Media, management and production company Anonymous Content has promoted Shion Hayasaka from head of production to executive producer for its U.K. division. In her new role, Hayasaka will work alongside Anonymous Content U.K.’s managing director and executive producer Tor Fitzwilliams to represent some of the roster’s top talent, including directors Alex Hulsey, Autumn de Wilde, Elena Petitti di Roreto, Olivia Wilde, and Pantera. With 15 years of production experience, Hayasaka, who joined Anonymous Content U.K. in 2020, has been instrumental in driving the success of numerous projects, demonstrating a keen eye for storytelling. Since opening in 2019, Anonymous Content U.K. has been nominated for Best Creative Production Company at the Creative Circle Awards, and been recognized with top industry awards including wins at AICP, British Arrows, Ciclope, Creative Circle, D&AD, and the Kinsale Sharks….
Enhancing its ecommerce and retail media capabilities, Havas has acquired Liquid, a leading omni-commerce company. Liquid will be rebranded as Liquid Havas and join the organization under Havas Market, Havas’ full-service ecommerce offering dedicated to delivering meaningful shopping experiences for people, brands and retailers. Launched in 2020, Havas Market has grown steadily and is now scaled globally across 30+ markets. Established in 2016 and known for its dynamic approach in marrying science, art, and instinct, Liquid has risen to prominence by revolutionizing how brands connect with consumers at retail touchpoints. With a team of over 100 specialists, Liquid has cultivated a notable portfolio of leading, global FMCG clients such as Nestle, PepsiCo, Beiersdorf, and Procter & Gamble. The integration of Liquid’s agile and creative retail strategies into Havas Market’s global resources and technological expertise will deliver value to brands and consumers alike. The addition of Liquid also reinforces Havas’ presence in the Middle East where it maintains a partnership with luxury goods sales and marketing specialist Chalhoub Group. Liquid’s CEO Sachinn J Laala will remain in his role….
Review: Director-Writer Megan Park’s “My Old Ass”
They say tripping on psychedelic mushrooms triggers hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia and nervousness. In the case of Elliott, an 18-year-old restless Canadian, they prompt a visitor.
"Dude, I'm you," says the guest, as she nonchalantly burns a 'smores on a campfire next to a very high and stunned Elliott. "Well, I'm a 39-year-old you. What's up?"
What's up, indeed: Director-writer Megan Park has crafted a wistful coming-of-age tale using this comedic device for "My Old Ass" and the results are uneven even though she nails the landing.
After the older Elliott proves who she is — they share a particular scar, childhood memories and a smaller left boob — the time-travel advice begins: Be nice to your brothers and mom, and stay away from a guy named Chad.
"Can we hug?" asks the older Elliott. They do. "This is so weird," says the younger Elliott, who then makes things even weirder when she asks for a kiss — to know what it's like kissing yourself. The older Elliott soon puts her number into the younger's phone under the name "My Old Ass." Then they keep in touch, long after the effects of the 'shrooms have gone.
Part of the movie's problem that can't be ignored is that the two Elliotts look nothing alike. Maisy Stella plays the coltish young version and a wry Aubrey Plaza the older. Both turn in fine performances but the visuals are slowly grating.
The arrival of the older Elliott coincides with her younger self counting down the days until she can flee from her small town of 300 in the Muskoka Lakes region to college in Toronto, where "my life is about to start." She's sick of life on a cranberry farm.
Park's scenes and dialogue are unrushed and honest as Elliott takes her older self's advice and tries to repair... Read More