Two of Us, a London-based production company headed by EP Gianni Cerretani, has reinforced its Atlantic alliance by signing American comedy director Michael Leary on a global basis with the exception of the U.S. Two of Us has been in worldwide partnership with another American director, visual storyteller Corydon Wagner, for many years and the addition of Leary adds another promising creative spark from across the pond to its roster as Leary is building on a breakthrough year in 2020 when he established himself in the U.S. market with his selection into SHOOT’s New Directors Showcase on the strength of his Members Only spec spot, “The Sopranos.”
Based in NYC, Leary has gained a reputation as a commercial director who specializes in physical comedy. He grew up on Looney Tunes and Tom and Jerry, which helped influence the antics and tone seen in his work. Leary’s passion for filmmaking started in college when he switched his major from physical therapy to film production. After receiving a degree in communications and freelancing for many production companies, he discovered he had an affinity for short-form media, especially commercials and branded content. After building his reel for several years, he made the cut for SHOOT’s New Directors Showcase.
Leary’s work has taken him all over the U.S. as well as internationally to such locales as the Caribbean, Italy, Switzerland, and South Africa.
“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