25 awards including Cannes Gold Lions for a Samsung documentary short What Does Your Mind See? about 11 blind students shooting photographs using all of their senses but sight to guide them; and The True Origins of Pizza, a mockumentary for Mr. Pizza, the Korean fast food chain.
Loretta Jeneski, partner/executive producer at Nonfiction, said that Park “brings such a beautiful eye to documentary style commercials-very refined. And he is equally at home with actors and dramatic scripted content. He brings such versatility to his work.”
Park noted that before signing with Nonfiction, he worked with the company on a Ford campaign, which proved to be a positive experience. “My recent work tends to focus on documentary,” he said. “Commercials are often based on what people want to be rather than who they are, so they often go over the top, making things more fancy and attractive. I want to make it more real. Truthful storytelling is the most effective type of storytelling.”
“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